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How to Record Screen on a Mac 2025 Guide: Step by Step Tips & Tools

How to Record Screen on a Mac 2025 Guide: Step by Step Tips & Tools

Imagine this: You’re on a Zoom call, and your boss asks you to demonstrate a new feature for the team. Instead of explaining it for the tenth time, you think, “If only I could record this once and share it.” Or maybe you’ve just discovered a quick fix for a software bug and want to show your developer friend exactly what you did. That’s where screen recording comes to the rescue.

In 2025, screen recording isn’t just for tech YouTubers or gamers. It’s for everyone teachers creating online lessons, professionals making presentations, developers sharing tutorials, and even everyday users saving a funny video clip before it disappears. Macs, being the productivity powerhouse they are, come with built in screen recording tools, plus there’s a whole ecosystem of third party apps for those who want more advanced features.

If you’ve ever wondered “How do I record my Mac screen?”, you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through everything, from using macOS’s native tools to advanced software options, tips for recording audio, editing tricks, and the best apps for different needs. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned pro, you’ll find something useful here.

1. The Easiest Way: Using macOS Built in Screen Recording

Apple made screen recording straightforward starting with macOS Mojave (10.14). If you’re running Mojave or later, you can record your screen with just a few clicks no extra software needed.

Step 1: Launch the Screenshot Toolbar

Press Shift + Command + 5, and you’ll see a small toolbar pop up at the bottom of your screen. This toolbar is your command center for screenshots and recordings. You’ll notice options for capturing the entire screen, a selected window, or a portion of the screen. And here’s where the magic happens there are also two video icons for screen recording.

Step 2: Choose Full or Partial Screen Recording

  • Record Entire Screen: Click the first video icon (a rectangle with a circle inside).
  • Record Selected Portion: Click the second video icon. 
You can then drag to select the exact area you want to record. Perfect for focused tutorials or when you don’t want to show everything on your desktop.
 

Step 3: Adjust Settings

Before you hit record, click Options in the toolbar. Here’s what you can customize:
  • Save To: Choose where the recording will be saved (Desktop, Documents, or a custom folder).
  • Timer: Set a delay (5 or 10 seconds) before recording starts.
  • Microphone: Turn on your Mac’s built in mic or an external microphone if you want to add voice narration.
  • Show Mouse Clicks: Helpful for tutorials you’ll see a circle highlight whenever you click.

Step 4: Start Recording

Click Record. If you’re recording the entire screen, the icon will turn into a stop button in the menu bar. To end recording, click that stop icon or press Command + Control + Esc.

Step 5: Find Your Recording

By default, recordings save as .mov files on your desktop. A small preview pops up in the corner after recording, and you can click it to trim or share instantly.

Pros:
  • Free and built in no downloads needed.
  • Easy and fast for basic tasks.

Cons:
  • Doesn’t record system audio (only mic).
  • Limited editing options.

2. QuickTime Player: The Classic Method

Before macOS Mojave introduced the Screenshot Toolbar, QuickTime Player was the go to tool for screen recording on Macs and it’s still available today.

How to Record with QuickTime Player

  • Open QuickTime Player (find it via Spotlight or in Applications).
  • Go to File > New Screen Recording.
  • A small recording window appears. Click the dropdown arrow to select:
    • Microphone input (if you want narration).
    • Show mouse clicks in recording.
  • Click Record, then choose full screen or drag to select an area.
  • To stop recording, click the stop icon in the menu bar.
QuickTime recordings also save as .mov files, and you can do basic trimming afterward.

QuickTime is great if you’re running an older macOS version without the Screenshot Toolbar or if you prefer its simpler interface.

3. The Audio Challenge: Why macOS Won’t Record System Audio (and How to Fix It)

Here’s a fun (or frustrating) fact, macOS doesn’t let you record internal system audio by default. Why? Mostly for privacy and copyright reasons. But what if you want to record a webinar with its audio or capture a game with full sound?

The workaround, virtual audio drivers.

Best Options for Recording Internal Audio

BlackHole (Free): An open source virtual audio driver that routes sound from your Mac to your recording software.

Loopback (Paid): A powerful option for professionals lets you create virtual audio devices and control routing with a simple interface.


