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Mac record desktop audio? Yes, here’s how

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Mac record desktop audio? Yes, here's how

Yes, a Mac can record its own desktop audio, but the built-in tools only capture microphone input by default. To record system sound directly, you need a third-party driver or app; this article explains the options and the exact steps for each.

Why macOS Doesn’t Record System Audio by Default

macOS’s built-in Voice Memos and QuickTime Player record from the built-in microphone or an external input device, not from the system’s audio output. This is a deliberate design choice: it prevents apps from secretly capturing what you hear, and it keeps the audio routing simple for the average user. When you plug in headphones or speakers, macOS sees them as output devices, and the system does not offer a virtual input that mirrors that output.

The workaround is to install a virtual audio driver that creates a new output device, which you select as your Mac’s speaker. That driver then sends the audio to a matching input device, which your recording app can capture. This is how most screen recorders and podcast tools capture system sound on a Mac.

Option 1: BlackHole (Free, Open Source)

BlackHole is a free, open-source virtual audio driver that installs both a virtual output and a virtual input on your Mac. It is widely used because it is reliable and does not require a paid license.

  1. Download the installer from the official BlackHole GitHub page and run it. It will install a driver named “BlackHole 2ch� (or 16ch, depending on the version).
  2. Open Audio MIDI Setup (found in Applications → Utilities). You can create a “Multi-Output Device� that sends audio to both your speakers and BlackHole, so you can hear sound while recording.
  3. In your recording app (e.g., QuickTime Player, Audacity, or a DAW), select BlackHole 2ch as the input device.
  4. In System Settings → Sound → Output, select your Multi-Output Device (or just BlackHole if you don’t need to hear it).
  5. Start recording. The system audio will be captured as the input signal.

If you don’t need to hear the audio while recording, you can simply select BlackHole as the output device—the sound will go to the virtual input only.

Option 2: Loopback (Paid, User-Friendly)

Loopback by Rogue Amoeba is a commercial app that creates virtual audio devices with a graphical interface. It is more intuitive than BlackHole because you can route audio from specific apps to different outputs, and it includes a built-in monitor to hear what is being recorded.

  • Price: around $99 (one-time license).
  • Pros: no need to fiddle with Audio MIDI Setup; can combine multiple apps into one virtual device.
  • Cons: paid, and it requires a separate driver installation.

To use Loopback, you create a new virtual device, add your Mac’s system audio as a source, and then select that virtual device as the output in the app you want to record. The app’s input will be the virtual device.

Option 3: Screen Recording Apps with Built-in Audio Capture

Some screen recording apps (like OBS Studio, ScreenFlow, or Camtasia) include their own system audio capture. They do this by either bundling a virtual driver or by using a system extension. For example, OBS Studio on macOS can capture desktop audio directly if you install the “BlackHole� driver separately, but newer versions of OBS have a “macOS Screen Capture� source that can include audio if you grant screen recording permission.

ScreenFlow and Camtasia are paid apps that include a virtual audio driver in their installer, so you don’t need to install BlackHole separately. They are good choices if you also need video editing tools.

Common Problems and Fixes

  • No sound in the recording: Make sure the recording app’s input is set to the virtual device (BlackHole or Loopback), not the built-in microphone. Also check that the output device is set to the virtual device or a multi-output device.
  • Audio is out of sync: This usually happens when using a multi-output device with different sample rates. Set all devices in Audio MIDI Setup to the same sample rate (e.g., 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz).
  • Can’t hear audio while recording: Create a multi-output device that includes both your speakers and the virtual device. In Audio MIDI Setup, click the + button, choose “Create Multi-Output Device,â€� then check both your speakers and BlackHole.
  • Permission issues: On newer macOS versions, you must grant microphone access to the recording app (System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone). Even though you’re recording system audio, the system treats the virtual input as a microphone.
  • Driver not showing up: After installing BlackHole, restart your Mac or at least log out and back in. If it still doesn’t appear, check that the driver is enabled in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Allow.

Comparing the Methods

Here’s a quick comparison to help you choose:

  • Cost: BlackHole is free; Loopback and paid screen recorders cost money.
  • Ease of use: Loopback is the easiest for routing, but BlackHole is simple if you just need to record system audio.
  • Features: ScreenFlow and Camtasia include editing; OBS is free but requires more setup.
  • Reliability: All are generally reliable, but virtual drivers can sometimes break after macOS updates.

For most users, BlackHole is the best starting point because it’s free and works with any recording app. If you need to record multiple apps separately, Loopback is worth the price.

Safety and Privacy Considerations

Recording system audio is legal for personal use, but be aware of copyright when recording music, podcasts, or streaming content. Also, macOS will show a privacy prompt when an app first tries to access the virtual input—this is normal. Always download drivers from official sources to avoid malware. Open-source drivers like BlackHole are audited by the community, but you should still verify the checksum if you’re cautious.

One more thing: if you’re using a Mac with Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3), virtual drivers work fine, but you may need to allow the driver in System Settings → Privacy & Security after installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record system audio with QuickTime Player?

No, QuickTime Player only records from a microphone or external input. To record system audio, you must first install a virtual driver like BlackHole, then select it as the input in QuickTime’s “New Audio Recordingâ€� option.

Do I need to install anything to record desktop audio on macOS?

Yes, unless you use a screen recorder that bundles its own audio driver (like ScreenFlow or Camtasia). For free options, you need to install BlackHole or a similar virtual audio driver.

Why is there no “Record system audio� option in macOS?

Apple has not built a native system audio recording feature because it could be used to bypass copy protection or record DRM content. The workaround is to use a virtual audio driver, which is a third-party solution.

Will recording system audio work on all Macs?

Yes, virtual audio drivers work on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. However, on Apple Silicon, you may need to allow the driver in System Settings after installation, and some older drivers may not be compatible with the latest macOS versions.

Can I record audio from only one app (e.g., a browser) and not the whole system?

Yes, with Loopback you can select specific apps as sources. With BlackHole, you’d need to route that app’s output to the virtual device using Audio MIDI Setup or a third-party tool like Rogue Amoeba’s SoundSource.

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