Taking Screen Recordings on Mac

Learn how to easily take high-quality screen recordings on Mac with our step-by-step guide.

Updated: 29 Jun, 23 by Susith Nonis 5 Min

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Taking screen recordings on Mac is a useful feature, whether creating tutorials, showing off your gaming skills, or wanting to share something on your screen. Fortunately, it's easy to use, and you don't need third-party software. In this guide, we'll show you how to take screen recordings on Mac, step-by-step.

In this section, we'll explore how to use the built-in screen recording tool on your Mac. This tool allows you to capture high-quality videos of your screen easily and doesn't require any additional software. Follow these simple steps to start recording your screen on Mac using the built-in tool.

Accessing the Screen Recording Tool

  1. Open the Spotlight search by pressing Command + Spacebar together.
  2. Type “QuickTime Player” in the search bar and select it from the list.
  3. Click on the “File” menu and select “New Screen Recording.”

Recording Options

  1. Click the red record button to start the recording.
  2. Choose the type of recording you want – full screen or a selected part of the screen.
  3. Select the microphone icon to record system audio or your voice.
  4. Once you've made your recording choices, click Start Recording.

Editing the Recording

  1. After you've finished recording, click the stop button.
  2. Start playback and click the “Edit” icon if you want to edit your recording.
  3. Trim the recording by dragging the yellow handles.
  4. Save your edited recording.

Saving and Sharing the Recording

  1. Click on the “File” menu and select “Save.”
  2. Name the file and select the location where you want to save it.
  3. Once saved, you can share it with others via email, messaging apps, or any other preferred platform.

That's it! With just a few simple steps, you can record your screen on Mac using the built-in tool, edit your recording, and share it with others.

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This section will discuss how to use the Screenshot Toolbar on a Mac to record your screen. This feature is built into the macOS operating system, making it easy to use and accessible to all users. Follow the step-by-step guide below to start recording your screen today!

Open the Screenshot Toolbar

To start, you need to open the Screenshot Toolbar by clicking Shift + Command + 5 on your keyboard. This will launch the toolbar at the bottom of your screen.

Choose the Screen Record option

In the Screenshot Toolbar, you will see various options, such as capturing a still image and recording the entire screen. Look for the option that says Record Entire Screen and click on it.

Start Recording

After selecting the Screen Record option, a countdown will appear and the recording will start automatically. Alternatively, you can manually start the recording by clicking on the Record button in the Screenshot Toolbar.

Stop Recording

To stop the recording, click on the Stop button in the Screenshot Toolbar or press Command + Control + Esc on your keyboard. The screen recording will automatically save to your desktop.

Trim the Recording (Optional)

If you want to trim the beginning or end of your recording, you can do so using the built-in editing tools in QuickTime Player. Open QuickTime Player, click on File, and select Open File to locate the screen recording on your desktop. Once it's open, you can select the section you want to trim and click on Edit, and then Trim.

Congratulations! You've successfully recorded your screen on a Mac using the Screenshot Toolbar.

  • QuickTime Player is a built-in app on your Mac that can record your screen. Open QuickTime Player, click “File” and “New Screen Recording,” then click “Record”. You can also choose to record audio and add annotations.
  • The Screenshot toolbar provides an easy way to record your screen without opening an app. Press Command + Shift + 5 to open the Screenshot toolbar, click “Record Entire Screen” or “Record Selected Portion,” then click “Record” to begin.
  • When recording your screen, make sure to check your audio settings. Additionally, consider the length of your recording and make sure you have enough storage space on your Mac.

People also read: 

Simply press Command + Shift + 5 and click the “Record” button.

Yes. Press Command + Shift + 5, click “Record Selected Portion,” and drag the crosshairs around the area you want to record.

Either click on the “Stop Recording” button on the menu bar or press Command + Control + Esc.

Screen recordings are saved to your desktop by default. You can also find them in the Movies folder of your user directory.

Susith Nonis

Susith Nonis

I'm fascinated by the IT world and how the 1's and 0's work. While I venture into the world of Technology, I try to share what I know in the simplest way with you. Not a fan of coffee, a travel addict, and a self-accredited 'master chef'.

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Clementine Ullrich

2024, Aug, 24

This is incredibly helpful! I always thought screen recording on a Mac required some sort of extra software, but knowing that QuickTime Player has built-in capabilities is fantastic. The step-by-step instructions make it super easy to follow. Definitely going to try this out for my next tutorial video. Thanks for sharing this valuable guide!

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Dr. Johann Schaden III

2024, Dec, 24

This guide is awesome for anyone who wants to make the most out of their Mac's built-in capabilities for screen recording! It's super practical to know how to use QuickTime Player and the Screenshot Toolbar for capturing high-quality screen recordings, whether you're creating content or sharing a moment. Love how it includes not just the basics but also some handy tips on editing and sharing the recordings. Thanks for breaking it down so well!

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Jaden Feest

2024, Dec, 24

This guide is such a handy resource for anyone wanting to dive into screen recording on a Mac! Whether you're new to it or just need a quick refresher, the step-by-step breakdown makes it super approachable. I love that it covers both QuickTime and keyboard shortcuts, so you can choose what fits your workflow. Definitely bookmarking this to refer back to when I need it! Thanks for making screen recording feel so accessible and easy.

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Ethelyn Parisian

2025, Feb, 25

Great post! It's amazing how much you can accomplish with the built-in tools on a Mac. QuickTime Player and the Screenshot Toolbar make screen recording easy without needing extra software. The step-by-step guide is super helpful, especially for those new to this feature. Looking forward to trying these tips out next time I need to record something on my screen. Thanks for sharing such a clear and informative guide!