How to Screen Record on Mac [100% Works!]

Screen recording used to be a hassle on Mac until the arrival of Sonoma. In the latest versions of macOS, a simple shortcut is all you need to remember to access the screen recording feature instantly. There is no need to look for some hidden feature in QuickTime Player. In fact, there are several ways you can go about recording screen on Mac. In this guide, we'll teach you about all the methods you can use for screen recording on Mac with use. This method works on all macOS devices, including Mac, Mac Mini, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac Studio.

Part 1: Screen Record on Mac Using Built-in Recorder Tool

Since the Mojave update, macOS has sported a built-in screen recording feature. It is packaged into the screen capture tool and can be accessed with shortcuts. You can also add the feature to the Toolbar or Touch Bar and access it from there if you'd like. However, if you forgot the shortcuts and have not added them to the Toolbar, you can still use QuickTime player to capture screen recordings. Clearly, there are plenty of ways to do it, so here's the quickest and easiest method for you to use:

Step 1: Launch the Screen Recording App

Press the "Command + Shift + 5" keys simultaneously on your keyboard to activate the screen recording app.

Step 2: Start Recording

You will notice two icons, each with a circle inside a square within the screen recording controls. Click on the icon with a continuous square to record the entire screen. The icon with a dotted square opens up a crosshair, allowing you to drag and select a specific portion of the screen to record. Click on one of them to start recording.

Step 3: Stop Recording

When you're done recording, click the Stop icon or use the hotkeys: "Command + Control + Esc shortcut".

The convenience of macOS's built-in screen recording feature belies a lack of advanced features to make those recordings useful for most users. Here are some limitations of this option:

No built-in editing options once the screen recordings are created
Audio recording is not baked into the system and requires additional tools
No built-in sharing options

Part 2: Best Screen Recorder for Mac to Record with Audio

To capture high-quality screen recordings rich with audio, Mac users rely on HitPaw Univd for Mac (HitPaw Video Converter for Mac). The all-in-one screen recorder, video editor, and media converter tool lets Mac users quickly record screens, capture audio in real time, and perform a host of customizations unparalleled among its peers. HitPaw Univd is the workhorse of content creators and professionals who require high-quality screen recordings.

Guide to Record Screen on Mac with Audio

Step 1: Enter Screen Recording Mode

Launch HitPaw Univd >> Go to "Screen Recorder".

Step 2: Select Recording Area

For recording full screen, click "Spacebar" on your keyboard. To record specific portions of the screen, use the cropping box on the screen to select the recording area. Click on the dedicated buttons to turn the audio, microphone, and webcam on and off.

Step 3: RecordScreen on Mac

Click the "Red" button to start recording >> When finished, click the "x" button to stop recording.

Part 3: Screen Record on Macbook with QuickTime Player

If you happen to forget the screen recording shortcuts for macOS or do not wish to remember them in the first place, you can use QuickTime Player in their place. The steps involved differ slightly, but the overall results are the same. So, the output quality is the same whether you use shortcuts or QuickTime Player.

Step 1: Enter Screen Recording Mode

Launch QuickTime Player >> Go to "File" >> Select "New Screen Recording".

Step 2: Add Sound

In the dialog box, click on the "Downward Arrow" beside the Record button >> Customize the audio options to suit your needs.

Step 3: Start Recording

Click on the "Red" (Record) button >> Then click anywhere on the screen to record the entire screen. To record specific areas of the screen, click and drag specific areas for recording.

Step 4: Stop Recording

Use the "Stop" button in the menu bar to stop the recording unless you'd rather use the shortcut: "Command + Control + Esc".

Pros:

Native screen recording
No need to remember any shortcuts
Audio recording
Basic editing features

Cons:

Limited features, especially for editing
No streaming options
Inability to add multiple sources

FAQs about Screen Record on Mac

Q1. What is the shortcut for screen recording on a Mac?

A1. The shortcut "Command + Shift + 5" activates the screen recording feature for all macOS devices.

Q2. Why is there no sound on my screen recording Mac?

A2. Mac devices do not support internal audio for screen recording natively. You can add external audio using the microphone option.
Audio must be enabled manually during screen recordings on Mac. When recording the screen using shortcuts, the option to activate audio is hidden within the "Options" dropdown button on the screenshot toolbar. If you're using QuickTime Player, you can enable audio using the "Downward Arrow" button on the screen recording dialog box.
Additionally, there could be other issues, such as disabled system permissions, outdated or corrupt QuickTime Player, low or muted volume, etc. You may have to troubleshoot each issue manually to figure out the problem. Alternatively, you can bypass these issues using HitPaw Univd to record your screen. It's frequently updated and has a proven track record of working flawlessly on all macOS devices.

Q3. Where do screen recordings go on Mac?

A3. All screen recordings are stored in the "Movies" folder by default. However, you can choose a different default destination for the screen recordings. The option to choose a different location is available in the "Options" dropdown menu available in the screenshot toolbar.

Conclusion

MacOS offers built-in tools for screen recording that are user-friendly and hassle-free. However, they come with several limitations that prevent you from extracting maximum benefit from this feature. Fortunately, several powerful tools like HitPaw Univd give users more control over their screen recordings on Mac while also giving them an advanced toolkit for customizing the recordings as per their needs. Whether you're creating recordings for personal use or professional purposes, HitPaw Univd for Mac is the all-in-one tool you need for all your video creation, editing, management, and sharing needs, including screen recording. Check it out today.

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