How To Screen Record On Mac
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on “How to Screen Record on Mac”. Are you new to screen recording on Mac? Or are you a seasoned user looking for advanced tips? Either way, this guide is for you. We’ll explore everything from basic steps to advanced tricks. Plus, we’ll tackle common issues and their solutions. Let’s get started on this exciting journey!
How To Screen Record On Mac
Image credit: Apple
1. Using the Screenshot Toolbar
Do you want to record your screen on Mac? If yes, this guide is for you. We will explain the steps. You will use the Screenshot toolbar. It’s simple and easy. Let’s start!
Step 1: Open the Screenshot Toolbar
First things first. Open the Screenshot toolbar.
How do you do it? Press the Shift, Command, and 5 keys together. Once done, a toolbar appears. It shows onscreen controls. These controls help you record the screen. Also, you can capture still images.
Step 2: Set Your Screen Recording Options
Now, let’s set your options. The toolbar has several options. They are at the bottom of your screen2. What do they do? They help you customize the recording. For instance, you can record your whole screen. Or, just a portion of it. You decide.
To record the entire screen, click “Record Entire Screen”. To record part of the screen, click “Record Selected Portion”. Then, resize the dotted shape. Drag it to where you want it to go. Before you start recording, check “Options”. You can pick a spot to save your recording. Also, you can select handy features. For example, you can use a Timer. It gives you 5 or 10 seconds to prepare before recording starts.
Want to include audio? Select “Built-in Microphone”. This is useful for explaining what you’re recording.
Need to show your steps on the screen? Use the “Show Mouse Clicks” option. When you enable this, each click of your mouse shows as a circle.
Changed your mind about recording? No problem. Close the Screenshot app. Simply click the “X” on the toolbar or press your Escape key.
Step 3: Record Your Screen
You’ve set your options. Now, it’s time to record. Hit the “Record” button on the toolbar. If you turned on the timer, you’ll see how much time you have left to get ready.
While recording, a Stop button appears in your menu bar. Click that button to stop recording.
Step 4: Locate and Open the Recording
After recording, find the video. Head to the location you chose to save the recording. Open the recording using the built-in Preview program. Or, use your favorite video editing application.
Image credit: applesfera
2. Using QuickTime Player
This tool is another gem for screen recording on Mac. It’s simple and user-friendly. Let’s dive in!
Step 1: Open QuickTime Player
Firstly, locate QuickTime Player. You’ll find it in your Applications folder. Open it. Next, choose ‘File’. Then, select ‘New Screen Recording’ from the menu bar. This opens a window. It’s here where you can adjust settings. You can also start and stop your recording.
Step 2: Set Up Your Recording Settings
Before you start, check your settings. See the arrow next to the Record button? Click it. This is where you change settings. What can you do here? A lot!
Want to record your voice or other audio? Choose a microphone. To monitor that audio during recording, adjust the volume slider. If you get audio feedback, lower the volume. Or use headphones with a microphone.
Want to highlight your clicks? Choose ‘Show Mouse Clicks in Recording’. A black circle will show around your pointer when you click.
Step 3: Start Your Screen Recording
Now, you’re ready to start recording. Click the Record button. Then, do one of these actions:
- Click anywhere on the screen to record the entire screen.
- Or, drag to select an area to record. Then, click ‘Start Recording’ within that area.
Step 4: Stop Your Recording
Done with your recording? Click the Stop button. You’ll find it in the menu bar. Or, press Command-Control-Esc (Escape).
Step 5: Play, Edit, or Share Your Recording
After you stop recording, something cool happens. QuickTime Player automatically opens the recording. From here, you can play, edit, or share it.
In conclusion, QuickTime Player is a great tool. It offers a different way to record your screen on Mac. The process is straightforward. With a bit of practice, you’ll be a pro!
Advanced Tips and Tricks To Screen Record On Mac
Screen recording on Mac can be simple. Yet, you might want to take it to the next level. Here are some advanced tips and tricks to help you. Ready? Let’s dive in!
Tip 1: Add Voiceovers or Other Audio
First, let’s talk about audio. You can add voiceovers or other audio to your screen recordings. Just select the “Built-in Microphone” option before recording. It’s perfect for explaining what’s happening on the screen.
Tip 2: Show Mouse Clicks in the Recording
Next, make your clicks visible. This helps your viewers follow your actions. To do this, choose “Show Mouse Clicks in Recording”. Each click of your mouse will then show as a circle.
Tip 3: Use the Timer for Better Preparation
Preparation is key. Use the timer for this. After clicking “Record”, you can choose a 5 or 10-second timer. This gives you time to prepare your screen before recording begins.
