macOS has a built-in screen recording tool you do not need to read

The fastest way to record your Mac screen is through Screenshot, the tool built into every recent macOS version. Press Shift + Command + 5 to open the screenshot menu, then click the "Record Selected Portion" or "Record Entire Screen" button. A red recording indicator appears in the menu bar. When you finish, click the red stop button or press Control + Command + Esc. The video saves to your desktop by default, though you can change that in the options menu before you start recording.

This method works on macOS Mojave (10.14) and newer. If you are running an older version, you can use QuickTime Player instead, which is also built in — open it from Applications > Utilities, select File > New Screen Recording, and follow the same process.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Shift + Command + 5 to open the screenshot menu, then choose "Record Selected Portion" or "Record Entire Screen" to start recording without downloading anything.
  • The red stop button in the menu bar ends the recording, and the video saves to your desktop unless you change the save location in the options menu first.
  • QuickTime Player (in Applications > Utilities) is an alternative if you prefer a different interface or are using an older macOS version.
  • You can include or exclude your mouse cursor, system audio, and microphone audio before recording starts.

How to choose what to record and where to save it

Before you press the record button, the screenshot menu shows options for where the video goes. Click "Options" to see the full list. You can set the save location to your desktop, documents folder, clipboard, or mail — clipboard is useful if you plan to paste the video directly into another process. You can also choose whether to include the mouse cursor in the recording and whether to show floating thumbnails while you record.

If you want to record only part of your screen instead of the whole thing, click "Record Selected Portion" and then drag to draw a rectangle around the area you want to capture. You can adjust the rectangle before you start recording by dragging the edges or corners.

Recording system audio and microphone input

By default, the screenshot tool records only what appears on your screen, not any sound. To capture audio from your Mac — such as music playing, video sound, or process audio — you need to change the microphone setting before you start. Click "Options" in the screenshot menu and look for the "Microphone" dropdown. Select "System Audio" if that option appears, or select an external microphone or input device if you have one connected.

If you want to record your own voice while recording the screen, select your built-in microphone instead. You can only record one audio source at a time with the built-in tool. If you need both system audio and your voice, you will need a third-party recording process.

Using QuickTime Player for longer recordings

QuickTime Player is the older macOS recording tool and works the same way as the screenshot method, but some people prefer its interface. Open QuickTime Player from Applications > Utilities, click File in the menu bar, and select "New Screen Recording." A small window appears with a red record button. Click the red button to start, and click it again to stop. The video opens in QuickTime, where you can play it back, trim it, or save it to a specific location.

QuickTime also lets you record audio from your microphone during the screen recording. Click the small arrow next to the red record button to see microphone options before you start. This tool works well for recordings under 30 minutes; for very long recordings, the screenshot method is sometimes more stable.

Saving and sharing your recording

When you finish recording with the screenshot tool, a thumbnail appears in the corner of your screen. Click it to open the video in the default preview process, where you can watch it, trim the beginning or end, or save it to a different location. You can also drag the thumbnail to another process or folder to move it directly.

If you recorded with QuickTime, the video opens in the QuickTime window. Click File > Save to choose where to save it and what format to use. The default format is .mov, which works on most devices and editing software. You can also export as .mp4 if you need a smaller file or wider compatibility.

Troubleshooting common recording problems

If the screenshot menu does not appear when you press Shift + Command + 5, restart your Mac and try again. If you recorded audio but cannot hear it in the playback, check that you selected the correct microphone or system audio source before recording — you cannot add audio after the recording is done.

If your recording is choppy or stutters, close other applications before you record to free up processing power. Very large screen recordings can also slow down your Mac temporarily while it saves the file. If you are recording a game or graphics-heavy process, lower the resolution or frame rate in that process's settings to reduce the load on your system.

When to use third-party recording software

The built-in tools work well for most tasks: tutorials, presentations, bug reports, or straightforward demos. You might want a third-party process if you need to record both system audio and your microphone at the same time, edit the video while recording, add text or graphics overlays, or schedule recordings to start at a specific time.

Popular third-party options include ScreenFlow, OBS Studio (free and open-source), Camtasia, and Loom. These applications cost money or require a subscription, except for OBS Studio, which is free. For most people, the built-in screenshot tool is enough and saves you the step of learning new software.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record just one window instead of the whole screen?

Yes. Press Shift + Command + 5, then click "Record Selected Portion" and draw a rectangle around the window you want to record. You can also hold the spacebar while dragging to snap to a specific window, which makes it easier to capture exactly what you need without extra background.

Why is there no sound in my recording?

The screenshot tool records only video by default. Before you record, click "Options" in the screenshot menu and change the "Microphone" setting from "None" to either your microphone or "System Audio." If you do not see a "System Audio" option, your Mac may not support system audio recording through the built-in tool, and you will need a third-party process.

Where does my recording save if I do not change the location?

By default, recordings save to your desktop. You can change this before recording by clicking "Options" in the screenshot menu and selecting a different location from the "Save to" dropdown. You can also move the file after recording by dragging it to a new folder.

Can I record my screen while on a video call?

Yes, but the other people on the call will not see the recording indicator unless you share your screen. If you are recording without sharing, they will not know. Always tell the other people on the call that you are recording, as some places have laws about recording conversations without consent.

What file format does the screenshot tool use?

The screenshot tool saves as .mov (QuickTime video format) by default. This format works on Mac, iPad, and iPhone, and most video editing software can open it. If you need .mp4 or another format, you can convert the file using QuickTime (File > Export As) or a free online converter.