How to Screen Record on Mac: A Full Step-by-Step Guide

Last Updated March 30, 2024

How to Screen Record on Mac: A Full Step-by-Step Guide

Level up your content creation game by mastering screen recording with audio on your Mac. Record slick demos, how-tos, and more with just a few clicks. QuickTime Player lets you capture video and audio easily for quick recordings. Or use third-party apps for advanced editing features.

In this guide you’ll learn how to screen record on Mac. Add crystal-clear audio and take your content creation skills to new heights. Screen recording with audio made easy. It’s time to produce your best work yet.

Recording Screen with Audio on Mac Using Keyboard Shortcuts

For those looking to screen record video and audio on Mac without extra software, the screenshot toolbar is a straightforward solution. This is by far the easiest way to screen record on Mac. This method is perfect for quick recordings. The screenshot toolbar allows you to record your full screen or just a portion of the screen.

Screenshot toolbar on Mac — QuickTime Player screenshot toolbar

Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Press “Command + Shift + 5” on your keyboard.

Step 2: The Screenshot toolbar will appear with specific onscreen controls.

Step 3: Choose options in the toolbar, select your Macbook microphone (or an external mic), then hit Record.

Step 4: To stop recording, press “Command + Control + Escape” or “Command + Shift + 5” again and select “Stop Recording“. You can also click the stop button in the top menubar as well.

Your video will show up on your desktop (or where you selected the recording to go to in the options), complete with audio. By default screen recordings are captured as a .MOV file.

Using QuickTime to Record Video and Audio on Mac

QuickTime Player, an Apple product, comes preinstalled on all Macs. You can open QuickTime via your applications folder or use spotlight to quickly open it (by hitting Command + Space) and typing QuickTime.

Here’s a quick guide:

Step 1: Open QuickTime Player from your Applications folder.

Step 2: Go to “File” and choose “New Screen Recording“.

Step 3: Click the Options button next Record button to pick a microphone.

Step 4: Hit the “Record” button. You can record the entire screen or drag to select a specific area.

Step 5: Record your content, including any audio.

Step 6: Press Stop Recording or “Command-Control-Esc” to finish.

Step 7: QuickTime Player will show your recording. Check the sound quality before saving. Saving the file can be done by clicking “File” then “Save…”.

Which Screen Recorder Is Best for Mac with Audio?

When choosing a screen recording app or software for Mac, consider what suits your needs best. Here are two great options:

QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player remains a preferred choice for many Mac users. It allows for basic video editing, such as trimming and rearranging clips. It’s a simple solution for quick screen recordings with audio.

Loom

Loom, a free screen recorder extension for Chrome, offers up to 4K video recording quality and the ability to trim and stitch recordings. It’s ideal for simultaneous audio and voice recording.

Screen Studio

Screen Studio is a powerful screen recording app for Mac that’s perfect for capturing mouse movements, webcam footage, and basic editing. In my opinion Screen Studio is the best screen recording app on Mac. It has a user-friendly interface that lets you easily record specific windows, areas, or devices like iPhones and iPads. The built-in editor allows you to customize the background, cursor, and camera settings, as well as add captions and animations.

Screen Studio automatically zooms in on areas you interact with, providing a smooth and focused recording experience. It will even capture keyboard presses and mouse clicks as you do them in your recording. Its timeline editor makes it simple to trim, split, and adjust the speed of your clips. Overall, Screen Studio is an excellent choice for anyone needing to create professional-looking screen recordings on their Mac.

OBS

OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is a versatile screen recording tool that is highly popular among content creators for Mac. It offers a wide range of features, including the ability to capture multiple sources such as screen, webcam, and audio inputs simultaneously. OBS provides customizable settings for recording quality, frame rates, and audio configurations, allowing users to fine-tune their recording setup according to their specific needs.

OBS also supports live streaming, making it a great choice for those who want to broadcast their screen recordings in real-time (this is the primary use case of OBS). With its user-friendly interface and robust functionality, OBS is a top choice for Mac users looking to create professional-quality screen recordings.

FAQs on How to Screen Record on Mac with Audio

Can QuickTime record screen and audio?

Yes. Select your preferred microphone in QuickTime before recording to include audio from any microphone on your Mac including AirPods.

