Yes, MacBook screen recording captures audio by default, but you can turn it off
When you record your screen on a MacBook using the built-in Screenshot tool, audio records automatically unless you change the settings first. This means any sound playing through your speakers — music, video dialogue, keyboard clicks, notifications — will be part of your recording. You control whether audio is included before you hit record, not after.
The audio that gets captured depends on what's playing through your Mac at that moment. If you're recording a video tutorial with background music, the music records. If you're recording a silent spreadsheet, nothing records. System sounds like notification pings will also appear in your final video unless you mute them beforehand.
Key Takeaways
- MacBook screen recording includes audio by default, capturing whatever sound is playing through your speakers at the time.
- You can disable audio recording before you start by clicking the microphone icon in the recording options menu.
- System sounds and notification alerts will record along with other audio unless you mute your Mac or turn off notifications before recording.
- Third-party apps like QuickTime Player and OBS offer different audio control options if you need more flexibility than the built-in tool provides.
How to turn audio recording on or off before you start
Open Screenshot by pressing Shift + Command + 5 on your keyboard. A menu bar appears at the bottom of your screen with recording options. Look for the microphone icon — it looks like a small microphone symbol. Click it to see your audio choices.
If the microphone icon shows a line through it, audio recording is off. If it appears normal without a line, audio recording is on. Click the icon to toggle between these states. Make your choice before you click the Record button, because you cannot change the audio setting once recording has started.
After you finish recording and the video saves to your desktop, the audio is already part of the file. You cannot remove it later using the Screenshot tool. This is why setting audio correctly before you record matters.
What audio your MacBook will actually record
Your Mac records sound that comes out of your speakers. This includes video playback, music from any app, voice from video calls, and any audio playing through your system. If you have Spotify playing in the background and you record your screen, Spotify records into the video.
System sounds — like the notification chime, the camera shutter sound, or alert beeps — will also record if audio is turned on. Keyboard clicks record if you have that setting enabled in your Mac's accessibility settings. The microphone built into your Mac does not record unless you specifically select a microphone as your audio source, which the basic Screenshot tool does not do.
If you want to record your voice while recording your screen, you need a different tool. QuickTime Player lets you select your Mac's microphone as the audio source. The built-in Screenshot tool only captures audio already playing through your speakers.
Muting notifications and system sounds before recording
If you want to record audio but do not want notification sounds interrupting your video, mute your Mac before you start. Press the volume key on your keyboard and drag the slider all the way down, or click the volume icon in the menu bar and select mute. Your screen recording will capture silence instead of alert sounds.
You can also turn off notifications temporarily. Open System Settings, click Notifications, and toggle off "Allow notifications" at the top. This stops notification alerts from appearing and sounding during your recording. Turn notifications back on when you are done recording.
If you want to keep your Mac unmuted for other reasons but still avoid recording system sounds, use a third-party app like OBS Studio instead. OBS lets you select exactly which audio sources record and which ones do not, giving you more control than the built-in tool.
Recording audio from a specific app or microphone
The built-in Screenshot tool records only audio playing through your speakers. If you need to record your own voice or audio from a specific app while recording your screen, you need QuickTime Player or a third-party tool like OBS Studio.
QuickTime Player is built into your Mac. Open it, click File, then New Screen Recording. A menu appears with options to select your microphone as the audio source. This lets you narrate while recording your screen. The trade-off is that QuickTime does not let you record both your microphone and your system audio at the same time — you choose one or the other.
OBS Studio is free and more flexible. You can add multiple audio sources, control the volume of each one separately, and record your microphone and system audio together. OBS has a steeper learning curve than the built-in tools, but it gives you the most control over what records and what does not.
Checking your audio settings after recording
After your screen recording finishes and saves to your desktop, you can check whether audio was included by opening the file. Double-click the video to play it in QuickTime Player. If you hear sound, audio was recorded. If the video is silent, audio was not.
If you recorded audio but did not want to, you cannot remove it using built-in Mac tools. You would need video editing software like iMovie or Final Cut Pro to strip the audio out. This is another reason to verify your audio settings before you hit record. If you recorded without audio but needed it, you have to record again — there is no way to add audio to a silent screen recording using the Screenshot tool.
Comparing audio options across different recording tools
The built-in Screenshot tool, QuickTime Player, and OBS Studio each handle audio differently. Understanding these differences helps you pick the right tool for what you are trying to record.
| Tool | Records System Audio | Records Microphone | Records Both Together |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screenshot (built-in) | Yes, by default | No | No |
| QuickTime Player | No | Yes, if selected | No |
| OBS Studio | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The built-in Screenshot tool is the simplest option if you only need to record what is already playing through your speakers. QuickTime Player works if you need to add your own narration but do not need background audio. OBS Studio is the most powerful option but requires more setup and learning time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record my screen without any audio at all?
Yes. Open Screenshot with Shift + Command + 5, click the microphone icon to turn audio off (it will show a line through it), then record. Your video will be completely silent. You can also mute your Mac before recording with the built-in tool to ensure no sound gets captured.
Will my keyboard typing sounds record?
Only if you have enabled keyboard click sounds in your Mac's accessibility settings. Most Macs do not have this turned on by default. If you want to check, open System Settings, click Accessibility, then Keyboard, and look for "Enable keyboard clicks." If it is off, typing will not record.
Can I record my voice while recording my screen?
Not with the built-in Screenshot tool. Use QuickTime Player instead — open it, click File, then New Screen Recording, and select your microphone from the audio dropdown. OBS Studio also lets you record your voice and system audio at the same time if you need both.
What if I accidentally recorded audio I did not want?
You cannot remove audio from a screen recording using the Screenshot tool. You would need video editing software like iMovie to strip it out. The easiest solution is to record again with audio turned off. Always test your audio settings on a short practice recording first.
Does the microphone icon setting stay the same for my next recording?
Yes. Whatever you set the microphone to — on or off — stays that way until you change it again. If you turned audio off for one recording, it will be off for your next recording too. Check the setting each time you record if you switch between wanting audio and not wanting it.