How to Screen Record on a Mac, Step-By-Step Guide with Images

Have you ever struggled to communicate a computer problem to tech support, demonstrate a sales presentation to remote clients, or tutor a family member on software usage without being there in person? Screen recording eliminates these pains by capturing precise on-screen activity as shareable video files.

We‘ll explore everything from quick gameplay captures to professional training modules. Follow along to unlock Mac‘s built-in tools and maximize third party recording potential.

Why Do Over 112 Million People Screen Record?

From live streaming Fortnite matches to fixing debugging issues, over 112 million users leverage screen recording monthly according to DataReportal. What unique value does capturing on-screen activity provide across industries and use cases?

Create Video Tutorials – Publish custom software guides that combine verbal explanations with exact menu walkthroughs. Great for training employees or application onboarding.

Record Gameplay – Capture highlight reel moments to share with friends or analyze gaming performance. Many popular YouTuber and Twitch personalities express themselves through video games.

Document Software Errors – Demonstrating bugs comes much clearer through showing not just describing. Relay urgent issues faster by recording exactly how workflows break.

Remote Sales Pitches – Display your software, product demo, data analysis, or more in situational presentations customized per prospect.

Monitor User Activity – Review actions taken for security policy enforcement, employee evaluations, workflow optimization, and training opportunities.

But perhaps most importantly, screen recordings bridge context gaps. Struggling to visualize an issue from verbal descriptions alone gives way to crystal clarity when actually observing the process first-hand.

Now let‘s navigate Mac‘s approach…

Mac Screen Recording Options Overview

While Windows only integrated screen recording functions recently, Mac users have enjoyed built-in tools for years. The catch? Capturing capability depends on your macOS version:

We‘ll break down both Screenshot Toolbar and QuickTime Player for macOS new and old. But advanced users may eventually graduate to paid third party apps unlocking customization like the pros.

Let‘s start where most modern Mac journey‘s begin – the Screenshot Toolbar.

Recording Screen on macOS Mojave or Newer

Meet Apple‘s best built-in screen recording option accessible here:

Command ⌘ + Shift ⇧ + 5

This handy shortcut unveils the Screenshot Toolbar loaded with capture flexibility:

See those tiny circles bottom right? They enable video recording! Let‘s break down each option:

The stop/start button initiates recording your full screen or selected area. The microphone toggles audio input from devices like built-in mics or external headsets. The camera adds picture-in-picture webcam footage.

But the star of the show is full on-screen capture:

Here‘s how to record any activity visible on your display:

Step 1: Launch Screenshot Toolbar

Press ⌘ + ⇧ + 5 or select the icon in your menu bar to pull up the Screenshot Toolbar.

Step 2: Select Screen Record Button

Click the dotted square icon to prepare recording all screen contents. The solid circle icon underneath activates video capture.

Step 3: Adjust Settings

Use the arrow icons to enable microphone, camera sources, mouse clicks, window outlines, timer delays and more.

Step 4: Click Record

Commence screen recording! Now anything viewable on the chosen display exports as video.

Step 5: Click Square Stop Button

Finished recording? The square in the menu bar stops capture. Find your new video on the desktop as an MOV file.

See the process in action:

Customizing Save Locations and Defaults

Expand the arrow beside the Screenshot Toolbar stop/start buttons to uncover options like default save spots, video formats, mouse pointers preferences and more all noted below:

Tweak away! Now for displaying smaller screen regions…

Recording Specific Sections

Sometimes focusing attention on an individual window instead of everything visible works best.

Good news! The Screenshot Toolbar supports partial snippet selections too:

Here‘s how:

1. Launch the Screenshot Toolbar
2. Click and drag your mouse over the desired area
3. Resize the selection box as needed
4. Click Record

Customize corner shapes from rectangles to circles and more for personalized highlight effects.

Having this much control baked into recent macOS releases makes third party workarounds almost unnecessary!

But those clinging to older operating systems still have options…

Recording Screen on Pre-Mojave macOS

Before Apple unified screen recording functions into the Snapshot Toolbar, we relied on good ol‘ Quicktime Player. See why professionals still dig this utility app despite its age:

While simplistic, QuickTime grants basic video screen capture capability to Mac users even on obsolete devices. Let‘s break the process down step-by-step:

Step 1: Open QuickTime Player

Spotlight Search for QuickTime Player or navigate through Finder > Applications to launch the longtime Apple media suite.

Step 2: Select File > New Screen Recording

Head to File > New Screen Recording in the Quicktime Menu bar to summon the screen recorder overlay sporting the ominous red record button.

Here select audio input devices before starting capture:

Pro Tip: Enabling microphone sound makes tutorials, presentations and video calls infinitely better!

Step 3: Click Record

With audio sources set, click the circular record button to commence screen recording. Activity displayed anywhere on your chosen monitor exports as video until manually stopped.

Step 4: Click Stop Button When Finished

Finished recording? The square Stop button in your menu bar concludes capture. Find the new video waiting on your Mac desktop as a MOV file.

Despite less flexibility, QuickTime screen recording operation remains simple enough for just about any user to grasp.

But for those seeking more advanced modifications, third party software steps in.

Going Pro with Third Party Screen Recorders

While built-in Mac tools provide convenient capture avenues, professional productions demand expanded tools like:

Let‘s analyze five popular advanced screen recording options for macOS upgrading control beyond QuickTime:

Let‘s unpack standout capabilities starting with YouTuber and Twitch streamer staple OBS:

This open source streaming platform doubles as a customizable screen recorder. Why does the community love OBS?

