To screen record on a Mac, press Shift + Command + 5, choose Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion, and click Record. Stop with the stop button in the menu bar, and the video is saved to your desktop. No extra app is needed on any MacBook.
Updated 30 October 2026.
Shift + Command + 5 recording
- Press Shift + Command + 5. A toolbar appears at the bottom of the screen.
- Pick one of the two video buttons:
- Record Entire Screen: click any screen to start.
- Record Selected Portion: drag the frame around the area, then click Record.
- To stop, click the stop button (a circle with a square) in the menu bar, or press Command + Control + Esc.
A thumbnail slides into the corner. Click it to trim or share, or ignore it and the file saves.
The same toolbar takes screenshots too; for those shortcuts see how to screenshot on a Mac.
QuickTime recording
Open QuickTime Player (in Applications) and choose File > New Screen Recording. On current versions of macOS this opens the same Shift + Command + 5 toolbar, so the steps are identical. The difference is that QuickTime opens the finished file so you can trim it (Edit > Trim) and save it where you like.
Recording audio
Open Options on the toolbar before you start:
- Microphone: choose the Mac’s built-in microphone (or a headset) to record your voice. Without this, the recording is silent.
- System sound (the Mac’s own audio): newer versions of macOS add Include System Audio to the Options menu. If you don’t see it, your Mac’s built-in recorder captures the microphone only, and recording sound from videos or calls needs a third-party tool. Updating macOS, if your Mac supports it, may add the option.
Record in a quiet room or use a headset mic; the built-in mic picks up fans, traffic and the matatu hooting outside.
Other useful Options: Show Mouse Clicks, and a 5- or 10-second timer so you can get ready.
Where the file saves
By default, recordings save to the Desktop as “Screen Recording [date] at [time].mov”.
- To change it, open Options > Save to and pick Documents, another folder, or Other Location.
- .mov files play on most devices. If a phone or website won’t take one, export from QuickTime (File > Export As).
- Screen recordings get large quickly. Record only the area you need, and move long videos off the laptop if storage is tight.
Using Windows instead? See how to screen record on a Windows laptop.
Quick answers
Press Shift + Command + 5, choose to record the whole screen or a part, and click Record. Click the stop button in the menu bar to finish.
In the toolbar’s Options, choose a microphone for your voice. For the Mac’s own sound, pick Include System Audio if your macOS version shows it; otherwise use a third-party recorder.
On the Desktop by default, as a .mov file named “Screen Recording” with the date and time. Change it under Options > Save to.
