[Resolved] iOS Screen Recording Not Working - 7 Fixes

The screen recording feature first came with iOS 11, released on September 10, 2017. With it, users can easily record whatever is happening on your iOS screen. However, complaints never stop regarding iOS 11 and even the latest iOS 17 screen recording not working. For example:

• Users can't open the built-in recording tool.
• The recording stops itself. 
• Users can't stop recording.
• The recording crashes suddenly.

Even though the issues now often happen to devices running iOS 17, users still report that they come across them on devices with iOS 12/13/14 and older versions. In this article, we will troubleshoot the iOS screen recording not working on iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch, and help you get a beautiful and smooth recording.

[Troubleshooting] iOS Screen Recording Not Working

If you have followed the recording instructions and the iOS screen recording still doesn't work properly, you can check the list below to regain the ability to record your screen on your iPhone/iPad/iPod. 

1. No screen recording icon in Control Center

Before you can capture the screen, you need to add the screen recording feature into your Control Center.

Go to Settings > Control Center > More Controls/Customize Controls and add the Screen Recording. 

2. Screen recording is not recording

If you can see the screen recording icon and nothing happens after you tap the icon. It is likely that you have set up restrictions on screen recording to protect your privacy. Then you need to disable the restrictions for a successful screen capturing. During this process, you need to restart your device to make the new settings take effect. 

For iOS 14/13/12 or higher versions: Open Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Game Center > Screen Recording, and check Allow. 

For iOS 11: Open Settings > Genral > Restrictions > Game Center > Screen Recording and turn it on. 

3. iPhone Screen recording no sound

If the iOS screen recording not working because your recording turns out without audio, it is very possible that you forget to turn on the microphone while recording. To enable audio recording with screen recording, you need to press and hold the screen recording icon and tap the "Microphone" icon to turn it on.

Another reason for a silent video could be that the built-in microphone is physically dead. You can test it by making a call to one of your contacts to see if it is working.

Here is the doctor tool to repair your iPhone screen recording no sound:

4. Screen recording failed to save 

A recording will be automatically saved and you can access it in the Photos app. If your receive an error message saying "Screen recording failed to save", you can try the methods below.

• Deactivate Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode automatically disables some settings to reduce the amount of power that your iOS device uses when the power gets low, so it might cause iOS screen recording not to work. 

• To Turn off Low Battery Mode

Open Settings > Battery and then slide the button to the left to swift off Low Power Mode.

• Free up more storage 

It is not hard to understand that insufficient storage will prevent Screen Recording from saving the video on your iPhone/iPad, especially when your recording is very long.

Check storage and make room for new recordings: Go to Settings > General > iPhone/iPad Storage. You will see a colorful bar indicating your used and free storage. If you are about to use the storage up, go to delete some of your unnecessary downloads or apps.

• Change the saving location

As forementioned, the recording will be saved to Photos by default. If you can't save the recording in there, just try another location. 

You need to press and hold the Screen Recording icon until you see a list of apps. Then scroll down to select a location for a recorded screen video. 

5. Can't record some apps

Some apps may not allow you to record with the iOS built-in screen recording function because those apps contain copyright contents like the Music app. As a result, the error of iPhone screen recording not working occurred. In this case, you will need to install a third-party app to complete a screencasting task. 

6. Screen Recorder crashes

If the iOS screen recording was working and suddenly stops functioning, another attempt you can try is to restart your device. Refreshing the system should help resolve the screen recording suddenly crashing or malfunctioning issue. 

7. Screen recorder stops midway frequently

iOS screen recording not working could result from the buggy version of the operating system on your device. If all the above solutions can't help you fix the problem, you can update your device to the latest iOS. Or, in the worst scenario, factory reset your device. 

If you can't fix the iOS screen recording not working problem by yourself, call Apple support to let them do the work for you.

[Bonus] The Third-party Screen Recorder is Always a Support

No matter whether iOS screen recording not working or Windows screen recording not working, third-party screen recording software is always your best alternative. 

1. [For Windows/iOS] iTop Screen Recorder - Record iOS Screen

If you need a professional and useful screen recorder for iOS or Windows, iTop Screen Recorder is your best bet. It can record high-resolution (even 4K) and high-quality videos on your Windows PC or iOS screen. This free screen recording application never limits your recording time nor leaves a watermark on your video. Another impressive feature is that it offers multiple video formats when exporting like MOV, MP4, WEBM, and AVI. It has multiple recording modes to meet users' needs.

How to record a screen video with iTop Screen Recorder:

Step 1: Download, install and open the software on your device. 

Step 3: On the main tool center to select a recording mode by clicking the arrow beside Full Screen and turn on Speaker or Mic if you need audio in your video.

Step 4: Click "REC" to start recording.

Also Read: How to Record Your Screen in Windows 10 or 11 for Free >>

2. [For iOS] RecGo - Record Screen Capture Display

If iOS screen recording not working, RecGo is an ideal option for recording screens for iPhone and iPad. It is an Apple store app and can be easily installed on your iOS device. It offers customized video resolution (360p to 1080p), Bitrate (1Mbps to 12Mbps), and Frame rate (24fps to 60fps).

How to record your screen using RecGo:

Step 1: Download and install RecGo on your iPhone or another iOS device. 

Step 2: Launch RecGo and change the settings to recording.

Step 3: Click "Start Recording" and click "Continue" and "Start Broadcast". If you want to record sound, you need to turn on the Microphone. 

Step 4: Open the app back again to stop recording and the video will be saved in "My Recordings" in this app.

[Normal Recording] iOS Screen Recording Working

Before you get down to fix the iOS screen recording not working problem, you need to ensure that you have enabled the screen recording on your device and follow up the correct recording procedures.

Check how to record your screen on iPhone/iPad/iPod:

Step 1: Add the screen recording icon into Control Center.

For iOS 13/12/11: Go to Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls and then tap the green button next to Screen Recording.

For iOS 14 and later versions: Go to Settings > Control Center > More Controls and then tap the green button next to Screen Recording. 

Step 2: Open Control Center. 

For iOS 13/12/11: Wipe up from the bottom of your screen. 

For iOS 14 and later versions: Wipe down from the upper right corner of your screen. 

Step 3: Tap and hold the screen recording icon to select where you want to save the recording and if you want to turn on the microphone. 

Step 4: Tap "Start Recording" and wait for a three-second countdown.

Step 5: Open Control Center again and click the recording icon to stop recording. By default, recordings will be saved to the Photos app. 

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article can help you resolve the iOS screen recording not working issue. The built-in screen recording tool is not always reliable, no matter whether it is on iOS or Windows, and you can have a plan B by having a free third-party screen recorder. For Windows and iOS users, iTop Screen Recorder can be your advisable alternative for its powerful recording features, try iTop Screen Recorder on your PC to have a smooth and great screen video for free.