Quick answer
To screen record on a Mac, press Command + Shift + 5, choose Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion, and click Record. Stop it from the menu bar or with Command + Control + Esc. Pick a microphone under Options to add your voice. The file saves to the desktop.
How to record your whole screen on a Mac
The Screenshot toolbar records the full screen in a few clicks and needs no extra software. It handles both screenshots and recordings.
- Press Command + Shift + 5. A toolbar appears at the bottom of the screen.
- Click Record Entire Screen. The first three buttons take screenshots; the next two are for recording.
- Click Record on the right of the toolbar.
- When you are done, click the stop button in the menu bar.
A thumbnail appears in the bottom-right corner, just as it does for screenshots. Click it to trim or share the clip, or ignore it and the file saves on its own.
How to record part of the screen
Recording a selected area keeps the file smaller and keeps the rest of your desktop out of the video.
- Press Command + Shift + 5.
- Click Record Selected Portion.
- Drag the edges of the box to frame the area you want, or drag from the middle to move it.
- Click Record.
- Click the stop button in the menu bar when you are finished.
The box stays where you put it, so if you are recording a single app, place its window inside the frame and keep it there while you record.
Recording options worth setting first
Click Options in the toolbar before you record. Most problems with missing sound or lost files come from skipping this menu.
| Option | What it does | Good setting |
|---|---|---|
| Save to | Sets where the file goes: desktop, Documents, Mail, Messages or a folder you choose | A dedicated folder, so the desktop stays clear |
| Microphone | Records sound from the selected microphone, or none | None for silent demos, built-in or USB mic for narration |
| Show Mouse Clicks | Draws a circle around the pointer each time you click | On for tutorials |
How to screen record with audio on a Mac
Adding your voice is built in; recording the sound your Mac plays is not. They are two different jobs.
Record your voice
- Press Command + Shift + 5 and click Options.
- Under Microphone, choose the built-in microphone or a connected mic.
- Start the recording and speak as you go.
Record system audio with BlackHole
The built-in tools do not capture the Mac's own sound, such as a video playing in a browser. BlackHole, a free open-source virtual audio driver, fills the gap. Use the 2-channel version.
- Install BlackHole 2ch.
- Open
Applications › Utilities › Audio MIDI Setup. - Click + and choose Create Multi-Output Device.
- Tick BlackHole 2ch and your normal output, such as the Mac's speakers.
- Control-click the new Multi-Output Device and choose Use This Device For Sound Output.
- In the Screenshot toolbar's Options, choose BlackHole 2ch as the microphone and record.
When you finish, switch your sound output back to the speakers in Control Center or System Settings. The Multi-Output Device affects all sound on the Mac until you change it.
How to screen record with QuickTime Player
QuickTime Player was the original way to record the screen and still works. Some people prefer its simple record window.
- Open QuickTime Player from Applications.
- Choose
File › New Screen Recording. - Use the Options menu to pick a microphone and quality.
- Click Record.
- Click to record the whole screen or drag to select an area.
How to record an iPhone or iPad screen on a Mac
QuickTime Player can show and record a connected iPhone or iPad, which is handy for demos and for capturing a bug on a beta.
- Connect the iPhone or iPad to the Mac with a cable.
- Open QuickTime Player and choose
File › New Movie Recording. - Click the arrow next to the record button and choose your iPhone under Camera.
- Click Record.
A recording like this is good evidence when you report a problem to Apple; our guide to reporting bugs in the iOS 27 beta explains what to include. For capturing still images on the phone itself, see how to take a screenshot on iPhone.
Common problems and fixes
The recording is black
You are probably recording protected video, such as content from a streaming service. macOS blocks it on purpose and records black frames. There is no legitimate workaround.
There is no stop button in the menu bar
Press Command + Control + Esc. That stops the recording and saves it.
The recording has no sound
Open Options and check the Microphone setting. If it says None, nothing was recorded. For the Mac's own sound, you need the BlackHole setup above.
The file is far too large
Screen recordings grow quickly. Record a smaller area, choose High instead of Maximum quality in QuickTime, or compress the file afterwards with a free tool such as HandBrake. If old recordings are filling your drive, our guide to cleaning up Mac System Data shows where space goes.
What to do next
If you record your screen to show bugs or new features, you may want the latest Mac software to try. Our macOS 27 beta installation guide covers how to install it safely, including on a separate volume.
Frequently asked questions
What is the shortcut to screen record on a Mac?
Press Command + Shift + 5. That opens the Screenshot toolbar at the bottom of the screen. Choose Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion, then click Record. To stop, click the stop button in the menu bar or press Command + Control + Esc. The file saves to your desktop unless you change the location in Options.
How do I screen record on Mac with my voice?
Open the toolbar with Command + Shift + 5, click Options and pick your microphone, such as the built-in microphone or a USB mic, under the Microphone heading. Then start the recording as usual. Your voice is recorded along with the screen. In QuickTime Player, the same choice is in the Options menu next to the record button.
Can a Mac record internal audio while screen recording?
Not with the built-in tools alone. The Screenshot toolbar and QuickTime Player record a microphone, not the sound your Mac plays. The common workaround is BlackHole, a free virtual audio driver. You create a Multi-Output Device in Audio MIDI Setup that sends sound to your speakers and to BlackHole, then choose BlackHole as the microphone in the recording options.
Where do Mac screen recordings save?
To the desktop by default, as a movie file. You can change that in Command-Shift-5 › Options › Save to, where you can choose another folder or send the recording to an app. A thumbnail appears in the corner of the screen right after you stop; click it to trim or share before it saves.
Why is my Mac screen recording black?
Most often you are recording protected video, such as a film from a streaming service. The system blocks that content on purpose and records black frames in its place, and there is no legitimate way around it. If everything is black, including your desktop, restart the Mac and try again with a fresh recording.
How can I make a screen recording file smaller?
Record only the part of the screen you need rather than the whole display, and keep recordings short. In QuickTime Player, choose High rather than Maximum quality in the Options menu before you record. For files you already have, a free converter such as HandBrake can compress them a lot with little visible loss.