Record an iPhone or iPad
Record a trusted iPhone or iPad over USB, including its audio and an optional Mac microphone or camera.
Screenflare records the screen and audio of an iPhone or iPad connected to your Mac with a USB cable. You can also include a Mac microphone or camera.
Record an iPhone or iPad
Video demo coming soon
Connect your device
- Connect the iPhone or iPad to your Mac with a data-capable USB cable. A direct connection is best; some docks and hubs do not expose the device for recording.
- Unlock the device. If it asks whether to trust the computer, tap Trust and enter the device passcode.
- Keep the device unlocked and connected until the recording is finished.
macOS treats the connected device as a camera source, so allow Screenflare access to Camera when prompted. Screen Recording permission is not required for device capture.
Start the recording
- Open the Capture bar with ⌘⇧5 or the Screenflare menu bar icon, then select Recording.
- Turn on System Audio to capture sound from the device. You can also select a Mac Microphone for narration or a Camera for a webcam bubble.
- Select Device, then choose the connected iPhone or iPad.
- The preparation screen confirms whether device audio is on. Make sure the device is still unlocked, then click Start Recording.
Use the iPhone or iPad normally while Screenflare records it. The floating recording bar can pause, resume, start over, discard, or stop the recording. Locking or disconnecting the device can end the capture.
Edit the recording
When you stop, the project opens in the same editor as a Mac screen recording. A recorded webcam stays editable, so you can move, resize, restyle, or hide it.
Device recording notes
- iOS and iPadOS do not expose finger-tap positions to Screenflare, so device recordings have no tap indicators or click-driven Auto Zoom.
- No Screenflare cursor appears when you control the device by touch. To show a pointer, connect a Bluetooth mouse to the iPhone or iPad. Its circular system pointer can appear in the recording, but Screenflare cannot smooth or restyle it like a Mac cursor.
- To emphasize an area without Auto Zoom, move the playhead and press Z to add a manual zoom.
If the device does not appear
- Confirm that the cable supports data, then connect it directly to the Mac instead of through a dock or hub.
- Unlock the device, then tap Trust and enter its passcode if the trust prompt appears.
- Close other apps that may be using the device, then reopen the Device menu.
- In System Settings › Privacy & Security › Camera, allow access for Screenflare.
Next: Edit a recording