macOS has a built-in screen recorder you don't need to download

Your Mac comes with a screen recording tool already installed. It's called Screenshot, and it records video as well as still images. You open it by pressing Shift + Command + 5, and it gives you options to record your entire screen, a selected window, or just a portion of the screen. The video saves to your Downloads folder by default, though you can change where it goes before you hit record.

This tool works on any Mac running macOS 10.14 (Mojave) or newer. If your Mac is older than that, you'll need to use QuickTime Player instead, which is also built in — open it from Applications > Utilities, then go to File > New Screen Recording.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Shift + Command + 5 to open the Screenshot app, which records video as well as captures still images.
  • Choose whether to record your entire screen, a specific window, or a selected portion before you start recording.
  • Video files save as .mov files in your Downloads folder unless you change the destination in the options menu.
  • QuickTime Player is the alternative if your Mac runs an older version of macOS, found in Applications > Utilities.
  • You can pause and resume recording without stopping the file, and the microphone option lets you capture audio alongside video.

Recording your entire screen or just part of it

When you press Shift + Command + 5, a toolbar appears at the bottom of your screen with five icons. The first two let you capture still images (full screen and selected area). The last three are for video: the third icon records your entire screen, the fourth records a selected window, and the fifth records a portion of the screen you draw with your cursor.

Click whichever option matches what you need to record. If you choose the full screen or window option, the recording starts immediately after you click. If you choose to record a portion, your cursor becomes a crosshair — drag to draw a rectangle around the area you want to capture, then click the Record button that appears inside that rectangle.

Changing where your video saves and what audio to include

By default, videos save as .mov files in your Downloads folder. Before you start recording, click the Options menu (the icon that looks like three dots) in the toolbar. From there you can change the save location to your Desktop, Documents folder, or any other folder you choose. You can also select "Other Location" to save to a specific folder you use regularly.

In that same Options menu, you'll see a Microphone dropdown. If you leave it set to "None," your video will have no audio — just the screen activity. If you select a microphone (usually "Built-in Microphone" on a MacBook), the recording will capture whatever sound your Mac's microphone picks up. This is useful if you're narrating a tutorial or recording a video call, but it will also pick up background noise like keyboard clicks or notifications.

Starting, pausing, and stopping your recording

Once you've chosen your recording area and audio settings, click the Record button. A red dot appears in the menu bar at the top of your screen to show that recording is active. You can minimize windows or switch between apps while recording — the video captures whatever appears on screen.

To pause recording without stopping the file, click the red dot in the menu bar and select Pause. Click it again to resume. When you're done, click the red dot and select Stop, or press Shift + Command + 5 again and click Stop in the toolbar. The video file appears on your desktop or in whichever folder you chose, ready to open or move.

Why your video file is large and how to make it smaller

Screen recordings create large files because they capture every pixel on your screen at 30 frames per second (or higher if you have a newer Mac). A five-minute recording can easily be 500 MB or more. If you need to share the video or save space, you'll need to compress it using a separate tool — macOS doesn't have a built-in compression option for .mov files.

QuickTime Player (the same app you use for older Macs) can export videos in a smaller format. Open your .mov file in QuickTime, go to File > Export As, and choose a lower resolution or quality setting. Alternatively, free tools like HandBrake or iMovie (which comes with newer Macs) can reduce file size. The trade-off is always between quality and file size — lower quality means smaller files.

Using QuickTime Player if you have an older Mac

If your Mac runs macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or earlier, the Screenshot app doesn't exist. Instead, open QuickTime Player from Applications > Utilities. Go to File > New Screen Recording. A toolbar appears similar to the one in Screenshot, but with fewer options — you can only record your entire screen, not a portion or window.

Click the red Record button to start. A dialog box asks whether you want to include audio from your microphone. Choose your preference, then click Start Recording. Click Stop in the menu bar when you're done. The video opens in QuickTime, and you can save it by going to File > Save.

Troubleshooting common recording problems

If your recording stops unexpectedly, check how much free space your Mac has. Screen recordings need several gigabytes of free storage to work properly. Go to the Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage to see how much space is available. If you're below 5 GB free, delete or move some files before recording again.

If your audio isn't recording even though you selected a microphone, check your Mac's microphone settings. Go to System Preferences > Sound > Input and make sure your microphone is selected and the input level isn't muted. On newer Macs running macOS 13 or later, this is in System Settings > Sound instead. If you're recording a video call, the other person's audio usually won't be captured — only sound from your Mac's microphone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record just one window instead of the whole screen?

Yes. Press Shift + Command + 5, click the fourth icon (record selected window), then click the window you want to record. Only that window appears in the video, even if you move other windows around or switch apps.

What format does the video save in?

The Screenshot app saves as .mov files, which play in QuickTime, most web browsers, and video editing software. If you need a different format like .mp4, you'll need to convert it using QuickTime Player's Export function or a tool like HandBrake.

Can I edit the video after I record it?

Yes. iMovie (included with most Macs) can trim, cut, and add titles to screen recordings. Open your .mov file in iMovie, make your edits, then export it. For more advanced editing, Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere work with screen recordings but cost money.

Why is my recording so choppy or laggy?

This usually happens if your Mac is running other demanding programs while recording. Close unnecessary apps and browser tabs before you start. If your Mac is old or has limited memory, screen recording may slow it down — check Activity Monitor (Applications > Utilities) to see what's using the most resources.

Can I record audio from another app, like Spotify or a video call?

The built-in tools only capture your microphone's audio, not audio playing through your speakers. To record system audio alongside your microphone, you'll need a third-party tool like Soundflower (free, but no longer updated) or Loopback (paid). Many people use these for recording music or podcast interviews.