How to Screen Record on PS5 (Step by Step)

How to Screen Record on PS5 (Step by Step)

The PlayStation 5 makes it easy to record your gameplay in high quality. Whether you want to capture a clutch moment, record commentary with your mic, or export footage to your phone or PC, this guide walks you through every method step by step. If you also need to capture still images, check out our guide on taking screenshots on PS5.

Method 1: Start/Stop Recording with the Create Button

Use the DualSense controller�s Create button to record live gameplay instantly.

Steps:

1. Open the game you want to record on your PS5
2. Press the Create button (left of the touchpad) once to open the capture menu
3. Select 'Start New Recording' or press the assigned shortcut (if enabled)
4. A small recording indicator will appear on screen
5. Play your game. When you�re done, press Create again and choose 'Stop Recording'
6. Find the clip in Media Gallery > All clips

?? Pro Tip: By default, PS5 records at 1080p 60 FPS. You can change this in Captures & Broadcasts settings.

Method 2: Save Recent Gameplay (Retroactive Capture)

Missed the moment? PS5 can save the last minutes of gameplay retroactively.

Steps:

1. Press the Create button to open the capture menu
2. Select 'Save Recent Gameplay'
3. Choose a duration (e.g., 30 seconds, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, up to 1 hour depending on settings)
4. The clip is saved immediately to your Media Gallery

?? Pro Tip: Longer retroactive captures require more storage and can impact performance slightly.

Method 3: Configure Capture Quality (Resolution, FPS, File Type)

Set the recording quality to match your needs before capturing.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings > Captures & Broadcasts > Video Clip Format
2. Set File Type to MP4 for wide compatibility or WebM for smaller sizes
3. Set Resolution (1080p or 4K on PS5; 4K requires a 4K display and may be restricted by some games)
4. Set Frame Rate (60 FPS for smooth motion, 30 FPS for smaller files)
5. Optionally disable HDR for easier editing and compatibility

?? Pro Tip: 1080p60 MP4 is the best balance for sharing and editing on most platforms.

Method 4: Record Microphone and Party Chat Audio

Include your voice and party audio in clips.

Steps:

1. Plug in a headset or use the DualSense mic
2. Press the PS button > Game Base to check party settings if you want party audio
3. Go to Settings > Captures & Broadcasts > Audio
4. Enable 'Include Microphone Audio in Video Clips'
5. Enable 'Include Party Audio in Video Clips' (if desired)
6. Start your recording as normal

?? Pro Tip: A headset reduces background noise significantly compared to the built-in mic.

Method 5: Transfer clips to Phone or PC

Move your recordings off the console for editing or sharing. For mobile recording, you might also be interested in recording iPhone screens or recording TikTok videos.

Steps:

1. Option A � PS App: Open Media Gallery > select a clip > Share > Upload to PlayStation App. Then open the PS App (iOS/Android) > Library > Captures to download
2. Option B � USB Drive: Format a USB drive as exFAT, plug into PS5, open Media Gallery > select clips > Copy to USB Drive
3. Option C � Cloud/Share: Share to YouTube or Twitter (X) directly, then download from those platforms if needed

?? Pro Tip: USB transfer is fastest for many large files; PS App is convenient for a few short clips.

Method 6: Trim and Share from Media Gallery

Quickly edit clips without a PC.

Steps:

1. Open Media Gallery > All clips
2. Select a clip > Edit > Trim
3. Adjust the start and end markers to keep only the key moment
4. Optionally add tags or change privacy when sharing
5. Share to friends or platforms, or save the trimmed version

?? Pro Tip: Trim before sharing to reduce upload time and highlight only the best parts.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

No microphone audio in the recording

Solution: Enable 'Include Microphone Audio in Video Clips' in Settings > Captures & Broadcasts > Audio, and ensure your mic is unmuted (LED off on the DualSense).

Party chat not recorded

Solution: Enable 'Include Party Audio in Video Clips' and make sure party members allow their voice to be shared in party settings.

Video looks choppy or blurry

Solution: Switch to 60 FPS for fast-paced games, disable HDR, and use 1080p for better compatibility. Close background apps to free resources.

Can�t find saved clips

Solution: Open Media Gallery > All clips. If not there, check Storage > Media Gallery or confirm you pressed 'Stop Recording' to finalize the file.

Not enough storage

Solution: Delete old captures in Media Gallery or add an external USB drive. Lower clip duration or resolution to save space.

Recording blocked on certain apps

Solution: Some apps and screens are protected (HDCP). Disable HDCP only if appropriate (Settings > System > HDMI), but re-enable it for streaming apps.

Conclusion

PS5's built-in recording features make it easy to capture and share your best gaming moments in high quality. With flexible settings for resolution, audio, and retroactive capture, you can preserve any gameplay highlight. For still image capture, see our PS5 screenshot guide, or explore other gaming platforms like Steam Deck screenshots and where Steam screenshots are saved. You can also learn about recording fullscreen games on PC, or use our online tools for screen recording and converting screenshots to video.