How to Record Your Mac’s Screen (Four Options)

Do you need help figuring out how to record your Mac's screen? You're not alone yourself. 

When using QuickTime Player, which is preinstalled on all Mac computers, many Apple customers discover that it needs to improve in some crucial and efficient capabilities. Even though QuickTime Player is simple to use and intuitive (once you learn all the keyboard shortcuts), it falls short of more advanced screen recording software, particularly when it comes to editing, annotating, and simultaneous webcam and screen recording. 

We'll walk you through using QuickTime Player, which may be your sole tool if all you ever need is sometimes to do a simple screen recording. But if you're searching for something more sophisticated, we'll also walk you through using TechSmith's Camtasia and Snagit to capture video on a Mac. 

Do we need a Mac computer? Don't worry. We also have instructions on how to screen Record on a Windows computer. 

Using Mac's Built-In Recording Tools

Apple's built-in screen recording tools for Macs, the Screenshot Toolbar and QuickTime Player provide simple solutions for basic recording requirements. These built-in tools are intended to simplify tasks, whether you're filming a webinar or taking screenshots of a software fault. But does that imply they're the ideal tools for every task?

In this part, we'll review the advantages and disadvantages of using Apple's built-in tools to record your Mac screen. 

Advice on Using the Screenshot Feature on the Mac to Capture Your Screen

Although using a Screenshot to capture your screen is rather easy, making it seem professional is a little more complicated. Unwanted or suitable tabs, awkward pauses, and clumsy starts and ends may all take away from your finished movie. 

While many tools are available for editing screen recordings, starting with a high-quality recording is best. Here are a few easy steps from the Screenshot toolbar to ensure a seamless recording process.

Remember Last Selection

From the "Options" tab, choose "Remember last selection." Remembering the recording settings you previously selected makes the recording process more accessible. 

Save to

Ensure your recording isn't lost in a sea of blank files! Label your folders and titles appropriately to keep your recordings neatly arranged. You may also choose where your screenshots and video files will be kept to keep you organized. 

Timer

Set a timer to begin counting down so you can prepare before screen recordings start. This saves you from having to navigate awkwardly or fumble to find the correct location after pressing the record button. 

Show Floating Thumbnail

From the "Options" tab of the screenshot toolbar, choose "Show floating toolbar." A little floating thumbnail will show up in the corner of your screen when your recording is complete. Click on the thumbnail to quickly rename, change, or remove your snapshot and ensure it is stored in the correct location. 

Show Mouse Clicks

To have a black ring around your cursor each time you click on anything, choose the "Show mouse clicks" option under the "Options" tab. This indicates the precise moment and location of your click. 

Utilizing the Screenshot Toolbar - For Restricted Choices

You may record your screen on a Mac by using the Screenshot Toolbar if your machine is running macOS Mojave (or later). For rapid screen capture chores, the Screenshot Toolbar is like a useful Swiss Army knife; it's a deal for quick and easy screen recordings. 

Here's how to apply it now: 

Kick Things off

Start by simulating pressing the following keys on your Keyboard: Shift + Command + 5. The Screenshot Toolbar will then become accessible. 

Is it Full-Screen or Not? 

When the Screenshot Toolbar is active, you'll see several icons. You may mouse over any of them to discover more about it. Pay attention to the icons to the left of the toolbar for now. With one, you may record the whole screen, while with the other, only a portion of it. 

Ready, Set, Record

Are you all prepared to record a portion of your screen? Drag and choose the desired region. Hit Record after that, and you're done!

Close it Out

Select the Stop symbol from your menu bar when you're done. An alternative stopping method would be using the keyboard shortcut Command (⌘) + Control + Escape. 

Wrap it

It seems easy enough. Let's now examine how to capture Mac screen images using QuickTime Player. 

Using Quick Time Player - For Fewer Choices

Not only can QuickTime Player be used to view movies, but it's also a dependable tool for screen recording –especially if your instructional or presentation has to include audio. QuickTime, which comes preinstalled on all Macs, provides a practical method of recording both the screen and audio. 

If your Mac runs an OS older than Mojave, this is also the easiest way to record your screen using the built-in capabilities. Here's how to use QuickTime to capture video on your Mac without more ado. 

Open QuickTime Player

To begin, click on QuickTime Player. In the Menu Bar, go to File and choose New Screen Recording. 

