Fastest method: Shift–Command–5
- Press Shift–Command–5 to open the Screenshot toolbar.
- Choose Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion. For a portion, drag the frame to cover the area you want.
- Open Options. Choose where to save the file, whether to use a timer, and a microphone if you want to narrate.
- Click Record. When you are finished, click the stop control in the menu bar, or press Command–Control–Esc.
- Open the saved file and watch it once to check sound and framing before sharing it.
These steps follow Apple’s screen recording guide. The interface can vary slightly by macOS version.
Alternative: QuickTime Player
Open QuickTime Player, then choose File → New Screen Recording. On current macOS releases, this opens the screen capture controls. Select the screen area, set your options, and record. QuickTime is useful when it is already part of your workflow and you want to play or trim the resulting file afterward. See Apple’s QuickTime instructions.
How to include your voice
Before recording, open Options → Microphone in the Screenshot toolbar and select the microphone you want. Make a short test recording and play it back. If your voice is missing, check System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone and the input device in Sound settings. Apple explains microphone permission controls.
Need the sound coming from an app too? Microphone audio and internal/system audio are different sources. Read our Mac screen and audio guide before you record a meeting, game, or software demo.
Where did the recording go?
Check the location shown under Options → Save To. If you did not change it, look on the Desktop first. If you need a different destination next time, select it before starting your recording. Use Finder search for recently created movie files if the destination is unclear.
If recording does not work
- The record button is unavailable: close any protected content or app that restricts capture, then test with an ordinary Finder window. Some apps do not permit recording their windows.
- A third-party recorder shows a blank screen: check System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen & System Audio Recording and grant the app access, then reopen it if macOS asks. Apple documents these screen recording permissions.
- The movie has no narration: check the selected microphone and make a 10-second test.
- The file is too large: capture a smaller area or shorten the take, then trim the video before sending it.
Which method should you use?
| Need | Good starting point |
|---|---|
| Quick screen capture | Screenshot toolbar: Shift–Command–5 |
| Record from an open app workflow | QuickTime Player |
| Polished zooms, cursor effects, and a timeline editor | A dedicated editor after the capture; check tool availability before relying on it |
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