No affiliate links or sponsorship, and BravoTech isn’t affiliated with Apple. The steps follow Apple Support, the Mac User Guide and the QuickTime Player User Guide, checked October 14, 2026. We didn’t record a screen for this guide, and we don’t recommend third-party recorders. More how-to guides.
Quick answer
To screen record on a Mac, press Shift-Command-5, choose Record Entire Screen, Record Selected Window (macOS Tahoe 26 or later) or Record Selected Portion, then click Record. Stop with the Stop button in the menu bar or Command-Control-Esc. For sound, click Options and pick a microphone. On macOS 27 Golden Gate or later, you can also choose Include System Audio.
Key takeaways
- Shift-Command-5 opens the Screenshot toolbar. On current macOS, QuickTime’s File > New Screen Recording opens the same toolbar.
- Audio: you can record a microphone with the built-in tools. Apple lists Include System Audio for macOS 27 Golden Gate or later.
- Saved to the desktop by default, as “Screen Recording [date] at [time].mov”.
- Some apps block recording. Apple names the Apple TV app as one that might not let you record its windows.
How we wrote this guide
Built from Apple’s documentation, read on October 14, 2026 (PKT): Apple Support’s “How to record the screen on Mac” (102618, updated September 14, 2026), the Mac User Guide and the QuickTime Player User Guide. We didn’t record anything for this guide and use no screenshots of our own. Option names are quoted from Apple. Which ones you see depends on your macOS version, and we flag version-specific options where Apple does.
How to screen record on a Mac with Shift-Command-5
The fastest built-in way is the Screenshot app’s toolbar. Steps from Apple 102618 and the Mac User Guide:
- Press Shift, Command and 5 together. The Screenshot toolbar appears, with still-image tools first and recording tools after them. You can also open Screenshot from Spotlight.
- Pick a recording tool: Record Entire Screen, Record Selected Window, or Record Selected Portion.
- Set Options if you need a microphone, a timer or a different save location (see below).
- Click Record. If you chose a window, click the window you want to record. Press Esc before you click Record to cancel.
- Stop recording with the Stop button in the menu bar, or press Command-Control-Esc.
- Click the thumbnail that appears in the corner to trim or share the clip, or let it save.
Record the whole screen, one window, or part of it
| Tool | What it records | macOS version |
|---|---|---|
| Record Entire Screen | Everything on the screen | Any version with the Screenshot toolbar |
| Record Selected Window | One window you click | macOS Tahoe 26 or later |
| Record Selected Portion | An area you choose; drag its borders to adjust it | Any version with the Screenshot toolbar |
Options: save location, timer, microphone, clicks
Click Options in the toolbar before you start. Apple lists these for recordings:
- Save to: choose a preset location or Other Location. Recordings go to the desktop by default.
- Timer: how many seconds to wait after you click Record.
- Microphone: choose a mic to record your voice. Select None to turn it off.
- Include System Audio: records the Mac’s own sound, on macOS 27 Golden Gate or later.
- Show Mouse Clicks: draws a black circle around the pointer when you click.
- Show Floating Thumbnail and Remember Last Selection: keep the preview thumbnail and reuse your last selected area.
- Capture format: on supported Macs with macOS Tahoe 26 or later, choose SDR (Most Compatible) for H.264 video, or HDR for HEVC. Apple notes HDR needs an HDR display to see the difference.
How to screen record with QuickTime Player
QuickTime Player has its own menu command, but on current macOS it hands the job to the Screenshot toolbar (QuickTime Player User Guide).
- Open QuickTime Player from your Applications folder.
- Choose File > New Screen Recording, or press Control-Command-N.
- If the Screenshot toolbar appears, follow the steps above.
- If QuickTime’s own Screen Recording window appears instead, click the arrow next to the Record button to choose a microphone and Show Mouse Clicks in Recording. Then click Record, and click anywhere to record the full screen, or drag to select an area and click Start Recording.
- Stop with the Stop button in the menu bar or Command-Control-Esc. From that window, QuickTime opens the recording automatically.
| Screenshot toolbar | QuickTime Player’s own Screen Recording window | |
|---|---|---|
| Open it | Shift-Command-5 | File > New Screen Recording |
| Record one window | Yes, on macOS Tahoe 26 or later | Not offered; drag to select an area |
| Microphone | Options > Microphone | Arrow next to Record |
| System audio | Include System Audio, macOS 27 or later | Not listed by Apple |
| After you stop | Thumbnail, then saved to your chosen location | Opens in QuickTime Player |
How to screen record on Mac with audio
It depends on which sound you want. Your voice through a microphone works with the built-in tools. The Mac’s own sound, such as an app, a video or a call, has a built-in option only on newer macOS.
