You can record your Mac screen with the built-in Screenshot app. Press Shift-Command-5, choose whether to record the entire screen or a selected portion, select a microphone if you need narration, and click Record. When you finish, click the Stop Recording button in the menu bar or press Command-Control-Escape.
macOS saves the recording as a video file, usually on the desktop unless you choose another location.
Quick Answer
To record your screen on a Mac:
- Press Shift-Command-5.
- Choose Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion.
- Click Options to select a microphone, change the save location, or set a timer.
- Click Record.
- Stop the recording by clicking the Stop Recording button in the menu bar.
- Open the saved video to watch, trim, or share it.
The built-in macOS screen recorder works well for tutorials, demonstrations, presentations, and troubleshooting. It can capture system visuals and microphone narration, but it does not normally record the Mac’s internal audio directly.
Record Your Entire Mac Screen
Use this option when you want to capture everything visible on your display, including multiple windows or menus.
- Press Shift-Command-5.
The Screenshot toolbar appears near the bottom of the screen. - Select the Record Entire Screen button. It is the recording option showing a screen outline with a small circle.
- Click Options if you want to choose a microphone, timer, or save location.
- Click Record.
- Perform the actions you want to capture.
- Click the Stop Recording button in the menu bar when you are finished.
You can also press Command-Control-Escape to stop recording.
If you use more than one display, macOS may ask you to select a screen. Choose the display you want to record before starting.
Record a Selected Portion of the Screen
Recording a selected area is useful when you want to focus on one app, window, document, or part of a webpage.
- Press Shift-Command-5.
- Select Record Selected Portion.
- Drag the edges or corners of the selection box until it covers the area you want to record.
- Click Options to adjust the microphone, timer, or save location.
- Click Record.
- Complete the actions you want to capture.
- Click the Stop Recording button in the menu bar, or press Command-Control-Escape.
The selection remains fixed while you record. If you need to capture a different area, stop the recording and create a new one.
Tips for Choosing the Recording Area
- Include the full app window if viewers need to see its controls.
- Leave enough space around menus and buttons so they are not cut off.
- Avoid recording private messages, passwords, account numbers, or other sensitive information.
- If text appears too small, record a larger area or increase the app’s zoom level before starting.
Record Your Mac Screen With Audio
The Screenshot toolbar includes microphone options for recording your voice or other sound picked up by a connected microphone.
- Press Shift-Command-5.
- Choose Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion.
- Click Options.
- Under Microphone, select the microphone you want to use.
- Start recording.
To record your voice, choose a built-in microphone, a headset microphone, or another connected input device. To record without narration, choose None, if that option is available.
Microphone Choices
The available microphones depend on your Mac and connected devices. You may see options such as:
- MacBook Microphone or another built-in microphone
- A connected headset or USB microphone
- An external audio interface
A headset can reduce echo because the microphone is less likely to pick up sound from the Mac’s speakers.
Important Audio Limitation
The built-in Screenshot recorder generally records microphone input, not the Mac’s internal system audio. That means your voice can be included, but sounds from an app, video, game, or music player may not be captured as a separate audio track.
If you need internal audio, you may need a third-party screen-recording app or an approved audio-routing tool. Check the software’s documentation carefully and review its privacy and permission requirements before installing it.
Choose Where macOS Saves the Recording
By default, macOS commonly saves screen recordings to the desktop. You can select another location before recording.
- Press Shift-Command-5.
- Click Options.
- Under Save to, select a location such as:
– Desktop
– Documents
– Clipboard
– Messages
– Mail
– Other Location - Start the recording.
Choosing Other Location lets you select a folder, external drive, or another available destination.
The recording is saved as a video file, normally in the .mov format. The filename includes the date and time it was created.
Use the Floating Thumbnail
After you stop recording, macOS may briefly show a thumbnail in the lower-right corner of the screen. You can:
- Click the thumbnail to open editing controls.
- Drag the thumbnail to another app or location.
- Swipe the thumbnail away to dismiss it.
- Wait for it to disappear and open the saved file from its destination.
If you do not want the thumbnail to appear, open Shift-Command-5, choose Options, and turn off Show Floating Thumbnail.
Set a Timer Before Recording
A timer gives you time to arrange windows or open a menu before recording starts.
- Press Shift-Command-5.
- Click Options.
- Under Timer, choose:
– None
– 5 Seconds
– 10 Seconds - Select the screen or area to record.
- Click Record.
- Use the countdown to prepare your screen.
A timer is especially helpful when the recording needs to begin with a clean desktop or a specific app already open.
Show the Pointer and Clicks
The Screenshot toolbar can show the pointer in the recording and highlight mouse clicks.
- Press Shift-Command-5.
- Click Options.
- Under the pointer settings, enable the option to show the mouse pointer or mouse clicks, depending on the controls available on your Mac.
- Start recording.
Showing pointer movement can make tutorials easier to follow. However, it can also add visual clutter, so disable it when you want a cleaner presentation.
Trim a Screen Recording
You can trim the beginning or end of a recording with QuickTime Player or the editing controls that appear when you open the recording.
Trim With QuickTime Player
- Open the recording.
- If it does not open in QuickTime Player, Control-click the file, choose Open With, and select QuickTime Player.
- Choose Edit > Trim from the menu bar.
- Drag the yellow handles at the beginning and end of the timeline to select the portion you want to keep.
- Click Trim.
- Choose File > Save or close the window and follow the prompts to save the edited video.
Trimming removes the parts outside the selected range. It is a good way to remove the countdown, an accidental pause, or the few seconds after you finish speaking.
Protect the Original Recording
Before making major edits, duplicate the file in Finder or use File > Duplicate in QuickTime Player. This preserves an unedited copy if you later need to restore the removed material.