How do I make a video of my computer screen?

Use QuickTime, the Screenshot toolbar, or a third-party app like the one mentioned above. There are many great options to record your Mac screen. The shortcut on MacOS to start screen recording on Mac is “Command + Shift + 5“.

Where do screen recordings go on Mac?

Recordings save to your desktop with the Screenshot toolbar. With the options button you can also select where the recording is saved. With QuickTime or other software, choose where to save when exporting or sharing.

Is It Possible to Record Both Audio and Video on a Mac?

Yes, you can record both audio and video on a Mac. There are several methods available, including using the built-in Screenshot toolbar or other screen recording software. Your choice will depend on the recording quality you’re aiming for.

Conclusion

Screencasting with audio on your Mac is a game-changer for content creators. The built-in QuickTime Player makes it easy to record your screen plus audio. But third-party apps unlock even more powerful features if you need them. Follow this guide to start capturing slick video tutorials, presentations, and other content that sounds as good as it looks.

With just a few clicks, you can take your creativity to the next level and share your knowledge with the world! Don’t just show – tell. Add pro-quality audio and watch your audience light up.

Why is there no sound in my Mac screen recording and how do I fix it?

Most of the time, there is no sound because the wrong microphone is selected or audio is turned off in the recording options. Before you hit Record, click Options in the screenshot toolbar or QuickTime and choose the correct microphone, like “MacBook Microphone” or your external mic.

If you are using headphones like AirPods, make sure they are connected and selected as the input device in System Settings → Sound → Input. It also helps to test by speaking and checking if the input level bar moves.

Close any extra audio apps that might be using your mic, such as Zoom or Discord, then try again. After recording a short clip, play it back right away to confirm sound is working before you record a long tutorial or demo.

How can I record system audio on Mac, not just my microphone?

By default, macOS screen recording only captures your microphone, not the internal system sound. To record system audio, you usually need extra software like virtual audio drivers or a third-party screen recorder that supports it.

Apps such as Screen Studio or OBS can be set up to capture system sound, your mic, or both at the same time. This is useful if you are recording app demos, reaction videos, or gameplay with in-game audio.

Always test a short clip to make sure music, app sounds, and your voice are all at the right volume. Adjust volume levels in System Settings → Sound and inside your recording app so nothing is too quiet or too loud.

What is the best screen recording format on Mac for editing and sharing?

On Mac, screen recordings from the screenshot toolbar and QuickTime save as .MOV files by default. This format keeps good quality and works very well in most video editors.

If you plan to upload your recording to YouTube or social media, you may want to convert the file to .MP4. Many editors and some screen recorder apps can export directly to MP4 with smaller file sizes.

Before you edit, name your file clearly with the project title and date so it is easy to find later. If you are turning your video into a blog post or guide, tools like the RightBlogger AI Article Writer can help you repurpose your recording into an SEO friendly article in minutes.

How can I use RightBlogger to get more value from my Mac screen recordings?

You can use your Mac screen recordings as the base for many types of content. First, record your tutorial or demo, then upload the audio or video to a transcription tool. A transcript makes it easy to turn your video into a blog post, email, or social post.

RightBlogger’s Transcribe audio tool can turn your spoken words into clean text you can edit and reuse. From there, you can paste that text into the RightBlogger AI Article Writer to turn a simple recording into a polished, optimized article.

If you are posting videos to YouTube, RightBlogger can also help with ideas and metadata. Use the YouTube video ideas tool to plan a whole series based on your screen recordings, then write strong titles and descriptions with the YouTube description tool so your videos are easier to find in search.

How do I plan a clear screen recording tutorial so viewers do not get confused?

Start with a simple outline of the steps you want to show, even if it is just a short list. Knowing your order ahead of time keeps your recording smooth and avoids long pauses or mistakes.

Say what you are about to do before you click or type on screen. Zoom in on important areas, move your cursor slowly, and keep background noise low so viewers can follow each step.

If you create a lot of tutorials, you can speed up your workflow with tools that plan scripts for you. For example, you can draft a clear how to script with the RightBlogger video script tool, then record on your Mac while you follow the script for a cleaner, more pro result.