How to Create a Screencast on a Mac

This guide walks you through recording your Mac’s screen — with or without audio — using the built-in tools that come with macOS. You’ll learn how to start, stop, and save a screencast, plus how to fix common issues like missing audio or a blank recording.

What You’ll Need

• A Mac running macOS Mojave (10.14) or later — earlier versions use a different method (see Tips).
• Enough free storage space for the video file (a 5-minute screencast at full quality is roughly 50–100 MB).
• If you want to record your voice or system sounds, a working microphone or speakers.
• Screen Recording permission for the app you’re using (you’ll be prompted the first time).

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Screenshot toolbar. Press Shift + Command + 5. A small toolbar appears at the bottom of the screen with options for capturing still images and recording video.
2. Choose your recording area. On the toolbar, you’ll see two recording buttons: “Record Entire Screen” (a full-screen icon) and “Record Selected Portion” (a dashed rectangle icon). Click the one that fits your needs. If you choose “Record Selected Portion,” a draggable frame appears — adjust it to cover the area you want to capture.
3. Select audio input (optional). Click “Options” in the toolbar. Under “Microphone,” choose a built-in or external mic if you want to narrate. If you don’t select a mic, the recording will have no audio. (To capture system sounds, see the Tips section below.)
4. Adjust other settings (optional). In the same “Options” menu, you can:
   – Show or hide mouse clicks (useful for tutorials).
   – Set a timer (None, 5 seconds, or 10 seconds) to delay the start.
   – Choose where to save the file (Desktop, Documents, or a custom folder).
   – Turn on “Show Floating Thumbnail” to get a small preview after recording.
5. Start recording. Click the “Record” button (the white circle with a solid border) on the toolbar. If you set a timer, a countdown appears. The menu bar icon changes to a small stop sign (a white square inside a circle) to indicate recording is active.
6. Stop recording. Click the stop button in the menu bar (the white square icon). Alternatively, press Command + Control + Esc (Escape) — this works even if the toolbar is hidden.
7. Save or edit the video. When you stop, a thumbnail appears in the bottom-right corner (if “Show Floating Thumbnail” is on). Click it to preview, trim, or delete the recording. If you ignore the thumbnail, the file is saved automatically to your chosen location (default: Desktop) with a name like “Screen Recording 2025-05-01 at 10.30.00 AM.mov”.
8. Find your file. Double-click the .mov file to play it in QuickTime Player. You can then share, upload, or edit it further.

Common Mistakes

• No audio when you expected it. If you didn’t select a microphone in Step 3, the recording will be silent. Also, the built-in screen recorder cannot capture system sounds (like music or app alerts) by default — you’ll need a third-party tool or a workaround (see Tips).
• Recording the wrong area. If you use “Record Selected Portion,” make sure the frame covers the entire window you want. A common mistake is capturing only part of a window and missing the rest.
• Forgetting to stop. The recording continues even if you close the toolbar or switch apps. Always check the menu bar for the stop icon before moving on.
• File too large. High-resolution recordings of long sessions can create huge files. Consider reducing the screen resolution or using a lower-quality setting (see Tips).
• Accidentally deleting the recording. If you click the thumbnail and then press Delete, the file is gone. Be careful — there’s no undo for that action.

Tips

• For system audio: The built-in recorder only captures microphone input. To record internal sounds, you can use a virtual audio driver (like BlackHole or Loopback) or simply play the audio through speakers and record with the mic. For a quick solution, use QuickTime Player’s “New Screen Recording” (File > New Screen Recording) — it still won’t capture system audio, but it’s the same as the shortcut.
• Keyboard shortcut to start/stop: Press Command + Control + Esc to stop any recording, even if you started it from the toolbar. This is handy when the toolbar is hidden.
• Change the default save location: In the “Options” menu, select “Other Location…” to choose a specific folder. This keeps your Desktop clean.
• Trim without extra apps: After recording, click the thumbnail and use the yellow handles to trim the beginning or end. Then click “Done” to save the trimmed version.
• Older macOS (Mojave and earlier): Use QuickTime Player (File > New Screen Recording) instead of the toolbar. The steps are similar, but you’ll need to select the recording area by dragging before clicking the record button.
• Reduce file size: If you don’t need 4K quality, lower your Mac’s display resolution before recording (System Settings > Displays) or use a third-party compressor afterward.

Troubleshooting

• Recording is black or blank. This usually means the app you’re recording doesn’t allow screen capture (e.g., some DRM-protected video players). Close that app and try a different one. Also check that you’ve granted Screen Recording permission to the app you’re using to start the recording (System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen Recording).
• No audio in the recording. First, verify you selected a microphone in the Options menu. Then check your Mac’s input volume (System Settings > Sound > Input). If you’re using an external mic, make sure it’s connected and selected. If you wanted system audio, see the Tips above.
• The toolbar doesn’t appear. Press Shift + Command + 5 again. If it still doesn’t show, restart your Mac or check if the shortcut is being intercepted by another app (e.g., a screen recorder or keyboard utility).
• Recording stops unexpectedly. This can happen if you run out of storage space. Check your free disk space (Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage). Also, if you’re recording a full-screen game, some games may interfere — try windowed mode.
• Can’t find the saved file. Check the location you set in Options (default is Desktop). If you’re not sure, open Finder and search for “Screen Recording” — the file name always starts with that phrase.
• The stop button is missing. If the menu bar icon disappears (e.g., you’re in full-screen mode), press Command + Control + Esc to stop. If that fails, open Activity Monitor and quit the “screencapture” process (be careful — this will end the recording without saving).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record just a single window?

Yes, but not directly with the built-in tool. You can select “Record Selected Portion” and drag the frame around the window. Alternatively, use a third-party app that supports window capture.

How do I record my voice over the screen?

In the Options menu, choose a microphone. The built-in mic works, but an external mic will give better quality. The recording will include your voice along with the screen action.

Can I record system audio (like music or game sounds)?

The built-in recorder cannot capture system audio directly. You’ll need to install a virtual audio driver (e.g., BlackHole) and route the output to both your speakers and the recorder, or use a third-party screen recorder that supports system audio.

How long can a screencast be?

There’s no time limit — it records until you stop it. However, you need enough free storage space. A 10-minute 1080p recording can be over 200 MB, so plan accordingly.

Can I edit the recording after I stop?

Yes, you can trim the start and end using the thumbnail that appears. For more advanced editing (cutting out middle sections, adding text), you’ll need iMovie (free on Mac) or another video editor.

Does the recording include the mouse cursor?

Yes, by default the cursor is visible. You can hide it or highlight clicks by enabling “Show Mouse Clicks” in the Options menu.

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