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Are you a Mac user who is familiar with taking screenshots but doesn’t know how to record your screen on Mac? If this is you, the good news is that learning how to record your screen with audio doesn’t have to be hard.
There are many reasons to record a video from your screen with audio on. Some of the most common include capturing a lecture or tutorial, creating an instructional video, recording a game session, or keeping memories of FaceTime sessions with your loved ones. Sound like something you’re aiming to do?
If so, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we provide a walkthrough on how to record your Mac screen using built-in tools and third-party software. But hold your horses — before you install any third-party software, check out our recommendations on the best antivirus software for Mac to ensure top-notch protection. Now, let’s dive into the tutorial!
Recording your Mac screen with audio using the built-in screenshot toolbar on macOS can be simple.
In the next sections, we cover a step-by-step tutorial on using the screenshot toolbar to record your screen with audio.
To enable screen recording on a Mac’s screen, use the keyboard shortcut Command + Shift + 5. This will instantly bring up the screenshot toolbar, which offers various options for capturing images and videos. You can capture images of the entire screen, a specific window, or a particular portion of the screen.
Additionally, these options allow you to record videos of the entire screen or a selected portion. Alternatively, you can access the Screenshot tool from Launchpad to record screen videos with just a few mouse clicks.
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Select Options from the screenshot toolbar and navigate to the dropdown list. Look for Timer to set a timer countdown of none, 5 seconds, or 10 seconds before recording. This feature is particularly useful for preparing your screen and ensuring everything is in order before clicking on the record button.
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To begin recording with the screenshot toolbar, you have two primary options to specify what part of your screen you'd like to record.
To enable audio recording, access the screenshot toolbar and select Options, then navigate to Microphone. Here, you may select your audio source from the audio options displayed. Options include the Mac’s built-in microphone for internal audio, an external microphone, or other audio from conferencing tools. You may also choose None as an option if you don’t want to record audio. This flexibility ensures your recording captures the necessary sound, be it for presentations, meetings, or other purposes.
After you hit Record, a stop button appears in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Click the Stop button with your mouse after you’ve finished recording, or press Command + Control + Esc.
After you stop your screen recording, it will automatically save to your desktop or the chosen location. You can then use QuickTime Player for basic video editing (such as trimming clips) or other third-party apps that offer advanced video editing features.
QuickTime Player is an Apple multimedia player, and it comes pre-installed on macOS. You can use QuickTime Player to create, edit, and share multimedia files like screen recordings and movies.
Go to Finder, navigate to your Applications folder, and click on the QuickTime Player app. You may also open the app from Launchpad on your toolbar.
To initiate recording, click the Record button. Choose to record the entire screen by clicking on it or select a specific portion by dragging the cursor.
In the options menu, select your preferred audio source under the Microphone section. This feature allows you to include audio in your screen recordings.
QuickTime provides a toolbar for controlling the recording. To end your session, use the stop button in the menu bar.
QuickTime automatically saves the recording upon completion. You can then edit or share the file as needed.
Here are tips on how to resolve the common screen recording issues on macOS.
Third-party apps like OBS Studio, Snagit, Loom, Apowersoft Screen Recorder, ScreenFlow, Camtasia, VMaker, and Movavi Screen Recorder are alternatives to built-in macOS tools that offer unique features.
Installation is straightforward, and it offers rich customization for users interested in recording and streaming. It boasts advanced features like custom scenes over Mac's native tools but be ready for a learning curve.
With an easy setup, Snagit excels in quick captures and video recordings. It stands out from Mac’s default tools by offering robust editing features and GIF creation wrapped in a more user-friendly package.
Installing Loom is a breeze, and this platform emphasizes simplicity and rapid sharing. It makes sharing videos faster and easier than Mac’s built-in options, although it skips the more advanced editing features.
This app offers versatility with both downloadable and web-based versions. It enables scheduled recordings — a step up from Mac's built-in tools — though the web version does require an internet connection.
ScreenFlow is tailored for Mac users. The setup is straightforward, and the platform provides a comprehensive suite for video editing. It surpasses QuickTime with more advanced features, like animated graphics and closed caption support, albeit at a premium.
Camtasia offers an intuitive setup for those seeking sophisticated video editing capabilities that help them finish their projects faster, like editing their video as they edit their audio. Its professional-grade features greatly outshine Mac's built-in tools, catering to users needing a wide range of editing options.
VMaker’s user-friendly approach requires minimal setup, and it even offers a Chrome extension for quick access. It lets you collaborate in workspaces and outperforms Mac's default by offering unlimited recording time without watermarks, though it does ask for account creation.
Installation is simple. Movavi is designed for users who want swift screen recording and basic editing. It offers a more intuitive and feature-rich experience than Mac's native solutions, enhancing user recording tasks.
Take a look at the recommended tips below to enhance the overall quality of your screen recordings on macOS.
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Yes, Mac devices allow screen recording with its built-in screenshot toolbar or QuickTime Player.
Absolutely! It’s easy to screen record on a Macbook and other Mac devices with sound.
To quickly do this, press Command + Shift + 5 and click on Options > Microphone > your audio source of choice. Alternatively, open the QuickTime Player app, select New Screen Recording, and choose your sound source.
Press Command + Shift + 5 until the screenshot toolbar pops up, select Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion, and click on the Record button.
Use the built-in screenshot toolbar or QuickTime Player app to record video on Mac. You may also use third-party apps like OBS Studio, Snagit, Loom, Apowersoft Screen Recorder, ScreenFlow, Camtasia, VMaker, and Movavi Screen Recorder.
Command + Shift + 5 is the keyboard shortcut for screen recording on Mac.
For Mac users, screen recording might seem a bit puzzling if you're only accustomed to taking screenshots. Thankfully, the process of capturing both video and audio on your Mac is straightforward. Whether it's for saving a memorable FaceTime chat, creating a tutorial, or recording gameplay, screen recording serves various essential purposes.
You can screen record using Mac's native tools and QuickTime Player, or you can use third-party apps that cater to more advanced video editing needs. But before embarking on downloading any software, we highly recommend arming your Mac with the best antivirus solutions to protect your digital workspace.
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