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How to Screen Record on Mac – a skill many people need for tutorials, gaming clips, work demos, or sharing ideas. Whether you’re a student, teacher, content creator, or just helping a friend fix something, knowing how to screen record on Mac makes life easier. Apple makes it simple with built-in tools that work on most recent macOS versions like Sonoma, Sequoia, and newer ones in 2026. No need to download anything extra at first.

In this guide, you’ll find clear steps to how to screen record on Mac, including with your voice. We’ll cover the easiest free methods, what to do if you want system sound (like app audio), and some popular extra tools if you need more features.

Why Learn How to Screen Record on Mac?

Screen recording helps in many ways. Teachers record lessons. YouTubers capture gameplay. Office workers show steps in emails. According to user reports and Apple data, millions use this feature daily since it came in macOS Mojave (10.14). It’s quick, safe, and built right into your Mac—no ads or sign-ups.

The best part? It’s free and simple for basic needs. For more advanced stuff—like editing or capturing internal computer audio—you can add free or paid apps.

Built-In Way: Use the Screenshot Toolbar (The Easiest Method)

The fastest way to how to screen record on Mac is with the built-in Screenshot tool. It works on macOS Mojave and later (that’s most Macs today).

Steps to start recording:

Press Shift + Command + 5 on your keyboard. This opens a small toolbar at the bottom of your screen.
See the options: two for screenshots, then two for recording—one for the full screen, one for a selected part.
Click Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion. If you pick portion, drag to choose the area.
Before you hit record, click Options in the toolbar.
- Choose where to save (Desktop, Documents, etc.).
- Set a timer (5 or 10 seconds) if needed.
- Pick your microphone to add voice (like narrating steps).
- Turn on “Show Mouse Clicks” for tutorials—it highlights clicks in yellow.
Click Record. A small stop button appears in the menu bar (top right).
To stop, click that stop icon or press Shift + Command + 5 again and hit stop.
Your video saves automatically as a .mov file. Find it in the spot you chose or in the preview thumbnail that pops up.

This method is great for quick clips. It includes your microphone audio easily. Many people use this daily because it’s always there.

Tip: If the toolbar doesn’t show, check System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Screenshots to make sure it’s enabled.

How to Screen Record on Mac with QuickTime Player

For an older but still useful way, try QuickTime Player. It’s built-in and good if you like a separate app window.

Steps:

Open QuickTime Player (find it in Applications or via Spotlight search).
Go to File > New Screen Recording.
A small control bar appears. Click the arrow next to the red Record button.
Pick your microphone (built-in or external) to record voice.
Adjust volume if you want to hear yourself while recording (but use headphones to avoid echo).
Click the red Record button.
Choose full screen or drag for a portion.
Stop by clicking the stop icon in the menu bar.
QuickTime opens the video—go to File > Save to keep it.

This works well for basic voice-over recordings. Note: Like the toolbar method, it captures mic audio but not internal Mac sounds (like music playing) by default.

Adding Audio: Microphone vs. System Sound

Most users want how to screen record on Mac with sound. The built-in tools handle your voice fine—just pick a microphone in Options.

But what about system audio (game sounds, YouTube, Zoom calls)? macOS doesn’t capture that natively to avoid privacy issues. You need a helper tool.

Free workaround many use:

Download BlackHole (a free virtual audio driver from existential.audio/blackhole).
Set up an aggregate device in Audio MIDI Setup to route system sound.
In your recording Options, pick the aggregate as input.

This lets you record screen on Mac with audio from apps. It’s popular in 2026 tutorials for free internal capture.

For simpler paid options, tools like OBS Studio (free) or others handle this better.

Best Third-Party Screen Recorders for Mac in 2026

If built-in isn’t enough (no advanced editing, no internal audio easy, short time limits), try these. They build on what Apple offers.

OBS Studio — Free and powerful. Great for gamers or streamers. Set up scenes, add webcam, capture internal audio with plugins. Steep learning but no cost.
Loom — Quick for sharing. Records screen + face + voice, uploads to cloud. Free tier works for most.
Camtasia — Paid but pro-level. Record, edit, add effects. Ideal for training videos.
Snagit — Good for short clips with annotations.
Movavi Screen Recorder — Easy interface, built-in editor.

For a full list, check resources like top 10 screen recorders in 2025 (still relevant in 2026 trends).

The built-in method covers 80% of needs. Third-party adds polish.

Tips for Better Screen Recordings on Mac

Close extra apps to save battery and space.
Use a quiet room for voice.
Test a short clip first.
Edit in iMovie (free on Mac) for trims or text.
For tutorials, show mouse clicks and zoom in on key areas.
Save files to iCloud Drive for easy sharing.

Common issues and fixes:

No sound? Check microphone in Options and System Settings > Sound.
Toolbar missing? Update macOS.
Permission denied? Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen & System Audio Recording and allow apps.

Conclusion: Master How to Screen Record on Mac Today

How to screen record on Mac is straightforward with Apple’s built-in tools like Shift-Command-5 or QuickTime. Add your voice easily, and use free workarounds or third-party apps for system audio or editing. Practice a few times, and you’ll record like a pro.

What will you record first—a tutorial, game clip, or work demo? Share in the comments!

References:

Apple Support: How to record the screen on Mac – Official steps for Screenshot and QuickTime.
Apple Support: Take screenshots or screen recordings – Details on toolbar and shortcuts.
BusinessToMark: How to Screen Record on Windows/Mac with Audio – Practical tips including audio.
BusinessToMark: Top 10 Screen Recorders in 2025 – Reviews of tools that work on Mac.
Additional insights from user communities and recent guides (2025-2026) on macOS audio routing.

How to Screen Record on Mac: Easy Steps for Beginners in 2026