Screen recording on Mac is a helpful means that lets users record their screen activities. You can use it to create tutorials, presentations, or even show gameplay. While many options are available to screen record on Mac, the built-in tool and keyboard shortcuts are the easiest.
Besides that, you can also find different third-party tools to record and edit your videos. In this guide, we will dig through the various tips and techniques for screen recording on Mac. We will also show you using some popular third-party tools to screen record on your MacBook. So, with that said, let’s dive in!
Table of contents
Top 3 Methods To Record Screen On Mac
Method 1: Built-in Mac Tools [QuickTime Player]
QuickTime is a built-in app on your Mac that offers a simple yet effective way to record your screen. It is just a click away if you want to capture tutorials, gameplay, or presentations!
So, let’s dive into how you can screen record on Mac using QuickTime.
Step 1: Open QuickTime Player on your Mac
You can open the QuickTime Player on your Mac by following these steps:
- Open Finder.
- Go to Applications.
- Find and click QuickTime Player inside the pop-up window.
Step 2: Open a New Screen Recording Window
Once QuickTime Player is open, it’s time to open a new screen recording window. This is how you can do that:
- Go to the “Menu bar“. You will find it at the top of your screen and then click File.
- Select New Screen Recording in the dropdown menu.
Step 3: Configure Screen Recording Settings
When you select New Screen Recording, it will open a small recording on your screen. Here, you can do all the settings before you start recording. Click the small arrow beside the red record button to access these options. You’ll find the following options there:
- Microphone Audio: By default, QuickTime records without sound. So, if you want to include audio in your recording, click the dropdown arrow next to the record button. In the dropdown menu, select the desired microphone option (such as Internal Microphone).
- Show Mouse Clicks: You can also highlight mouse clicks during the recording. For this, just check the box next to Show Mouse Clicks. Such a feature is helpful when making how-to tutorials or academic content.
- Quality Settings: QuickTime also allows you to choose the quality of your recording. Click Options in the recording window. Then, select the desired quality from the dropdown menu. Here, remember that higher-quality recordings will also result in larger file sizes. So, choose according to the storage space available on your device.
Step 4: Start Recording
When you’re done, click the red record button in the QuickTime recording window. Now,
- If you will record the entire screen, click anywhere on the screen. Choose the Record Entire Screen option.
- If you’re going to record a specific part of the screen, select the Record Selected Portion button. A new cursor will appear. It will allow you to select a particular area for your recording. So, click and drag to select the desired area. Once the area is selected, the recording will start automatically.
A red border will highlight the selected area, and the tool will only record the area within that border.
Method 2: Keyboard Commands
When it comes to screen recording on a Mac, keyboard shortcuts are the easiest and effortless way. One of the most helpful keyboard shortcuts for screen recording on Mac is:
Command + Shift + 5
This keyboard combination activates the built-in screen recording tool in your Mac. You can use it to access various options for capturing your screen activities.
Let’s explore how to use this shortcut and screen record on Mac in the following tutorials. We will see how you can record your entire screen, a part of your screen, and recording with a microphone.
How to record the whole screen?
This is how you can record the whole screen on your Mac.
- Press Command + Shift + 5 at once on your Mac keyboard.
- Once you do that, the screen recording toolbar will appear at your screen’s bottom. Please find the button at the fourth from the x icon and click it. This button lets you capture the entire screen and is also known as the Record Entire Screen button. You can hover your mouse cursor over the buttons to know which one is for recording the entire screen.
- Click the Record button, or you can also press the Spacebar to start recording.
How to Record a Part of the Screen?
Let’s see how you can record a specific part of your screen:
- Press Command + Shift + 5 simultaneously on your keyboard.
- The key combination will activate the screen recording toolbar at the bottom of the screen. Find and locate the fifth button from the x and click it. This button is also called Record Selected Portion. It allows you to record a specific part of your screen. Again, you can hover the mouse cursor on the buttons to know which one is for recording the partial screen.
