Need To Record Your Screen On Mac? Here
Are 5 Ways To Do It
Perhaps recording your screen on a Mac is what you are looking for now: making a lesson, filming a webinar, explaining to coworkers how something works, or demonstrating games to a customer. Different tools for recording screens are built in macOS itself, but you can also use some other solutions. In today’s article, we look at five screen recording techniques, which can be used to suit different needs.
Using the Built-In Screen Recording Feature in macOS
MacOS has offered a built-in screen recording tool since Mojave, making this the easiest and most accessible method for users. To start recording, simply follow these steps:
- Press Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard.
- A toolbar will open that allows you to record the entire screen or a selected area.
- Select the desired recording mode and click the record button.
Since it doesn’t require any additional programs, this one is great for recording your screen quickly. After the recording is complete, the video is stored in the .MOV format that can play in most media players. But the built-in tool doesn’t have advanced features such as editing and adding effects.
Recording With QuickTime Player
QuickTime Player is a standard macOS media player that, in addition to playing videos, allows you to record your screen. This is a convenient option for those who do not want to download third-party programs. To record your screen with QuickTime:
- Launch QuickTime Player (it’s already installed on all Macs).
- In the top menu, select File > New Screen Recording.
- A recording window will appear where you can select an audio source and screen area.
QuickTime is ideal for basic tasks where you need to record your screen and audio, but the editing options are limited. For more complex projects or adding effects, it’s better to use dedicated screen recording software that offers more features.
Recording With a Desktop Program
For those who need more advanced features, such as editing, adding annotations, or overlaying text, there are desktop screen recording programs. These programs are usually paid, but offer a wide range of features that will help you create a professional video.
Desktop screen recorder Mac such as one from Movavi or OBS allows you to record your screen, audio, and camera, as well as process the video by adding effects and text. The programs offer flexible settings for the quality and duration of the recording. However, due to the large number of functions, they may require some time to master, and the license price ranges from $30 to $200, which is worth considering when choosing.
This screen recording software is especially useful for professionals who create high-quality training and demonstration videos.
Recording With an Online Service
If you do not want to install additional software, there are also online services that will let you record your screen from your browser without installing anything. Loom or Apowersoft Online Screen Recorder has a simple interface and are for short recording and quick demo.
To use an online screen recording service:
- Go to the service’s website and give your browser permission to record the screen and sound.
- Select the recording mode – the entire screen or part of it.
- Start recording and when finished, save the video to your computer or upload it to cloud storage.
Online services are often limited in functionality, for example, videos can only be recorded for a certain time or in low quality. However, for one-time tasks or small video tutorials, this is a good and fast way.
Record With an Open-Source Service
Open-source screen recording software like ShareX is great for those who want advanced features and flexibility for free. ShareX is a free software available on Windows and macOS that is ideal for capturing your screen and automatically processing it.
ShareX is a little more difficult to master for beginners, but it opens up a wide range of possibilities for creating quality content. This screen recording software is especially popular among users who want powerful tools for creating training or demonstration videos without having to pay for a subscription.
Final Word
Choosing the right method depends on your needs and preferences: built-in macOS and QuickTime features are suitable for basic recordings, while desktop and open-source programs provide more complex recording and editing features. Online services can be a good choice for quick recordings when additional software is not required.