Need to capture footage of what's happening on your Mac? Screen recording is a simple way to create a video of your actions, whether you're giving a presentation, creating a tutorial, or just want to save a clip of something interesting.
In this article, we'll show you how to take a screenshot on a Mac just by using your keyboard or the built-in screenshot utility. We'll also provide some tips for recording high-quality videos that you can share with others.
Now that you're a screen recording pro, don't forget to check out our other articles on Mac tips and tricks. We've got everything you need to know about getting the most out of your Mac, from basic usage to advanced troubleshooting.
how to screen record on mac
Follow these steps to screen record on Mac:
- Use keyboard shortcuts
- Open QuickTime Player
- Choose screen recording option
- Select recording area
- Start and stop recording
- Save or share recording
- Edit recording (optional)
- Use third-party apps (optional)
With these tips, you can easily screen record on your Mac and create high-quality videos.
Use keyboard shortcuts
The quickest way to start a screen recording on your Mac is to use keyboard shortcuts.
To record the entire screen, press Command + Shift + 5. This will open the Screenshot toolbar at the bottom of the screen. Click on the Record Entire Screen button (it looks like a solid black circle) to start recording.
To record a specific portion of the screen, press Command + Shift + 4. This will turn your cursor into a crosshair. Click and drag to select the area you want to record. Once you've selected the area, click on the Record Selected Portion button (it looks like a dashed black circle) to start recording.
To stop recording, press Command + Control + Esc. Your recording will be saved as a .mov file on your desktop.
Here are some additional keyboard shortcuts you can use to control your screen recording:
Open QuickTime Player
Another way to screen record on Mac is to use QuickTime Player.
- Open QuickTime Player:
To do this, open the Applications folder and double-click on QuickTime Player.
- Choose File > New Screen Recording:
This will open the screen recording toolbar.
- Select your recording options:
You can choose to record the entire screen, a specific window, or a selected portion of the screen. You can also choose to record audio from the microphone or the system audio.
- Start and stop recording:
Once you're ready to start recording, click on the red button. To stop recording, click on the black button.
Your recording will be saved as a .mov file on your desktop.
Choose screen recording option
When you open the screen recording toolbar in QuickTime Player, you'll see several options for choosing what to record.
Entire Screen: This option will record the entire screen, including the menu bar and Dock. This is a good option if you want to record a presentation or a tutorial.
Selected Portion: This option allows you to select a specific portion of the screen to record. This is a good option if you only want to record a specific window or application.
Window: This option allows you to select a specific window to record. This is a good option if you want to record a video call or a software demonstration.
Audio: You can also choose to record audio from the microphone or the system audio. This is a good option if you want to record a narration or a podcast.
Once you've selected your recording options, you can click on the red button to start recording.
Select recording area
If you choose to record a specific portion of the screen or a specific window, you'll need to select the recording area.
To select the recording area, follow these steps:
- Click on the Selected Portion button in the screen recording toolbar.
- Your cursor will turn into a crosshair.
- Click and drag to select the area you want to record.
- Once you've selected the area, click on the Start Recording button.
You can also use the keyboard shortcuts Command + Shift + 4 to select the recording area. Once you've selected the area, press the Spacebar to start recording.
Your recording will be saved as a .mov file on your desktop.
Start and stop recording
Once you've selected your recording options and recording area (if applicable), you can start and stop recording.
- Start recording:
To start recording, click on the Start Recording button in the screen recording toolbar. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Command + Control + R to start recording.
- Stop recording:
To stop recording, click on the Stop Recording button in the screen recording toolbar. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Command + Control + Esc to stop recording.
- Pause and resume recording:
You can also pause and resume recording using the Pause and Resume buttons in the screen recording toolbar. This is useful if you need to take a break during your recording.
- Trim your recording:
After you've stopped recording, you can trim your recording to remove any unwanted parts. To do this, open the recording in QuickTime Player and use the trim tool to select the parts of the recording you want to keep.
Your recording will be saved as a .mov file on your desktop.
Save or share recording
Once you've finished recording, you can save or share your recording.
To save your recording, click on the Done button in the screen recording toolbar. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Command + S to save your recording.
Your recording will be saved as a .mov file on your desktop. You can change the save location by clicking on the Save As button in the Save dialog box.
To share your recording, you can upload it to a video sharing website such as YouTube or Vimeo. You can also send your recording to someone via email or a messaging app.
Here are some tips for sharing your screen recordings:
- Choose a video format that is compatible with the device or platform you're sharing it on.
- Keep your recordings short and to the point.
- Use a clear and concise title and description for your recording.
- Promote your recording on social media or other online platforms.
Edit recording (optional)
Once you've saved your screen recording, you can edit it to remove any unwanted parts or to add effects and transitions.
