Guide

How to screen record on Mac with audio, including the Mac’s own sound

There are two kinds of sound in a screen recording: your voice, and what the Mac itself plays. Which tools can record the second depends on your version of macOS.

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In short

Press Shift-Command-5 and open Options. Choose a microphone for your voice. For the Mac’s own sound (internal or system audio), choose Include System Audio: it’s there on macOS 27 Golden Gate or later. On earlier versions there’s no built-in option, so you need an app that records system audio, such as ScreenRecordii, which also keeps your voice and the Mac’s sound on separate tracks so you can balance them afterwards.

Built in: your voice, and on macOS 27 the Mac’s sound

  1. Press Shift-Command-5

    The Screenshot toolbar opens.

  2. Options › a microphone

    Pick your built-in microphone, a headset or an external mic.

  3. Options › Include System Audio

    On macOS 27 Golden Gate or later. On earlier versions this option isn’t there.

  4. Record

    Test with a few seconds first, and play it back with headphones.

Before macOS 27, or on separate tracks: with an app

If you’re recording a video playing, an app’s sounds or a call, a microphone picks it up badly or not at all, especially with headphones on. An app that records system audio captures it directly, on any macOS it supports. ScreenRecordii does on macOS 14 or later, and keeps it separate from your voice:

  1. Turn on system audio

    In the recording bar, choose to include the Mac’s sound. macOS asks for screen recording permission the first time.

  2. Pick a microphone too, if you like

    Your voice and the Mac’s sound go on separate tracks.

  3. Balance them afterwards

    Set each track’s volume, clean up your voice, or mute the system audio for part of the video.

Questions

Why is there no sound in my Mac screen recording?

Usually because no microphone was chosen in Options. For a video or app playing on screen, choose Include System Audio (macOS 27 or later), or use an app that records system audio.

How do I record internal audio on a Mac?

On macOS 27 Golden Gate or later, choose Include System Audio in the Screenshot toolbar’s Options. On earlier versions, use an app that records system audio, such as ScreenRecordii.

Can I record my voice and the Mac’s sound separately?

With ScreenRecordii, yes: each is its own track, with its own volume.

Keep reading

Hit record.

ScreenRecordii is in early access for macOS 14 and later.

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