Yes, Mac screen recording captures audio by default, but you can turn it off

When you record your screen on a Mac using the built-in Screenshot app, audio recording is on by default. That means any sound playing through your speakers — music, video dialogue, notifications, keyboard clicks — will be included in your recording file. If you do not want audio, you need to turn it off before you hit record.

This matters because audio in a recording can expose things you did not intend to share: a notification sound revealing you received a message, background conversation, or a video playing in another tab. Understanding what gets recorded and how to control it helps you share only what you mean to share.

Key Takeaways

  • Mac screen recording includes audio by default, capturing everything your speakers output during the recording.
  • You can disable audio recording in the Screenshot app options before you start, or mute your Mac entirely to be certain.
  • Audio from your microphone is separate from speaker audio — the app records speaker output, not what you say unless you are using your mic as an input source.
  • Third-party recording apps like QuickTime Player and OBS have their own audio settings and may behave differently than the built-in tool.

How to turn off audio in Mac's built-in screen recording

Open the Screenshot app (press Shift + Command + 5 on any Mac). You will see a toolbar at the bottom of your screen with recording options. Look for the button that shows a microphone icon — this controls audio recording.

Click the microphone button to cycle through your options. You will see three states: a microphone with a line through it (audio off), a microphone with sound waves (audio on from your default input device), or a specific microphone name if you have multiple inputs connected. Select the crossed-out microphone to disable audio recording entirely.

Once you have set it to off, start your recording. The audio setting will stay off for your next recording too, unless you change it again. If you are unsure whether audio is on, check that microphone button one more time before you press the record button.

What audio sources get recorded

The Screenshot app records audio from your speakers — the sound coming out of your Mac — not from your microphone by default. This includes video playback, music, system sounds, and notifications. If you have a microphone selected in the audio dropdown, it will record what that microphone picks up instead.

This distinction matters if you are recording a tutorial and want to narrate it. You would need to select your microphone as the audio source so your voice gets recorded. If you leave it set to "off," your narration will not be captured at all.

Background noise in your room — typing, breathing, traffic outside — will only be recorded if you have a microphone selected. If audio is set to off, your recording will be silent.

Using QuickTime Player for screen recording

QuickTime Player is an older Mac recording tool that still works. Open QuickTime, go to File > New Screen Recording, and a toolbar appears. Click the dropdown arrow next to the record button to see audio options. You can choose your microphone, your Mac's internal speaker output (if available on your Mac model), or none.

QuickTime behaves slightly differently than Screenshot depending on your Mac model and macOS version. On newer Macs, QuickTime may not show an option to record speaker audio directly — you would need to use Screenshot instead, or use a third-party tool.

Third-party recording apps and their audio settings

Apps like OBS Studio, ScreenFlow, and Camtasia give you more control over audio than the built-in tools. Each one has its own audio settings, usually found in preferences or settings before you start recording.

In OBS, for example, you add audio sources separately — you might add your microphone as one source and your Mac's speaker output as another, then control which ones are active during recording. ScreenFlow lets you choose microphone input and also has options to record system audio if you install an additional component.

If you use a third-party app, check its documentation or settings menu for audio options. The default behavior varies by app, so do not assume it works the same way as Screenshot.

Muting your Mac to prevent any audio from being recorded

If you want to be absolutely certain no audio gets recorded, mute your Mac entirely. Press the volume keys or use Control Center to set volume to zero. This silences speaker output, so even if audio recording is turned on, nothing will be captured.

Muting does not affect microphone input — if you have a microphone selected as your audio source, it will still record what the mic picks up. But if you have audio set to off and your Mac is muted, you have two layers of protection against accidental audio in your recording.

Why audio gets recorded and what to watch for

Audio recording is on by default because many people recording tutorials, demos, or presentations want to narrate them. Having it enabled by default saves a step for those users. But it also means you need to remember to turn it off if you do not want sound.

Before you record, think about what sounds might happen: notifications pinging, a video playing in another tab, someone talking in the background, or your keyboard clicking. If any of those would be a problem in your recording, either mute your Mac, close the apps making noise, or disable audio recording in the app settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record video without audio and add audio later?

Yes. Record with audio off, then use a video editor like iMovie or Final Cut Pro to add a voiceover or music track after. This gives you more control over the audio and lets you re-record narration if you make a mistake.

Will my keyboard clicks be recorded?

Only if you have a microphone selected as your audio source and the microphone is close enough to pick up the sound. If audio is set to off, keyboard clicks will not be recorded. If audio is on but set to your Mac's speaker output, keyboard clicks will not be recorded unless they are playing through your speakers.

What if I forget to turn off audio and record something I did not want to share?

You can edit the video file in iMovie or another video editor to remove the audio track, or trim sections with unwanted sound. Alternatively, you can re-record the screen with audio off and use that version instead.

Does recording audio use more storage space?

Yes, audio adds file size to your recording. A video-only file will be smaller than the same video with audio. If storage is tight, recording without audio saves space.

Can I record my microphone and my screen audio at the same time?

In the built-in Screenshot app, you can only select one audio source — either your microphone or off. Third-party apps like OBS let you record multiple audio sources at once, so you could capture both your voice and system audio in the same file.