How to screen record on Mac (2026)

Yes — you can screen record on Mac with built-in tools (Screenshot, QuickTime) or with Showesome in Chrome for tab audio, webcam overlay, and local MP4 export. Native Mac capture is fastest for silent screen clips; Chrome is better when you need browser tab sound, narration, or tutorial features without virtual audio drivers.

This guide covers all three paths, why QuickTime often has no audio, and when to switch to Chrome.

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Built-in Mac tools vs Showesome in Chrome

	Screenshot / QuickTime	Showesome (Chrome on Mac)
Install	Already on macOS	Chrome Web Store — free
Fastest path	Shift + Command + 5 or QuickTime New Screen Recording	Pin extension → Start Recording
System / tab audio	Not by default — video-only unless you add virtual audio routing	Also share tab audio in Chrome’s share dialog (guide)
Webcam bubble	QuickTime New Movie Recording only (separate from screen)	Screen + Camera in one clip
Click-to-zoom tutorials	No	Focus Mode
Export	.mov to Desktop / chosen folder	Local in Chrome → preview → Convert to MP4
Watermark	None on Apple tools	No watermark on Showesome
Best for	Bug clips, silent demos, offline screen capture	Lessons, async updates, tab tutorials with sound

For a wider Chrome comparison, see best free Chrome screen recorders (2026).

Record with macOS Screenshot (fastest)

When you only need a short, silent capture:

1. Press Shift + Command + 5 — the Screenshot toolbar appears.
2. Choose Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion.
3. Click Record → do your demo → click Stop in the menu bar.
4. The clip saves to Desktop (or your configured location) as .mov.

Limitations: No built-in tab audio or meeting sound from other apps. Add voiceover in a separate tool, or use Chrome tab recording below.

Record with QuickTime Player

QuickTime is the classic Mac screen recorder:

1. Open QuickTime Player (Applications or Spotlight).
2. Choose File → New Screen Recording.
3. Click the Record button → select entire screen or drag a region.
4. Click Stop in the menu bar when finished.

Why QuickTime has no audio (most common Mac complaint)

QuickTime screen recordings do not capture system audio or Chrome tab sound by default — only the video (and optionally microphone narration if you enable the mic dropdown on the record control).

What you expected	What QuickTime actually records
YouTube / tab sound in the browser	Not included in screen recording
Zoom / Meet audio from another app	Not included by default
Your voice while narrating	Yes — if you pick a mic on the record control before you start

Fixes if you need sound:

1. Web tutorials: Record the Chrome tab with Showesome and enable Also share tab audio — tab audio guide.
2. Advanced Mac routing: Virtual audio drivers (for example BlackHole) — more setup; overkill for most Chrome tutorials.
3. Silent clip was intentional: Export from QuickTime, add voiceover in an editor.

Full audio troubleshooting: Screen recording has no sound?.

Record with Showesome in Chrome on Mac

For tab audio + mic + webcam in one workflow:

1. Install and pin Showesome

1. Open Showesome in the Chrome Web Store.
2. Click Add to Chrome → Add extension.
3. Pin Showesome from the Extensions puzzle piece.

Details: Enable and pin the extension.

2. Allow macOS privacy permissions for Chrome

Showesome runs inside Google Chrome. macOS must allow Chrome to capture screen, camera, and mic:

1. System Settings → Privacy & Security.
2. Enable Google Chrome under Screen Recording, Camera, and Microphone (as needed).
3. Quit Chrome completely (Cmd + Q), reopen, and record a 10-second test clip.

Full permission symptom table: Chrome won't let me record — fix permissions.

3. Start recording with tab audio

1. Open Showesome → pick Screen Only or Screen + Camera.
2. Select your Microphone if you are narrating.
3. Click Start Recording.
4. In Chrome’s share dialog, choose Chrome tab (or window / screen).
5. Turn on Also share tab audio when the tab plays sound.
6. Click Share → Stop when done → Convert to MP4 from Recordings History.

Same flow as desktop Chrome — How to record your screen on Chrome (2026).

Common Mac workflows

Goal	Suggested approach
Silent bug report clip	Shift + Command + 5 — fastest
Screen + your voice only	QuickTime with mic on, or Showesome Screen Only + mic
YouTube / web app with sound	Showesome + Chrome tab + tab audio
Google Slides lesson	Showesome Screen + Camera + Focus Mode
Meet / Zoom you host in a tab	Tab recording + tab audio — Meet/Zoom guide
Polished tutorial, no OBS	Showesome + webcam bubble

Mac troubleshooting

Problem	What to try
QuickTime video has no sound	Expected for screen capture — use tab audio in Chrome or mic-only narration (above)
Chrome share dialog missing	Screen Recording for Chrome in System Settings — permissions guide
Black camera bubble	Camera permission for Chrome + correct device in popup
Tab sound missing in Chrome clip	Also share tab audio in share dialog — no sound guide
Recording stutters on older Mac	Close heavy apps; lower quality preset — 4K & presets

Do I need OBS on Mac?

Usually no for standard web tutorials. OBS vs Chrome screen recorder — OBS wins for live streaming and multi-scene production; a Chrome extension matches how most Mac users already work in the browser.

Can I use Safari instead of Chrome?

Showesome is a Chrome extension — it does not run in Safari. Safari has its own screen capture limits. For Showesome’s feature set (Focus Mode, VB, local library), use Google Chrome on Mac.

Does Showesome work on MacBook Air and Apple Silicon?

Yes. Any Mac that runs current Google Chrome can use Showesome the same way as on Windows — permissions and share dialog are the only Mac-specific steps.

Related reading

• How to screen record on Windows 11 — Game Bar vs Chrome on Windows.
• Screen recording has no sound? — mic vs tab vs system audio on Mac and Windows.
• Chrome permissions fix guide — Screen Recording, camera, mic blocked.
• Record screen + webcam in Chrome — picture-in-picture bubble.
• How to record your screen on Chrome (2026) — full first-recording walkthrough.
• Getting Started — interactive install tour.
• Support — FAQs and troubleshooting.

Quick checklist

1. Silent clip? Shift + Command + 5 or QuickTime — fastest.
2. Need tab or web sound? Showesome in Chrome + Also share tab audio.
3. Permissions — allow Google Chrome under Screen Recording, Camera, Microphone.
4. QuickTime no audio? Normal for screen capture — switch to Chrome tab recording or add mic only.
5. Export — QuickTime .mov or Showesome MP4 from preview.