Screen recording on your Fairphone 5 is a great way to capture tutorials, save moments from video calls, or share something interesting you see on your display. The phone runs a clean version of Android 14, which includes a capable built-in screen recorder right in the Quick Settings panel. Here's how to use it effectively.
Access the Screen Recorder
Swipe down from the top of your screen twice to pull down the full Quick Settings shade. Look for a tile labeled Screen record. If you don't see it immediately, tap the pencil or edit icon at the bottom of the panel.
This lets you drag the Screen record tile from the available options up into your active Quick Settings. Once it's there, you can tap it anytime to start a recording.
Start Your First Recording
Tap the Screen record tile. A small menu will pop up asking you to choose your audio source. You can select Device audio to capture sounds from apps and games, Device audio and microphone to also record your voiceover, or Microphone only.
The menu also has a toggle to Show touches on screen. I'd turn this on if you're creating a tutorial, as it visually shows where you're tapping. After making your choices, tap Start. A three-second countdown begins, giving you time to navigate to the app or screen you want to capture.
Record with Your Voice
For narrated guides or commentary, you'll want to pick "Device audio and microphone" before starting. This ensures the recorder captures both the sounds from your Fairphone 5 and your voice through the microphone. Just speak clearly, as the mic will pick up ambient room noise too.
How to Stop and Save
When you're finished, swipe down from the top to see your notifications. You'll find a persistent notification that says "Screen recording in progress." Simply tap the Stop button on this notification.
Alternatively, you can tap the small red recording indicator that floats on the edge of your screen. The video will automatically process and save to your phone's Gallery or Photos app, ready for you to view or edit.
Trim and Edit Your Video
Open the Google Photos app, which comes pre-installed, and find your screen recording. Tap on it, then select the Edit option. The trimming tool lets you cut off the beginning and end, which is useful for removing the moments where you were starting and stopping the recorder.
You can also apply basic color filters or adjust light and color if needed. For more advanced editing, you might need a dedicated video editor from the Play Store.
Change Video Quality and Settings
To adjust the resolution and frame rate, long-press the Screen record tile in your Quick Settings. This should open a settings page for the recorder. Here, you can choose between different quality levels.
Higher resolution and frame rates look smoother but create much larger video files. For most purposes, the default HD setting is perfectly fine and helps save storage space on your device.
Understand Recording Limitations
Due to copyright protection, you can't record video from most major streaming apps. Services like Netflix, Disney+, or Amazon Prime Video will typically display a black screen during recording. Banking and secure payment apps also block recording for obvious security reasons.
Almost everything else is fair game. You can record gameplay, web browsing, social media apps, and any tutorials you create yourself without any issues.
Share Your Screen Recording
Once your video is ready, open it in Google Photos and tap the Share button. You can send it directly via messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram, email it, or upload it to platforms like YouTube or TikTok.
If the file is very long and too large to send easily, look for a "Save copy" or "Reduce file size" option in Google Photos before sharing, or use a separate video compressor app.
Consider Third-Party Recorder Apps
The built-in tool covers the basics, but if you need more features like live drawing on screen, scheduled recordings, or more advanced editing, check the Play Store. Apps like AZ Screen Recorder or Mobizen offer a wider set of tools.
Just install your chosen app, grant it the necessary permissions over other apps, and you're set. I've found that sticking with the built-in option is usually simplest and most reliable for everyday tasks on the Fairphone 5.
