Guide
Where do screen recordings go on Mac?
To the desktop, unless you’ve changed it. Here’s how to check, change it, and find a recording that seems to have vanished.
In short
By default, macOS saves screen recordings to the desktop as MOV files named “Screen Recording” followed by the date and time. To change where they go, press Shift-Command-5, click Options, and choose a location under Save to.
Can’t find a recording?
Check Options › Save to
Press Shift-Command-5 and look at Options: the ticked location is where it went.
Search with Spotlight
Press Command-Space and type “Screen Recording”.
Look in Recents
In Finder, Recents lists recently made files, newest first.
Wait a few seconds
With the floating thumbnail on, the file is written once the thumbnail disappears.
In ScreenRecordii
Each recording is a project in your Movies folder, in ScreenRecordii Projects, with the original files kept untouched beside your edits. Exports go wherever you choose when you export, or to the clipboard.
Questions
What are Mac screen recordings called?
“Screen Recording” followed by the date and time, for example “Screen Recording 2026-11-07 at 4.02.10 PM.mov”.
Why is my desktop full of screen recordings?
That’s the default location. Choose a folder in Options › Save to, and move the old ones there.
Keep reading
- How to screen record on MacThree ways to record your screen on a Mac, and which to use when.
- Stop a screen recordingThe menu bar button, the keyboard shortcut, and what to do if it won’t stop.
- Convert MOV to MP4Turn a Mac screen recording (MOV) into an MP4 that plays and uploads anywhere.
- Screen recording shortcutShift-Command-5 and the other shortcuts for recording a Mac’s screen.
- 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.