- Trim your recording:
To trim your recording, open it in QuickTime Player and use the trim tool to select the parts of the recording you want to keep.
- Crop your recording:
To crop your recording, open it in QuickTime Player and use the crop tool to select the area of the recording you want to keep.
- Add effects and transitions:
You can add effects and transitions to your recording using the editing tools in QuickTime Player. To do this, click on the Edit menu and select the desired effect or transition.
- Add text and annotations:
You can also add text and annotations to your recording using the editing tools in QuickTime Player. To do this, click on the Text or Annotations button in the toolbar.
Once you're finished editing your recording, you can save it as a new file or overwrite the original file.
Use third-party apps (optional)
In addition to the built-in screen recording tools on Mac, there are also a number of third-party apps that you can use to record your screen.
- ScreenFlow:
ScreenFlow is a powerful screen recording app that allows you to record your entire screen, a specific window, or a selected portion of the screen. You can also use ScreenFlow to add effects, transitions, and annotations to your recordings.
- Camtasia:
Camtasia is another popular screen recording app that offers a wide range of features, including the ability to record your entire screen, a specific window, or a selected portion of the screen. Camtasia also allows you to add effects, transitions, and annotations to your recordings.
- Snagit:
Snagit is a screen capture and screen recording app that allows you to capture screenshots and record your screen. Snagit also offers a number of editing tools that you can use to crop, trim, and annotate your recordings.
- Movavi Screen Recorder:
Movavi Screen Recorder is a simple and easy-to-use screen recording app that allows you to record your entire screen, a specific window, or a selected portion of the screen. Movavi Screen Recorder also allows you to add effects and transitions to your recordings.
These are just a few of the many third-party screen recording apps available for Mac. Be sure to do your research to find the app that best suits your needs.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about screen recording on Mac:
Question 1: What is the easiest way to screen record on Mac?
Answer 1: The easiest way to screen record on Mac is to use the built-in screen recording tool. You can access this tool by pressing Command + Shift + 5.
Question 2: Can I record only a specific portion of the screen?
Answer 2: Yes, you can record only a specific portion of the screen. To do this, press Command + Shift + 4 and then select the area of the screen you want to record.
Question 3: How do I record audio while screen recording?
Answer 3: To record audio while screen recording, click on the Options button in the screen recording toolbar and select the Microphone option.
Question 4: Can I edit my screen recordings?
Answer 4: Yes, you can edit your screen recordings using QuickTime Player. You can trim your recordings, crop them, add effects and transitions, and more.
Question 5: How do I save my screen recordings?
Answer 5: Once you've finished recording, click on the Done button in the screen recording toolbar. You can then choose to save your recording to your desktop or another location.
Question 6: Can I share my screen recordings?
Answer 6: Yes, you can share your screen recordings by uploading them to a video sharing website such as YouTube or Vimeo. You can also send your recordings to someone via email or a messaging app.
Question 7: Which third-party app should I use for screen recording on Mac?
Answer 7: There are many third-party apps available for screen recording on Mac. Some popular options include ScreenFlow, Camtasia, Snagit, and Movavi Screen Recorder. Be sure to do your research to find the app that best suits your needs.
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These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about screen recording on Mac. If you have any other questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Now that you know how to screen record on Mac, check out these tips for creating high-quality screen recordings.
Tips
Here are some tips for creating high-quality screen recordings on Mac:
Tip 1: Use a high-quality microphone:
If you're planning on recording audio along with your screen recording, it's important to use a high-quality microphone. This will help to ensure that your audio is clear and free of noise.
Tip 2: Choose the right screen recording resolution:
The resolution of your screen recording will affect the quality of your video. If you're planning on sharing your recording online, be sure to choose a high-resolution setting.
Tip 3: Record in a quiet environment:
If possible, try to record in a quiet environment. This will help to minimize background noise and make your audio more clear.
Tip 4: Practice before you start recording:
Before you start recording, take some time to practice. This will help you to get comfortable with the screen recording software and to avoid any mistakes.
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By following these tips, you can create high-quality screen recordings that are clear, informative, and engaging.
Now that you know how to screen record on Mac and you have some tips for creating high-quality recordings, it's time to put your skills to the test. Start recording your screen and share your knowledge with the world!
Conclusion
In this article, we've shown you how to screen record on Mac using both the built-in screen recording tool and third-party apps. We've also provided some tips for creating high-quality screen recordings that are clear, informative, and engaging.
Whether you're creating a tutorial, giving a presentation, or just want to save a clip of something interesting, screen recording is a powerful tool that can help you share your knowledge and ideas with others.
So what are you waiting for? Start recording your screen and share your expertise with the world!