- Once you activate the feature, you will see a box with broken lines on the screen. Drag and adjust the box to select the specific area of the screen you want to record.
- Once done, click the Record button, or press the Spacebar to start recording.
How to Screen Record on Mac with Microphone Audio?
Remember that the microphone is not turned on by default when recording the screen. But you can follow these steps to screen record on Mac with microphone audio:
- Activate the screen recording toolbar and click the Options Button.
- Select Built-in Microphone In the dropdown menu. You can also choose an external microphone from the Microphone menu.
- Adjust the input volume level if needed.
- Once done, click the Record button. Or, press the Spacebar to start recording with the microphone.
Method 3: Third-Party Tools (10 Free/Paid Tools Listed)
Using Quicktime and keyboard shortcuts are easy ways to screen record on Mac. But third-party tools are the best when looking for advanced screen recording features.
These free and paid tools come with various features to help you screen record on Mac. Let’s look at some popular free and paid screen recording tools with pros and cons.
Let’s first look into the free tools available to screen record on Mac.
OBS Studio
OBS Studio is a prevalent free and open-source screen recording tool. It offers powerful live streaming and recording features and supports many sources. This includes window captures, images, text, browser windows, webcams, capture cards, etc.
Besides, you can edit custom scenes and various video formats in the tool. Ultimately, its premium features make it a top choice for gamers and content creators.
Pros
- Free and open-source
- Supports live streaming and recording
- Customizable scenes and transitions
- Compatibility with different platforms
Cons
- Somewhat challenging to understand for beginners
Screencast-o-Matic (Currently ScreenPal)
Screencast-o-Matic is another free tool to screen record on Mac. It offers excellent recording and sharing features. You can use it to capture screen activity, webcam input, and audio simultaneously.
However, you must note that it comes in free and paid versions. While the free version has limitations, the paid version unlocks more features. For instance, you can use advanced editing tools, script recording, and more.
Pros
- Free version available with many features
- Easy-to-use interface, even for beginners
- Simultaneous recording of screen, webcam, and audio
- Basic editing options available
Cons
- Limited features in the free version
Apowersoft Screen Recorder
Apowersoft Screen Recorder is a free screen recording tool. It allows users to capture screen activities, audio, and webcam input. Also, it offers various recording modes and basic editing features. It also comes with the ability to export recordings in many formats.
Besides that, the app also allows you to record gameplay and tasks. All this is free, but you can upgrade the app to the pro version. This will give you access to highly-advanced features like importing media. You can view your work on a second monitor and premium formatting options.
Pros
- Free version available to download
- Plenty of recording modes and basic editing capabilities
- Supports gameplay and task recording
- Flexible output options
Cons
- Limited features in the free version
Loom
Loom is a free screen recording tool focusing on ease of use and quick sharing. It offers basic recording features to screen record on Mac quickly. For instance, you can do a screen capture, webcam input, microphone audio, etc.
Loom also provides cloud storage and instant sharing options for effortless collaboration. One fantastic feature that makes it unique is its one-link access to the video. You can paste a URL to your video; others can watch it without logging in or creating an account.
Pros
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Cloud storage for easy access and sharing
- Instant file-sharing access without an account required
- Supports emoji reactions and time-stamped comments
Cons
- Limited storage space available in the free version
Monosnap
Monosnap is a free screen recording tool with basic capturing and editing features. It allows users to record screen activity, take screenshots, and make simple annotations. Monosnap also provides cloud storage and instant sharing options.
Besides, you can also create pixel-perfect screenshots, a feature that makes Monosnap unique. Or, you can hide sensitive data in your videos and highlight details. All these outstanding features are the reason why it is one of the best tools to screen record on Mac.
Pros
- Free version has many advanced features
- Cloud storage and instant sharing
- Supports pixel-perfect screenshots
- Supports annotation
Cons
- It takes time to master the tool as it’s tricky to understand
While free tools are suitable for basic editing, sometimes you want more than that. So, here we have some of the popular paid tools to screen records on Mac with their pros and cons.
