How to Record Screen on Mac: 3 Easy Ways

Taking a video of your Mac screen is easy, whether you want to save a YouTube movie you’re watching or show someone what’s wrong with your computer. You can even record sound, see where you click your mouse and many more. It doesn’t matter how old your Mac is; there are many different ways to record your whole screen or just a part of it. In this post, we will share with you the top three easy ways how to screen record on Mac so that you can pick an option that works best for you.

When Do You Need to Record Screen on Mac?

There are many different situations when you may need to capture your screen. From collaboration to software trouble-shooting, recording your screen on a Mac can serve various purposes:

• Creating tutorials or instructional videos;
• Software troubleshooting and bug reporting;
• Documentation;
• Collaboration and communication;
• Presentations and demonstrations;
• Gaming and entertainment.

Overall, screen record on Mac is a powerful tool that you can use for different purposes. That’s why it is so beneficial to know how to capture your screen.

Source: Unsplash

Record Screen on Mac With the Screenshot Toolbar

If your Mac is running Mojave or a more modern macOS, you can use the built-in Screenshot toolbar to record what’s on your screen. But first, check your Mac’s storage to ensure you have enough space to store your recording. We also recommend that you test your Mac’s performance to check that it is working smoothly, with no glitches or crashes. In case everything is fine, take the below steps:

1. To access the Screenshot toolbar, open the program or window you wish to capture. Press and hold Shift + Command + 5.
2. Choose the screen recording symbol on the left to record the whole screen or the one on the right to record a designated area of the screen. 
3. Drag your pointer to pick the part of the screen you want to capture. Then click Record.
4. To end the session, click the Stop button in the menu bar. Alternatively, hit Command + Control + Escape to end the session.

As you can see, capturing a screen with the Screenshot toolbar is easy, but it has certain drawbacks. 

Pros:

• With the keyboard shortcut, you may instantly use the functionality from any window without having to launch other apps;
• The Screenshot toolbar is pre-installed on your Mac, so there is no need to download extra applications;
• You may change the size of your frame, choose audio inputs, and display customized parameters such as mouse clicks. You may also set recording delays and store your selections.

Cons:

• Limited features; the tool does not support complex editing, audio/visual effects, or annotations;
• You can only export your recording in.mov format. If you want another file format, you will need to convert the asset;
• You cannot schedule a screen recording Mac in advance. The recording may only be started and stopped manually.

Record Screen on Mac With QuickTime Player

Using QuickTime Player is another good solution for those who want to capture their screen on Mac. Quicktime Player, just like the Screenshot toolbar, comes pre-installed on Mac and is easy to use. You need to do the following to record your screen with audio using QuickTime Player:

1. Launch the QuickTime Player program. In the menu bar, click File > New Screen Recording.
2. Click the arrow next to the red Record button to choose your audio input. Once done, click the Record option to begin a screen recording session.
3. To record the whole screen, click anywhere on the screen — and the process will be initiated. To record a specific part of the screen, move the pointer to the desired area, then click on the Start Recording button.
4. To stop the session, use the Stop button from the menu bar or press and hold Command + Control + Escape.

Many of the advantages and disadvantages of using QuickTime to screen record are comparable to the Screenshot toolbar. Different from the Screenshot toolbar, QuickTime is compatible with previous versions of macOS. However, being an older tool, it has even fewer features, this is especially true when compared to a third-party program for screen capture.

Pros:

• It is a built-in software, so you do not need to purchase additional software to record your screen;
• QuickTime Player allows you to record in HD quality, ensuring that your screen recordings are crisp and clear;
• You can record both video and audio simultaneously;
• It offers some editing capabilities, such as trimming and splitting clips.

Cons:

• QuickTime Player lacks advanced features found in dedicated screen recording software
• QuickTime Player’s screen recording settings are relatively basic;
• It only allows you to record the screen of your Mac and does not support recording from external sources such as webcams or microphones.

Record Screen on Mac With Third-Party Screen Recorders

Third-party screen recorders may provide more functionality than your Mac’s native programs, but you must download extra software. Some third-party programs may create performance difficulties and offer security and privacy threats (yes, viruses can infect Macs). But if you stick with App Store tools and read the reviews first, you are on the safe side.

Movavi Screen Recorder is one of the top-picked third-party solutions. This is one of the most reliable and flexible apps you can use to record a screen on a MacBook. It can record both video and audio, along with system sounds straight from your Mac and audio from an external microphone. You can record anything that happens on your screen with it, and it’s very simple to use, even for newbies. In order to make use of the program, do the following:

1. Download and install the program on your PC according to the instructions. 
2. Once the program has been launched, the sidebar will appear. Click on the camera icon, and place the video frame with the mouse to record a certain part of the screen.
3. If you want to record your screen, click the REC button. Additional shortcut buttons will appear, and they can help you handle the recording process. For your comfort, it is also possible to change these hotkeys right in the Settings menu.
4. Edit the recording if necessary. To cut out a part of the capture that you don’t need, click the scissors icon and use the white marks to select it. Then, click the trash can icon to remove this part.
5. Hit the Export button to save the recording. Name the file, select the file format, and pick a folder to store the asset. Press the Save button to finish the process.

The best thing about using Movavi Screen Recorder is that it allows for a high level of flexibility and customization. Additionally, the tool is packed with great features.

Pros:

• It is a useful tool for getting more done with one program;
• It’s simple to set up and screen or camera capture in HD and 4K;
• It allows for making images and videos on the go;
• The program offers extensive video editing features;
• The free trial version is available for 7 days. 

Cons:

• You should pay for the subscription.

Screen Record on Mac With Ease

With so many options to capture a screen on your MacBook, it is not a problem to know how to record screen on Mac. Whether it is an important meeting that you want to record or a technical bug to be visualized, the above solutions will come to the rescue. Just pick the one that serves the purpose best. 

Author Bio

Ben Jacklin

Ben is a writer from the UK with qualifications in Media and Music Technology, he specializes in software reviews and tutorials. Ben has been blogging about media and tech subjects since he was a teenager from his base in the East of England.