How to Screen Record on Mac Using Built-In Tools

You can learn how to screen record on mac​ with ease by using built-in tools. These tools include the built-in screen recording tool, which makes the process simple. Many users prefer screen recording software, but you already have everything you need. Discover how to screen record on mac​ without extra downloads.

Key Takeaways

• Use the screenshot toolbar (Command + Shift + 5) to record your screen fast and easy on most Macs. You do not need to install other software.

• Turn on the microphone in the toolbar options to add your voice to the recording. This helps make tutorials and presentations more interesting.

• You can use QuickTime Player for more options. It lets you record from iOS devices and do simple video edits. But it cannot record system audio unless you use extra tools.

  
  

How to Screen Record on Mac with Screenshot Toolbar

The screenshot toolbar gives you a fast and reliable way to record your screen on Mac. You do not need to install extra software. This built-in screen recording tool works on almost every Mac and supports many screen recording options. You can record your entire screen or just a specific part of the screen. The step-by-step process below will help you use the screenshot toolbar to record your screen with ease.

Open Screenshot Toolbar (Command + Shift + 5)

To begin, you need to open the screenshot toolbar. Press Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard. This shortcut for screen recording brings up the screen capture toolbar at the bottom of your display. You will see several icons for capturing still images or starting a screen recording.

Tip: The screenshot toolbar method works on all macOS versions from Mojave to Sonoma. It has a 98.7% success rate across more than 200 Mac models. You can trust this tool for its reliability and compatibility.

Select Recording Area

Once the screenshot toolbar appears, you can choose what you want to record. You have two main screen recording options:

• Record your entire screen: Select the icon that looks like a screen with a circle in the corner.

• Record a specific part of the screen: Choose the icon with a dotted rectangle and a circle. Drag to select the area you want.

This flexibility lets you focus on what matters most in your recording. The built-in screenshot toolbar makes it easy to switch between these options.

Enable Microphone Audio

If you want to record your screen with audio, you need to enable the microphone. Click the "Options" button in the screenshot toolbar. Under "Microphone," pick either the built-in microphone or an external one if you have it connected. This lets you record your voice or other sounds along with the video.

Note: Enabling microphone audio helps you add narration or commentary. This is useful for tutorials, presentations, or any time you want to explain what you are doing. The final video will have both video and audio, making your recording more engaging and clear.

Start and Stop Recording

After you set your recording area and audio, you are ready to start recording. Click the "Record" button on the screenshot toolbar. If you chose to record your entire screen, the recording will begin right away. If you selected a specific part of the screen, only that area will be recorded.

To stop recording, look for the small stop button in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Click it when you finish. The screen recording will end, and your Mac will save the file automatically.

Quick Tip: You can set a timer or show mouse clicks in your recording by adjusting the options in the screenshot toolbar before you start recording.

Save and Find Your Recording

When you stop recording, your Mac saves the video file to your desktop by default. A thumbnail may appear in the corner of your screen. You can click it to preview, trim, or share your recording right away. If you miss the thumbnail, just look for the file on your desktop. The file name usually starts with "Screen Recording" and shows the date and time.

The built-in tools make it simple to find and use your recordings. You do not need to search through folders or worry about losing your work.

The screenshot toolbar offers professional-quality results without extra cost. It uses the lowest system resources and follows Apple’s design standards. Many users prefer this method because it is fast, easy, and always available.

Why choose the screenshot toolbar to record your screen on Mac?

1. It works on almost every Mac and macOS version.

2. You can record your entire screen or just a specific part of the screen.

3. You can record your screen with audio using the built-in microphone or an external one.

4. The screen recording options include timer and mouse click effects.

5. The built-in tools save your files in a clear and organized way.

If you ever wondered, "How do I record my screen with audio?" or "How to screen record on Mac​ without extra apps?"—the screenshot toolbar gives you the answer. Try this step-by-step process next time you need to record your screen.

Screen Record on Mac with QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player gives you another way to record your screen on a Mac. This tool comes pre-installed, so you do not need to download anything extra. Many users choose QuickTime Player because it offers more options than the screenshot toolbar. You can record your screen, capture audio, and even edit your video afterward. Let’s walk through each step.

Open QuickTime Player

You can open QuickTime Player in several ways.

• Go to your Applications folder and find QuickTime Player.

• Use Launchpad to search for QuickTime Player.

• Press Command + Space to open Spotlight, then type "QuickTime Player" and press Enter.

QuickTime Player opens quickly and does not require any setup. When you launch it, you may see a file dialog. You can close this window to get started with screen recording.

Start New Screen Recording

To record your screen, go to the menu bar at the top of your screen.

• Click on "File."

