If you've upgraded to macOS Mojave, you can use Shift-Command (⌘)-5 to take all types of screenshots, or make video recordings of your screen. Other keyboard shortcuts, such as Shift-Command-3 and Shift-Command-4, continue to work in all versions of macOS.
From “Finder” on your Mac, go to “Applications.” Once in “Applications,” scroll to select “QuickTime Player.” Select “File,” and then “New Screen Recording.” In the screen recording box, click the drop-down menu. From the drop-down box, select the features you want to use for your screen recording. Screen Record - Screen Recorder. You can find this basic Mac screen recorder in the Mac App store. With a low cost (under $5.00 at the time of writing) and relatively high ratings, it's worth a look if your screen recording or screen capture needs are simple. 6 Free Screen Recorders for Mac OSX QuickTime Player. You may or may not know that Mac’s built-in QuickTime Player can do screen. You’re able to do more recording tasks within Monosnap, a feature-rich alternative. VLC has been around for quite some time and is capable of many. Easy but Powerful Screen Recorder. FonePaw Screen Recorder, a professional video screen recording software will capture your screen for Windows and Mac computer in several steps. Create your own video for specific region/webcam with or without audios here. Want to edit the recording with advanced features? Try PawEditor to make your video story.
Capture the entire screen
In macOS Mojave:
Screen Recorder Mac Free No Watermark
- Press Shift-Command-5 on your keyboard to see the onscreen capture controls:
- Click Capture Entire Screen in the onscreen controls. Your pointer changes to a camera .
- Click anywhere on any screen to capture the screen of that display, or click Capture in the onscreen controls to capture the screen of every display.
- A thumbnail of the screenshot briefly appears in the corner of your screen. You can then find the screenshot on your desktop.
In all versions of macOS:
- Press Shift-Command-3 to capture the screen of every display.
- Find the screenshot on your desktop.
Capture a window
In macOS Mojave:
- Press Shift-Command-5 to see the onscreen capture controls.
- Click Capture Selected Window in the onscreen controls. Your pointer changes to a camera .
- Click a window to capture that window.
To exclude the window's shadow from the screenshot, press and hold the Option (⌥) key while you click. - A thumbnail of the screenshot briefly appears in the corner of your screen. You can interact with the thumbnail to edit the screenshot, move it, or take other actions. Or wait for the screenshot to appear on your desktop.
In all versions of macOS:
- Press Shift-Command-4.
- Press the Space bar. The pointer changes to a camera .
- Click a window to capture that window.
To exclude the window's shadow from the screenshot, press and hold the Option (⌥) key while you click. - Find the screenshot on your desktop.
Capture a selected portion of the screen
In macOS Mojave:
- Press Shift-Command-5 to see the onscreen capture controls.
- Click Capture Selected Portion in the onscreen controls.
- Drag to select an area of the screen to capture. To move the entire selection, drag from within the selection.
- Click Capture in the onscreen controls.
- A thumbnail of the screenshot briefly appears in the corner of your screen. You can interact with the thumbnail to edit the screenshot, move it, or take other actions. Or wait for the screenshot to appear on your desktop.
In all versions of macOS:
- Press Shift-Command-4.
- Drag to select the area of the screen to capture. To move the entire selection, press and hold Space bar while dragging.
- After you release your mouse or trackpad button, find the screenshot on your desktop.
Capture a menu
In macOS Mojave:
- Click the menu to reveal its contents.
- Capture the menu by following the steps to capture the entire screen or capture a window (the menu is treated like a window) or capture a portion of the screen that includes the menu.
In all versions of macOS:
- Click the menu to reveal its contents.
- Press Shift-Command-4.
- Drag to select the area of the menu to capture, then release your mouse or trackpad button to capture that area.
- Or press Space bar to change the pointer to a camera , then click the menu to capture it.
- Find the screenshot on your desktop.
Capture the Touch Bar
If you have a Mac with a Touch Bar and macOS Sierra 10.12.2 or later, press Shift-Command-6 to capture what is currently displayed on the Touch Bar. Then find the screenshot on your desktop.
You can also customize the Control Strip region of your Touch Bar to include a Screenshot button.
Use the screenshot thumbnail
When you take a screenshotin macOS Mojave, a thumbnail of the screenshot appears briefly in the lower-right corner of your screen.
- Take no action or swipe the thumbnail to the right: The screenshot is automatically saved to your chosen save location, which by default is the desktop.
- Control-click the thumbnail to choose more actions, such as change the default save location, open the screenshot in an app, or delete the screenshot without saving it.
- Drag the thumbnail to move the screenshot to another location, such as to a document, an email, a Finder window, or the Trash.
