Recording your screen on the Google Pixel 9 Pro is a fantastic way to create tutorials, capture a funny moment from a video call, or save your best gameplay. The phone comes with a capable built-in tool that's just a few taps away.
Access the Screen Recorder
Swipe down from the top of your screen twice to pull down the full Quick Settings panel. Look for the 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. I'd start with this one, as it's the official tool and works seamlessly with Android 15.
Start Your First Recording
Tap the Screen record tile. A menu will pop up asking what audio you want to capture. You can choose Device audio (sounds from apps and games), Device audio and microphone (for adding your own commentary), or Microphone only.
You'll also see a toggle to Show touches on screen. This is incredibly helpful for tutorial videos, as it visually highlights where you're tapping. Once you've made your selections, tap Start. A three-second countdown begins, giving you time to navigate to the app or screen you want to record.
Stop and Save Your Video
To stop recording, swipe down from the top of the screen to see your notifications. You'll find a persistent notification with a Stop button. Tap it, or you can tap the small red recording indicator that floats on the edge of your screen.
The video saves automatically to your Google Photos library. You'll usually find it in the main "Photos" grid, and it's also sorted into a "Videos" album for easy access later.
Edit and Trim the Recording
Open the video in Google Photos. Tap the Edit button at the bottom. Here, you can use the trimming tool to cut off the beginning or end, which is perfect for removing the countdown or any fumbling after you stop.
Google Photos also lets you adjust lighting, color, and apply filters. For more advanced edits, you can tap "Export" and choose to save a copy or use other editing apps directly from the share menu.
Configure Recording Quality
For higher quality recordings, long-press the Screen record tile in your Quick Settings. This takes you directly to its settings. Here, you can adjust the video resolution and frame rate.
Higher settings like 1080p at 60 FPS are great for smooth gameplay, but they create much larger files. The default settings are usually a good balance of quality and file size for everyday use.
What You Can't Record
Due to copyright protection, most premium video streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, and Max will block screen recording. You'll typically see a black screen or an error message.
Similarly, secure apps for banking or digital payments often disable recording for your security. For everything else, browsing, social media, games, and most other apps, the recorder will work without any issues.
Share Your Screen Recording
Once your video is ready, open it in Google Photos and tap the Share icon. You can send it directly via Messages, Gmail, WhatsApp, or upload it to platforms like YouTube or TikTok.
If the file is very long and too large to send easily, you can use the editing tools in Google Photos to trim it down first. The "Save copy" feature during export can also help reduce the file size if needed.
Using Third-Party Recorder Apps
If you need features like live drawing on screen, more detailed audio controls, or live streaming, consider a third-party app from the Play Store. Popular options like AZ Screen Recorder or Mobizen offer these advanced tools.
Just install your chosen app, grant it the necessary permissions over other apps (which Android will prompt you for), and you're set. I've found the built-in tool covers about 90% of needs, but these apps are great for that extra 10%.