Prepare Your Device

Storage Space?

Video files are large, compared to other digital data.  So you need to be sure you have the room on your phone

Storage Management in iOS

Free Up Space On Your Android Device

Disable Notifications

When you are recording a video, you probably want to disable notifications.  Text messages, updates from apps, and even phone calls can be a nuisance that adds noise and breaks your concentration while you are trying to film.  Both iOS and Android have a Do Not Disturb feature that can help with this

Do Not Disturb (Notification Control) on iOS

Do Not Disturb (Notification Control) on Android

Camera Apps

iOS and Android phones both come with apps that take photos and record video.  These will probably do what you want them to. 

App Settings

You may need to shift from static photography to video.  This is usually a pretty obvious option.  (In the Android Example image, "Camera" will take still images, while "Video" records motion picture).  

You need to choose a resolution.  1080p might be a good all-around resolution, but if you want or need higher quality (as in the Android Example image), and your device can record it, you can choose that instead.  However, that will mean a larger video file.

If you really want higher performance in your videos, and think it worth your while, you can experiment with third-party camera apps available in your app store.  They can often do things the native apps in Android or iOS cannot, such as offer more focus modes, or turn-off auto-focus so you can force the camera to maintain focus. 

For instance, a popular and powerful app for Android is Open Camera.  But if you are satisfied with the native app, it's probably easiest to stick with that.

Top-Down Video Recording

You can use your mobile device to record top-down video.  This can be handy if you wish to use handwriting, instruments, financial calculators, or even just discuss a photo or image in a book as a mini-lecture.  This may be an essential part of your lecture or demonstration teaching, or it may simply be a creative way to teach with video, instead of using screencasting or filming yourself.  

Gooseneck Arms

Obviously, you'll need a way to support your mobile device (or camera) above your workspace.  You may have audio-video equipment such as scissor arms for supporting microphones (you can get adapters to go between screw-thread sizes) but if not, gooseneck arms, together with mobile phone clips, can be low-cost options:

Here's a small-budget example that's strong enough to support a webcam or mobile phone.  

Here's a more expensive option that can support mirrorless digital cameras, or possibly lightweight DSLR cameras as well.  

Simultaneous or Separate Audio?

With top-down recording (as with screencasting) you have the option of recording your voice while you are recording the video, or recording your voice narrative separately, and attaching it to the video later using editing software. 

Recording simultaneously is obviously faster, although depending on what you are doing, it could be trickier to get a clean, clear narrative.  It's probably best to try simultaneous recording first, and if you find that it's difficult, record the video and narrative separately.

Other General Tips

There are many other small steps you can take that can make video recording with your phone easier to do:

• Be sure your mobile phone has enough power!  If possible plug it into an adapter while filming.
• You can program external buttons to operate functions of the camera, such as the shutter (taking a picture) or the zoom function.  For a few dollars, you can buy remote controls that can operate your camera via Bluetooth.  
• Third-party camera apps on phones often have options to adjust how the camera behaves.  These are simpler, but resemble options on DSLR or mirroless cameras: lighting management, focus, and so on.  These may be worthwhile, especially if you create a configuration that works best with the area or room in which you record.
• Choose a location
• Clean your camera lens.  If your mobile phone is in your pocket or hands all day, it's likely that dust and grease have accumulated on it.
• If you are unsure how to get your phone at the best height, start experimenting by setting your phone so that it is slightly below eye level.  Decide if you like that, or if you'd like it higher.  Move it higher in slow increments.
• If you have (access to) a camera tripod, the phone clips you might buy to use with a gooseneck arm will probably attach to the tripod as well.  This offers even more options for arranging your recording space.  
• In a quiet place and at a reasonable distance, your phone's microphone might sound good enough.  If you'd like better quality sound, though, consider an external microphone.  Lapel or "lavalier" mics that attach to your phone can be had at reasonable prices, although you may need an analog jack adapter, depending on your phone model. 
• Camera settings - resolution, etc.  1080 best balance.
• If you are recording yourself, try to look at the camera, rather than your phone's screen.  This helps you better establish a human presence with your viewers.  
• Although tricky, given the previous advice to look at the camera, you can find apps that turn your phone or tablet screen into a teleprompter.  With careful use, this can allow you to professionally deliver a script.