Yes, screen recording on Mac captures audio by default — but you control what sound gets recorded

When you record your screen on a Mac using the built-in Screenshot app or QuickTime Player, audio records automatically unless you turn it off first. The microphone picks up everything in your room — your voice, keyboard clicks, notifications, background noise — along with any sound coming from your Mac itself, like video playback or system alerts. You can choose to record only your Mac's internal audio, only your microphone, both, or neither before you hit record.

The specific steps and options depend on which tool you use. The Screenshot app (available on macOS 11 and newer) is simpler and faster for most people. QuickTime Player gives you more control over audio sources if you need it. Both let you mute the microphone or switch audio sources in seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • Mac's built-in Screenshot app records both microphone audio and system sound together by default, and you can disable either one before recording starts.
  • QuickTime Player records only system audio by default and requires a separate step if you want to add microphone input.
  • You can change audio settings after opening the recording interface but before pressing the record button — there is no way to edit audio after the file is saved.
  • External USB microphones and audio interfaces appear in the audio source menu alongside your Mac's built-in microphone.

How to control audio in the Screenshot app

Open Screenshot by pressing Shift + Command + 5, or find it in Applications > Utilities. A menu bar appears at the bottom of your screen with recording options. Click the "Options" button on the right side of this menu. You will see a dropdown list that includes "Microphone" — this shows your current microphone setting, usually "Built-in Microphone" or "None".

Click the Microphone dropdown to see all available audio inputs: your Mac's built-in microphone, any external USB microphones you have connected, and a "None" option to record without microphone audio. Select your choice before you click the record button. The system sound (audio playing from your Mac) records automatically and cannot be turned off in the Screenshot app — if you need to record only your voice without system audio, use QuickTime Player instead.

Once you have set the microphone option, click the red record button or select the area of your screen you want to capture. The recording begins when ready. Stop recording by clicking the stop button in the menu bar or by pressing Control + Command + Escape.

How to control audio in QuickTime Player

Open QuickTime Player from Applications > Utilities or Spotlight search. Go to File > New Screen Recording. A window appears asking where you want to record — your entire screen or just a selected area. Before you click the red record button, look for a small arrow or dropdown next to it. Click that arrow to see audio options.

By default, QuickTime records system audio (sound from your Mac) and no microphone. The dropdown menu shows "Built-in Microphone", "None", or any external audio inputs you have connected. Select "None" if you want only system audio, or choose a microphone to record both system sound and your voice together. Make your selection, then click the red record button to start.

QuickTime Player is the better choice if you want to record system audio without any microphone input, or if you need to switch between different external microphones. The Screenshot app always includes system audio, so QuickTime gives you more flexibility for certain types of recordings.

What audio sources appear in the menu

Both apps show the same audio inputs your Mac recognizes. Built-in Microphone is the small microphone inside your Mac — it picks up everything in your room, including keyboard noise and background conversation. If you have plugged in a USB microphone, headset, or audio interface, it appears as a separate option with its own name, like "Blue Yeti" or "Focusrite Scarlett".

External audio devices usually record more clearly than your Mac's built-in microphone because they sit closer to your mouth and filter out room noise better. If you are recording a tutorial or presentation, an external microphone makes a noticeable difference. The audio source menu also shows "None", which disables microphone recording entirely — useful if you only want to capture system audio like video playback or app sounds.

Why you hear audio during recording but it does not always save

When you record, your Mac plays audio through your speakers or headphones normally — you hear everything in real time. That does not mean the audio is being recorded. In QuickTime Player, if you select "None" for the microphone, you will hear yourself speak but your voice will not appear in the final video file. Only the audio source you selected in the dropdown gets saved to the file.

This matters because many people assume that if they can hear something while recording, it must be in the video. Test your audio settings on a short 10-second recording first, then play it back before you record your full tutorial or presentation. There is no way to add or remove audio after the file is saved, so checking beforehand saves time.

System audio versus microphone audio

System audio is any sound your Mac produces: video playback, notification sounds, app alerts, music, or dialogue from a program. Microphone audio is sound from your room picked up by a microphone — your voice, typing, background noise, or someone else talking. The Screenshot app records both together by default. QuickTime Player records system audio by default and lets you add microphone audio if you want it.

For screen recordings of software tutorials, you usually want both: system audio so viewers hear the app sounds and notifications, and microphone audio so you can narrate what is happening. For recordings of video calls or presentations, you might want only microphone audio if the system audio is already being recorded by the other app. Adjust your settings based on what you are recording and what your audience needs to hear.

Troubleshooting audio problems during recording

If you selected a microphone but hear no audio in the playback, check that the microphone is actually plugged in and turned on. External USB microphones sometimes have a power switch or mute button. Open System Settings > Sound and look at the Input section — your selected microphone should show a green indicator when you speak into it. If it does not, the Mac is not detecting it, and you will need to unplug and reconnect it or restart your Mac.

If system audio is not recording in QuickTime Player, make sure you did not accidentally select "None" for the microphone option — that setting does not affect system audio, but it is straightforward to confuse. System audio records automatically in QuickTime unless your Mac has no sound playing during the recording. If you are recording a silent screen, there will be no system audio to capture, which is normal.

If your recording file is very large or your Mac slows down during recording, close other apps and browser tabs before you start. Screen recording uses significant CPU power, especially if you are recording at high resolution or with multiple audio sources. Closing Slack, email, and web browsers frees up resources and makes the recording smoother.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record my screen without any audio at all?

Yes. In the Screenshot app, set Microphone to "None" — this disables your voice but system audio still records. In QuickTime Player, set the microphone dropdown to "None" and system audio will record. To record with no audio from any source in QuickTime, you would need to mute your Mac entirely, which is not practical. If you truly need a silent recording, the Screenshot app with microphone set to "None" is your closest option, though system sounds will still be captured.

Does recording audio slow down my Mac?

Recording audio uses very little CPU power compared to recording video. The slowdown you might notice comes from recording the screen itself, not from capturing audio. If your Mac feels sluggish during recording, close other apps and browser tabs first. Audio recording alone is not the cause.

Can I record from an external microphone and my Mac's speakers at the same time?

Yes, but only if you select the external microphone in the audio dropdown. When you do, both the external microphone and your Mac's system audio record together into one file. You cannot separate them later, so make sure the external microphone is positioned correctly before you start recording.

What happens if I unplug my microphone while recording?

The recording continues, but audio from that microphone stops being captured. If system audio is also recording, you will hear that in the final file, but your voice or the external microphone audio will cut out at the moment you unplugged it. Always keep your microphone connected and powered on for the entire recording.

Do I need to give my Mac permission to record audio?

macOS may ask for microphone permission the first time you try to record audio with an app. Click "Allow" when prompted. After that, the app remembers your choice. If you denied permission by mistake, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and move the app to the allowed list.