Screen recording is a useful tool for creating tutorials, capturing video calls, or saving online content. If you’re using a Mac, there are several ways to record your screen. In this article, we’ll show you how to screen record on a Mac using various methods and tools.
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How to Record Your Screen on a Mac
Screen recording is a great way to capture a video of your computer screen. Whether you’re creating tutorials, recording online content, or saving video calls, screen recording can be a useful tool. If you’re using a Mac, you’re in luck – macOS has several built-in options for screen recording. In this section, we’ll show you how to record your screen on a Mac using the built-in Screenshot Toolbar and QuickTime Player.
- Using the Screenshot Toolbar
The Screenshot Toolbar is a built-in feature in macOS that allows you to take screenshots and record your screen. Here’s how to use it:
Step 1: Open the app or window you want to record. Step 2: Press Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard to open the Screenshot Toolbar. Step 3: Click on the “Record Selected Portion” button (the one that looks like a rectangle). Step 4: Drag the cursor over the area of the screen you want to record. Step 5: Click on the “Record” button in the Screenshot Toolbar. Step 6: When you’re done recording, click on the “Stop” button in the menu bar or press Command + Control + Esc.
Your screen recording will be saved to your desktop by default.
- Using QuickTime Player
QuickTime Player is another built-in app in macOS that allows you to record your screen. Here’s how to use it:
Step 1: Open QuickTime Player (you can find it in the Applications folder).
Step 2: Click on “File” in the menu bar and select “New Screen Recording”.
Step 3: Click on the red “Record” button.
Step 4: To record your entire screen, click anywhere on the screen.
Step 5: To record a portion of the screen, click and drag over the area you want to record.
Step 6: To stop recording, click on the “Stop Recording” button in the menu bar or press Command + Control + Esc.
Your screen recording will be saved to your computer by default.
How to screen record on a Mac using the Screenshot Toolbar
The Screenshot Toolbar is a built-in feature in macOS that allows you to take screenshots and record your screen. Here’s how to use it to screen record on your Mac:
Step 1: Open the app or window you want to record.
Step 2: Press Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard to open the Screenshot Toolbar.
Step 3: Click on the “Record Selected Portion” button (the one that looks like a rectangle).
Step 4: Drag the cursor over the area of the screen you want to record.
Step 5: Click on the “Record” button in the Screenshot Toolbar.
Step 6: When you’re done recording, click on the “Stop” button in the menu bar or press Command + Control + Esc.
By default, your screen recording will be saved to your desktop. However, you can change the save location by clicking on “Options” in the Screenshot Toolbar.
The Screenshot Toolbar also allows you to record your entire screen or a specific window. To record your entire screen, click on the “Record Entire Screen” button in the Screenshot Toolbar. To record a specific window, click on the “Record Window” button and then click on the window you want to record.
In addition to screen recording, the Screenshot Toolbar allows you to take screenshots and annotate them. You can access these features by clicking on the relevant buttons in the Screenshot Toolbar.
How to screen record on a Mac using QuickTime Player
If you’re looking for a more advanced screen recording tool, QuickTime Player is a great option. Here’s how to use it to screen record on your Mac:
Step 1: Open QuickTime Player from your Applications folder.
Step 2: Click on “File” in the menu bar and select “New Screen Recording”.
Step 3: Click on the red “Record” button in the QuickTime Player window.
Step 4: Select the area of the screen you want to record by clicking and dragging over it.
Step 5: Click on the “Start Recording” button in the on-screen controls.
Step 6: When you’re done recording, click on the “Stop Recording” button in the menu bar or press Command + Control + Esc.
By default, your screen recording will be saved to your desktop. However, you can change the save location by clicking on “File” in the menu bar and selecting “Save”.
QuickTime Player also allows you to record audio along with your screen recording. To do this, click on the downward arrow next to the record button and select “Built-in Microphone” or an external microphone if you have one connected.
In addition to screen recording, QuickTime Player is also a great tool for playing and editing videos. You can use it to trim your screen recording, add audio and text overlays, and more.
How to Record Audio in Screen Recordings
If you want to add audio to your screen recordings, there are a few ways to do it depending on the tool you’re using. Here’s how to record audio in screen recordings on a Mac using the two most popular screen recording tools:
- Screenshot Toolbar
The Screenshot Toolbar allows you to record audio along with your screen recording using your Mac’s built-in microphone. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Open the app or window you want to record.
Step 2: Press Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard to open the Screenshot Toolbar.
Step 3: Click on the “Record Selected Portion” button (the one that looks like a rectangle).
Step 4: Drag the cursor over the area of the screen you want to record.
Step 5: Click on the “Record” button in the Screenshot Toolbar.
Step 6: To start recording audio, click on the “Options” button in the Screenshot Toolbar and select “Built-in Microphone” under “Microphone”.
Step 7: When you’re done recording, click on the “Stop” button in the menu bar or press Command + Control + Esc.
- QuickTime Player
QuickTime Player also allows you to record audio along with your screen recording. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Open QuickTime Player from your Applications folder.
Step 2: Click on “File” in the menu bar and select “New Screen Recording”.
Step 3: Click on the red “Record” button in the QuickTime Player window.
Step 4: Select the area of the screen you want to record by clicking and dragging over it.
Step 5: Click on the “Start Recording” button in the on-screen controls.
Step 6: To start recording audio, click on the downward arrow next to the record button and select “Built-in Microphone” or an external microphone if you have one connected.
Step 7: When you’re done recording, click on the “Stop Recording” button in the menu bar or press Command + Control + Esc.
By default, your audio will be saved along with your screen recording. However, you can separate the audio from the video if you need to edit or manipulate them separately. QuickTime Player allows you to do this by selecting “File” in the menu bar and selecting “Export As” and then choosing “Audio Only”.
How to screen record with third-party apps
While the built-in screen recording options on a Mac are powerful, there are some situations where you might need more advanced features. In those cases, you can use third-party screen recording apps. Here are a few popular options:
- Camtasia
Camtasia is a professional-level screen recording and video editing tool that’s available for both Mac and Windows. It allows you to record your screen and webcam simultaneously, add annotations and effects, and edit your video with a range of advanced tools. Here’s how to use it:
Step 1: Download and install Camtasia on your Mac.
Step 2: Open the app and select “New Recording”.
Step 3: Select the area of the screen you want to record and click “Record”.
Step 4: When you’re done recording, click “Stop”. Step 5: Edit your video as desired and export it in your preferred format.
- OBS Studio
OBS Studio is a free and open-source screen recording and streaming tool that’s popular with gamers and live streamers. It allows you to record your screen and webcam simultaneously, add graphics and effects, and stream your video to platforms like Twitch and YouTube. Here’s how to use it:
Step 1: Download and install OBS Studio on your Mac.
Step 2: Open the app and select “New” under the “Sources” section.
Step 3: Select “Display Capture” and choose the area of the screen you want to record.
Step 4: Click “Start Recording”.
Step 5: When you’re done recording, click “Stop Recording”.
Step 6: Edit your video as desired and export it in your preferred format.
- ScreenFlow
ScreenFlow is another popular screen recording and video editing tool for Mac. It allows you to record your screen and webcam simultaneously, add annotations and effects, and edit your video with a range of advanced tools. Here’s how to use it:
Step 1: Download and install ScreenFlow on your Mac.
Step 2: Open the app and select “New Recording”.
Step 3: Select the area of the screen you want to record and click “Record”.
Step 4: When you’re done recording, click “Stop”. Step 5: Edit your video as desired and export it in your preferred format.