Guide
QuickTime screen recording: how it works and what it can’t do
On current macOS, QuickTime Player’s screen recording hands off to the same toolbar as Shift-Command-5. It’s still handy for trimming afterwards.
In short
In QuickTime Player, choose File › New Screen Recording. On current macOS this opens the Screenshot toolbar, the same as Shift-Command-5. Choose a microphone in Options to record your voice, and on macOS 27 or later, Include System Audio for the Mac’s sound. It can’t add a camera or zoom; QuickTime can trim, split clips and export at a lower resolution.
What QuickTime does well
Trim
Edit › Trim, then drag the yellow handles to cut the start and end.
Split and rearrange
View › Show Clips, then split and drag clips into order.
Export smaller
File › Export As to save at a lower resolution, still as MOV.
Free and already there
Every Mac has it, with nothing to install.
What it can’t do
| QuickTime | ScreenRecordii | |
|---|---|---|
| The Mac’s own sound | macOS 27 or later | macOS 14 or later, on its own track |
| Camera with the screen | No | Yes |
| Zooms | No | Automatic on clicks |
| Cursor effects | Show clicks only | Smoothing, size, ripples, hide when idle |
| Captions | No | From your voice, on-device |
| MP4 or GIF | No, MOV | Yes |
Questions
Can QuickTime record screen and audio?
It records your microphone, chosen in Options. On macOS 27 or later, the Screenshot toolbar it opens can include system audio too.
Can QuickTime save as MP4?
Not directly; it saves MOV. See how to convert MOV to MP4 on Mac.
Keep reading
- How to screen record on MacThree ways to record your screen on a Mac, and which to use when.
- Screen record on Mac with audioRecord your voice and the Mac’s own sound with your screen.
- Convert MOV to MP4Turn a Mac screen recording (MOV) into an MP4 that plays and uploads anywhere.
- Edit a screen recordingTrim, crop, cut, zoom and add captions to a screen recording on a Mac.
- Mac screen recorderRecord a display, window or area with camera and sound, already zoomed, smoothed and framed.
Hit record.
ScreenRecordii is in early access for macOS 14 and later.