Camtasia
Camtasia is a professional screen recording tool packed with premium features. It offers high-quality video capture and editing features.
Besides it also includes features for adding annotations, effects, and transitions. Plus, you can also find other advanced features like timeline-based editing in Camtasia.
Pros
- Advanced editing features and effects
- Easy-to-use interface with a timeline editor
- Option to add annotations, transitions, and callouts
- Provides a library of pre-built assets for video enhancement
Cons
- Requires a higher system resource compared to more straightforward screen recording tools
Snagit
Snagit is a feature-rich tool to screen records on Mac. It supports advanced screen recording, image capturing, and webcam input. So, you can record web pages, long chat messages, and everything in between.
Snagit also provides editing features like annotations, arrows, and text overlays. All in all, Snagit is an excellent tool with its user-friendly interface and quick shareability.
Pros
- Comprehensive screen capturing and recording features
- Built-in editing tools for enhancing captured content
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Supports various sharing options like Microsoft and Google apps
Cons
- Limited customization options for complex video recording projects
Movavi
Movavi is an outstanding paid screen recording tool for video capturing and editing. It provides high-quality recording, supports many audio sources, and offers various editing options.
It also supports 180+ media formats, VHS output, and TV signals. All this makes Movavi an excellent tool to screen records on Mac.
Pros
- High-quality screen recording
- Several audio sources and editing options are available
- Supports VHS output and TV signals
- Supports 180+ media formats
Cons
- Great for capturing screens but lacks some premium editing features. It doesn’t have advanced trim modes and clip pre-trimming.
Capto
Capto is another excellent tool to screen record on Mac. But what makes it different from others is that it was mainly designed for macOS. It offers a clean and user-friendly interface for everyone. So, anyone can record and edit videos using it.
Some of its top features are high-quality recording, editing, and an extensive media library. You can also record tutorials, vlogs, and presentations using Capto.
Pros
- Optimized for macOS with a sleek interface
- Lets you individually edit the audio of the microphone and laptop
- Extensive media library for easy organization
- Voice-over supported
Cons
- Lets you edit dual audio but has limited audio editing features
ScreenFlow
ScreenFlow is another super-easy screen recording and video editing software. Like Capto, it was also designed for macOS. It offers many features, including high-quality screen capture and video editing capabilities.
Besides that, you also get features for audio recording and advanced editing tools. With ScreenFlow, you can create professional-looking screen recordings, tutorials, presentations, and more. Also, you can add filters to your videos and remove backgrounds.
Pros
- Advanced editing features like transitions, annotations, and animations
- Several audio and video track support for precise editing
- Supports video filters and background removal
- Powerful export options for different formats and platforms
Cons
- Upgrading to the new version requires money even though the tool is also paid
How to Find the Right Third-Party Tool for Screen Record on Mac?
You can find free and paid third-party tools to screen records on your Mac. But which one is right for you? Indeed, each tool is full of features and offers distinct benefits. But here are a few things to help you choose the right third-party tool to screen record on Mac:
Determine Your Requirements
The first thing is to understand your specific requirements for screen recording. You should consider the factors that are most important for your recordings. This can include recording quality, editing capabilities, audio options, and ease of use. Besides, you can also add more features like annotations or webcam support.
Consider Your Budget
Every feature comes at a price. So, after you have a list of which features you want in your screen recording tool, it’s time to see the availability. We can classify this into the following.
- You can find free tools. But also remember that sometimes they cover only the basic features.
- In other cases, some of these free tools allow you to upgrade to a paid version. This is good if you want to first test the tool and see if it’s worth any penny.
- Besides that, some apps also offer one-time purchases or subscription-based models. These paid apps usually have highly-advanced features. Thus, you can take the game of screen recording to another level by paying some pennies.
In all three options, choose an option that aligns with your budget and requirements. This will help you find the best tool to screen record on Mac.
Look for Compatibility and System Requirements
Ensure that the screen recording app is compatible with your specific macOS version. It should also meet the system requirements of your Mac. It’s because compatibility between the two ensures a smooth performance and functionality.
