Screen recording is a powerful tool that can be used for various purposes. Screen recording can be a valuable asset if you need to create a tutorial, make a training video, record a presentation, or capture a gameplay session. Mac users are in luck, as Apple has built-in screen recording capabilities in its operating system. This guide will explore how to screen record on Mac using keyboard shortcuts, the built-in tool, and a third-party application. Continue reading and start recording your screen in no time.

What is Screen Recording

Screen recording is the process of capturing everything displayed on your computer screen and saving it as a video file. This can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay, or recording presentations. Screen recording software typically allows you to record the entire screen or select a specific portion of the screen to record.

Why you might want to screen record on Mac

You might want to screen record on your Mac for many reasons. Here are just a few examples:

Creating tutorials or instructional videos
Making training videos
Recording a presentation or lecture
Capturing gameplay for streaming or sharing
Troubleshooting software issues
Recording Zoom meetings, video conferences, or interviews

How to screen record on Mac using keyboard shortcuts (quick but limited)

Did you know that your Mac comes with a built-in screen recording tool? This feature is available in macOS Mojave (10.14) and later versions. You can easily record your screen using a simple keyboard shortcut to trigger this tool. Here's how to do it:

Step 1. Press Command + Shift + 5 to open the screenshot toolbar.

mac screenshot toolbar Step 2. Click on the "Record Entire Screen" or "Record Selected Portion" button, depending on what you want to record. If you selected "Record Selected Portion", drag your cursor to select the portion of the screen you want to record.

Step 3. Click on the "Record" button to start recording.

Step 4. Click on the "Stop" button in the menu bar to stop recording.

mac screenshot tool stop recording Step 5. Find your screenshot on the desktop of your Mac.

While the basic method is great for most users, some advanced options are available for those needing more control over their screen recordings. Here are a few examples:

mac screenshot toolbar options

Change the save location of your recordings: Go to "Options" > "Save to".
Set a timer for your recording: Go to "Options" > "Timer".
Record your microphone audio: Select the appropriate option in the toolbar.
Show mouse clicks in your recording: Select the appropriate option in the toolbar.
Customize keyboard shortcuts for screen recording: Go to "Options" > "Customize Controls".

Note: This method can only record your Mac screen without internal audio. If you want to screen record Mac with audio, use an audio retouring tool or a third-party screen recorder for Mac.

How to record the screen on a Mac using QuickTime Player (built-in option)

QuickTime Player is another built-in application on your Mac that you can use to record your screen. It lets you record your Mac screen, record microphone audio, record webcam, or record your screen with microphone audio. In addition, it also allows you to edit or share your screen recordings on Mac. But it still doesn’t record system audio. If you don’t mind, check the steps below to learn how to screen record on Mac using the QuickTime Player.

Step 1. Open QuickTime Player on your Mac by searching for it in Spotlight or locating it in the Applications folder.

Step 2. Go to the File menu and select New Screen Recording.

quicktime player new movie recording Step 3. A small screen recording window will appear. Click on the red “Record” button to start recording your screen.

Step 4. When you are done recording, click on the “Stop” button.

Step 5. Save your video to your desired location.

How to screen record on a Mac with Awesome Screenshot & Recorder (comprehensive)

While the keyboard shortcut and QuickTime Player are great for quick screen recording on Mac, they don’t offer many advanced features. If you want to screen record on Mac with internal audio, add annotations, highlight specific areas of the screen, or use your webcam while recording, you’ll need a third-party tool like Awesome Screenshot & Recorder.

Awesome Screenshot & Recorder is a powerful yet easy-to-use screenshot and screen recording tool that can be used on Mac and Windows. It offers a Mac app and Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari browser extensions, allowing users to record screens anytime, anywhere. In addition, it provides a range of features that can help you create more professional-looking videos, including:

Awesome Screenshot & Recorder

One extension for all your screen recordings & screenshots

Record screen and capture screenshots easily
Edit videos/images quickly
Store videos/images to the cloud and share instantly

Flexible screen recording: Record the entire screen, a selected area, a browser tab, or an active window.
Audio recording: Record screen with microphone and/or system audio.
Webcam recording: Use your Mac’s built-in camera or an external webcam to add a personal touch to your screen recording.
Annotations: Add text, arrows, shapes, and other annotations to your screen recording to highlight important information.
Video editing: Edit the recorded video by removing unwanted parts or adding text.
Customizable settings: Adjust the resolution and other settings to customize your screen recording.
Cloud storage: Upload your screen recordings for easy management and sharing.

Here are the steps to record the Mac screen with Awesome Screenshot & Recorder Mac app.

Step 1. Download and install Awesome Screenshot & Recorder app from Mac App Store.

