To record what's happening on your Mac's display along with sound, use the Screenshot toolbar by pressing Shift + Command + 5. Open the Options menu, select a microphone for your voice, and click Record. To also capture internal system audio (sound from apps), you'll need a dedicated tool or a more complex workaround.
This guide covers everything from the simple built-in tools for basic recordings to advanced methods for capturing all audio sources, ensuring you get the perfect take every time.
How do I record my screen with microphone audio on a Mac?
The fastest way to record desktop activity and your voice is by using the Mac's built-in Screenshot toolbar. This tool is perfect for quick tutorials, presentations, or capturing a bug when you need to narrate what’s happening. It requires no extra software and saves the video file directly to your desktop.
Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Open the Screenshot Toolbar: Press
Shift + Command + 5on your keyboard. A control panel will appear at the bottom of the display. - Select Your Recording Area: You have two options for video capture:
- Record Entire Screen: The icon with the solid outline and a circle in the corner.
- Record Selected Portion: The icon with the dotted outline and a circle in the corner. You can drag the handles to resize the capture area.
- Choose Your Audio Source: Click on the Options menu in the control panel. Under the Microphone section, select your desired input. This will typically be "Built-in Microphone" unless you have an external USB mic or headset connected.
- Start Recording: Click the "Record" button. A small stop icon (a circle with a square inside) will appear in your menu bar at the top right of the screen.
- Stop Recording: When you're finished, click the stop icon in the menu bar. You can also press
Command + Control + Esc.
By default, the recording will be saved as a .mov file on your Desktop. You can click the thumbnail that appears in the bottom-right corner immediately after stopping to trim the video or share it.
Why can't you record internal audio on Mac directly?
You can't directly record your Mac's internal audio (the sound coming from applications like a browser or game) with built-in tools like QuickTime or the Screenshot toolbar. This limitation is intentional on Apple's part, primarily for privacy and copyright protection. It prevents the unauthorized recording of copyrighted audio streams from music apps, streaming services, and other software.
To capture this system audio, macOS requires you to route it through a virtual audio device that can be selected as an input source. This is what makes the process more complex than simply recording from a microphone.
How do I record my screen and internal audio using a virtual driver?
For years, the standard workaround to capture system audio involved installing a free third-party virtual audio driver and configuring your Mac's settings. A virtual audio driver is a piece of software that creates a new audio device on your Mac. You can send audio out to this virtual device and simultaneously select it as an input source for recording.
This method is powerful but can be complicated and prone to error. Here's how it works using a popular free tool called BlackHole:
- Install a Virtual Audio Driver: Download and install a tool like BlackHole. This will create a new audio device in your system settings.
- Create a Multi-Output Device: This is the crucial step that lets you hear the audio while it's being recorded.
- Open the "Audio MIDI Setup" application (you can find it using Spotlight).
- Click the
+button in the bottom-left corner and select "Create Multi-Output Device." - In the new device's panel, check the boxes for both "BlackHole" and your primary audio output (e.g., "MacBook Pro Speakers" or external headphones).
- Configure System Sound Output: Go to System Settings > Sound. In the "Output" tab, select the "Multi-Output Device" you just created.
- Record with QuickTime Player:
- Open QuickTime Player and go to
File > New Screen Recording. - Click the small arrow next to the record button to open the options.
- Under "Microphone," select "BlackHole" as your audio source.
- Press the Record button to start capturing the display and the internal system audio.
- Open QuickTime Player and go to
While this method works, it's cumbersome. You have to remember to switch your sound settings back and forth, and it can sometimes cause audio sync issues or conflicts with other applications.
What's the best way to record screen and audio on Mac?
The easiest and most reliable way to capture desktop activity with both microphone and internal audio is to use a dedicated screen recording application. These tools are built specifically to solve this problem, handling all the complex audio routing automatically without requiring you to install separate drivers or fiddle with system settings.
For creators and product teams who need polished results without the hassle, a tool like Cinemak is the ideal solution. It's a free macOS screen recorder designed as a complete pipeline from capture to finished product. The app automatically captures all audio sources and, once you stop recording, applies professional polish.
Unlike the raw output from QuickTime, Cinemak automatically enhances your video with features like:
- Auto-zoom: Dynamically zooms in on active areas to keep the viewer focused.
- Cursor smoothing: Cleans up jerky mouse movements for a smoother, more professional look.
- Custom backgrounds: Instantly adds a polished background to your recording.
The core recording and editing functionality is completely free, with unlimited recording time and export in up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, and you don't even need an account to get started. Paid add-ons are available for those who need cloud hosting, viewer analytics, and AI-powered voice translation.
If you've been struggling with complicated audio setups and manual editing, the best next step is to simplify your workflow. Download Cinemak for free and create a production-quality screen recording in just a few clicks.
Comparison: Mac's Built-in Tools vs. Dedicated Apps
Choosing the right tool depends on your needs. Here’s how the different methods stack up.
| Feature | Screenshot Toolbar | QuickTime + Virtual Driver | Cinemak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free (built-in) | Free (requires setup) | Free core app |
| Microphone Audio | Yes | Yes | Yes (Simultaneous) |
| Internal Audio | No | Yes (Complex setup) | Yes (Built-in) |
| Ease of Use | Very Easy | Difficult | Very Easy |
| Automatic Polish | None | None | Auto-zoom, cursor smoothing |
| Max Resolution | System Dependent | System Dependent | Up to 4K / 60fps |
| Hosting & Sharing | Manual | Manual | Integrated Cloud (add-on) |
FAQ
How to record both audio and screen on Mac?
The simplest way to record both the display and your voice on a Mac is to press Shift + Command + 5 to open the Screenshot toolbar. From the 'Options' menu, select your microphone and click 'Record'. For recording internal system audio at the same time, a dedicated app like Cinemak is the most straightforward solution.
Can I screen record a video with sound on my Mac?
Yes, you can capture a video with sound on your Mac. The built-in Screenshot tool (Shift + Command + 5) can record the display and microphone audio. To also capture the sound from the video itself (internal audio), you will need to use a third-party application designed for this purpose.
Can you screen record and record yourself at the same time on a Mac?
Yes, you can record your desktop and your webcam feed simultaneously using QuickTime Player. First, open QuickTime and select 'File' > 'New Movie Recording' to activate your camera. Then, without closing that window, go to 'File' > 'New Screen Recording' to capture the on-screen activity. You will have two separate video files to combine later in an editor.