Test Trial/Free Versions Before Making a Decision
Take advantage of trial versions offered by the screen recording apps whenever possible. Sometimes, the premium version of free apps often provides the same advanced features as other paid tools.
So, if you want to try the free version before investing in an app, that’s even better. So, you can get a good idea about the app’s functionality, user interface, and performance before making a final decision.
Thus, remember to consider these tips and select the proper tool screen record on Mac. It should offer the features you need, meet your budget, and compatibility with your Mac.
5 Additional Tips to Screen Record on Mac
Once you start screen recording on Mac, there is a complete list of things you can do. We have listed here a guide on various techniques to screen record on Mac using QuickTime. This includes how to stop recording, use audio or system audio while recording on your Mac.
How to Stop Screen Recording?
To stop a screen recording using QuickTime Player, click the stop button. You can find this button in the menu bar and at the top of the screen. Otherwise, you must use the keyboard shortcut Command + Control + Esc to stop the recording quickly.
How to Record Screen with Audio on Mac?
You can choose from various options to caption audio while screen recording on Mac. Here, let’s see how you can screen record on Mac using system audio, Mic audio, and using your iPhone.
How to Record Screen with System Audio?
System audio differs from the sound you want to add during your screen recordings. It refers to the sound your Mac’s operating system generates. Also, it can include alerts, notifications, application sounds, and audio playback from other videos.
Unfortunately, there is no option to record the screen with system audio in QuickTime. So, if you enable the microphone, the screen recording will only capture your voice. It will not record the audio from a video playing on a browser or any other system sounds.
In such a case, using a third-party app is an effective option to record internal sounds.
How to Record Screen with Mic Audio?
QuickTime is a good app for recording your Mac screen with external audio. The only thing required is a microphone that you should connect to your Mac. You should also select your microphone as the audio input source.
Click the small arrow beside the red Record button. You can also choose an internal microphone from the dropdown menu. But remember that it will only record external sounds, not internal ones.
How to Use Your iPhone as a Mic to Screen Record on Mac?
You can use your iPhone as a microphone for screen recording on your Mac. In this case, your iPhone will act as an external microphone. This is how you can do that.
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac device using a Lightning to USB cable.
- Click the small arrow beside the red Record button.
- Choose your iPhone as the audio input source from the dropdown menu.
- Your iPhone may ping with a sound and show a Connected to..
Now, you can start screen recording and use your iPhone to record the sound.
Important Mac Screen Recording and Editing Options
You can find various options and tools when trying to screen record on Mac. Here are a few basic options to help you record better on your Mac.
How to Show/Hide Mouse Clicks in Screen Recording?
When recording your screen on a Mac, you can show or hide mouse clicks during the recording. Showing mouse clicks can be helpful when creating tutorials or presentations. It allows viewers to focus and follow your actions.
Here’s how you can enable or disable mouse clicks while screen recording:
- Open QuickTime Player.
- Go to the menu bar at the top of your screen > File.
- In the dropdown menu, select New Screen Recording. Then, click the small arrow next to the red record button.
- Select Options from the recording toolbox.
- Select Show Mouse Clicks from the dropdown menu.
Now, you will be able to see mouse clicks on your screen.
How to Set a Timer for Screen Recording?
QuickTime Player allows you to set a timer for your screen recordings. This can be useful if you need to start recording after some time. Or you can also set a timer if you want to stop the recording automatically after a certain duration.
Let’s see how you can set a timer during screen recording on Mac.
- Open QuickTime Player and start a New Screen Recording.
- Click the Options.
- In the dropdown menu, set the time delay in the window like select 5 Seconds or 10 seconds below Timer. Then, a pop-up window will appear.
- Once done, click Start Timer to start the recording after the delay.
How to Change the Destination Folder for Saving Screen Recordings?
By default, QuickTime Player saves screen recordings to the Movies folder on your Mac. However, you can change the destination folder to another location on your Mac. Here’s how to do that:
- Open QuickTime Player.
