Recordings on a Mac have become a necessary skill among students, professionals, content creators, and work-from-home employees. Regardless of whether you need to make a tutorial, record live sessions, record games, or save streaming content to view it offline, the macOS provides a good stable of built-in options and a wide range of third-party products.
This tutorial explains how to screen record on Mac with the native macOS functionality, how to screen record on Mac with audio, and when to screen record on Mac with external software. After reading through, you will understand how to screen record on Mac in the best ways possible and in a professional manner.
Table of Contents
Does macOS Have a Built-In Screen Recorder?
Yes, macOS has in-built screen-recorder which is compatible with the macOS Mojave and beyond. Apple offers two native screen recording applications, the Screenshot Toolbar and the QuickTime Player. These tools enable users to snap the whole screen or a part of a screen without the need to install any other software.
The inbuilt screen recorder in Mac is dependable, light and adequate as far as most of the daily screen recording requirements are concerned. It does have its limits however, particularly with regard to recording system audio.
How to Screen Record on Mac Using the Screenshot Toolbar
The most common and the quickest way to screen record on Mac is the Screenshot Toolbar. It can be started with a keyboard shortcut and has customizable recording options.
Accessing the Screenshot Toolbar
To access the Screenshot Toolbar, type Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard. With a single button press (this shortcut), a control bar is immediately displayed on the bottom of your screen with several capture and recording options.
You will find some screenshot capturing and video recording options. Recording tools enable you to record the whole screen or a part of the screen.
Recording the Entire Screen on Mac
To capture the full screen of your Mac, you will choose the option that is entitled Record Entire Screen. After choosing, you can simply press a spot on the screen to start recording. macOS will then start recording all of the information that you are seeing in your monitor.
To pause the recording, use the menu bar stop button or Command + Control + Esc.
Recording a Selected Portion of the Screen
In case you want to record a particular area, then select “Record Selected Portion. Before beginning to record, you can resize and reposition the selection box. This is best to use in tutorials, presentations, or demonstrating an app when you do not want any distractions.
When you turn on the recording, it will only record the part that you selected until you turn it off.
Screenshot Toolbar Recording Options
Click the options button in the toolbar before you begin recording. In this case, you may specify the location to store the recording, you may also specify a time delay before beginning recording, you may also choose a microphone to narrate using voice, and you may also decide whether to record mouse clicks.
These features make the Screenshot toolbar a robust Mac screen recording application to both amateurs and professionals.
How to Screen Record on Mac Using QuickTime Player
Another native Mac screen recorder is QuickTime Player, which has been included in macOS since many years. It is an easy and consistent method of screen recording and use of voice as a narration.
Starting a Screen Recording in QuickTime
Start QuickTime Player by clicking on the applications folder. In the upper menu, one will find the option of creating a new screen recording by clicking on File after which they will find the option. You will see a small recording window on your screen.
Click the arrow beside the record button to select your microphone input. This enables you to do voice recording on your Mac internal microphone or external microphone.
Recording and Saving Your Screen
Once the audio input has been configured, press the record button. You may record the whole screen or you may drag to choose a certain area. On completion, press the stop button in the menu bar.
QuickTime will automatically launch the video you have recorded and then you can trim and save it with just a few clicks.
How to Screen Record on Mac With Audio
How to screen record with audio on Mac is one of the most popular queries that users ask. This question is dependent on the kind of audio you desire to record.
Recording Microphone Audio on Mac
MacOS fully supports microphone audio recording. The Screenshot Toolbar and the QuickTime Player both enable you to choose a microphone as a source of audio to record.
The technique is effective with tutorials, presentations, on-line classes and voice-over recordings. Just select your microphone within the recording options and your voice will be recorded together with the screen.
Recording System Audio on Mac
Internal audio recording, like app audio or browser audio, is not provided natively on macOS. Privacy and security Apple does not allow recording of direct system audio.
In order to capture system audio you should install a virtual audio driver like BlackHole or others. These drivers direct system sound output via a virtual input which may be recorded using screen recording software.
