What Screen Reactions Is and Who Can Use It
Screen Reactions on Android is a native recording feature in Android 17 that lets you capture your screen and your selfie camera at the same time, automatically cutting out your background so you can create dual-camera reaction videos without extra apps, editing tools, or a green screen. Built into the system screen recorder, it overlays your face in a floating window that appears on top of whatever you are capturing, whether that is a video, game, photo gallery, or app walkthrough. Screen Reactions Android support is available in Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4 on compatible Pixel phones, with Google planning a wider launch later and an expansion to other Android devices. According to Android Authority, Google first demoed Screen Reactions at the Android Show: I/O Edition 2026 as part of a broader wave of Android 17 features for creators.
Enable Screen Reactions in Android 17’s Screen Recorder
To start recording selfie reaction videos, you first need to use Android’s built-in screen recorder. Swipe down twice from the top of your screen to open Quick Settings and look for the Screen Record tile. Tap it, then choose the "Entire screen" option from the dropdown at the top of the dialog. When you select Entire screen, a new toggle labeled "Show selfie camera" appears. Turn this on to enable dual camera video recording. You can also pick whether to record device audio, your microphone, or both, and decide if you want touches on the screen to be visible. Once you are ready, tap Start. After a brief countdown, your screen and selfie camera will begin recording together, without needing any third-party apps.
Position, Resize, and Style Your Reaction Window
When Screen Reactions Android recording starts, your face appears in a floating camera window, usually near the bottom of the display. You can drag this window to any corner so it does not cover important content in your video, which is especially useful for gameplay or tutorial clips. Pinch to resize the window if you want your reaction to be bigger or smaller. Android 17 features also include background isolation: the system automatically cuts out your background, as if you were using a green screen. If you prefer, you can add a colored background behind your cut-out selfie and use a color picker to match your brand, theme, or video style. These layout and styling options work before or during the recording, giving you flexibility as you film.
Tips for Better Dual-Camera Reaction Videos
To get the most from Screen Reactions, plan your clip before you tap record. Decide which part of the screen matters most and place your floating selfie window where it will not hide subtitles, controls, or key gameplay elements. Good lighting helps Android’s background cut-out look cleaner, so face a light source instead of sitting with a bright window behind you. Use device audio when reacting to media, or switch to the microphone if you are recording tutorials or commentary. Screen Reactions works for both photos and videos, so you can scroll through a gallery, watch clips, or demo apps while reacting. When you finish, stop the recording from the status bar and review your dual camera video recording directly in your gallery, ready to share on social platforms without extra editing.
When Screen Reactions Will Roll Out Beyond the Beta
Screen Reactions launched for early testers in Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4, which focuses mainly on bug fixes but quietly adds this creator-friendly tool. Google has said that Screen Reactions will arrive in summer as a Pixel-exclusive feature first, then expand to other Android devices later. That means content creators and casual users on compatible Pixels can start experimenting with selfie reaction videos now, while others will see the feature in a future Android 17 release. As Droid Life notes, you access it by starting a screen recording, choosing Entire screen, and enabling Show selfie camera from the built-in UI. If you are interested but do not want beta software, you can wait for the stable update that will bring Screen Reactions as part of the broader Android 17 features rollout.
