Record Video on Mac: Camera, Screen, and Audio

Updated 9 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Yes—you can record video on a Mac with its built-in camera, capture the screen with macOS’s screenshot toolbar or QuickTime Player, or use a compatible external camera. Choose the method based on whether you are filming yourself, recording an app or presentation, or capturing both the screen and your voice.

Choose the Right Recording Method

For a quick webcam clip, open QuickTime Player and choose File > New Movie Recording. For a screen demonstration, use the screenshot toolbar or QuickTime Player’s screen-recording command. These built-in options are enough for many everyday tasks and save recordings as video files, usually in a format macOS can play.

Record yourself: Use QuickTime Player’s movie recording, or an app designed for video calls or presentations.
Record the screen: Use the screenshot toolbar for a fast capture, or QuickTime Player for a more traditional recording window.
Record screen and narration: Select a microphone before starting. Check whether the chosen tool captures the sound you need; screen recording does not automatically mean every system sound will be included.
Use an external camera: Connect a compatible camera or capture device, then choose it in the recording app’s camera or input controls.

Record Your Mac’s Screen

On recent versions of macOS, the screenshot toolbar provides a straightforward way to record all or part of the screen. Press Shift-Command-5 to open the controls. Select the button to record the entire screen or the button to record a selected portion, then click Record.

Press Shift-Command-5.
Choose Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion.
To change options, select Options. You can choose where to save the file, set a timer, and select a microphone when available.
Click Record. If you selected a portion, adjust its boundary before starting if needed.
To finish, click the stop button in the menu bar. If it is not visible, use the screenshot controls or the available keyboard shortcut shown by macOS.

The recording is saved in the location shown under Options; the default is commonly the desktop. A thumbnail may appear briefly after stopping, allowing you to open or trim the clip. The toolbar is convenient for tutorials, software demonstrations, and presentations, but it is not a full video-editing or multitrack-audio tool.

Record a Webcam Video in QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player can record from the Mac’s built-in camera or a connected camera that the app recognizes. Open QuickTime Player, choose File > New Movie Recording, and look for the live camera preview. Click the record button to begin and click it again to stop.

Use the menu beside the record button, when available, to choose a camera, microphone, and recording quality. The controls vary according to the Mac, connected devices, and macOS version. If the preview is black or the wrong camera is selected, check the input menu and confirm the camera is connected and available to other apps.

After stopping, choose File > Save or File > Export As, depending on the options shown, and select a destination. Saving the recording is a separate step from stopping it: closing the window without saving can discard an unsaved clip.

Include Your Voice and Other Audio

For narration, select the intended microphone in the recording app before you start. The built-in microphone can work for a quick recording, while a headset or external microphone may help reduce room echo and place the microphone closer to the speaker. Make a short test recording and play it back to check that the voice is clear and that the correct input was used.

Do not assume a screen recording captures all audio playing on the Mac. Built-in screen-recording controls commonly let you choose a microphone, but capturing internal application audio can depend on the app, macOS version, and additional audio-routing software. If the recording is silent, check the selected input, the app’s microphone permission, and the output file’s playback volume. For a video call or other conversation, make sure you have permission to record other participants where required.

Save, Find, and Share the Recording

Before recording, check the destination folder and available storage. Screen recordings can become large, especially when they run for a long time or include detailed motion. When finished, open the file in QuickTime Player to review the beginning and end, confirm the audio, and trim unwanted sections if needed. Keep an original copy before making edits you may not be able to undo.

To share a clip, attach or upload the saved video file using the method appropriate for its size and recipient. If a file is too large for an email attachment, use a file-sharing service or export a smaller version if your workflow offers that option. A smaller file may reduce image quality, so check the result before deleting the original.

Common Problems and Fixes

The camera or microphone is missing: Reconnect the device, check that it is powered on, and select it in the app’s input menu. Quit and reopen the app if the device was connected after recording began.
macOS blocks access: Open System Settings > Privacy & Security and review the relevant Camera, Microphone, or Screen & System Audio Recording permission. Enable access only for apps you trust, then reopen the app if prompted.
The screen recording is blank: Check that the correct display or selected region was recorded. Some protected video content may appear black or may not be available for capture.
The file cannot be found: Check the save location selected in the screenshot toolbar or the folder chosen when saving in QuickTime Player. Search Finder for the file name or recent video files.
The recording stops or will not save: Check available disk space and try a short test. A long recording needs enough free storage for the full file and may take time to finish saving.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I record video on a Mac with sound?
For a screen recording, press Shift-Command-5, open Options, and choose a microphone if offered. For a webcam recording, use QuickTime Player’s New Movie Recording and select the desired microphone. Test playback before making an important recording.

Where do screen recordings go on a Mac?
The screenshot toolbar’s Options menu shows the save destination. The desktop is a common default, but the location may have been changed. QuickTime Player recordings are saved where you choose when saving the file.

Can I record my Mac screen and webcam at the same time?
The built-in screenshot toolbar records the screen, while QuickTime Player’s New Movie Recording captures a camera. Combining both views in one finished video generally requires an app or workflow that supports multiple video sources.

Why is my Mac screen recording silent?
Check whether a microphone was selected and whether the recording app has microphone permission in System Settings. Also distinguish microphone narration from internal Mac audio: choosing a microphone does not necessarily capture sounds made by other apps.

Can I record Netflix or other protected video on a Mac?
Protected streaming content may be blocked from screen capture and appear black. Use the service’s permitted viewing or download features rather than trying to bypass playback protections.

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