The built-in way: using QuickTime Player

macOS comes with QuickTime Player, an app already on your computer that records your screen without downloading anything else. Open QuickTime Player (search for it in Spotlight by pressing Command-Space, type "quicktime", and press Enter). Go to File in the menu bar, then select New Screen Recording.

A small window appears with a red record button and a dropdown arrow. Click the dropdown arrow to choose which microphone to use — select None if you want video only, or pick your built-in microphone or external mic if you want to narrate. Then click the red record button.

Your cursor changes to a crosshair. Click anywhere on your screen to record the entire display, or click and drag to select just one window or part of your screen. A floating control bar appears with a stop button (the black square). When you're done, click the stop button or press Command-Control-Escape. The recording saves to your desktop as an .mov file by default.

Key Takeaways

  • QuickTime Player is built into every Mac and requires no read or account setup.
  • You can record your entire screen or select just one window by clicking and dragging before you start recording.
  • Choose your microphone source before recording if you want to add narration; select None for silent video.
  • Recordings save as .mov files to your desktop, which you can move, rename, or share like any other file.
  • If QuickTime feels limited, third-party apps like ScreenFlow or OBS offer more editing and format options.

Choosing what to record: full screen or just one window

When the crosshair appears after you click the record button, you have two choices. Click anywhere on your screen to record everything — your entire display, all windows, and everything you do. This is useful if you're showing someone how to navigate between multiple apps or demonstrating something that spans your whole screen.

If you want to record only one window — say, a single browser tab or a document — click and drag a rectangle around just that area before releasing. Only what's inside that rectangle will be recorded. This is helpful if you're recording a tutorial and want to hide personal information on other parts of your screen, or if you're making a video for social media and want to focus on one thing.

Adding your voice or keeping it silent

Before you start recording, click the dropdown arrow next to the record button. You'll see a list of microphone options. If you select None, your recording will have no sound — just video of what you do. If you select your built-in microphone or an external USB microphone, QuickTime will record whatever sound comes through that mic while you're recording.

Test your microphone first. Open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs), go to Sound, and click the Input tab. Speak into your microphone and watch the input level bar move — if it moves, your mic is working. If it doesn't move, try a different microphone or check that nothing is muted.

Where your recording goes and how to find it

By default, QuickTime saves your screen recording to your desktop with a name like "Screen Recording 2024-01-15 at 2.30.45 PM.mov". You can see it right on your desktop after you stop recording. If you want to move it somewhere else, just drag it to a folder or use Finder to organize it like any other file.

If you want to change where recordings save, you can't do it in QuickTime itself — you'll need to move the file after recording. Some third-party apps let you choose the save location before you record, which can be faster if you record often.

Editing and sharing your recording

QuickTime Player can trim the beginning or end of your recording. Open the .mov file, go to Edit in the menu bar, and select Trim. Drag the handles at the start and end to remove unwanted parts, then click Trim to save the changes.

To share your recording, you can email it, upload it to cloud storage like iCloud Drive or Google Drive, or send it through messaging apps. The .mov format works on Windows and Mac, though some older devices or websites may need you to convert it to .mp4 first. You can do this conversion using free online tools or apps like HandBrake.

When QuickTime isn't enough: other recording options

ScreenFlow is a paid Mac app ($99 one-time purchase) that offers more control — you can edit your recording directly in the app, add annotations, zoom in on parts of your screen, and export to multiple formats. OBS Studio is free and open-source, designed for streaming and recording, with advanced options for multiple sources and custom layouts. Both are more complex than QuickTime but give you more flexibility if you record regularly.

For straightforward screenshots (not video), the built-in Mac screenshot tool is faster: press Command-Shift-3 to capture your whole screen, or Command-Shift-4 to select an area. These save as .png files to your desktop.

Troubleshooting common problems

If QuickTime won't open, restart your Mac — the app is part of the system and rarely needs to be reinstalled. If your recording is choppy or stutters, close other apps running in the background, especially web browsers with many tabs open. Recording uses CPU power, and a busy computer will produce lower-quality video.

If you can't hear your microphone in the recording, check that you selected the right microphone in the dropdown before recording — selecting None by mistake is the most common cause. If your microphone is selected but still silent, test it in System Preferences first to confirm it's working. Some external USB microphones need to be plugged in before you open QuickTime for the app to see them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record just one window instead of my whole screen?

Yes. After you click the record button and the crosshair appears, click and drag to draw a rectangle around just the window or area you want to record. Only what's inside that rectangle will be captured.

How do I add narration while I'm recording?

Before you start recording, click the dropdown arrow next to the record button and select your microphone instead of None. Speak into the microphone while you record, and your voice will be captured in the video.

What format does QuickTime save recordings in?

QuickTime saves as .mov files, which play on Mac and Windows. If you need .mp4 or another format, you can convert the file afterward using free tools like HandBrake or online converters.

Can I edit my recording after I save it?

QuickTime can trim the start and end of your video. Open the file, go to Edit, select Trim, and drag the handles to remove unwanted parts. For more detailed editing, you'll need a separate app like iMovie or ScreenFlow.

Why is my recording choppy or slow?

Close other apps running in the background, especially web browsers. Recording uses CPU power, and a busy computer produces lower-quality video. Restarting your Mac before recording can also help.