Whether you want to save a video of what's currently playing on your screen or part of a website to share with someone, recording your Mac screen can be useful because Apple provides a built-in screen recording feature known as Screenshot for all Mac devices. With the help of this Screenshot app, you can easily save any video or audio, or whatever happens on your Mac screen. Of course, if you have macOS Mojave or an updated version, you can use this feature.
Haven't you updated your operating system or have an older Mac? Don't worry because you can still record your Mac screen with QuickTime.
How to Record Your Mac Screen with a Screenshot App
You can quickly launch Screenshots if you have an updated Mojave, Catalina, or MacOS. Follow these steps:
1. Press command + shift + 5 on your keyboard simultaneously to open Screenshot. At the bottom of your Mac screen, you'll see the Screenshot control bar. There you will get the option to capture a still screenshot or to record a video.
2. Select whether you want to Record Selected Portions or Record Entire Portions. If you select Record Selected Portion, a dialog box will appear on your screen, allowing you to drag and resize the recording window.
3. Tap Options to check other available preferences. For example, you can set a countdown timer, choose which microphone to use, and decide where to save the screenshot.
4. Click the Record button after selecting the options you want, or if you are recording full screen, you can simply click anywhere on the screen to start recording. For example, if you have chosen to set a timer, you will see a countdown timer sign until recording starts. Otherwise, recording will start automatically.
5. To stop your recording, tap the Stop button on the top right side of the menu bar. You can also click command + control + ESC simultaneously to stop recording. Alternatively, click on command + shift + 5 from your keyboard and the screenshot bar will appear again with a Stop button. Or, if you have a Touch bar, you'll see a Stop button on the top left side.
6. After stopping the recording, you will see a thumbnail of the video you recorded on the bottom right side of your Mac screen. If you swipe the thumbnail to the right or do nothing, the recording will be automatically saved as a QuickTime or MOV movie in the location of your choice.
7. If you want to move the recorded video to another location, just drag the thumbnail to the folder you want. You can also insert the recorded video into a document or email.
8. Click Control button and press thumbnail to get more options. For example, you can change the location of the saved recording, open the recording in a specific application, or delete the recording.
How to Record Your Mac Screen with QuickTime Player
QuickTime Player is the ideal way to record your Mac's screen if you have an outdated version of macOS. Here are the steps you need to follow:
1. Open QuickTime Player
2. From the top menu, select File. Or you can right-click the QuickTime Player icon if it's in your Dock.
3. Select New Screen recording option
4. Then the Screen Recording window will appear.
5. Click the Arrow button next to the record button to get a drop-down menu list.
6. You can access options to display your mouse clicks and select which microphone to use to record audio from the list. You can also select the location where you want to save the video.
7. To record only part of your screen, drag the cursor to move or resize the recording window.
8. Click anywhere to record the entire screen.
9. Tap Start Recording from the middle of the window
10. Once you are ready to stop the recording, click the Stop button from the menu bar. You can also click command + control + ESC simultaneously to stop recording.
