How to record the screen on your Mac

You can use Screenshot or QuickTime player to make a video recording of the entire screen or just a selected portion of it.

Use the Screenshot toolbar

Shift, Command, and 5 keys

To view the Screenshot toolbar, press these three keys together: Shift, Command, and 5. You will see onscreen controls for recording the entire screen, recording a selected portion of the screen, or capturing a still image of your screen:

macOS desktop with screenshot toolbar shown


Use QuickTime Player

  1. Open QuickTime Player from your Applications folder, then choose File > New Screen Recording from the menu bar. 
  2. Before starting your recording, you can click the arrow next to the Record button  to change the recording settings:
    QuickTime screen recording settings
    • To record your voice or other audio with the screen recording, choose a microphone. To monitor that audio during recording, adjust the volume slider. If you get audio feedback, lower the volume or use headphones with a microphone.
    • To show a black circle around your pointer when you click, choose Show Mouse Clicks in Recording.
  3. To start recording, click the Record button  and then take one of these actions:
    • Click anywhere on the screen to begin recording the entire screen.
    • Or drag to select an area to record, then click Start Recording within that area.
  4. To stop recording, click the Stop button  in the menu bar, or press Command-Control-Esc (Escape).
  5. After you stop recording, QuickTime Player automatically opens the recording. You can now play, edit, or share the recording.


Learn more

  • The Screenshot toolbar is available in macOS Mojave or later.
  • When saving your recording automatically, your Mac uses the name ”Screen Recording date at time.mov”.
  • To cancel making a recording, press the Esc key before clicking to record.
  • You can open screen recordings with QuickTime Player, iMovie, and other apps that can edit or view videos.
  • Some apps might not let you record their windows.
  • Learn how to record the screen on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
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