You can record the system audio and the microphone audio at the same time, once you are properly configured. This arrangement is often utilized to record videos with music in the background, application sounds or meeting audio on the internet.
Best Third-Party Screen Recording Software for Mac
Although the in-built tools suffice to satisfy the simple application, third-party screen recorders come with advanced features, including system audio capture, editing tools, annotations, and cloud sharing.
OBS Studio for Advanced Users
OBS Studio is an open-source and effective screen recorder that is popular among streamers and professionals. It serves screen capture, system audio, microphone input, and high quality video output.
Despite the fact that OBS has a learning curve, it should be used by users who desire to have the option to have full control over the recording settings and audio source.
Loom and Similar Tools for Quick Sharing
Loom and its counterparts are focused on quick screen recording and sharing. They enable you to capture your screen, cameras, and audio within a single tap and creates a shareable link immediately.
The popular purpose of these tools is to communicate with the team, receive feedback, and create videos to teach something.
Premium Screen Recording Apps
If you’re on the hunt for top-notch screen recording apps, look no further than ScreenFlow, CleanShot X, and EaseUS RecExperts. These tools come with sleek interfaces, handy built-in editors, and excellent audio management. They’re perfect for content creators and professionals who want to capture high-quality recordings without the hassle of complicated setups.
Common Screen Recording Issues on Mac and How to Fix Them
Even the best tools can run into hiccups when you’re screen recording on a Mac.
Screen Recording Permission Errors
If your Mac is giving you a hard time and won’t let you record, just head over to System Settings, click on Privacy & Security, and make sure to enable screen recording permissions for the app you’re using.
No Audio in Screen Recording
Not hearing any sound in your recording? Double-check that the right microphone is selected. If you’re trying to capture system audio, make sure you have the virtual audio driver installed and set up correctly.
Screenshot Toolbar Not Appearing
If the Screenshot Toolbar shortcut isn’t working, try restarting your Mac or checking the keyboard shortcut settings in System Settings. Keep in mind that this feature might not be available on older versions of macOS.
Pro Tips for Better Screen Recording on Mac
For recordings that sound professional, consider using an external microphone to boost audio clarity. Closing any unnecessary apps can help minimize background noise and improve performance. Also, make sure to set your display resolution correctly before you start recording to avoid any scaling issues. Trimming your recordings with QuickTime or a video editor can really enhance the final quality.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of how to screen record on Mac is a vital skill in today’s digital world. With reliable built-in tools like the Screenshot Toolbar and QuickTime Player, macOS makes it easy to record your screen without needing extra software.
For those who require advanced features like system audio recording, editing capabilities, or cloud sharing, third-party screen recording software provides powerful alternatives.
By knowing your options and selecting the right method for your needs, you can efficiently and professionally create high-quality screen recordings on your Mac.
FAQs About How to Screen Record on Mac?
How do I screen record on a Mac without downloading any software?
You can easily screen record on a Mac using the built-in Screenshot Toolbar. Just press Command + Shift + 5, decide if you want to record the whole screen or just a part of it, and hit the record button. This feature is available on macOS Mojave and later, so you won’t need any extra apps.
How can I screen record on Mac with audio?
To capture audio while screen recording on your Mac, open the Screenshot Toolbar or QuickTime Player and pick a microphone from the recording options. This way, you can add your voice narration. However, if you want to record internal system audio, you’ll need to use third-party tools like virtual audio drivers or specific screen recording software that can handle system sound.
Can I screen record system audio on Mac?
Unfortunately, macOS doesn’t allow for system audio recording out of the box due to security measures. To record system sound, you’ll have to install a virtual audio driver like BlackHole and set it up correctly with your screen recording software. This will enable you to capture internal audio along with your screen.
What is the keyboard shortcut to screen record on Mac?
The shortcut to access the Mac screen recording tool is Command + Shift + 5. This will bring up the Screenshot Toolbar, where you can select from various screen capture and recording options.
Does QuickTime Player record screen with sound?
Yes, QuickTime Player can record your screen along with audio from a microphone. Just make sure to select a microphone before you start recording. However, keep in mind that QuickTime won’t capture system audio unless you set up additional audio routing tools.