Recording your computer screenis a handy way to capture what you’re doing on your device. On a Mac, you can use it to recordMacOS gameplayor show a friend how to perform a task … because sometimes showing someone is much easier than trying to explain it.
Fortunately, MacOS includes two built-in ways to help you record your screen with ease: Using the Screenshot toolbar or using Apple’s QuickTime Player app. We’ll take you through both methods in this guide so you’ll know exactly how to capture videos when you need to.
Use the Screenshot toolbar
Step 1:PressCommand + Shift + 5on your keyboard. This opens yourMac’s Screenshottoolbar.
Step 2:In the center of the toolbar are two options for video recording:Record Entire ScreenorRecord Selected Portion. As the names suggest, you may click the left-most of the two buttons to record the whole screen or the one on the right to record just a portion.
Step 3:ClickOptionsto tweak how it records. From here, you can screen-record on your Mac with audio. Under theMicrophoneheading, just choose a plugged-in mic, and when you record, your voice will be included.
Step 4:If you chose to record the whole screen, just click anywhere on your display to begin the recording. Alternatively, click theRecordbutton.
Step 5:If you selectedRecord Selected Portion, you will see a box on-screen showing what will be captured. Click and drag the handles at the edges of this box to adjust what is recorded. You can move this selection to wherever you want. When you’re ready, clickRecord.
Step 6:When you’re finished, click theStopbutton in the menu bar, or pressControl + Command + Esc. A thumbnail will appear in the bottom-right corner of your desktop. Ignore it or swipe it right to save the video. Click theThumbnailto open the recording, then click theTrimbutton (to the left of theDonebutton) to cut it if necessary.Control-Clickthe thumbnail to get some options, like opening it in an app or changing where recordings are saved.
Use QuickTime Player
Step 1:Open QuickTime Player from the Applications folder, from Launchpad, or by pressingCommand + Spaceand typing the app’s name.
Step 2:ClickFile > New Screen Recordingor pressControl + Command + N.
Step 3:This opens the same Screenshot toolbar as in the section above. ClickRecord Entire ScreenorRecord Selected Portion, then clickRecord.
Step 4:When you’re finished, click theStopbutton in the menu bar or pressControl + Command + Esc.
Step 5:Unlike recording using theCommand + Shift + 5shortcut, QuickTime will automatically open the recording and save it to your chosen location (by default, this is the desktop). Here, you can view, edit, or share it.
