How to Screen Record on Mac with Internal/External Audio for Free

The thing is, screen recording a video with audio or yourself presenting a presentation can be challenging, as the inbuilt screen recorder tool on Mac doesn’t natively support recording internal/system audio along with videos.

However, with the right tools, you can still do the trick. This page is a comprehensive guide on recording your screen on Mac with audio, using 4 useful methods, read on!

Record Screen Using QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player, pre-installed on all Macs, serves as a versatile tool for screen recording, offering an intuitive interface with basic recording features such as internal audio and voiceover.

QuickTime, using the Screenshot Toolbar, provides options for full-screen or partial captures and includes simple editing capabilities, making it suitable for both quick tasks and more polished presentations.

Step 1. Open QuickTime Player from your Applications folder.

Step 2. Click “File” in the menu bar at the top of the screen, and select “New Screen Recording” from the dropdown menu.

Step 3. You will see an onscreen control bar, choose to record the whole screen or a portion of the screen.

Step 5. For recording the selected portion, drag to define the recording area, and click “Start Recording.”

Step 6. To stop recording, click the “Stop” button in the menu bar or press Command + Control + Esc.

Record Screen Using Free Mac Screen Recorder

If you need advanced screen recording features, such as the flexible switch between internal & external sound, look no further than Record Go.

Record Go is a free-to-use screen recorder on Mac that allows you to record 4K quality videos in 60FPS, with system/microphone audio. Background noise is filtered out when choosing only system sound recording. This recorder is now freely available from the Apple App Store.

Step 1. Download Record Go from the Mac App Store and install it on your Mac.

Step 2. Launch Record Go on your device and choose a preferred recording mode: Screen, Area, Webcam, or Window.

Step 3. Click to open System Preference to allow microphone access when prompted.

Step 4. Define and confirm the recording area, and select the needed resolution, FPS, audio source, video source, and whether to record the click of your mouse.

Step 5. When ready, click the red REC to start recording.

Step 6. Click the stop sign on the upper menu bar or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+ Command + S to stop the recording.

Step 7. Record Go when then shows the Recording list for you go to the output file folder to check the recording.

Record Screen Using Chrome Browser Extension

Using a Chrome extension for screen recording is ideal for users who prioritize convenience and quick access.

They are perfect for those who frequently record web-based activities or tutorials and appreciate the simplicity of managing everything within the browser environment, often with one-click operation.

If you haven’t already, you should learn how to allow Chrome to screen-record on Mac.

Step 1. Open your Chrome browser and install Screencastify from the Chrome Web Store, which is a free and popular Chrome screen recorder.

Step 2. After installation, pin the Screencastify icon to your browser toolbar for easy access.

Step 3. Sign in to your Google account and allow Screencastify to connect to your Google Drive.

Step 4. Ensure your microphone and webcam are properly set up and permissions are granted for Screencastify to use them.

Step 5. Click the Screencastify icon next to the puzzle piece in your Chrome toolbar.

Step 6. Choose what you want to record: Browser Tab, Entire Desktop, or Webcam Only.

Step 7. Click the Record/Stop button to start and stop the recording.

Record Screen Using OBS Studio

OBS Studio stands out as a powerful, open-source option for screen recording and live streaming on Mac.

OBS provides high-quality recording and streaming capabilities as well as robust and flexible software capabilities, and it’s favored by users who need advanced features such as multi-source layering, real-time audio/video mixing, and custom transitions.

Step 1. Download and install OBS Studio from its official website.

Step 2. Launch OBS Studio and click ‘+’ in the ‘Sources’ box. Choose ‘Display Capture’ for full screen or ‘Window Capture’ for a specific window.

Step 3. Click ‘Settings’ > ‘Output’ to set the file path and video quality. Adjust the ‘Video’ tab settings for resolution and frame rate.

Step 4. In ‘Mixer’, add audio sources if needed. Then click ‘Start Recording’ and perform your screen actions. And click ‘Stop Recording’ when done.

FAQs

Can I record audio from my microphone while screen recording on a Mac?

Yes, both the Screenshot Toolbar and QuickTime Player allow you to include audio from your microphone during a screen recording.

How can I record a specific area of my screen instead of the full screen?

When using the Screenshot Toolbar or QuickTime Player, you can drag to select a portion of the screen that you want to record.

Are there keyboard shortcuts to start and stop screen recordings on a Mac?

Yes, pressing Command + Shift + 5 brings up the controls for screen recording, and you can use the onscreen buttons to start and stop recordings.

Can I edit my screen recording on a Mac without additional software?

QuickTime Player offers basic editing features such as trim, but for more advanced editing, you may need additional software like iMovie or a third-party app.

How do I save and locate my screen recordings on a Mac?

By default, screen recordings are saved to the desktop, but you can change the location in the options menu of the Screenshot Toolbar or in QuickTime Player before you start recording.

Can the system audio be recorded along with the screen recording on a Mac?

macOS does not natively support recording system audio during a screen recording. To capture system audio, you need third-party software like Soundflower or use OBS Studio, which can capture both microphone and system audio.