Screen recording on your iPad Pro 2026 is a fantastic tool for creating tutorials, saving memorable video calls, or capturing a high-score run in a game. It's integrated directly into iPadOS 26 and is incredibly simple to start using once you know where to find the control.
Enable the Screen Recording Button
First, you need to add the screen recording shortcut to your Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center, then press and hold on any empty space. Tap Customize Controls or the + button, then find and add the Screen Recording toggle. This places a handy button you can access from any app or the Home Screen.
Start Your First Recording
With the button added, swipe down from the top-right to open Control Center again. Simply tap the Screen Recording button, which looks like a solid circle inside a ring. You'll see a three-second countdown, giving you time to switch to the app or screen you want to capture.
Once the countdown finishes, the button in Control Center will turn red, and a red recording indicator will appear in your status bar. Everything displayed on your iPad Pro's screen is now being recorded, including any system sounds from your apps.
Include Your Voice in the Recording
By default, the recording won't capture audio from your iPad's microphones. To record your voiceover or commentary, you need to enable the microphone. Press and hold the Screen Recording button in Control Center instead of just tapping it.
A small menu will pop up. At the bottom, you'll see a Microphone toggle. Tap it to turn it on (it will highlight in blue), then tap Start Recording. Now, your narration and any ambient sound will be saved along with the video.
Stop and Save the Recording
To end the recording, tap the red status indicator at the top of your screen and select Stop. Alternatively, you can open Control Center again and tap the now-red Screen Recording button. The recording will process for a moment and then save automatically to your Photos app, in the Videos album.
Trim and Edit the Video
Head to the Photos app and locate your new screen recording. Tap Edit in the top corner. You'll see a timeline at the bottom; drag the handles at the beginning and end to trim off any extra footage, like the moments you spent opening Control Center.
This quick edit is usually all you need. When you're done, tap Done and choose to save the changes to the original video or save it as a new edited copy.
Share Your Screen Recording
From within the Photos app, open the video and tap the share button (the square with an arrow pointing up). You can AirDrop it to another Apple device, send it via Messages or Mail, or upload it directly to a cloud service or social media platform. For very long recordings, the file size can be large, so sharing via a link from iCloud Drive is often easier.
Understanding Recording Limitations
The screen recorder works with almost everything, but there are a few restrictions due to copyright protection. Streaming video from services like Netflix, Apple TV+, or Disney+ will typically appear as a black screen during playback in your recording.
This is a deliberate block to prevent piracy. Most other content, including web browsers, games, productivity apps, and your own photos and videos, will record perfectly. I've found this rule applies consistently across all iPadOS devices.
Use Recordings for Tech Support
If you ever encounter a weird bug or glitch on your iPad Pro, recording it is the best way to show someone what's happening. It's far more effective than trying to describe an intermittent problem in an email or support chat. You can then share that exact video clip to get accurate help.
