How to record your Android Phone screen.

Recently, I've been doing some YouTube videos that required me to show my Android phone and how to use specific apps and settings. This got me hunting for software that would allow me to show my Android screen on my Windows computer so that I could record it and put it as part of my YouTube video.

For things like this, I tend to prefer open-source software. I find it's generally nicer to use than closed-source software made by companies that want to sell you stuff. Software made by a passionate community that wants to provide you with great tools that are functional and not bloated. This is how I came across scrcpy, and I've used it ever since. I found it very easy, reliable, and quick to get working.

This guide will walk you through the process of mirroring your Android device's screen to your Windows PC using this fantastic tool.

Prepare Your Windows PC

First, you need to download the scrcpy software onto your computer.

1. Download scrcpy: Go to the latest scrcpy release page on GitHub. In the "Assets" section, download the zip file appropriate for your system (e.g., scrcpy-win64-vX.X.zip).

2. Extract the Files: Once downloaded, right-click the zip file and extract its contents to a folder you can easily access, such as creating a new folder at C:\scrcpy.

Prepare Your Android Device

Next, you need to enable USB debugging, which is located in a hidden "Developer options" menu on your Android device.

1. Enable Developer Options:

   • Navigate to Settings > About phone.

   • Scroll to the bottom and tap on Build number seven times consecutively. You will see a notification that says, "You are now a developer!"

2. Enable USB Debugging:

   • Return to the main Settings menu.

   • Go to System > Developer options.

   • Find the USB debugging option and turn it on.

3. (Optional) Show Taps:

   • While still in Developer options, you can enable Show taps (or a similar setting like "Show visual feedback for touches"). This is helpful as it displays a visual indicator on the screen for any touches, which will be visible in the mirrored window on your PC.

Connect and Mirror

Now you are ready to connect your device and launch the screen mirror.

• Connect Your Device: Plug your Android device into your Windows PC using a USB cable.

• Authorize the Connection: A prompt will appear on your phone's screen asking to "Allow USB debugging?". Check the box that says "Always allow from this computer" and then tap Allow. This ensures you don't have to repeat this step every time.

• Run scrcpy:

• Open the Terminal app on your Windows PC. You can find it in the Start Menu or by searching for it.

• In the Terminal, you must first navigate to the folder where you extracted scrcpy. For example, if you extracted it to C:\scrcpy, type the following command and press Enter:

  • cd C:\scrcpy

• Once you are in the correct directory, type the final command and press Enter:

  • scrcpy

A window will now open on your desktop, showing a live mirror of your Android screen. You can control your device using your mouse and keyboard. To stop mirroring, simply close the window.

Turn Off USB Debugging When You're Done!

Once you have finished using the software, it is crucial that you turn off USB debugging mode. Leaving it enabled poses a significant security risk.

For example, if you went through an airport and security took your phone away with USB debugging mode enabled, they could potentially access your phone's data, take copies of it, and do whatever they wish with it, bypassing some of your device's security.

To keep your device secure, always remember to disable the feature after you're done.

How to Disable USB Debugging:

1. Navigate back to Settings > System > Developer options.

2. Find the USB debugging toggle and turn it off.