- Go to the menu bar at the top of the screen > File > QuickTime Player.
- Select Options from the recording toolbar.
- A window will appear on the screen. Go to the Other Location.
- Navigate to the desired folder where you want to save your screen recordings. So, click Choose.
From now on, QuickTime will save your screen recordings to the new destination folder.
How to Remove Audio from the Screen Recording?
If you want to remove the audio from a screen recording, you can do it during editing. After recording using QuickTime Player, follow these steps to remove the audio:
- Open the recorded video file in QuickTime Player.
- Go to the menu bar > click Edit.
- In the dropdown menu, select Remove Audio.
- This will separate the audio track from the video. Now, you can save the edited video without audio.
- Now, you can save the edited video without audio. Go to File > Save, and the edited video will be saved on your Mac.
How to Trim Recorded Videos?
Trimming your screen recordings is an easy way to remove any unnecessary portions. The good thing is that you don’t need to download third-party software for that. QuickTime Player even supports such basic editing. So, let’s see how you can trim recorded videos on your Mac.
- Open the recorded video file in QuickTime Player.
- Play the video and pause at the starting point where you want to begin the trimmed video.
- Go to the menu bar and then click Edit.
- Select Trim from the dropdown menu. The video timeline will display trimming handles.
- Drag the trimming handles to adjust the start and end points of the video.
- Click Trim.
This will remove the trimmed portions and save the edited video.
More Quick Ways on How to Edit Recorded Videos on Mac
Let’s quickly go through the following features for screen recording and editing on your Mac:
- Adding Annotations: You can add text, shapes, arrows, and other annotations to your videos with QuickTime Player. So, click Edit > Show Markup Toolbar to see various annotation tools.
- Adjusting Playback Speed: You can change the playback speed of your videos. For this, you need to go to View > Playback Speed. Then, select the desired speed for your video.
- Cropping Videos: QuickTime Player also lets you crop your videos. So, go to Edit > Crop to Selection and crop your video.
- Splitting Videos: You can split a video into multiple clips. So, stop the video at the desired split point and select Edit > Split Clip from the menu bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here we have addressed some common questions about how to record on Mac.
Can I Screen Record On Mac Without Any External Software?
Yes, you can screen record on your Mac without third-party software. You can use QuickTime Player, an app pre-installed on your Mac for screen recording. It is a convenient and accessible option for capturing your screen activities. It also allows you to record your Mac screen and save your recording as a video file.
How Can I Record System Audio While Screen Recording On Mac?
By default, Mac’s built-in screen recording feature does not capture system audio. However, third-party applications can route the system audio to the screen recording tool. By doing so, you can record both audio and video at the same time.
Is It Possible To Record A Specific Part Of My Screen Instead Of The Entire Screen?
Yes, recording a specific part of your screen on a MacBook is possible. You can select the New Screen Recording option in QuickTime Player. Then, click and drag to choose the desired area on your screen to record.
Can I Screen Record On Mac In High Resolution And Frame Rate?
Yes, you can screen record in high resolution and frame rate on your Mac. First, open the video in the QuickTime Player. Then, adjust the resolution and frame rate settings under the Preferences menu.
Are There Any Third-Party Screen Recording Applications For Mac With Extra Features?
Yes, several third-party screen recording applications for Mac offer more features. Some popular options include Capto, Camtasia, and OBS Studio. These tools provide advanced functionalities for screen recording. For instance, you can do video editing, live streaming, webcam overlays, and more.
Conclusion
Screen recording on Mac is a great way to record tutorials, how-to-videos, and gameplay. You can do much if you’re a content creator, educator, or business professional. For instance, you can record presentations, tasks, and business meetings. You can either use the built-in tools like QuickTime or keyboard shortcuts. Or you can also get advanced features by using third-party tools. Whether you want a free or paid third-party tool is up to you. Make sure to keep in mind the kind of features you want while recording your screen. It’s a good thing if you can adjust that with a free tool to screen record. Otherwise, a paid tool will be better.
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