If you’re a developer and have gained access to the iOS 11 Beta, or are someone who followed our get Apple’s update early guide. You may not know, that, for the first time, the company has included screen recording as a feature within the OS. As such, you now don’t need tweaks or a jailbreak to record what’s happening on your iPhone or iPad. Here is what you need to know about this feature, plus a tutorial on how to set it up.
iOS 11 Screen Recording
If you’re wondering why Apple didn’t mention screen recording during the iOS 11 segment of its Keynote address at WWDC? The answer is, we do not know why. However, the assumption is that with limited time, it chose what it thought were more important features to announce. So, the fact it wasn’t mentioned, does not mean it’s undervalued in any way. In fact, it could prove to be a crucial feature, because before iOS 11, getting a screen recording wasn’t easy.
You basically, had two options, the first being to jailbreak you iPhone or iPad. Second, there was the rather laborious task of connecting your device to a Mac and screen recording via QuickTime. Fortunately, for you, if you have a compatible iOS 11 device, it’s now as simple as flicking a toggle, and we will tell you how.
Compatible Devices
If you have already upgraded to the iOS 11 Beta, that means you have a compatible device and can move on. However, if you are here to discover more about the firmware, before upgrading, here are the compatible devices.
- iPhone 7, 7 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 6, 6 Plus iPhone SE, 5s
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (first and second gen), Pro 10.5-inch, Pro 9.7-inch, Air 2, Air, iPad (2017)
- iPad mini 4, mini 3, mini 2
- iPod Touch 6th gen
If your device is not on the above list, we’re afraid it’s not compatible, and you will have to use the older screen recording methods.
How To Setup Screen Recording On iOS 11
As with all tutorials, please read and act upon each step individually. If by chance, you don’t understand anything, use the comments section below for help.
1. With the iOS 11 Beta installed onto your compatible iPhone or iPad, go to and tap the Settings App.
2. On the following window place your finger at the top of the screen and Pull Downward. This action is similar to refreshing a display, but, it will reveal a search bar Tap It and then search for Control Center.
3. When the search is complete, select Control Center. Next scroll downward and select the Green Plus Icon which is beside the Screen Recording option.
Following this step will add screen recording to the new control center, and as such make it easier to access.
How To Use Screen Recording
Now that you have successfully set up this new iOS 11 feature, it is time to learn how to use it. Again as always, follow each step below individually, doing so will help to prevent mistakes, and speed up the process.
1. Having completed the above steps go to the Home Screen of your device. Next, Swipe Upward from the bottom of the display. Doing so, will request the Control Centre to appear.
2. Within the Control Center, you should now be able to see a Screen Recording icon, Long Press It.
Once the above action is complete, you will be presented with options for starting and stopping a recording. Plus, the options to turn on and off audio recording via a microphone button.
3. To begin screen recording with iOS 11, tap Start Recording, followed by the Home Button to Exit the window.
At this point, you can either use your iPhone or iPad as normal or focus on the recording. You will notice, that there is a blue bar under the status bar. It will provide you with information such as a confirmation that recording is underway, and its duration.
4. As and when you need to stop screen recording, Tap The Blue Bar. iOS 11, will then save your recording to the Photos application.
Final Thoughts
And that is it; you now know how to use the new iOS 11 Screen Recording feature. Of course, if you have any questions, or have run into trouble, please get in touch below. However, if all is well head on over to the Photos app and check out the results of your recording.