Configure Your Audio

An arrow appears next to the Record button. To choose your audio input source, click it. Press the Record button to begin recording after that is configured.

Select Your Recording Area

Click anywhere on the screen to record the whole thing. Click Start Recording after defining the area with your cursor if you want to record a portion. 

Complete Your Recording

You may end your recording by pressing the Command, Control, and Escape keys simultaneously or clicking the Menu Bar's Stop button. 

The Screenshot Toolbar and QuickTime Player are almost identical, except for QuickTime's compatibility with earlier macOS versions. However, it's also more essential due to its compatibility with earlier operating systems. When you need to re-record your screen, it won't remember your choices since, for instance, there isn't a delay timer when you start the recording. 

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Recognizing the Limitations of Mac's Built-In Tools

QuickTime Player and the Screenshot Toolbar offer simple Mac screen recording options. Nonetheless, there are a few restrictions to be aware of, like:

Basic functionality

Although they lack sophisticated editing options, both apps are excellent for short, straightforward recordings. There are no choices to add annotations or other audio or visual effects to your video. 

Export Flexibility

.mov files are often used for exporting recordings. To change the format of these files, you'll need extra software. 

Picture-in-Picture

Although the macOS tools are adequate for basic screen recording, you are unable to record both your camera and screen simultaneously with them. This is where Snagit and Camtasia come in handy, giving you the ability to personalize your voiceover and enhance the impact of your recordings. 

Therefore, even though a Mac's built-in capabilities are practical, they work best for simple, spontaneous screen captures. Complex screen recorders like Snagit and Camtasia may be a better option for more professional applications requiring precise screen recording and complex editing. 

Mac Recording Using Specialized Software

Snagit is a noteworthy choice among specialized screen recorders for users who want more functionality than Mac's built-in tools but do not require a comprehensive set of sophisticated editing options. It's ideal for producing polished-looking screen recordings that are understandable, educational, and casual.

Snagit integrates the most basic editing skills, such as basic trimming and cutting capabilities, with the simplicity of screen capturing. This makes it perfect for brief walkthroughs or lessons when clarity and speed are essential but extensive editing is unnecessary. 

Thus, we'll demonstrate how to use Snagit to capture video on your Mac in this part. 

Step 1: Know What You Want to Snap.

Launch Snagit and go to the Capture Window's video tab. Verify that the Selection Drop-down option has Region Selected.

Press the prominent red "Capture" symbol next. This will cause Snagit's crosshairs to show up on your screen, allowing you to choose the area of the screen to record. 

The selection will immediately snap to the window you have open. Click anywhere on the screen and drag the crosshairs to manually choose a zone. 

Step 2: Select the Audio to Capture

Snagit allows you to capture both your screen and microphone, allowing you to add even more quality to your films. Determining your audio settings is the next step after choosing the recording area on your screen. 

Just choose the Record Microphone option if you want to record a voiceover to add a personalized touch. By doing this, you may record your voice in addition to the screen, adding interactivity and interest to your instructional or presentation. 

Make sure you pick Record System Audio if you also wish to record noises from your computer, such as alerts.

Step 3: While Recording, Annotate and Animate

Snagit's Screen Draw tool, which lets you comment and animate right on your screen while recording, can improve your screen recordings even more. This tool is ideal for emphasizing sections or providing step-by-step instructions, which can increase the readability and engagement of your material. 

Make sure the Screen Draw option is enabled before using the Screen Draw function. After that, choose your preferred tool from the Draw Toolbar and use the mouse to click and drag to create shapes or arrows when you begin recording. Before starting your recording, you may choose the length of these remarks in the options. They will disappear after a short while. 

Step 4: Begin Recording Your Screen

When you're ready, Snagit will count down to three seconds before starting to record when you click the red Record button. Anything that shows up in the allocated recording region after that will be recorded. 

To turn webcam recording on or off, click the icon in the Recording toolbar. This will allow your viewers to see your face while you're recording. 

Click the square Stop button to end the recording. Snagit will then open the recording in the Snagit Editor, allowing you to edit and share the video.  

Step 5: Edit Your Video

Your video will appear in the Snagit Editor after you're finished recording, ready for sharing, editing, and evaluation. Your video will be available immediately, so you won't need to wait for your film to render either. 

