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Here's how to screen-record with an Xbox or PlayStation controller in iOS 15

With Apple's iOS 15, you can use a game controller to start and stop your iPhone screen recording.

Shelby Brown Editor II
Shelby Brown (she/her/hers) is an editor for CNET's services team. She covers tips and tricks for apps, operating systems and devices, as well as mobile gaming and Apple Arcade news. Shelby also oversees Tech Tips coverage. Before joining CNET, she covered app news for Download.com and served as a freelancer for Louisville.com.
Credentials
  • She received the Renau Writing Scholarship in 2016 from the University of Louisville's communication department.
Shelby Brown
2 min read
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Capturing clips in a game is easier in iOS 15. 

Patrick Holland/CNET

Apple's newest operating system, iOS 15, was released in September and added features like better map directions and the ability to FaceTime with Android users. The new OS also offers a new way for gamers to share gameplay. While screen recording isn't new to the operating system, iOS 15 will let players start and stop screen recording easily with a connected PS5 or Xbox controller.

Apple added the ability to use game controllers to capture media last year, but ReplayKit now lets you turn on automatic background buffering. With a long press on the controller, you can capture the last 15 seconds of gameplay -- so you can easily record and share a great move or epic battle. During WWDC 2021, Nat Brown, who works on game technologies at Apple, said there's also an API that can capture game highlights programmatically

Read more: How to download iOS 15 and try out the public beta

Watch this: iOS 15 best features: How Focus mode improved my iPhone

How to record your screen with a game controller

If you're using a controller while gaming on iOS 15 and want to record your screen, here's how to do it:

1. Connect your controller via Bluetooth settings if you haven't already.

2. Once the controller is paired, go to Settings > General > Game Control. Once your device is updated to iOS 15, you'll see a new section called Share Gestures and can make customizations from there. 

3. While in the game, long-press the Share button on your controller. If you press the Share button too quickly, it'll just take a screenshot. 

4. Your phone should display a prompt asking if you want to screen-record in the game. Tap Record Screen if you want to, or Don't Allow if you don't. 

5. If you tap Record Screen, you'll get a little notification that says Recording Video Started.

6. To stop screen-recording, long-press the Share button again. 

For more, check out iOS 15's biggest new features and how to download iOS 15 on your iPhone

Watch this: We found these amazing features in the iOS 15 beta