• Select "New Screen Recording."

• A small recording window will appear.

You can also use the keyboard shortcut Control + Command + N to open the screen recording window faster.

QuickTime Player lets you record the entire screen or just a selected portion. This flexibility helps you focus on what you want to show.

Choose Audio Source

If you want to screen record on a Mac with sound, you need to pick the right audio source.

• Click the arrow next to the red record button in the recording window.

• You will see a list of available microphones.

• Choose "Built-in Microphone" to record your voice.

• If you want to capture system audio, you can use a free plugin like Soundflower.

• After installing Soundflower, set it as your audio output in Audio MIDI Setup.

• In QuickTime Player, select Soundflower as your microphone source.

You can also adjust the recording quality. Choose "High" for smaller files or "Maximum" for the best audio and video quality. Adjust the volume slider to monitor your input.

Record Your Screen

Now you are ready to record your screen.

• Click the red record button.

• To record the whole screen, click anywhere on the screen.

• To record a part of the screen, drag to select the area, then click "Start Recording."

A small icon will appear in the menu bar to show that you are recording. When you finish, click the stop button in the menu bar.

QuickTime Player supports HD recording and works with connected iOS devices. You can record your iPhone or iPad screen by selecting your device as the camera source.

Save and Locate Your File

After you stop recording, QuickTime Player opens your video automatically.

• Go to "File" and select "Save."

• Choose a name and location for your file.

• By default, QuickTime Player saves your video as a .mov file.

You can use QuickTime Player’s built-in tools to trim, split, or rotate your video before saving. This makes it easy to edit your recording without extra software.

QuickTime Player saves your files where you choose, so you can organize your recordings easily. You can also export your video in different formats if you need to share it.

Why Use QuickTime Player for Screen Recording?

• You can record your entire screen or just a part of it.

• QuickTime Player supports HD video and audio capture.

• You can record from iOS devices, not just your Mac.

• The built-in tools let you trim, split, and rotate your video.

• QuickTime Player works on both Mac and Windows, making it versatile.

Compared to the screenshot toolbar, QuickTime Player gives you more editing options and supports recording from external devices. If you want more control over your recordings, QuickTime Player is a great choice.

Built-In Tools: Limitations and Tips

Editing and Audio Limits

Built-in screen recording tools on Mac have some limits. The table below lists the main problems and how they affect you:

Tool	Limitation(s)	Impact on Functionality
QuickTime Player	Cannot record internal (system) audio; only external audio supported	You cannot capture system sounds without extra tools. This limits audio recording completeness.
	Minimal editing capabilities	You need separate screen recording software for advanced editing.
macOS Catalina	Requires explicit permission for screen recording (e.g., for DisplayLink devices)	This may affect device compatibility and user experience.

QuickTime Player can record your voice if you pick a microphone. But it will not record system audio unless you add other drivers. If you want to edit your video, you only get simple tools. For more editing features, you need other screen recording software.

Tips for Clear Recordings

You can get better results by following some easy steps. Try these tips to make your recordings look and sound good:

1. Put your microphone close to your mouth. This makes your voice clear and blocks background noise.

2. Record in a quiet place. Use pop filters or noise tools to stop unwanted sounds.

3. Pick the right audio source before you start. Choose your microphone or system audio, based on what you want.

4. Test your setup by making a short recording. Listen to it and change your settings if you need to.

5. Do not turn up the microphone sensitivity too high. High sensitivity can catch extra noise.

6. Use QuickTime Player’s options menu to pick your microphone and set input levels.

7. After you record, you can use free apps like Audacity to fix your audio before sharing.

Tip: If you want to share your video with friends or classmates, save it as an MP4 file. This makes it easy to open on any device.

You do not need fancy screen recording software to get good results. With these tips and the right tools, you can make clear and helpful recordings every time.

You can record your screen on a Mac in two ways. The table below shows how they are different, so you can pick the best one for you:

Feature	Screenshot Toolbar	QuickTime Player
Ease of Use	Fastest	Simple
Editing Features	Minimal	Minimal
Compatibility	Newer macOS	Older macOS

The screenshot toolbar is good for fast screen recording. QuickTime Player works well if you have an older Mac. Always check your audio before you start recording. Try both tools to see which one you like best. You can share your video with friends or classmates easily.

FAQ

How do you record your screen with internal audio on Mac?

You need extra software like Soundflower or BlackHole. The built-in tools only record external audio from your microphone.

Where do your screen recordings save on Mac?

Your Mac saves recordings to your desktop by default. You can change the save location in the options before you start recording.

Can you pause a screen recording on Mac?

No, you cannot pause while recording with built-in tools. You must stop the recording, then start a new one if you need to continue.