Be careful with save prompts: depending on the app and file state, saving an edit can replace the existing version. Do not delete the original until you have confirmed that the edited recording works correctly.
Give Apps Permission to Record Your Screen
Some third-party screen-recording apps, video-conferencing tools, and remote-support utilities require permission to capture your screen.
- Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
- Select Privacy & Security.
- Open Screen & System Audio Recording.
- Turn on permission for the app that needs to record.
- Quit and reopen the app if macOS asks you to do so.
The exact setting name may vary depending on the macOS release. Look for a privacy setting related to screen recording or screen and system audio recording.
Only grant this permission to apps you trust. An app with screen-recording permission may be able to capture sensitive information displayed on your Mac.
Microphone Permission
If your recording has no narration, verify microphone access:
- Open System Settings.
- Select Privacy & Security.
- Choose Microphone.
- Turn on access for the app you are using.
- Quit and reopen the app if necessary.
You may also need to select the correct microphone in System Settings > Sound > Input or in the app’s own audio settings.
Troubleshooting Screen Recording Problems
The Screenshot Toolbar Does Not Appear
Try these steps:
- Press Shift-Command-5 again.
- Make sure the Command, Shift, and 5 keys are pressed together.
- Open Finder > Applications > Utilities and launch Screenshot manually.
- If another app is using the keyboard shortcut, close that app and try again.
- Restart the Mac if the Screenshot app appears unresponsive.
The Recording Will Not Start
Check the following:
- Confirm that you selected Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion, not a still-image capture option.
- Make sure the selected recording area is visible and large enough.
- Check that the destination drive has available storage.
- Close unnecessary apps if the Mac is low on memory or responding slowly.
- Try recording a shorter clip to determine whether the problem is related to the file size.
Some apps or protected content may restrict screen capture. If only one app produces a blank or blocked recording, the limitation may be imposed by that app.
The Recording Has No Voice
First check whether a microphone was selected:
- Press Shift-Command-5.
- Click Options.
- Check the selection under Microphone.
Then verify permission under System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone. Also check the input volume in System Settings > Sound > Input and confirm that the input meter responds when you speak.
If you use a headset or USB microphone, disconnect and reconnect it, then select it again in the Screenshot toolbar.
The Recording Has No Internal Audio
The built-in macOS recorder is designed to capture microphone audio rather than directly recording all sounds produced by the Mac. If you need app audio, use a screen recorder that specifically supports system audio, or use an appropriate audio-routing solution.
Before recording an important presentation, test the setup with a short clip. Confirm that both the video and the desired audio are present before creating the final recording.
The Video Is Too Large
Screen recordings can create large files, especially when recording a high-resolution display for a long time. You can:
- Record only the necessary area.
- Keep recordings shorter.
- Delete unnecessary test clips.
- Move completed videos to an external drive.
- Export or compress the recording with a video app after making a backup.
Do not delete the original until you have verified the compressed or exported copy.
The Recording Looks Choppy
Close demanding apps, browser tabs, and background processes before recording. Recording a smaller selected area may also reduce the workload. If the problem continues, restart the Mac and test again.
Avoid recording while the Mac is installing updates or performing another resource-intensive task.
Alternative Ways to Record Your Mac Screen
Record With QuickTime Player
QuickTime Player can provide another built-in route to the screen-recording controls.
- Open QuickTime Player from Applications.
- Choose File > New Screen Recording.
- Use the recording controls that appear.
- Select the entire screen or a portion of it.
- Choose a microphone if the controls provide that option.
- Start recording.
- Stop the recording from the menu bar.
On some macOS releases, QuickTime Player opens the same Screenshot recording interface rather than displaying a separate window. The available controls can vary.
Use a Third-Party Screen Recorder
A third-party app may be useful if you need features such as:
- Recording internal system audio
- Recording a webcam and screen together
- Adding annotations while recording
- Displaying a presenter overlay
- Advanced video editing
- Streaming to an online service
Choose an app from a reputable developer, keep it updated, and review its permissions. Test the application with a short recording before using it for an important event.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the keyboard shortcut to record a Mac screen?
Press Shift-Command-5 to open the Screenshot toolbar. Select a recording option and click Record.
How do I stop a screen recording on a Mac?
Click the Stop Recording button in the menu bar, or press Command-Control-Escape.
Can I record only part of my Mac screen?
Yes. Press Shift-Command-5, select Record Selected Portion, adjust the selection box, and click Record.
Can I record my voice while recording the screen?
Yes. Open Options in the Screenshot toolbar and choose a microphone under Microphone. Confirm that macOS has microphone permission if your voice is missing.
Can I record internal audio from my Mac?
The built-in Screenshot tool generally records microphone input, not the Mac’s internal system audio. Use a compatible third-party tool if you need to capture app sounds directly.
Where are Mac screen recordings saved?
They are commonly saved to the desktop. To choose another location, press Shift-Command-5, select Options, and choose a destination under Save to.
What format does a Mac screen recording use?
macOS normally saves screen recordings as QuickTime Movie files with the .mov extension.
How do I edit a Mac screen recording?
Open the video in QuickTime Player and choose Edit > Trim. This lets you remove unwanted material from the beginning or end.
Why is my screen recording blank?
The app or content you are recording may restrict screen capture. If the recording is blank everywhere, check permissions, restart the app, and test the built-in Screenshot tool with another window.
Final Thoughts
The built-in Screenshot app is the simplest way to record a Mac screen. Press Shift-Command-5, choose the entire screen or a selected portion, select a microphone if needed, and click Record. Before making an important recording, test the audio, confirm the save location, and protect the original file before trimming or compressing it.