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How to Record with Screen Off on Android and iPhone？

Olivia Bennett

Last Updated: 16/04/2025 | FEATURED IN: Record Tips

High-quality cameras in iPhones and Android smartphones allow us to capture everything that goes on around us, and as a result, we have all become amateur videographers to some extent. We are routinely recording private moments, things we do at work, vacation time, or just random events that happen along the way. Of course, not all those screen recordings turn out well, but we can more or less control what we capture by looking at the screen.

Record with Screen Off on Android

What about situations when it’s not possible to keep the screen on? Is it still possible to keep recording this way? It certainly is, and this article will teach you how to record with the screen off on an Android or iPhone. While you may not be as precise as you normally would, you will be able to record anything you want if you use the right app.

Let’s explore the 3 proven methods to record video screens to get started.

Why Would You Need to Record with Screen Off?

It’s obvious that keeping the screen turned on and using it to monitor what is being recorded makes video creation much easier and more precisely focused. It’s fair to ask why anyone would want to forego this advantage and record without any visual feedback on the device screen. Here are a few scenarios where recording without using the screen makes sense:

• You are in a location where recording is not permitted, and you need to do it discreetly
• You are recording a conversation with a boss or colleague and don’t want them to know
• You want the phone to record something while you are not physically present on location
• You need to use the screen for another function but want the recording to continue
• Your battery is running low, but you need to finish your recording
• You have to immediately record something, but you are busy and can’t look at the screen

How to Record with Screen off on a Computer? (Mac & Windows)

If you’re looking to save energy, prevent screen burn-in, or carry out discrete monitoring, recording your computer screen while it is turned off is an important task. This is particularly useful for recording lengthy webinars, streaming content, or capturing processes without the need to actively monitor the visual effects.

FocuSee is a powerful screen recording software that supports recording the computer screen with the screen off. It offers custom background beautification and mouse-following effects, allowing you to zoom in and out of the screen based on your mouse clicks. You can also use a spotlight to highlight areas you want to emphasize, making it easier to convey important information to viewers.

Get It Free

Here are the general steps you could take to attempt to record with the screen off on a computer.

Step 1. Free download FocuSee and launch it on your computer. FocuSee provides three distinct modes for capturing screen content. Users have the option to record their entire screen, select a particular area for customized recording, or target a specific application window for capture.

Three recording Modes of FocuSee

To record a specific screen section or window, click ‘Custom’ or ‘Window,’ select the recording area or window, and then adjust the camera, microphone, and system audio settings.

Step 2. Customize the settings for your camera, microphone, and system audio as required, then press the red REC button to initiate the recording.

Adjust Settings

Step 3. A 3-second countdown will commence prior to the start of the recording, giving you time to get ready. As the countdown concludes, FocuSee will start capturing the screen, allowing you to begin your presentation at a comfortable pace.

Step 4. The video will automatically feature zoom-in effects once the recording is complete. Moreover, you can engage in basic video editing such as cutting, modifying the speed of playback, changing the camera layout and utilizing the tracking feature to emphasize particular sections.

Change Camera Layout

Step 5. Upon finishing your edits, you have the option to save your video in either GIF or MP4 format or to upload it to cloud storage, providing you with a distinctive link to share with others.

How to Record Video with Screen Off on Android

There are numerous recording apps compatible with an Android phone, including the native recording function that comes pre-installed. However, if you intend to record with the screen off, you might need to narrow your choices to apps that support this feature. One of the best choices is certainly Background Video Recorder, which you can download for free from the Google Play Store and use for recording anything with your phone.

Background Video Recorder is a lightweight application that accesses your camera and creates HD videos from its input. The commands are very simple, so practically anyone can get solid-looking videos with this app. Most importantly, the app has a mode for background recording that keeps the screen turned off while video is being captured. Here is how to activate this function and create a video:

Step 1. Install Background Video Recorder on your phone and permit it to use the camera

Grant All the Necessary Permissions

Step 2. Open Settings to specify which camera to use and other parameters

Step 3. Choose the option to continue recording when the screen is off

Step 4. Turn the screen off, then press the floating record button that’s visible over the screensaver

Start Recording the Video

How to Record Video with Screen Off on iPhone

Given the fact that the iOS ecosystem consists of different apps than Android, iPhone owners have plenty of unique recording options at their disposal. One possibility that immediately pops up is to use the default camera app that you normally rely on for all recordings. This app could be configured to silently record while the screen is locked, but that’s possible only on older iPhone versions up to iOS 9.

A more reliable option is to find an app like SP Camera that allows you to record anything you want while your screen is dark or shows a fake background. This software was designed for ‘spyware’ purposes and its specialty is allowing users to record without anyone else being aware of it. Here is the procedure you must complete in order to complete this task on any iPhone model, including the latest ones.

Step 1. Download and install the SP Camera app from the App Store

Download and install the SP Camera

Step 2. Run the app and enter video mode

Step 3. Tap in the bottom left corner of the screen to start recording

Step 4. Optionally, protect the video with a passcode so that no one else can stop the recording

Step 5. Tap the bottom left corner once again (or enter the passcode) to finalize the capture

Further Reading: How to Record Audio on iPhone >

Frequently Asked Questions about Recording with Screen Off

1. Is there a way to ensure a video recording is made even if I am not actively controlling the phone?

If you are using a specialized app for recording with the screen off, there should be a feature that lets you schedule a recording in advance or start it upon the detection of movement. Activating such a feature allows you to simply leave your phone and capture anything that happens while you are away.

2. Is it possible to stop the recording manually without turning on the screen?

A key characteristic of good recorders for silent capturing is that they allow you to control the recording process by tapping on the dark screen or using another discreet mechanism. In this way, you can start or stop recording without anyone else in the room even noticing.

3. How long can I record video from my phone with the screen turned off?

Depending on the recording tool you choose, there could be a time limit for individual recordings (usually 30 or 45 minutes). Other factors that could impact the maximum duration of the video include the status of the battery as well as the availability of working memory.

Conclusion

Recording from a mobile device with the screen turned off is not very comfortable, but sometimes it might be necessary for several reasons. There are lots of tools that make this task less daunting, and they are available for Android, iOS, and PC platforms. It might take some trial and error before you learn how to use such an app discreetly and make a great video without using the screen. This skill will serve you well if you ever find yourself in a situation where you can’t use the screen for whatever reason. How do you record without the screen being active, and are you satisfied with this method?

Olivia Bennett

A tech enthusiast and content creator who loves diving deep into the latest software, gadgets, and digital tools.