How to record your screen on a Mac

macOS records your screen with one shortcut. Adding your voice is a setting; adding your camera and a share link takes a browser recorder.

By the Bujua team. Updated October 21, 2026. 2 minute read.

In short: Press Shift + Command + 5, choose Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion, pick a microphone under Options, and click Record. To include your camera and get a link the moment you stop, record in the browser instead.

Press Shift + Command + 5.
Choose Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion.
Open Options to pick a microphone, a timer and where to save. Recordings go to the Desktop unless you change it.
Click Record. To stop, click the stop button in the menu bar.

The toolbar records your microphone, not the sound your Mac is playing. If you need that, record a browser tab with its audio (below).

Option 2: QuickTime Player

Open QuickTime Player and choose File then New Screen Recording. It opens the same toolbar as the shortcut, so the options are identical.

Option 3: a browser recorder with your camera

Open the free screen recorder in Chrome, Edge or Firefox.
Choose Screen and camera.
Press Start recording and pick a window or the entire screen. To include a tab’s sound, share that tab and tick Share tab audio.
Press Stop and copy link, and paste the link wherever the conversation is.

Fixing the screen recording permission

The first time a browser records your screen, macOS asks you to allow it under System Settings, Privacy & Security, Screen & System Audio Recording. Turn on your browser, then quit and reopen it.

Since macOS Sequoia, apps that draw their own window picker, Chrome included, are asked to confirm this permission again about once a month. Click Allow and carry on. Safari uses the system picker, so it isn’t asked.

Questions

How do I screen record on a Mac with sound?

Press Shift + Command + 5, open Options, and choose your microphone. For the sound your Mac plays, record a browser tab and tick Share tab audio.

Why does my Mac keep asking to allow screen recording?

Since macOS Sequoia, apps that use their own window picker are asked to confirm screen recording access about once a month. It’s expected.

Where do Mac screen recordings save?

To the Desktop by default. Change it under Options in the Shift + Command + 5 toolbar.