How To Screen Record On Mac? Step By Step Guide

You can screen record on a Mac using built-in tools without downloading extra software. Here is a detailed analysis of your options and a step by step guide for beginners.

Method 1: The Screenshot Toolbar (Quickest & Easiest)

This built-in feature is available on macOS Mojave (10.14) and all newer versions. It provides a simple overlay menu to record your screen instantly.

Step by Step Guide

1. Open the tool: Press Command (∂) + Shift + 5 simultaneously on your keyboard.
2. Choose your recording mode: Look at the control bar at the bottom of the screen.
   Click the Record Entire Screen icon (looks like a full screen with a camera).
   Click the Record Selected Portion icon (looks like a dotted box with a camera) to drag and select a specific window or area.
3. Adjust options (Optional): Click Options on the control bar to:
   Choose where to save the video (e.g., Desktop, Documents).
   Set a 5 second or 10 second delay timer.
   Select a microphone to record your voice.
   Show or hide mouse clicks in the video.
4. Start recording: Click the Record button on the far right of the control bar. If you selected the entire screen, you can also just click anywhere on your screen to start.
5. Stop recording: Click the Stop button (a small square inside a circle) located in the menu bar at the top right of your screen. Alternatively, press Command + Control + Esc.
6. Save and edit: A thumbnail will appear in the bottom right corner. Click it to trim the video, or ignore it to let it automatically save to your designated location.

Method 2: QuickTime Player (Best for Older Macs)

If you are running an older macOS version, or prefer using an app interface, QuickTime Player is built into every Mac.

Step by Step Guide

1. Launch the app: Open QuickTime Player via Launchpad or by pressing Command + Space, typing “QuickTime,” and pressing Enter.
2. Open the recorder: Click File in the top menu bar, then select New Screen Recording.
3. Configure settings: Click the small arrow next to the red Record button to select your microphone or choose to show mouse clicks. (Note: On newer macOS versions, this step will automatically open the Method 1 toolbar).
4. Start recording: Click the red Record button.
   Click once anywhere on the screen to record the full screen.
   Drag a box to select a portion of the screen, then click Start Recording inside that box.
5. Stop recording: Click the Stop button in the top menu bar, or press Command + Control + Esc.
6. Save your file: QuickTime will open the recorded video automatically. Click File > Save, name your video, and choose a folder.

Feature Analysis: Built-In Mac Tools vs. Third Party Software

To help you decide if the built-in Mac tools are enough for your needs, here is a quick breakdown:

The System Audio Limitation: Macs protect your system audio for security reasons. If you want to record the audio coming out of a YouTube video or a Zoom call using the built-in tools, you will need a third party virtual audio driver (like BlackHole or Loopback) to route the sound, or you must switch to a dedicated software like OBS Studio.

How To Capture Internal System Audio Alongside The Screen?

To capture internal system audio (the sound coming from your Mac, like a YouTube video or Zoom call) alongside your screen, you cannot use the built-in toolbar by itself. Because macOS blocks internal audio routing for privacy and security, you must either route your audio using a virtual cable or use a dedicated tool.

Here are the two best methods to achieve this: the completely free open source software path (OBS Studio), and the native workaround path (using a tool called BlackHole).

Method 1: The Easiest & Best Way (OBS Studio)

Using OBS Studio is the modern, hassle free standard. Modern versions of macOS allow OBS to capture internal system audio natively without installing complex virtual sound cards.

1. Download and Install: Download the macOS version of OBS Studio. Open it and grant the necessary Screen Recording permissions when prompted by macOS.
2. Add a Screen Source:
   Locate the Sources box at the bottom of the OBS window.
   Click the + (plus) icon and select macOS Screen Capture.
   Click OK and choose whether you want to capture your entire display or just a single application window.
3. Verify Audio: Look at the Audio Mixer docking panel. You will see a track labeled macOS Screen Capture. This automatically tracks all internal audio coming out of that screen or app.
4. Add Your Microphone (Optional): If you want to talk over it, click the + icon in Sources, select Audio Input Capture, and choose your physical microphone.
5. Adjust Levels: Play a video or sound in the background. You will see the green/yellow bars moving in the Audio Mixer. Slide the volume bars to ensure your internal audio doesn’t drown out your microphone.
6. Record: Click Start Recording on the bottom right panel. When finished, click Stop Recording.

