How to Screen Record on MacBook with Audio (4 Methods)
Whether you're recording a Zoom call, making a tutorial, or capturing a demo, screen recording with audio on a Mac is easy. Choose the method that best fits your needs.
The key thing to understand upfront: macOS's built-in tools can only record your microphone by default. They cannot capture your Mac's system audio (often referred to as internal audio), such as sound from a video, a game, or other participants in a call, without extra setup. This guide covers both cases.
- Method 1: Record MacBook Screen with Audio via Screenshot Toolbar
- Method 2: Record MacBook Screen with Audio via QuickTime
- Method 3: Record MacBook Screen with System Audio via BlackHole
- Method 4: Record MacBook Screen with Audio via Third-Party Apps
- FAQs About How to Screen Record on MacBook with Audio
Quick Answer: Which Method Should You Use?
| You want to record... | Best method |
|---|---|
| Your screen + your voice | Method 1 or 2 (built-in tools) |
| Your screen + sound from your Mac | Method 3 or 4 |
| Your screen + Mac sound + your voice | Method 3 or 4 |
| Your screen + audio + yourself on camera | Method 4 + an external webcam |
Method 1: Record MacBook Screen with Audio via Screenshot Toolbar
This is the fastest built-in option on macOS Mojave and later. No downloads required.
Step 1: Press Cmd + Shift + 5 to open the Screenshot Toolbar.
Step 2: Click Options in the toolbar.
Step 3: Under Microphone, select your input device if you want to record your voice.
Step 4: Choose Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion.
Step 5: Click Record to start.
Step 6: To stop, click the Stop icon in the menu bar, or press Cmd + Ctrl + Esc.
Step 7: Your recording is saved to the location you set (Desktop by default), and a thumbnail appears briefly for quick trimming/sharing.
Limitation: This only captures microphone audio — not sound playing through your speakers.
Method 2: Record MacBook Screen with Audio via QuickTime
QuickTime works almost identically to the Screenshot Toolbar, but it can be useful if you already use QuickTime for playback or want to keep your recording workflow in one app.
Step 1: Open QuickTime Player.
Step 2: Go to File → New Screen Recording.
Step 3: Click the small arrow (▼) next to the record button.
Step 4: Select a microphone under the audio options if you want to record your voice.
Step 5: Choose to record the full screen or a selected area, then click Record.
Step 6: Stop the recording via the menu bar icon or Cmd + Ctrl + Esc.
Limitation: Same as Method 1 — no system audio without extra setup.
Method 3: Record MacBook Screen with System Audio via BlackHole
If you need to capture sound from your Mac (a video playing, game audio, or a call), you'll need a virtual audio driver. BlackHole is a free, open-source option for capturing system audio.
Setup (one-time)
Step 1: Download and install BlackHole — search "BlackHole 2ch download" or find it on GitHub (Existential Audio) to get the official, current release.
Step 2: Open Audio MIDI Setup (search via Spotlight).
Step 3: Click the + button in the bottom left → Create Multi-Output Device.
Step 4: Check both your regular output (e.g., "MacBook Pro Speakers") and BlackHole 2ch. This lets you hear audio while it's also being routed to the recorder.
Step 5: (Optional, for system + mic together) If you also want to record your voice, create an Aggregate Device combining BlackHole and your microphone. This merges both sources into one input.
Recording
Step 1: Go to System Settings → Sound → Output, and select the Multi-Output Device you created (or just BlackHole if you don't need to hear it live).
Step 2: Open Cmd + Shift + 5 or QuickTime Player as in Methods 1–2.
Step 3: In the microphone/audio input dropdown, select BlackHole (system audio only) or your Aggregate Device (system audio + mic).
Step 4: Click Record to start recording.
Step 5: Remember to switch your audio output back to your speakers afterward, or you won't hear any sound until you do.
This method is free but takes a few extra steps to configure the first time.
Method 4: Record MacBook Screen with Audio via Third-Party Apps
If you'd rather skip the audio routing setup, dedicated screen recorders often capture both system audio and microphone out of the box, plus offer editing, annotations, or cloud sharing. A few widely used options:
- OBS Studio — best for free screen recording and streaming, with powerful audio controls.
- ScreenFlow — best for recording and editing tutorials on Mac.
- Loom — best for quick recordings that you can easily share via a link.
These trade a bit of setup complexity for convenience — worth it if you record often or need editing features afterward.
Bonus: Record Your Screen and Yourself with OBSBOT Tiny 3 Lite 4K PTZ Webcam
If you want to record your MacBook screen, audio, and yourself on camera at the same time, OBSBOT Tiny 3 Lite adds a more professional look to your setup. Its 4K imaging, AI tracking, and advanced audio features help you stay clearly visible and audible while recording tutorials, presentations, demos, and other content.
Key Features:
- Stay in Frame with AI Tracking: AI Tracking 2.0 keeps you centered as you move, so you can explain or demonstrate content naturally without constantly adjusting the camera.
- Capture Sharp 4K Video: The 1/2-inch stacked CMOS sensor supports 4K at 30fps, delivering detailed images with HDR and improved low-light performance for clearer on-camera recordings.
- Follow Your Voice: Voice Tracking uses spatial audio positioning to detect where you're speaking from and automatically turns the camera toward you, making hands-free recording easier.
- Clear Audio with Intelligent Pickup: The built-in omnidirectional and directional microphones help capture your voice clearly while reducing unwanted background noise.
FAQs About How to Screen Record on MacBook with Audio
1. Do screen recorders on Mac have audio included?
Yes, but it depends on the recording method. Mac's built-in Screenshot Toolbar and QuickTime Player can record microphone audio, while capturing system audio requires additional setup such as BlackHole or a third-party screen recorder.
2. Why can't I screen record with sound on Mac?
If you're using the built-in Screenshot Toolbar or QuickTime Player, they can capture microphone audio but not your Mac's system audio by default. To record sound from videos, games, or other apps, you'll need an audio-routing tool such as BlackHole or a third-party screen recorder.
3. How do I enable sound while screen recording?
For your voice, open the Screenshot Toolbar or QuickTime's screen recording options and select your microphone. To record system audio, set up BlackHole or use a third-party screen recorder that supports system audio capture.
4. Does screen recording record audio if the volume is down?
Yes. Lowering your Mac's volume does not necessarily prevent system audio from being captured. However, if you mute or disable the audio output entirely, the recording behavior can vary depending on the recording method. When using BlackHole, make sure your audio is routed correctly before recording.
5. How to screen record on MacBook with internal audio?
To screen record on MacBook with internal audio, you need to route your Mac's system audio to the screen recorder using a tool such as BlackHole, or use a third-party screen recorder that supports system audio capture.
6. Where do my recordings get saved?
By default, Cmd+Shift+5 and QuickTime save to the Desktop. You can change this in the Screenshot Toolbar's Options menu.
Conclusion
Learning how to screen record on MacBook with audio is straightforward once you choose the right method. For a quick recording with your voice, the built-in Screenshot Toolbar or QuickTime Player is usually enough. If you need to capture system audio, BlackHole provides a free solution, while third-party screen recorders offer a simpler setup with additional features. Choose the method that best fits what you want to record, and you can start creating clear screen recordings with audio on your MacBook.
