Record Your Screen on Mac

Build it step by step

1. 01

   Prepare the screen you want to show

   Open the app or document you will demonstrate. Close unrelated windows, hide private tabs and review notification settings. For a tutorial, make text large enough to read in the final video. Decide whether viewers need the entire display or only the working area.

2. 02

   Choose the recording area

   Press Shift + Command + 5 and select a video-recording control, not a still screenshot. Use Record Selected Portion for a focused area and drag its edges to fit. Entire Screen captures more context; selected-window recording is also available on macOS Tahoe 26 or later.

3. 03

   Choose audio and a destination

   In Options, select a Save to location and the microphone you want for commentary, or None for a silent recording. The microphone setting does not by itself capture clean internal app audio. Use an app with system-audio capture, such as a compatible OBS setup, if that is essential. A timer gives you a moment to prepare.

4. 04

   Make a short test, then record

   Click Record and demonstrate a few actions. Stop from the menu bar or with Command + Control + Escape. Open the result and check the frame and voice before repeating for the full demonstration. Move the pointer deliberately and leave a brief pause between actions so viewers can follow.

5. 05

   Trim and name the finished clip

   Open the saved recording in QuickTime Player and choose Edit → Trim. Drag the trim handles to remove setup and stopping time, preview, then apply the trim. Save a clearly named copy in your project folder. Watch the result and check the first and last actions were not cut off.