Your Google Pixel 10 Pro XL has a built-in screen recorder that captures both video and audio. It runs on Android 16, which includes the latest screen recording improvements. Here's how to get it working.
Open the Screen Recorder
Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open the full Quick Settings panel. Look for the Screen record tile. If you don't see it, tap the pencil icon at the bottom to edit your tiles, then drag the Screen record tile into your active set.
On Pixel 10 Pro XL it's simply labeled "Screen record." Long-pressing the tile opens settings where you can pick video resolution (720p, 1080p, or 4K) and frame rate (30 or 60 fps).
Recording with Audio is Simple
Tap the Screen record tile and a popup appears. You get three audio choices: Device audio captures sounds from apps and games but not your voice. Device audio and microphone records app sounds plus everything you say. Microphone only records just your voice. If you're making a tutorial or commentary, pick the second option. You can also toggle Show touches on screen to make your taps visible.
Tap Start, a three-second countdown runs, and then your screen is being recorded. Navigate to the app or game you want to capture.
Stop and Save Your Video
When you're done, swipe down from the top again and tap the Stop button in the recording notification. You can also tap the red recording indicator in the status bar. The video automatically saves to Google Photos or your Files app.
If you're recording for a long time, keep an eye on your Pixel's temperature. The 10 Pro XL tends to get warm, especially if you're charging while recording. Remove the phone case beforehand to help it stay cool and avoid overheating shutdowns.
Trim Your Recording
Open the recording in Google Photos. Tap Edit and use the trim handles to cut off the start and end where you were setting things up. Google Photos also lets you adjust brightness, contrast, and add a filter. For more advanced editing, open the video in a third-party editor like CapCut or InShot.
The video is saved as an MP4 file, which you can share directly from Photos.
What About Game Recording?
For dedicated game capture, open Google Play Games, select a game, and look for the recording icon. This mode lets you add a front-camera overlay showing your face and is optimized to not slow down gameplay. It's the same feature available on other Pixel phones, but the 10 Pro XL's Tensor chip handles it smoothly even at higher frame rates.
Which Apps Block Recording?
Most streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu show a black screen if you try to record them. Banking apps and anything that handles payment data also block recording for security. Regular apps, web browsing, and games work without issues.
If you need to record a video call or presentation, those usually work fine as long as you've selected the right audio source beforehand.
Share Your Video
Find the recording in Google Photos, tap the share button, and send it via Messages, email, WhatsApp, or upload it directly to YouTube or TikTok. For longer videos, you can compress them by lowering the resolution in the screen recorder settings before recording. The Pixel 10 Pro XL supports 45W wired charging, so if you're editing and uploading a long video, plugging in with a 30W+ PPS charger keeps the battery topped up quickly.
