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How do I use the AI Screen Recorder?

Learn how to use the Synthesia AI Screen Recorder. Install the browser extension, record your screen with or without voiceover, blur sensitive info, and customize shortcuts. Perfect for creating tutorials and demos directly in Synthesia.

Meg avatar
Written by Meg
Updated today

The AI Screen Recorder is a powerful tool that lets you capture your screen directly within Synthesia or via browser extension. Whether you're recording tutorials, walkthroughs, or demos, this feature makes it easy to integrate screen recordings into your videos seamlessly.


How to Install the AI Screen Recorder Extension:

To get started, you’ll need to install the extension for your browser.

For Google Chrome:

  1. Open any Synthesia video.

  2. Click Record, then select Install extension.

  3. You’ll be redirected to the Chrome Web Store.

  4. Click Add to Chrome and grant the requested permissions.

For Microsoft Edge:

  1. Open any Synthesia video.

  2. Click Record, then select Install extension.

  3. You’ll be redirected to the Edge Add-ons page.

  4. Click Get and grant the requested permissions.

ℹ️ Why these permissions?
The extension asks to "read and change data on all websites" to:

  • Keep your recording controls visible while you switch tabs.

  • Show a list of tabs to record when you launch the recorder in Synthesia.


How to Start a Screen Recording:

Once the extension is installed, you can begin recording your screen from within Synthesia or directly via the extension.

From Synthesia:

  1. Open or create a video.

  2. Click Record at the top of the canvas.

  3. Choose what to capture: Full Screen, Window, or Browser Tab.

  4. Select your microphone if needed—or choose No Microphone if you're using a script-based voiceover.

  5. Click Start recording, select the screen/tab, and then click Share.

  6. A 3-second countdown appears, and the recording begins.

  7. To stop, click the Stop icon.

From the browser extension:

  1. Click the Synthesia icon in your browser toolbar.

  2. Choose Record and follow the same screen/mic selection steps.

💡 Pro tip: Recordings launched outside of Synthesia automatically open the app and create a new video.

After you stop recording, Synthesia will:

  • Automatically create a new scene with your recording.

  • Allow trimming and editing of the video.

  • Transcribe your voiceover, remove filler words, and split it into logical scenes.

⚠️ Important: For screen recordings that include voiceover or are initiated from the extension, Synthesia applies a default video template. Your selected brand kit or video template will not be applied.

Check out the AI screen recorder documentation to learn more.


How to Blur Sensitive Information in Your Recording:

Before recording:

  1. Open the browser tab you want to record.

  2. Click the Synthesia extension.

  3. Click Blur on the right-hand side.

  4. Hover over the areas you want to hide.

  5. When you're done, click Done, then Start recording.

During a recording:

  1. Click Blur in the recorder toolbar.

  2. This pauses your recording.

  3. Hover and blur additional areas as needed.

  4. Click Play to resume.

🔵 The Blur feature only works when recording a browser tab, not full screen or window mode.


Keyboard Shortcuts for the Screen Recorder:

Streamline your recording workflow using keyboard shortcuts.

Available shortcut actions:

  • Activate the extension

  • Start or stop recording

  • Show/hide recording controls

  • Pause/resume recording

How to view or edit shortcuts:

  1. Click the puzzle icon (Extensions) in your browser.

  2. Select Manage Extensions.

  3. Click Keyboard shortcuts at the bottom.

  4. Find Synthesia – AI Screen Recorder and adjust shortcuts as needed.

🛠 All shortcuts are re-bindable. This is helpful if a default command is already used by another extension.


Best practices for screen recording

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