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Method 2: The Native Toolbar Workaround (BlackHole)

If you refuse to use third party recording software and strictly want to use your Mac’s built-in Command + Shift + 5 toolbar, you must install an open source virtual audio loopback driver like BlackHole (2ch).

Step 1: Install and Route via MIDI

1. Download and install the free BlackHole 2ch driver.
2. Press Command + Space, type Audio MIDI Setup, and press Enter.
3. Click the + icon in the bottom left corner of the window and select Create Multi Output Device.
4. Check the box next to BlackHole 2ch AND your built-in Mac Speakers (or Headphones). This step allows you to hear the audio through your speakers while your Mac is simultaneously routing it to the recorder.

Step 2: Change Your System Output

1. Click the Sound icon in your Mac’s top menu bar (or go to System Settings > Sound).
2. Under Output, select your newly created Multi Output Device instead of your default speakers.

Step 3: Record the Screen

1. Press Command + Shift + 5 to pull up the native toolbar.
2. Click Options on the toolbar menu.
3. Under the Microphone menu section, select BlackHole 2ch as the audio input.
4. Click Record.

Note: When you are completely done recording, remember to go back into your Sound settings and switch your output back to your default Mac Speakers, or you won’t be able to hear normal audio playback.

Method 3: Lightweight Third Party Apps

If you want something faster than OBS and cleaner than BlackHole, lightweight utilities like Cap offer a 2 click process:

• Install the utility and open it from the Mac menu bar.
• Toggle the switch from “No System Audio” to “Record System Audio”.
• Select the screen region and record instantly.

How To Capture My Webcam Alongside The Screen?

To capture your webcam alongside the screen, you can create a Picture in Picture (PiP) effect so your face appears in a corner bubble while you demonstrate something on your Mac.

You can accomplish this completely for free using either a clever built-in workaround or a more advanced third party application.

Method 1: The Native Workaround (QuickTime “Float on Top”)

You do not need to download anything to show your facecam. You can utilize a simple trick by combining the native screen recording tool with QuickTime’s camera viewer.

Step by Step Guide

1. Open the camera preview: Launch QuickTime Player. Go to File in the top menu and select New Movie Recording. This activates your webcam and displays a live feed of your face.
2. Lock the camera window: Click View in the top menu bar and select Float on Top. This is the critical step, it ensures your webcam window stays visible even when you click inside other apps or browsers.
3. Resize and position: Drag the corners of the camera window to make it smaller, and place it in any corner of your screen out of the way.
4. Start screen recording: Press Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard to open the screen recorder.
5. Adjust settings and record: Ensure your microphone is selected under Options if you plan to talk. Click Record Entire Screen and hit Record.
6. Finish: When you are done, click the Stop button in your top menu bar.

Note: Avoid putting background apps into “Full Screen Mode” using the green window button while using this workaround, as doing so moves the app into a separate virtual space and can hide the floating QuickTime window. Drag to expand your work windows manually instead.

Method 2: The Advanced Way (OBS Studio)

If you are already using OBS Studio for system audio, it is the perfect tool for webcams as well. It bakes your webcam directly into the video file without floating boxes getting in your way while you work.

1. Add your screen: Inside OBS Studio, go to the Sources box at the bottom, click +, and select macOS Screen Capture.
2. Add your webcam: Click + in the Sources box again, but this time select Video Capture Device. Name it “Webcam” and click OK.
3. Select your camera: In the device drop down menu, choose your FaceTime HD Camera (or external webcam) and click OK. Your face will now appear over your screen layout in the OBS preview window.
4. Position the feed: Click and drag the red borders around your camera box inside OBS to resize it and position it into a corner.
5. Crop to a square (Optional): Hold down the Option key on your Mac keyboard while dragging the borders of your camera feed inside OBS to crop the sides into a perfect square.
6. Record: Hit Start Recording on the right side panel. You can safely minimize OBS and present; your face will be cleanly captured over the background.

Method 3: Clean, Dedicated Apps

If you want a circular webcam bubble or auto tracking features without the complex setup of OBS, dedicated presentation utilities are highly effective:

• Loom or Coom: Great for quick video messages, providing a clean circular face bubble that floats anywhere.
• Screen Charm or Creavit Studio: Modern Mac tools that let you choose webcam shapes (circles/rectangles) and handle layout transitions natively.