How It Works? these tools essentially trick your Mac into thinking the system audio is coming from a microphone. You select the virtual device as your input in the screen recorder settings, and voilà crystal clear internal audio.

Pro Tip: Combine internal audio with mic input if you want to capture both system sound and voice narration. It takes a bit of setup, but it’s worth it for podcasts, tutorials, or game streams.


4. Where Do Screen Recordings Save?

By default, macOS saves recordings to the Desktop as .mov files. But you can change this:
  • When using the Screenshot Toolbar, click Options > Save To and pick your desired folder.
  • For QuickTime, you’ll be prompted to choose a location after saving.
File Size Note, .mov files can be large. If you need smaller files or a more universal format like MP4, you can:
  • Export via QuickTime (File > Export As > 1080p/720p).
  • Use HandBrake for free conversion.

5. Editing Your Screen Recordings

The built in tools let you do basic trimming, but what if you want to add text, arrows, transitions, or picture in picture effects?
  • iMovie (Free): Perfect for beginners. Drag your recording in, cut unnecessary parts, and add titles.
  • Final Cut Pro (Paid): For pro level editing with advanced effects.
  • Free Alternatives: DaVinci Resolve or Shotcut.

6. Performance Tips for Smooth Recording

Screen recording can tax your CPU and GPU, especially if you’re also running heavy apps (like video editors or games). Here are some tips:
  • Close unused apps to free up memory.
  • Record only a portion of the screen if full screen isn’t necessary.
  • Use an external drive if your internal storage is nearly full large recordings can fill your disk fast.
  • Lower resolution if you don’t need 4K.

7. Best Third Party Screen Recording Tools for Mac

If the built in tools feel too basic, here are some top alternatives:

a. OBS Studio (Free)
  • Open source, powerful, and great for live streaming.
  • Lets you add multiple sources (screen, webcam, audio) and record in high quality.
  • Learning curve: Moderate.

b. ScreenFlow (Paid, Mac only)
  • User friendly and designed for Mac.
  • Built in editor for professional looking videos.
  • Pricey, but worth it for serious creators.

c. Camtasia (Paid)
  • Popular among educators and trainers.
  • Excellent for creating interactive tutorials.
  • Includes robust editing features.

8. Use Cases & Best Practices

If you’re a YouTuber, OBS is a fantastic choice thanks to its flexibility and the ability to add overlays for a professional look. Educators, on the other hand, will find ScreenFlow or Camtasia perfect for creating polished, engaging tutorials without a steep learning curve. 

And if you’re preparing a business presentation, the built in macOS screen recording tool usually does the job quickly and efficiently without needing extra software.

9. Troubleshooting Common Problems

If you run into issues while recording your Mac screen, the fixes are usually simple. For example, if there’s no sound in your recording, check your microphone settings or consider installing a tool like BlackHole to capture system audio. 

If you see a black screen instead of the video, it’s likely because of DRM protection on services like Netflix there’s no legal workaround for that. And if your recording feels laggy, try lowering the resolution or closing unnecessary apps to free up resources.

10. Advanced Tips for Professionals

If you want to take your screen recordings to a professional level, there are a few tricks that can make a big difference. For example, if you work with multiple monitors, tools like OBS or ScreenFlow let you capture every screen at once, making your tutorials or presentations seamless and complete. Adding a webcam overlay is another great way to make your videos more personal and engaging, especially if you’re teaching or presenting. 

Apps like OBS and Camtasia make this easy by letting you position your face cam anywhere on the screen. And if crystal clear quality is what you’re after, recording in 4K is absolutely possible as long as your Mac has the power to handle it. OBS and ScreenFlow both support ultra high definition, giving your videos a sharp, professional edge.

11. Final Thoughts

Recording your screen on a Mac is easier than ever in 2025. If you just need something quick, macOS’s built in tool is your best friend. For more control, QuickTime still works great. And for professionals, tools like OBS, ScreenFlow, or Camtasia open up a whole new world of possibilities.

Whether you’re teaching, presenting, gaming, or creating content, screen recording is a skill that can save time and make communication clearer. So, go ahead start recording and share your world.