Recording by browser and device
Browser recording works on every device, but not identically. Output format, permission flow and what happens when the screen locks all differ by browser and platform. Each page below covers one.
What actually differs between platforms
The recording APIs are standard, so the code is the same everywhere. Three things are not:
| What varies | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Native output format | Chrome, Edge and Firefox produce Opus in WebM. Safari produces AAC in MP4, arriving as .m4a. WAV and MP3 are made by the page, so those are identical everywhere. |
| Permission model | Chrome grants permanently, Firefox per session unless you tick a box, and macOS and iOS add a second operating-system gate above the browser's own. |
| Backgrounding | Every mobile browser ends a recording when the screen locks. Desktop browsers throttle background tabs but usually continue. |
If something is not working, the platform page is usually a faster answer than the general troubleshooting guide, because the menu paths are exact rather than generic.
Browsers
- ChromeThe most complete support, and the only engine with tab audio capture.
- SafariAAC output and a two-layer permission model that catches people out.
- FirefoxSession-based permission by default, and no tab audio capture.
- EdgeIdentical to Chrome, but managed work devices add policy restrictions.
Phones and tablets
- iPhoneSafari only, the silent switch trap, and where Files puts your recording.
- iPadUSB-C microphones work directly, and Split View keeps the tab visible.
- AndroidChrome and Firefox both work; manufacturer privacy managers can block them.
Computers
- WindowsThe 'Let desktop apps access your microphone' setting blocks more recordings than anything else.
- MacSystem Settings permission needs a full browser relaunch to take effect.
- ChromebookNothing to install, but school-managed devices may disable the microphone by policy.
Where each platform is strongest
| If you need… | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tab audio capture | Chrome or Edge on desktop | The only browsers that expose another tab's audio |
| The longest battery life | Safari on a Mac | Measurably lighter than Chrome on Apple silicon |
| Recording with no installation on a locked machine | Any browser | Nothing to install anywhere — see recording without installing |
| An external USB microphone on a tablet | iPad with USB-C | Class-compliant USB audio works without adapters |
| The smallest files at the best quality | Chrome, Edge or Firefox | Opus outperforms MP3 at the same bitrate |
| Maximum compatibility for the finished file | Any — pick MP3 | Produced by the page, so identical on every platform |
Two things true on every platform
- HTTPS is mandatory. No browser will open a microphone over plain HTTP, with an exception for localhost during development.
- The recording indicator cannot be hidden. Every browser draws its own signal that a microphone is live, and no website can suppress it — which is worth knowing whenever you grant permission to any site.
Whichever platform you are on
The recorder itself is the same everywhere. Start with the voice recorder, or check your hardware first with the microphone test. Minimum versions for every browser are listed on the browser support page.
Questions
Does the recording quality differ between browsers?
No. All of them read the same audio hardware at the same sample rate. What differs is the native compressed format each one produces, and WAV and MP3 are generated by the page rather than the browser, so those are byte-for-byte equivalent everywhere.
Which browser should I use for recording?
Whichever you already use. Chrome and Edge add tab audio capture if you need it; otherwise the difference is not meaningful. On iOS the choice is made for you, since every browser there uses Safari's engine.
Why does my phone stop recording when the screen locks?
Mobile operating systems suspend background tabs to save battery, and a suspended tab cannot hold a microphone. Keep the screen on, or use a native app if you need background recording.
Do I need to install anything on any platform?
No. Every page in this section uses the browser's built-in recording APIs. There is no extension, add-on or app on any platform.