Use the playhead to choose any errors or portions you want to erase, then select it by clicking the cut button.

Snagit's ease of use and effectiveness are ideal for Mac users who want to record their screen, particularly when you require a clean, fast output without a high learning curve. 

Step 6: Conserve or Distribute

After your movie, click Share and choose the most convenient location. Our recommendation if you need help deciding what to pick is TechSmith's Screencast.

With Screencast, you may copy and paste a shared link into an email, Slack chat, or other messaging app. Not only is it free, but the receipt of your video doesn't need to have Snagit in order to see it!

You don't need to provide your credit card information to begin using the free trial that can be downloaded here. 

Using Camtasia - For Expert Recordings

Canstasia, a well-known one-stop shop for screen recording and video editing software, can handle the intricacy and quality required for more sophisticated tasks. Camtasia should be at the top of your list if your project requires professionally edited screen recordings on Mac that are of excellent quality. 

While primary screen captures work nicely for straightforward jobs, Camtasia excels when your video demands more talent, imagination, and skill. 

With Camtasia's many editing options, you can give your videos a more professional appearance and feed, regardless of whether you're doing a live broadcast or a presentation. But fear not; despite offering many sophisticated editing capabilities, Camtasia's user-friendly interface was created with novices in mind. 

This implies that more sophisticated functions are available when needed without adding unnecessary complexity to the interface. Most of the activities are as easy as dragging and dropping, so anybody can use it!

Let's now examine how to use Camtasia to record your screen on a Mac: 

Step 1: Select the Choices for Recording

Click the Record button at the Tools Panel's top to begin using Camtasia. The Camtasia Recorder will open as a result. This will be automatically configured to record anything that occurs on your screen, effectively acting as a control center for your audio and screen recordings. 

Step 2: Decide What You Want to Capture

Start by deciding whatever portion of your screen you wish to capture, just as you would with Snagit. 

It may make sense to record your whole desktop in certain situations, but you may also wish to record a particular window or only a tiny section. This is useful when displaying just the steps required to use a specific software program or the locations of website clicks.

Remember to clear your desktop and turn off your alerts if you're filming in full-screen mode to ensure that nothing irritating or undesired appears in your video. 

Step 3: Take a Voice Recording

Similar to Snagit, Camtasia enables simultaneous screen and audio recording.

Writing a screenplay, or at least some talking points, is an excellent approach to ensure you cover all the essential material and remain on the topic if you want to narrate your recording. 

When you're ready to record, choose the microphone you want to use and if you wish to capture the system sounds on your Mac.

Step 4: Make Your Video Edits

A professional and polished appearance for your video can be achieved with only a few quick steps and basic editing knowledge with the built-in video editor in Camtasia. 

First, use the Playhead to pick any errors and then click Cut to remove them. Just drag the end of the clip in to remove any extraneous video from the ends of your recording.

After organizing your material, you may begin incorporating more effects.

Step 5: Generate and Distribute

Exporting and sharing your video to your chosen hosting service is the last step. Using Camtasia, you can quickly download the video clip locally on your Mac or share it on a website like Vimeo, YouTube, or Screencast. 

You may download a free trial of Camtasia here to get a sense of how it works without entering your payment card information. 

Conclusion 

That being said, screen recording on a Mac is relatively simple. See our tutorial on how to record the screen of your iPhone to find out how to do the same on your device. 

And if you're excited to learn more about creating and editing videos, the IV community is the right place to be. Join the community to hone your talents and engage with over 25,000 artists!

Screen Record with Mac, the FAQs 

How do I screen record on Mac with audio?

With Snagit and Camtasia, you can easily record your screen and audio either simultaneously or separately. Just follow the steps above for perfect audio every time!

How long can I screen record on Mac?

With Snagit and Camtasia, there is no limit to how long you can record your screen. However, we recommend recording for no longer than an hour at a time to avoid taking up too much space on your hard drive.

How do I record iPhone screen on Mac?

There are many Capture app lets you quickly and easily record your iPhone screen.

How do I record my screen and my webcam on Mac?

To record both your screen and your webcam footage on Mac, simply toggle the Record Webcam option in Snagit or Camtasia to create a Picture-in-Picture video.

How do I record my screen and internal audio on Mac?

To record your screen and your computer’s audio, select the Record System Audio option in Snagit or Camtasia.