• Modular Plugins – Robust community extension library for niche needs
• Multi-Source Mixing – Arrange different media inputs like webcams, mobile devices and more
• Chroma Key Green Screens – Replace backgrounds with custom images or scenes
• Cross-Platform Support – Identical Windows/Mac/Linux recording capability
• Advanced Audio Controls – Individual channel editing, filters, noise suppression and limiting

Made OBS sound appealing? Get started downloading here from their official site.

For lower level lifts, the appropriately named ScreenFlow simplifies recording:

This first party macOS production boosts built-in signals Apple cares about screen capturing:

• Mouse Click Emphasis – Visual enhancement draws attention
• Basic Video Editor – Trim, combine, and export clips without third party software
• Record iOS Devices – Capture demo videos directly from connecting iPhones/iPads
• Screen Annotation – Draw, label, and embellish recordings after the fact
• GIF Export – Convert captures into compressed animated images to embed in documents

Their focus? Empowering training content creators with an end-to-end screen recording and editing workflow.

But for rapidly sharing unedited possibly spontaneous context, Loom reduces friction:

This webcam/screen recorder blend streamlines asynchronous communication via video messaging. Signatures include:

• Chrome Browser Extension – Instantly push record from any tab
• Collaboration Tools – Share private video access and see viewer analytics
• Drawing/Telestrator – Annotate while recording just like sports broadcasts

Loom removes excuses to connect conversations across distances through integrated video punctuation.

Next Snagit enters catering to enterprise teams:

Think automatic documentation, work instructions, training guides and more:

• Step Capture Mode – Follow click trails automatically
• Screen Recorder – Yes standard video captures too!
• Image Library – Reuse your own creative commons media
• Templates – Jump start projects from professionally designed starting points
• Batch Processing – Apply edits and effects rapidly across files

Finally Camtasia brings polish with compositing tools making anyone look like a video pro:

This premium editor pumps up productions via:

• Stock Media Library – Backdrops, icons, fonts, transitions, and more await
• Multi-Track Timelines – Arrange layers of footage and effects
• Animated Callouts – Encourage visual focus for key teachable moments
• Quizzes – Assess information retention with integrated tests
• Voice Detection – Audio waveform visualization guides editing cuts

With the right software anything imaginable records, edits, and exports with little more than motivation and mouse clicks!

Expert Recording Tips and Tricks

Equipped with app overview knowledge, let‘s drill down on ways to Recording Tips optimize workflow. Follow these best practices broken into three key phases:

Before Recording

• Close unnecessary desktop clutter
• Rehearse script and actions
• Adjust display scaling for capture
• Set recording area appropriately

Pro Tip: Many apps highlight mouse movements automatically helping guide audience attention!

During Recording

• Use natural pauses between complex steps
• Verbalize key details while demonstrating
• Toggle visualization effects like clicks
• Reset mistakes seamlessly staying calm

After Recording

• Review footage before distribution
• Trim unnecessary lead/lag buffers
• Apply annotations and visual callouts
• Export file appropriately for target use

Take advantage of multiple editing lap opportunities to gradually refine content. Recording is only step one!

Quick Recording Facts

Feel free to screenshot tips for safekeeping!

With guides formulated, let‘s address troubleshooting solutions.

Fixing Screen Capture Failures

Frustrated recordings fall short of expectations? Not to worry – common mishaps meet their match against these mac warrior tactics:

Choppy Low Frame Rate Footage

• Close unnecessary apps hogging GPU/CPU resources
• Adjust encoder settings to prioritize size/quality
• Upgrade outdated hardware if system can‘t keep pace

No Audio Capture In Video

• Confirm microphone permission and input device selections
• Use external USB interface if built-in input jack glitches
• Test mic functionality in another app like voice recordings

Can‘t Select Specific Screen Region

• Grant necessary accessibility clearances under System Preferences
• Display capture overlays require elevated authority to run
• Built-in tools need less security access than third parties

Grainy Low Resolution Recordings

• Boost video bitrate encoding settings until clarity improves
• But don‘t exceed hardware encoding capabilities
• Settings too high for hardware overwhelm available resources

Flickering Screen Capture

• Disable automatic sleep/screen saver functions before recording
• Activity triggering power state changes intermittently scramble feeds
• Time machine backups also briefly redirect GPU priorities

Contact Apple support forums or application developers for additional troubleshooting.

Now let‘s conclude with some key takeaways…

Let‘s Recap Screen Recording Essentials

1. Apple builds screen recording into modern macOS releases via the Screenshot Toolbar accessible by ⌘ + ⇧ + 5 but also supports legacy devices with QuickTime for basic captures.

   • Use QuickTime for older pre-Mojave era Macs
   • Leverage Screenshot Toolbar shortcut for newer devices

2. While built-in tools work, third party options like OBS, Loom, Camtasia and more unlock advanced customizations for professionals.

   • Consider freeware like Open Broadcaster Software first
   • Upgrade to premium software like ScreenFlow or Camtasia for polish

3. Optimization starts before recording via decluttering, practice runs, microphone checks and more.

   • Record a few test attempts without pressure
   • Get feedback from a colleague over areas needing clarity

4. Use recording overlays surgically by verbalizing details, toggling visualization effects like clicks, and using annotations.

   • Commentate specifically on critical small interface elements
   • Embellish footage after the fact by drawing attention
   • Export clips into GIFs when documentation needs arise

5. Don‘t shy away from editing lap opportunities to insert better takes.

   • Treat initial captures as frameworks for refinement
   • Leverage multi-track timeline interfaces many premium apps offer

Excited to start recording? Reach out below for personalized recommendations suiting your experience level and use case goals.