How To Record Screen On Mac

Tips
1

I need to record my screen on my Mac for a quick tutorial video, but I’m not sure which built‑in tools or free apps are best, or how to capture both system audio and my microphone clearly. I’d really appreciate simple, step‑by‑step advice that works on recent macOS versions and doesn’t require buying expensive software.

2

For quick Mac screen recording you have three solid options that cost $0.

  1. Fast built in option
    Use the macOS screen recorder.

• Press Shift + Command + 5
• Pick “Record Entire Screen” or “Record Selected Portion”
• For mic audio, click “Options” and choose your microphone
• Hit Record, then the small stop icon in the menu bar when done

Pros
• Simple
• Good quality video
Cons
• No system audio by default, only mic
• Limited settings

  1. QuickTime Player
    Gives a bit more control.

• Open QuickTime Player
• File > New Screen Recording
• Click the little arrow next to the record button
• Choose your mic input
• Start recording

Same problem as above. No system audio without a helper tool.

  1. Get system audio + mic together
    Apple does not route system audio into recordings. You need a virtual audio device.

Two free options people use a lot:

A) BlackHole (free)
B) VB-Cable (donationware, works well)

Example with BlackHole:

  1. Install BlackHole (follow their instructions)
  2. Open Audio MIDI Setup on your Mac
  3. Create a “Multi-Output Device”
    • Add your normal speakers or headphones
    • Add BlackHole
  4. Set that Multi-Output as your sound output in System Settings > Sound
  5. In QuickTime or Shift + Command + 5 Options choose BlackHole as the “microphone”

Now your recorder “hears” system audio through BlackHole.
If you also want your real mic at the same time, create an Aggregate Device in Audio MIDI Setup that includes BlackHole and your mic, then pick that in the recorder. This part is a bit fiddly but once you do it once, you reuse it.

  1. Easiest free app with both audio types
    If the virtual audio device setup feels annoying, try OBS Studio.

• Download OBS Studio
• Add “Display Capture” to record the screen
• Add “Audio Output Capture” for system sound
• Add “Audio Input Capture” for your mic
• Hit Start Recording

OBS handles mixed audio, no extra driver needed on many setups. It has more settings though, so expect a small learning curve.

  1. For clear audio
    • Use headphones to avoid echo
    • In System Settings > Sound set “Input volume” so your voice peaks near the top but does not clip
    • Record a 10 second test and play it back before doing the full tutorial
    • Sit close to the mic and talk at steady volume

Quick picks

• Easiest, no system audio needed
Use Shift + Command + 5 with your mic selected.

• Free, with system audio and mic, minimal setup
OBS Studio.

• Built in tools plus system audio with more effort
QuickTime or Shift + Command + 5 plus BlackHole or VB-Cable.

3

If you just want a quick tutorial and not a full YouTube-career setup, you can actually keep this pretty lean.

@caminantenocturno already covered the usual suspects (Shift+Cmd+5, QuickTime, BlackHole, OBS), so I’ll throw in a few alternaitves and small tweaks that make life easier, plus where I slightly disagree.

1. Use the Screenshot Toolbar, but tweak quality/settings

Everyone says “Shift + Cmd + 5 and go” which is fine, but a couple of things people skip:

  • After Shift + Cmd + 5
    • Click “Options”
    • Change “Save to” to a specific folder (like Desktop / Tutorials) so you don’t hunt for files later
    • Set a short timer (5 sec) so you can get windows in place before it starts
  • Resolution tip:
    • If you’re on a big Retina screen, consider recording a smaller portion instead of full screen. Smaller area = smaller file size and clearer text when you upload.

I actually prefer this over QuickTime for most short videos. QuickTime is not really “more control” in practice for casual stuff, it is just more clicks.

2. Free app option that’s simpler than OBS: Screen Studio / Kap style tools

OBS is powerful but overkill unless you like fiddling with scenes. A lighter alternative:

Kap (free, open source, in the App Store / GitHub)

  • Menubar app
  • Lets you select a region or a window
  • Outputs MP4 or GIF
  • Good for short tutorials or sending a quick clip to someone

Caveat: similar to built in tools, system audio is not automatic, so if you need system plus mic, you’ll still end up dealing with a virtual device, same as described by @caminantenocturno. If you just need your voice explaining stuff, Kap is nice and low-friction.

3. If you want system audio + mic but hate virtual devices

I slightly disagree that “free + virtual audio driver” is always the way to go. If this is a one off or you don’t want to touch Audio MIDI Setup at all, you can do this workaround:

Use your iPhone as a dedicated mic:

  1. Plug in wired headphones to your Mac.
  2. Turn Mac volume up so system sounds are clear in the room but not painfully loud.
  3. Put your iPhone near the speakers and use “Voice Memos” or any recorder app to record your narration.
  4. Record screen on Mac with Shift + Cmd + 5 (no mic).
  5. Later, drop both files into iMovie or any basic editor and sync by eye (line up when you say your first word).

It sounds janky, but for a short tutorial this actually works and avoids driver drama. Also you get a “cleaner” system audio because the Mac capture has no mic noise in it.

4. If you’re okay installing one single thing: IINA + QuickTime combo

For tutorials that mostly show a video or app with audio:

  • In IINA (media player), set audio output device to a virtual device like BlackHole, but
  • Keep system output on your headphones/speakers.
  • In QuickTime, select BlackHole as the mic.

Why: only the app’s audio gets piped into the recording, so you don’t record random notification sounds or other apps pinging. It’s slightly more advanced, but neat if you’re demoing something specific like a video player, DAW, etc.

5. Making your voice clear without fancy gear

Even with the built in Mac recorder:

  • Use any half decent mic:
    • Even wired Apple earbuds usually beat the internal mic.
  • Record in a quiet room:
    • Soft surfaces help. Couch, curtains, closet with clothes if you’re really desperate.
  • Turn off “input monitoring” if your app has it, so you don’t hear yourself delayed. That can mess up your speech rhythm.
  • Do a tiny test:
    • 10 seconds recording, watch it back, check:
      • Voice loud enough
      • No crazy fan noise
      • Text on screen readable

6. If you care about future-proofing

If you might do tutorials more than “just this once,” I’d actually suck it up and:

  1. Install a virtual audio device like BlackHole.
  2. Set up:
    • One Aggregate Device (mic + BlackHole)
    • One Multi Output Device (BlackHole + your headphones)

The first time is mildly painful, but after that it’s: select your combo device and forget about it. In that sense I agree with @caminantenocturno that it’s re-usable, but I’d say it only pays off if you plan on making more than one or two vids.

TL;DR:

  • Just your voice over the screen:
    • Use Shift + Cmd + 5, select your mic, record a portion of the screen, done.
  • Voice plus system audio, no audio wiring:
    • Record screen on Mac + record voice separately on phone, sync later.
  • Voice plus system audio, more professional, free:
    • Bite the bullet and use BlackHole or VB-Cable once, then reuse the setup.
  • Hate complexity but want a nicer app:
    • Try Kap instead of QuickTime / OBS.