- Click the thumbnail to open the screenshot. You can then use the markup tools in the toolbar to crop, rotate, annotate, and take other editing actions. Or click the share button to share the screenshot.
Clicking the thumbnail opens it in editing view. Hover your pointer over each button in the toolbar to see its function.
If you don't want the thumbnail to appear, click Options in the onscreen controls, then use the ”Show Floating Thumbnail” option to change the setting.
Learn more
- By default, screenshots are saved with the name ”Screen Shot date at time.png”.
- To cancel taking a screenshot, press the Esc (Escape) key before clicking to capture.
- To store the screenshot in the Clipboard instead of saving it, press and hold the Control key while you click to capture. You can then paste the screenshot into a document, message, or other location. Using Universal Clipboard, you can even paste it on another Apple device.
- You can open screenshots with Preview, Safari, or other apps that can edit or view images. Preview can export to a different format, such as JPEG, PDF, or TIFF.
- Screenshot controls in macOS Mojave are provided by the Screenshot app, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder. This app replaces the Grab app from earlier versions of macOS.
- Some apps, such as DVD Player, might not let you take screenshots of their windows.
Interested in creating video tutorials to teach others how to use software? Or perhaps you need to communicate a computer problem you’re experiencing. Screen recording software is one of the most effective ways of presenting this information.
Fortunately, you’ll find an excellent selection for macOS at your disposal. Whether you need something simple and free or the advanced features of a paid solution, we’ve rounded up the best screen recorders for Mac to help you decide.
1. ScreenFlow
The first aspect you’ll notice about ScreenFlow is the price tag. Is it justified?
That depends on how many of the extensive features you’ll actually use. Calling ScreenFlow a screen recorder is like referring to Mount Everest as a sandcastle.
Not only can you record from multiple monitors, but you can choose to record from your webcam and connected iOS device simultaneously. Combine that with the ability to record audio, and you have the perfect setup for creating video tutorialsHow to Make a Screencast Tutorial for YouTubeHow to Make a Screencast Tutorial for YouTubeOne of the most popular types of YouTube video is the screencast. Here's how to easily make your own.Read More.
Recorded media from all sources then saves to a single timeline where you can turn the raw footage into a professional-grade video quickly and easily. Annotations, callouts, and video motions are at your fingertips in an easy-to-use interface.
One particularly interesting feature is the touch callouts, which can demonstrate screen touches and gestures if you’re recording the screen on an iOS device.
ScreenFlow also has a variety of exporting options depending on where you’d like to view your finished video. You’ll find presets from lossless ProRes codecs to ones specifically for the Apple TV.
If you’re considering making many screen recordings that involve multiple sources, and you’d like to add some embellishments in post-production, ScreenFlow might be what you’re looking for.
Download:ScreenFlow (Free trial)
Download:ScreenFlow ($129)
2. Snagit
Perhaps having a fully fledged video editor is overkill for your use case. Maybe you’re looking to create mostly disposable videos quickly without needing many of the post-production enhancements that come with ScreenFlow. Snagit combines some of the best screen recording features in a simple interface.
It allows simultaneous recording from screens and webcams, but you can’t overlay the videos, and you will need to toggle between which one is recorded. Snagit also allows you to record audio; you can view your past recordings and tag them for finding them quickly in the future.
Snagit features a powerful image editor with a vast library of assets to annotate your images on the fly. One handy feature is the ability to export a video as a GIF with a single click from the preview screen.
Snagit is perfect if your focus is getting good-enough screen recordings that will probably have a short shelf life.
Download:Snagit (Free trial)
Download:Snagit ($50)
3. Camtasia
Screen Recorder Mac Os X
Camtasia has been around since 2002, which makes it a screen recording veteran. Like Snagit, it’s developed by Techsmith.
While Snagit focuses on quickly recording and exporting, Camtasia is a beefier screen recorder with a fully featured video editor.
Camtasia’s interface may seem busy, but it becomes comfortable quickly. The first time you start Camtasia, it loads a sample project with a handy video tutorial. This extends to Camtasia’s numerous other video tutorials on its website to help you start churning out professional screen recordings as quickly as possible.
The app offers screen recordings from multiple sources, and records audio from both a mic or the system. You can also send recordings from your mobile device directly, but admittedly, this mobile device integration isn’t as smooth as ScreenFlow’s.
Camtasia’s trump card is in the plethora of assets that are available to enhance your videos. It includes beautifully designed annotations, callouts, transitions, and visual effects.
Since these are all drag-and-drop, you can apply and customize them in a matter of seconds. Camtasia also makes quick work of adding clicks, keystrokes, spotlights, and zooms so viewers can easily follow along with the instructor.