Tip 4: Select the Best Area of the Screen for Recording
Think about what to record. You don’t have to record the entire screen. You can choose to record a selected portion. This is useful if you want to focus on a specific area.
Tip 5: Remember, Practice Makes Perfect
Lastly, practice makes perfect. The more you practice, the better you’ll get. So, try different settings and options. With time, you’ll master screen recording on Mac.
Common Issues with Screen Recording on Mac
Screen recording on Mac is smooth. Yet, you might face some hiccups. Here are solutions to common issues. Let’s get started!
Issue 1: Can’t Record Certain Windows
Firstly, why does this happen? Some apps might not let you record their windows. This is due to Apple’s strict privacy policies. They protect user data from unauthorized access.
So, how can you record these windows? There’s a workaround. Instead of recording a specific window, record the entire screen. Then, during editing, crop the video to focus on the desired window. Remember, while this method works, it has a limitation. It can record sensitive information on your screen. So, always ensure to edit out any sensitive data.
Issue 2: Recover an unsaved screen recording
When a screen recording isn’t saved, it might seem lost. But it could still be on your Mac. Here’s where you can look.
- Firstly, check your temporary files. Your unsaved recording might be there. Go to Finder, then press “Go to Folder”. Type in “/private/var/folders” and hit enter. Here, search for your recording.
- Next, try Time Machine. It’s a built-in backup feature on Mac. If you’ve set it up, it might have backed up your recording. Open Time Machine, then navigate to the date and time of the recording. If it’s there, restore it.
- Still can’t find it? Don’t lose hope. You can use a file recovery tool. These tools can recover lost files. Examples include Disk Drill and EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. Remember, always check the tool’s safety and privacy policy first.
In conclusion, losing an unsaved screen recording on Mac can be stressful. But with these steps, you can recover it. So, don’t worry. Your recording might not be lost after all!
Issue 3: Can’t find my screen recording on Mac
When you record your screen on Mac, the video saves automatically. By default, it goes to your desktop. The name? It’s “Screen Recording” followed by the date and time.
But what if it’s not on your desktop? There could be a few reasons. Perhaps you chose a different save location. Or, maybe you moved the file later. Here’s how to track down your recording. First, check your desktop. Look carefully. Sometimes, the file might blend with your desktop background.
Still can’t find it? Try the Spotlight search. Click the magnifying glass icon on the top right of your screen. Or press Command + Space. Then, type “Screen Recording”. This should locate your file.
If this doesn’t work, check your trash. Maybe you accidentally deleted the file. If it’s there, restore it. Can’t find it in the trash? Don’t panic. You can use a file recovery tool. Tools like Disk Drill can recover deleted files.
Remember, when you record your screen next time, note the save location. This will save you from panic later.
Issue 4: Can’t Screen Record with Audio
The Mac’s built-in tools are powerful. Yet, they have certain limitations. One of these is recording system audio. By default, Mac’s tools only record audio through the built-in microphone. They can’t capture audio output directly from the system.
Why is this so? Apple has strict privacy and security protocols. They protect unauthorized access to audio data. This includes system audio. So, Mac’s built-in tools don’t record system audio.
But don’t worry. There’s a workaround. Third-party applications can help. These apps capture system audio during screen recording. Examples include Soundflower and Loopback. They create a virtual audio device. This device can capture system audio.
Before using these apps, remember one thing. Always review the privacy policy. Also, ensure they are safe to use. Your security should always come first.
Issue 5: Is Screen Recording Time Unlimited on Mac
Is screen recording time unlimited on Mac? Yes, it is. Mac’s built-in screen recording tools don’t impose a time limit. This means you can record as long as you need. But remember, longer recordings use more storage space. So, check your available storage before starting. You don’t want to run out of space mid-recording. Also, keep in mind that longer recordings might take more time to process. So, patience is key when dealing with lengthy recordings.
Issue 5: Screen Recording Glitching
Screen recording might glitch due to several reasons. Maybe your Mac is running low on storage. Or, your system could be overloaded with processes.
So, how to fix glitching screen recording on Mac? Start with checking your storage. If it’s low, clear up some space. You can delete unwanted files or move them to external storage. Next, close unnecessary apps. Reduce the load on your system. This can make screen recording smoother. Another solution is to update your Mac. Sometimes, glitches are due to software issues. An update might fix these.
Conclusion
To wrap up, we’ve journeyed through the world of screen recording on Mac. We’ve covered the basics, delved into advanced tips, and solved common issues. With this guide, you should now feel confident to screen record on Mac. Remember, practice makes perfect. So, go ahead, start recording, and explore the full potential of your Mac. Happy recording!
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