Record your voice (microphone)
In the Screenshot toolbar, click Options and choose a microphone below Microphone, so a checkmark appears next to it. In QuickTime’s own Screen Recording window, choose it from the arrow next to Record. Apple says you can adjust the volume slider to monitor the audio, and to lower the volume or use headphones if you hear feedback.
Record system or app audio
Apple’s screen recording article says: to record system audio in macOS 27 Golden Gate or later, choose Include System Audio in Options. The Mac User Guide for macOS Tahoe 26 lists only a microphone for audio, so before macOS 27 the built-in tools record what your mic picks up, not the Mac’s own sound.
To check your version, choose Apple menu > About This Mac (Apple 109033). Apple says macOS 27 can be installed on Macs with Apple silicon (compatibility list).
Before you record a call
Recording a call or meeting? Tell the other people and get their OK first.
Where screen recordings are saved and how to trim them
By default, recordings go to your desktop as .mov files named “Screen Recording [date] at [time].mov”. To use another folder, change Save to in Options (Apple 102618).
- Right after recording: the floating thumbnail stays in the bottom-right corner for a few seconds. Click it to trim or share, swipe right to save it at once, or drag it into a document, an email or a Finder window.
- Later, in QuickTime Player: open the recording, choose Edit > Trim, drag the yellow handles around the part you want to keep, then click Trim (QuickTime Player User Guide).
- Other editors: Apple says you can open screen recordings in QuickTime Player, iMovie and other apps that edit or play video.
Want two apps visible while you record a tutorial? Our guide to split-screen multitasking on Mac shows how to set them side by side.
Mac screen recording not working? Troubleshooting
Another app can’t record your screen
You decide which apps and websites can record your screen and audio. Choose Apple menu > System Settings, click Privacy & Security, then Screen & System Audio Recording, and turn the app on. Apple says you can allow an app to record both screen and audio, or audio only, and add missing apps with the Add button (Mac User Guide).
Part of the recording is blank, or an app won’t record
Apple says some apps, such as the Apple TV app, might not let you record their windows, and that some apps, such as DVD Player, may not allow pictures of their windows. If one app’s window comes out blank, that app may simply not allow recording. That’s the app’s choice, and we don’t cover workarounds.
There’s no sound in the recording
Check that Microphone in Options isn’t set to None. If you wanted the Mac’s own sound, you need macOS 27 Golden Gate or later and Include System Audio selected.
You can’t find the Stop button
Press Command-Control-Esc. It stops both Screenshot and QuickTime recordings. If your Mac is struggling while you record, our guide to the Mac task manager shows how to see what’s using its resources.
FAQ
How do I screen record on Mac with sound?
Press Shift-Command-5, click Options and choose a microphone to record your voice. To capture the Mac’s own sound, Apple says to choose Include System Audio, which is available in macOS 27 Golden Gate or later.
Where do Mac screen recordings go?
To your desktop by default, named “Screen Recording [date] at [time].mov”. You can pick another folder under Save to in the Screenshot toolbar’s Options.
How do I stop a screen recording on Mac?
Click the Stop button in the menu bar, or press Command-Control-Esc. This works for recordings started from the Screenshot toolbar or QuickTime Player.
Is there a time limit for Mac screen recording?
Apple doesn’t list a maximum length for Screenshot or QuickTime recordings. Long recordings produce large files, so make sure you have enough free storage before a long session.
Why is my screen recording black?
Often because the app doesn’t allow it. Apple says some apps, such as the Apple TV app, might not let you record their windows. Also check that you recorded the right screen or window.
Can I record only one window?
Yes, on macOS Tahoe 26 or later. Choose Record Selected Window in the Screenshot toolbar, then click the window. On older versions, use Record Selected Portion and drag the frame around the window.
Sources
Every step in this guide is linked to Apple’s documentation. All pages were checked on October 14, 2026 (PKT).
Show all 7 sources
- Apple Support 102618: How to record the screen on Mac (Sep 14, 2026)
- Mac User Guide: Take screenshots or screen recordings on Mac
- QuickTime Player User Guide: Record your screen in QuickTime Player on Mac
- QuickTime Player User Guide: Trim a movie or clip in QuickTime Player on Mac
- Mac User Guide: Control access to screen and system audio recording on Mac
- Apple Support 109033: Find out which macOS your Mac is using (Sep 28, 2026)
- Apple Support 127255: macOS 27 Golden Gate is compatible with these computers
Changelog
- October 14, 2026: First version, prepared from Apple Support, the Mac User Guide and the QuickTime Player User Guide. Includes Apple’s macOS 27 Golden Gate system-audio option. No hands-on testing and no screenshots of our own.
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