Screen recording of some apps only gives you a black screen. This is because of the security measures applied by the app developers to protect the content and privacy on the platform. You’re only going to get a black screen in recorded videos.
While protecting the content and user privacy is good, it becomes a challenging task when you have to share a bug or create a tutorial related to the app, and screen recording is the only option. The good thing is that bypassing this restriction isn’t a big deal.
In this step-by-step guide, I’ll share easy and effective ways to screen record protected apps without getting a black screen as the output.
Also Read: How to Download Restricted Telegram Videos Easily
The Black Screen Problem With Screen Recording
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Pirated content is all over the internet, resulting in a significant decrease in revenue for many businesses. To reduce this, developers use Digital Rights Management (DRM) to restrict screen recording of the content. Some of its examples include Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.
It’s not just about protecting the business’s revenue, as platforms like Telegram use DRM to restrict screen recording of private chats, videos, groups, and channels to protect users’ privacy.
Finance apps and apps showing paid courses also do not allow users to record the screen.
Disclaimer:
This article does not promote any illegal use of screen recording. If you are trying to record someone’s chat, please take consent from the other person.
How to Screen Record Protected Apps
There are multiple ways to screen record restricted apps on Android, iPhone, and Windows. I have detailed them below with all the steps.
Screen Record Protected Apps on Android
Method 1: Screen Share to Another Device
If you have another smartphone (Android or iOS), you can mirror the screen to this phone and record the screen to fulfill the purpose. It’s an easy workaround to screen record protected apps without a black screen.
For screen sharing, you can use apps like AirDroid Cast and TeamViewer.
Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Download a screen sharing app on both devices.
Step 2: Mirror the primary device’s screen to another device.
Step 3: Screen record on the second device while using the protected app on the primary device.
Google Meet and Zoom also have a screen sharing feature that shows the content of one screen to another. You can also use it to screen record restricted apps on your Android phone. Here’s how:
Step 1: Download the Zoom app on both devices.
Step 2: Host a meeting from one device and join it on another by entering the meeting ID and passcode.
Step 3: On your primary device where the protected app is installed, swipe through the meeting options at the bottom to find the Share option.
Step 4: Tap on Share and select Screen.
Step 5: Click Start now to share your screen.
Step 6: Start screen recording on this device and use the protected app on your primary device.
If your secondary device is an Android phone, you can use the built-in screen recording feature. Swipe down from the top to open the control panel and select the screen recording icon. If it’s a PC, press Win + Shift + S keys to open the Snipping tool. Now, tap the video icon, select the area to screen record, and click Start now.
After the screen recording begins, open the protected app on your primary device so that it gets recorded. Stop the recording when you’re done and enjoy the offline access.
Method 2: Modify the Restricted App
On Android phones, you can modify the app to bypass the screen recording and screenshot restrictions and capture the screen without getting a black screen.
Many websites recommend Tai Chi for this purpose, but it could land you in big trouble. Tai Chi is a closed-sourced app, which means the code isn’t available publicly, and there’s not much information about the developers.
I don’t recommend going down this route just to screen record a protected app. The method #1 should do the work. However, if you want to proceed, EdXposed is a better option. It’s an open-source framework with better compatibility and a wider selection of available modules.
Use the DISABLE FLAG SECURE module with EdXposed to bypass screenshot and screen recording restrictions.
Screen Record Protected Apps on iPhone
Since you can’t modify apps on iPhones, the only way to screen record protected apps is by mirroring the screen to a different device and recording that screen.
The second device doesn’t necessarily have to be an iPhone. It could also be Android, Mac, or Windows.
1. iPhone to iPhone screen sharing
You can use the FaceTime app to share the screen from one iPhone to another. After that, start screen recording on the second iPhone while using the restricted app on your primary iPhone.
Step 1: Open the FaceTime app.
Step 2: Start a video call with the other iPhone.
Step 3: After the video call initiates, tap on the screen of your primary iPhone to see FaceTime controls.
Step 4: Tap the screen sharing icon. Click Share My Screen to share the entire screen.
Step 5: Swipe down from the top-right corner of your second iPhone to open the Control Center.
Step 6: Tap the recording icon to start recording the screen.
If you can’t find the recording icon in the Control Center, go to Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls, and click the “+” icon next to screen recording.
FaceTime is an easy solution to screen share from one iPhone to another. However, you can also use a third-party app such as ApowerMirror. Meeting apps, such as Zoom and Google Meet, also offer the screen sharing functionality.
2. iPhone to Android screen sharing
There’s no direct way to cast your iPhone’s screen to an Android device. You must install a third-party app, such as ApowerMirror or AirDroid Cast.
Step 1: Download the same screen sharing app on both devices.
Step 2: Open the app and connect both devices.
Step 3: Use the screen sharing feature to mirror your iPhone’s screen to the Android device.
Step 4: Start recording the screen on your Android while using the restricted app on iPhone.
Most Android phones have a built-in screen recording feature, which can be accessed via the control panel. If it isn’t available on your phone, download AZ Screen Recorder or XRecorder from the Google Play Store.
3. iPhone to Mac screen sharing
Step 1: Connect your iPhone and Mac to the same Wi-Fi network.
Step 2: Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone to open the Control Center.
Step 3: Tap the Screen mirroring button.
Step 4: Press Shift + Command + 5 buttons together on your Mac.
Step 5: Click on the record option, select the portion, and hit Record.
4. iPhone to Windows screen sharing
Use ApowerMirror, Zoom, or any other software to mirror your iPhone’s screen to a Windows computer. After that, press Win + Shift + S buttons on your PC and click the video icon. Now, select a portion to record and hit the Start now button.
Screen Record Protected Apps on Windows
Apps use various security mechanisms to protect against content piracy and improve user privacy. This makes it difficult for a screen recording app to bypass all the restrictions. While apps like ApowerMirror and iTop Screen Recorder can do it on many apps, I can’t guarantee they’ll work with all apps with such restrictions.
You can try some of these apps to discover which can screen record protected apps without showing a black screen in the output.
I hope this guide provides enough clarity on how to screen record protected apps without getting a black screen. Which restricted app are you trying to record? Do tell us in the comment section below.
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