Like ScreenFlow, this app does come with a significant cost. But if you’re after a polished interface and looking to create videos that are stick around for some time, it might be worth the investment.
Screen Recorder Mac Sierra
Download:Camtasia (Free trial)
Download:Camtasia ($249)
If you’re in the market for an app to capture scrolling screenshots on your mobile deviceThe 7 Best Apps for Scrolling Screenshots on Android and iOSThe 7 Best Apps for Scrolling Screenshots on Android and iOSNeed to capture scrolling screenshots on your iPhone or Android device? Here are 7 apps to make long screenshots easily.Read More too, take a peek at this list:
4. Movavi Screen Capture Studio
Movavi’s Screen Capture Studio is one of the highest-rated screen recorders. It has all the ingredients of a fantastic screen recorder, with the full range of editing tools to suit both casual and professional users.
Movavi sits in the sweet spot between price and functionality. It combines a broad set of tools with an easy-to-use interface, and has the benefit of being both a quick capture tool and full-featured editor.
Once you’re done capturing, you can make some quick edits before either saving or sharing directly to YouTube. If you need more advanced edits, you can open your capture in the video editor.
This editor is your typical timeline with an excellent set of editing tools, including a chroma key (used if you have a green screen). There’s also a good selection of filters, transitions, and titles. And the editor even offers two modes, one of which is an easy mode for creating a quick montage. Movavi also has a store containing a catalog of effects and transitions depending on the video you’re producing.
Movavi really shines when it comes to the exporting options available. You’re able to tweak the resolution, frames per second (FPS), and choose a specific format. You can also choose from a wide range of presets like exporting for specific mobile devices or 4K TVs. Movavi also allows you to upload directly to your YouTube channelEverything You Need To Know About Uploading Videos To YouTubeEverything You Need To Know About Uploading Videos To YouTubeCurrently, there are three ways to upload videos to YouTube. Here's an in-depth look at how to use your computer, phone, or games console.Read More from within the editor.
Download:Movavi Screen Capture Studio (Free trial)
Download:Movavi Screen Capture Studio ($60)
5. QuickTime
If you use case doesn’t involve complex editing, annotations, and filters, Apple has a screen recorder baked into macOSHow to Screen Record on a MacHow to Screen Record on a MacWondering how to screen record on Mac? We've got you covered with several methods to record video of what's on your screen.Read More. QuickTime is a reliable video player, but it’s also a quick and easy screen recorder that you don’t have to pay for.
Just open QuickTime Player, then go to File > New Screen Recording. You’ll see a popup screen capture menu where you can choose the area of the screen you want to capture. Select the dropdown icon next to the record button to select a microphone for adding audio.
QuickTime features some essential editing tools like rotation, splitting, and trimming. You can also add clips to the end of a sequence if you’d like to combine your screen capture with something that you’re referencing. You will, however, need a video converter if you’re looking to export in anything other than MOV format.
QuickTime is perfect if you need to record your screen in a pinch and you don’t require any annotations, filters, or effects. It’s also one of the best video converter apps for macOSThe 7 Best Video Converter Apps for macOSThe 7 Best Video Converter Apps for macOSNeed a Mac video converter app? Here are the best options for easily converting any kind of video on macOS.Read More. Pair QuickTime with a free Mac video editorThe 8 Best Free Video Editors for MacThe 8 Best Free Video Editors for MacNeed to edit video on a budget? These free Mac video editors let you perform essential video editing tasks at no cost.Read More if you need more options.
Which Mac Screen Recorder Is Best?
Ultimately, choosing any piece of software is driven by both your requirements and budget. If you’re looking to record your iPhone or iPad along with your Mac screen frequently, ScreenFlow makes an excellent choice.
Snagit offers a good set of essential tools and makes it easy to share with other apps. The other paid options do come with a slight learning curve, but offer flexibility when making changes. They also have a good selection of assets to add that professional touch to your videos.
Aside from QuickTime, each of the screen recording apps mentioned above have trial versions. Make sure to test out the software before spending the money. And for more Mac tips, check out where screenshots and videos go on a MacWhere Do Screenshots and Photos Go on a Mac?Where Do Screenshots and Photos Go on a Mac?Where do screenshots go on Mac? Here's how to take, find, and manage macOS screenshots and video recordings.Read More, along with helpful ways to stay organized with built-in apps like Apple Notes7 Ways to Organize Apple Notes for Smarter Productivity7 Ways to Organize Apple Notes for Smarter ProductivityLove Apple Notes but struggle to keep everything organized? Here's some advice on ways to keep your Apple Notes straight.Read More.
Explore more about: Record Video, Screen Capture, Screencast.
QuickTime can do screen recordings and it's free and comes with your Mac.
iShowU HD is another robust app capable of recording your screen