How to Use Screencast on Chromebook: Complete Guide
TheScreencast app is now availableby default without enabling any flags on the latest ChromeOS 103 update. It is a screen recorder app but comes with a few additional features such as the ability to record yourself while recording the screen, transcription options, a marker feature to annotate while recording, sharing, and more. It’s a great tool for creating presentations, video lessons, etc. So let’s dive into how to access and use the screencast app on Chromebook, and share your screencasts from ChromeOS.
Table of Contents
How to Access Screencast App on Chromebook
1.First, update the ChromeOS to its latest version or version 103 or above. To update, click on theclockat the bottom right corner and select thecog iconto open ChromeOS Settings.
2.In the Settings app, click on theAbout ChromeOSoption in the left sidebar. Here you should be able to check your ChromeOS version. If the version is 103 or above, you can use the Screencast app.
3.If not, click onCheck for updatesbutton beside it and then click onUpdateif any updates are available.
4.Now press theSearchbutton on the keyboard or theLaunchericon at the bottom left corner of the screen to open the ChromeOS app drawer.
5.In the app drawer, scroll down and open theScreencastapp. Or, you may also search for a Screencast to find and open it.
How to Use Screencast App on Chromebook
1.Open the Screencast app from the app drawer. Click on theNew screencastbutton at the top to start the recording Chromebook screen.
2.You will enter into ChromeOS’sscreen recording mode. By default, it is set to record the entire screen. But you may set it to record only a portion of the selected screen or you can also select any window to record.
4.By clicking on thecog icon, you’re able to set the audio input device and webcam. You can record audio from the mic, but the audio from the Chromebook itself cannot be recorded as of now.
5.By default, the screencast will also include the camera recording in a small circle, but you can also choose to turn it off here.
6.You can move the webcam view to either of the four corners before recording.
7.Once you have customized it to your need, click on theRecordbutton to start recording.
8.After a three-second countdown, Screencast will begin recording Chromebook’s screen. If you want to record a longer video, you don’t have to worry about your Chromebook’s storage. The video will be uploaded to Google Drive as you record, you just need to ensure you are connected to the internet.
9.You can stop the recording by clicking on thestop icon(red circle) in the bottom dock.
The Screencast video will be uploaded to Google Drive, so you cannot access the video in your local storage. But, you cannot access the video from Google Drive either. Instead, it will be only available on the Screencast app. But the videos will take up space in your Drive storage and you’re able to access them on your other Chromebooks too.
Draw on Screen While Recording on Chromebook
1.Screencast also has a marker option that you can use for annotations while recording the screen. To annotate while recording with Screencast on your Chromebook, click on thepen iconin the dock beside the stop recording icon.
2.Now you can start drawing on the screen. To erase, click on thepen iconagain.
3.To change the color, right-click on the pen icon and select a color to change it.
All these annotations will be recorded in the Screencast video you are recording. As of now, you can only use the marker feature while recording only.
How to Check and Edit Transcripts in Screencast Recordings
1.Open the video to see transcriptions automatically on the right side. By clicking on the transcript, the video will start playing from the chosen time and transcription.
2.In case any transcription isn’t accurate, click on thekebab menu (three-dot menu)beside it and selectEdit text.
3.Then you can edit the transcription and click on theSavebutton to change it.
4.In theKebab menu (three-dot menu), you will find theSkip sectionoption. It will skip that part of the video while playing.
How to Share Your Screencasts on Chromebook
Sharing a screencast is as easy as sharing files on your Google Drive.
1.On the home page of the Screencasts app, click on thekebab menu (three-dot menu)and select theShareoption.
2.Alternatively, you’re able to click on theSharebutton at the top while playing the video in the app.
3.In the pop-up, give a name for your Screencast video and click onContinue.
4.By default, it is set to keep it private, so change it toShare with others.
5.Now click on theCopy linkoption and share it with other Chromebook users.
As these videos can be viewed only on the Screencast app and available on ChromeOS devices, people with Windows, Mac, or Linux cannot view these screen recordings. Also, people with the previous versions of ChromeOS cannot access it either.
Using Screencast on ChromeOS
Chromebook is mostly popular in schools and offices. Features like these can make it so much easier to record a lecture, presentation, or any video. It records the screen and also the camera at the same time. As it uploads to your Google Drive, even the file size isn’t an issue. But you need tomake sure there is enough space on your Google Drive.
Later you’re able to share with other ChromeOS users by just sharing a link. Screencast is aunique feature on ChromeOS that isn’t available on Windows and Mac.
Ravi Teja KNTS
Tech writer with over 4 years of experience at TechWiser, where he has authored more than 700 articles on AI, Google apps, Chrome OS, Discord, and Android. His journey started with a passion for discussing technology and helping others in online forums, which naturally grew into a career in tech journalism. Ravi’s writing focuses on simplifying technology, making it accessible and jargon-free for readers. When he’s not breaking down the latest tech, he’s often immersed in a classic film – a true cinephile at heart.
