An iPhone screen recording without sound almost always comes down to one of three things: the microphone was off when you started, the app you recorded doesn't allow its audio to be captured, or the sound was never playing out loud. Check the microphone toggle first: touch and hold the Screen Recording button in Control Center and make sure Microphone is on before you tap Start Recording.
First, which sound is missing?
| What's silent | Most likely cause | Go to |
|---|---|---|
| Your voice | Microphone toggle off | Fix 1 |
| A call (FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom) | iOS blocks call audio | Fix 2 |
| A movie or series from a streaming app | Copy protection | Fix 2 |
| Game or app sound | Volume, mute in the app, audio routing | Fixes 3–4 |
| Everything, and the video stops early | Storage or restrictions | Fixes 5–6 |
Fix 1: turn on the microphone before you start
The Screen Recording microphone is off by default and iOS remembers your last choice.
- Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center.
- Touch and hold the Screen Recording button. A short tap starts recording straight away and skips the menu.
- Tap Microphone so it turns on, then tap Start Recording.
Apple describes the same steps in its screen recording guide (Apple Support). The microphone records your voice and the room, on top of the sound coming from the app.
Fix 2: some audio can't be recorded at all
Apple notes that some apps don't allow their content to be recorded. In practice:
- Calls. FaceTime, phone, WhatsApp, Zoom and similar call audio is muted in screen recordings. More in can you screen record FaceTime.
- Streaming services with copy protection. Most paid video services record a black screen, silence, or both.
- Some music and video apps block capture of their audio.
No setting or third-party app changes this; it's how iOS protects calls and licensed content. Record your own commentary over the video instead, or use the service's built-in clip or share feature if it has one.
Fix 3: make sure the sound is actually playing
A screen recording captures what the phone is playing, so check the basics:
- Turn the volume up while recording, and check the app's own mute button (many games and social apps start muted).
- In a game, check its sound and music settings.
- Play a few seconds of video with sound before starting the recording, to confirm audio is coming out.
Fix 4: disconnect Bluetooth and AirPlay, then try again
If headphones, a speaker or a car are connected, play the same test with Bluetooth off. Apple also says you can't record your screen and use screen mirroring at the same time, so stop AirPlay mirroring before recording (Apple Support).
Fix 5: check Screen Time restrictions
If the Screen Recording button is grey or recording stops right away, Screen Time may be blocking it. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions and look for Screen Recording under Game Center; set it to Allow. On a child's iPhone the parent has to change this (Apple Support).
Fix 6: free up storage
Screen recordings are large: a few minutes can take hundreds of megabytes. When storage runs low, iOS can stop the recording early or fail to save it. Check Settings > General > iPhone Storage and keep at least a few gigabytes free before long recordings.
Fix 7: restart and update
Restart the iPhone, then make a 10-second test recording with the microphone on. If it still has no sound, update iOS in Settings > General > Software Update; screen recording bugs are usually fixed in point releases.
Want your voice and face in the recording?
If you are recording a tutorial, a game or a reaction, you often want your commentary in it, not only the app's sound. OnAir (our app) records the screen, then lets you add your face cam and microphone on top of the recording, trim it and share it. It works within the same iOS rules: it can't record call audio or protected streams either.
See also: how to screen record on iPhone.
