Android 16 is set to introduce a new feature allowing users to record activities on an external monitor. This expands upon the existing Android 15 capability of capturing screenshots from connected external displays.
As discovered by Android Authority, the Android 16 Beta 3 includes a “Record HDMI Screen” option within the screen recorder menu. This functions similarly to recording the device’s display, encoding and saving the video in the same format.
Currently, this feature is limited to Android’s native screen recording functionality and external monitors. Third-party recording apps and screen casting via the Cast Tile are not yet supported, though future updates may expand compatibility.
The external monitor screen recording feature aligns with Android 16’s Desktop View mode. This desktop experience aims to enhance the competitiveness of Pixel phones and other Android devices against Samsung and Motorola phones, which offer comprehensive PC-like functionality when connected to an external display.
This feature proves beneficial for users who don’t require a laptop or desktop computer for daily tasks. For occasional word processing or working with Google Sheets, for instance, users can connect their phone to an external display, paired with a mouse and keyboard.
With many TVs functioning as external monitors, a functional “workstation” can be created with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse set, often available on Amazon for around $20.
