So you need to record your Mac screen? Maybe for a tutorial, work demo, or bug report? I remember struggling with choppy audio during client presentations until I cracked the code. Turns out most tutorials skip critical details – like why your mic sounds robotic or how to isolate app audio. Let's cut through the fluff.
No-App Method: QuickTime Player (Free & Built-in)
Every Mac since OS X Lion ships with QuickTime Player. It's like that screwdriver in your junk drawer – basic but gets the job done. But here's what nobody mentions: It struggles with recording internal audio natively. Yeah, that's why your gameplay videos lack sound.
Step-by-Step Recording
- Open
Applications > QuickTime Player - In Menu Bar:
File > New Screen Recording - Click the red record button - cursor changes to crosshair
- Drag to select area OR click anywhere for full-screen capture
- Stop via menu bar icon: ■ (or
Command+Control+Esc)
I recorded 37 tutorial videos with QuickTime before hitting limitations. When you need microphone commentary and system audio? Prepare for headaches. You'll need extra tools like BlackHole to route audio – messy for beginners.
MacOS Built-in Shortcut (Mojave & Later)
Forgot QuickTime exists? Press Shift+Command+5 – your Swiss Army knife for screen recording on Mac. This overlay gives options most people miss:
| Icon | Function | Hidden Feature |
|---|---|---|
| ■ | Record Entire Screen | Timer countdown (Options > Timer) |
| ▣ | Record Selected Portion | Resize handles with aspect ratio lock (hold Option) |
| 🎤 | Microphone Source | System audio capture requires macOS Catalina+ |
Where this falls short: Trying to record a 4-hour webinar? Your file will split into multiple 2GB chunks. Found that out during a client workshop – not fun. For long sessions, third-party tools handle large files better.
Top 3 Third-Party Tools Compared
When built-in options limit you, here's what actually works in 2023 (I've tested 14 tools since 2020):
| Tool | Price | Best For | System Audio? | My Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBS Studio | Free | Livestreamers/Advanced users | Yes (with setup) | Steep learning curve but unmatched customization |
| ScreenFlow | $129 one-time | Professional editing | Yes | Used for 3 years - best editor but expensive |
| Loom | Freemium | Team collaboration | No | Cloud storage eats bandwidth during uploads |
Why I Switched to ScreenFlow
After losing a 45-minute recording when QuickTime crashed? Worth the investment. Key advantages:
- Record system audio + microphone simultaneously
- Edit videos without exporting (cut flubs instantly)
- Export presets for YouTube/Twitter (saves hours)
But for quick social clips? The Shift+Command+5 shortcut still wins.
Recording Internal Audio: The REAL Solution
This is the #1 frustration with Mac screen recording. Since macOS Catalina, here's what works:
For Built-in Tools:
- Update to macOS Catalina or later
- Press
Shift+Command+5 - Click "Options" > "Microphone" > [Your App]
Wait - why does Zoom audio work but Chrome doesn't? Apple restricts system audio access for browsers. My workaround: Use Audio Hijack ($69) to route audio to virtual mic.
Third-Party Audio Tools
| Tool | Cost | Setup Time | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| BlackHole | Free | 15 minutes | ★★★☆☆ (Audio lag issues) |
| Soundflower | Free | 10 minutes | ★★★★☆ (Discontinued but still works) |
| Loopback | $99 | 2 minutes | ★★★★★ (My daily driver) |
Confession: I avoided paid tools for years. Big mistake. Loopback saves me 3+ hours weekly troubleshooting audio routing.
Advanced Scenarios
Standard guides miss these real-world needs:
Recording FaceTime Calls
Legal note: Inform participants you're recording (required in 12 states). Technically:
- Use QuickTime: File > New Audio Recording
- Set microphone to
FaceTime Audio - But video? Only via camera recording - no screen capture
Better solution: Use Ecamm Live ($12/month) if you do frequent interviews. Records split-screen views natively.
Game Recording Performance
Testing on M1 Pro vs Intel i9 MacBook Pro:
| Tool | FPS Loss (M1) | FPS Loss (Intel) | File Size per 30min |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBS (x264) | 8-12% | 35-60% | 1.8GB |
| ScreenFlow | 3-5% | 20-25% | 3.4GB |
| QuickTime | Negligible | 15-18% | 2.1GB |
Sweaty-palm moment: When recording a ranked Overwatch match, OBS crashed on my Intel Mac. Now I only use QuickTime for gaming captures.
FAQs: Stuff You Actually Care About
Where are screen recordings saved?
Default location: Desktop folder (~/Desktop). Change this in QuickTime preferences or before recording with Shift+Command+5 (Options > Save to).
Can I record screen on Mac with sound?
Yes, but with caveats:
- Built-in: Requires macOS Catalina+ for system audio
- Third-party: OBS/ScreenFlow handle it better
- Workaround: Audio routing tools (Loopback preferred)
Why does my screen recording look blurry?
Three likely culprits:
- Recording resolution mismatch (check display scaling)
- Compression settings (increase bitrate to 10-20Mbps)
- Retina display quirks (record at 2x scale)
My 4K workflow: Record at 1440p, render at 1080p. Sharper than native 4K with smaller files.
Editing & Sharing Pro Tips
What good is recording if nobody watches it?
Compression Settings That Don't Suck
| Platform | Resolution | Bitrate | My Preset |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | 1080p | 12 Mbps | H.264, AAC 192kbps |
| Slack/Email | 720p | 5 Mbps | HEVC (saves 40% space) |
| 1080x1350 | 8 Mbps | Vertical 9:16 aspect |
Keyboard Shortcuts You'll Actually Use
Ctrl+Command+Esc: Stop recording (any method)Spaceduring area select: Moves selection rectangleOption+Clickrecord button: Force 30fps/60fps mode
The Reality Check
After recording 500+ hours of Mac tutorials, here's my brutal take:
- Built-in tools: Perfect for quick 2-minute clips. Crashes on 45min+ sessions
- OBS: Free but makes you earn that freedom through pain
- Paid tools: Worth it if screen recording matters for work
Last month I recorded a critical software demo using QuickTime. At minute 38? "Disk Full" error. The silence was louder than the scream I held in. Now I always:
- Check available storage (>10GB free)
- Close unnecessary apps (especially Chrome)
- Use an external SSD for long recordings
Recording your Mac screen shouldn't be rocket science. Start with Shift+Command+5, graduate to ScreenFlow when quality matters, and never trust QuickTime for mission-critical recordings over 30 minutes. Your future self will thank you.
Leave a Comments