Step 2. Launch Awesome Screenshot & Recorder app and sign in to it. Click "Record" and choose what to record from the 4 options it lists. You can also set the video quality and decide whether to record system audio, microphone, or webcam.

awesome screenshot and recorder mac app Step 3. Once you've done the setting, click the blue "Start Recording" to start recording. Then you will see the recording status showing the "Pause" button, recording time and "Stop" button in your Menu bar. You can pause or stop the recording according to your needs.

record internal audio on mac awesome recorder stop recording Step 4. After you click the "Stop" button, your video will be saved to cloud storage, and you will see the following page. On that page, you can preview the recorded video, download it locally in MP4 format, edit it further, or share it easily.

If you signed in to Awesome Screenshot & Recorder, all your recorded videos will be saved into "My Items" to save your local storage space. You can check, download or manage the videos whenever you want.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are various ways to screen record on your Mac. You can use the built-in screen recording tool, QuickTime Player, or third-party software. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can choose the option that suits you best. These easy methods allow you to capture your screen and create compelling video content for your projects, tutorials, or demonstrations.

FAQs about screen recording on Mac

1. What is the best screen recording software for Mac?

There are several screen recording software options for Mac, but some of the best ones are:

QuickTime Player: It's a free built-in tool on Mac that offers basic screen recording features. However, it lacks advanced editing options and may not be suitable for professional use.
Awesome Screenshot & Recorder: It’s a famous screenshot and screen recording extension that provides a set of features to take your screen recording experience to the next level.
Camtasia: It's a popular screen recording and video editing software that offers a range of advanced features such as audio editing, zooming and panning, and callouts. However, it's a paid software with a high price tag.
ScreenFlow: It's a professional-grade screen recording software that offers advanced editing features such as adding animations, transitions, and effects. It's suitable for creating tutorial videos and online courses. However, it's also a paid software.
OBS Studio: It's a free and open-source screen recording software that offers advanced features such as custom video and audio settings, live streaming, and multiple video sources. However, it may have a steeper learning curve for beginners.

Overall, the best screen recording software for Mac depends on your specific needs and budget.

2. Is there a way to record audio along with my screen recording on Mac?

Yes, there is a way to record audio with your Mac's screen recording. Here's how you can do it:

Step 1. Open QuickTime Player on your Mac.

Step 2. Go to "File" in the menu bar and select "New Screen Recording".

Step 3. Click on the small arrow next to the red record button and select "Built-in Microphone" or any other microphone you have connected to your Mac.

Step 4. Click on the red record button to start recording your screen and audio.

Step 5. When you're done recording, click the Stop button in the menu bar or press "Command + Control + Esc".

Step 6. Save your screen recording, and the audio file will be saved along with it.

3. How can I edit my screen recordings on Mac?

There are several ways to edit your screen recordings on a Mac. Here are some options:

iMovie: iMovie is a free video editing software that comes pre-installed on Macs. You can import your screen recording footage into iMovie and use its editing tools to trim, cut, add music, and other effects.
QuickTime: QuickTime is another pre-installed software on Macs that can be used to edit your screen recordings. Open your screen recording in QuickTime, and then use the editing tools to trim, split, and adjust the volume of your video.
Adobe Premiere Pro: Adobe Premiere Pro is a professional video editing software available for a subscription fee. You can import your screen recording footage into Premiere Pro and use its advanced editing tools to create a polished final product.
Final Cut Pro: Final Cut Pro is another professional video editing software available for a one-time purchase fee. It is specifically designed for Macs and is known for its user-friendly interface and powerful editing tools.

Regardless of which software you choose, the basic editing process is similar. You can trim your footage to remove any unwanted sections, add transitions to smooth out any abrupt cuts and adjust the color and audio settings to improve the overall quality of your video.

4. How can I share my screen recording on Mac with others?

There are several ways to share your screen recording on a Mac with others:

AirDrop: If the person you want to share the screen recording with is nearby, you can use AirDrop to send it to them wirelessly. Open the screen recording in Finder, click the Share button, and select the person's name from the AirDrop options.
Email: You can also email the screen recording as an attachment. Open the screen recording in Finder, right-click, select Share, and then choose Mail. Compose your email and send it.
Cloud storage: Upload the screen recording to a cloud storage service such as Dropbox, Google Drive, or iCloud, and share the link with the person you want to share it with.
Video-sharing platforms: You can also upload the screen recording to a video-sharing platform such as YouTube, Vimeo, or Wistia and share the link with others.
Messaging apps: If you use messaging apps such as iMessage or WhatsApp, you can send the screen recording directly to the person you want to share it with.

Choose the option that suits your needs and preferences the best.

How to Record Your Screen on a Mac

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