discussion Guide macOS Recording Screen on MacBook

[Kreathex]

Recording your screen on a MacBook is very important for both professional and personal use.
If you want to record a presentation, create an educational video, show game performance, or share a software bug, macOS’s built-in screen recording tools allow you to do this within seconds.
In this article, you will find detailed methods for recording your screen on a MacBook, shortcuts, audio settings, and solutions for common problems.

Three Ways to Record Screen on a MacBook​

There are three main ways to record your screen on macOS:

• Shortcut (Shift + Command + 5) — the fastest method
• QuickTime Player — for recording with voice and microphone support
• Third-Party Applications — for users who want advanced editing

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1. Recording Screen Using Shortcut (Shift + Command + 5)​

On macOS Mojave (10.14) and later, the most practical method is pressing Shift + Command + 5.
Steps:

1. Press Shift + Command + 5 on the keyboard simultaneously.
2. A toolbar will appear at the bottom of the screen.
3. You will see three options:
   • Record the entire screen
   • Record a selected portion
   • Capture a screenshot
4. Click the “Start Recording” button to begin.
5. When finished, click the stop icon in the top menu to end the recording.

The recorded video will automatically be saved to the Desktop folder as “Screen Recording [date].mov.”
Tip: Before starting, you can select the save location, timer, and microphone from the “Options” menu.

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2. Recording Screen with QuickTime Player (Including Audio)​

QuickTime Player is not only the built-in media player on Mac but also provides professional screen recording functionality.
This method is especially suitable if you want to include narration with your microphone.
Steps to Record with QuickTime Player:

1. Open QuickTime Player from the Applications folder.
2. From the top menu, select File > New Screen Recording.
3. A small recording window will appear.
4. Click the arrow next to the recording button to choose the microphone:
   • Internal microphone (MacBook microphone)
   • External microphone (e.g., USB microphone)
5. Click the recording button and choose to record the entire screen or a selected area.
6. Click the stop icon in the menu bar to end the recording.

Note: QuickTime records microphone audio only, not system audio.

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3. Third-Party Screen Recording Applications​

MacOS users may also use alternative programs for advanced editing or audio mixing features.
Popular free options:

• OBS Studio: Professional open-source software for gaming, presentations, and live streaming.
• ScreenFlow: Professional solution with video editing and effects tools.
• Snagit: Ideal for narrated educational videos and quick editing.
• Capto: Combines screen recording, editing, and sharing features.

If you are creating YouTube or educational content, OBS Studio is recommended, while QuickTime Player is suitable for simple tutorial videos.

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MacBook Screen Recording Features Table​

Feature	Shift+Cmd+5	QuickTime Player	OBS Studio
Audio Recording (Microphone)	Yes	Yes	Yes
System Audio Recording	No	No	Yes (with plugin)
Recording Quality	1080p	1080p	Up to 4K
Select Recording Area	Yes	Yes	Yes
Timer	Yes	No	Yes
Save Location	Yes	Yes	Yes
Free to Use	Yes	Yes	Yes

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Where is the Recording Saved?​

• Using Shift + Cmd + 5:
  Desktop > Screen Recording [date].mov
• Using QuickTime Player:
  Saved in the location you selected during recording.
• Using OBS Studio:
  By default, saved in the “Videos” folder.

File format: Usually .MOV or .MP4, compatible with all video editors.

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Adding Audio Recording (System + Microphone) on MacBook​

To record both system audio and microphone, follow these steps:

1. Download the free BlackHole or Soundflower plugin (supported by Apple).
2. Create a multi-output device in the “Input and Output Sound” settings.
3. Select this audio source in QuickTime or OBS.

This allows you to record both your voice and any music or game sound playing on the system simultaneously.

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Troubleshooting Screen Recording Issues​

Some users may encounter problems like “cannot start recording” or “audio is not working.”
Try the following solutions:

1. Go to System Preferences > Privacy & Security > Screen Recording.
2. Check the box next to QuickTime Player or OBS.
3. Restart the application.

Also, check microphone access:
System Preferences > Privacy > Microphone — make sure the application has permission.

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Tips to Improve Recording Quality​

• Keep screen brightness at a medium level.
• Close unnecessary background applications.
• Keep the microphone away from the device; use a headset microphone to reduce echo.
• If using OBS, set FPS to 60.

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Conclusion: Professional Screen Recording on MacBook Made Easy​

MacBook allows professional-quality screen recording without additional software.
The Shift + Command + 5 shortcut provides a fast solution, while QuickTime Player is perfect for voice narration.
Advanced users can record in 4K using applications like OBS Studio.
Whether it is a presentation, game, or educational video, MacBook screen recording meets every need.