How to Screen Record on Mac Using QuickTime (Step-by-Step Guide)
Last Updated on October 23, 2025 by Rhea Cabalida
To help users easily fulfill their tasks and projects, Mac has included a screen recording feature in QuickTime Player. It's simple and free to use, perfect for basic recording projects. Now, if you’re planning to record a tutorial, gameplay, or an online meeting on your Mac, QuickTime Player is the easiest option for you.
In this guide, we will teach you all the things you need to screen record on Mac via the QuickTime Player, including its pros and cons, recording tips, alternatives, and more! Read on!
In this Article:
- Part 1: QuickTime Player - Mac’s Multi-Purpose Program
- Part 2: How to Screen Record on Mac Using QuickTime Player
- Part 3: QuickTime Screen Recording with Audio
- Part 4: Pros & Cons of Using QuickTime for Screen Recording
- Part 5: QuickTime Alternative: A Better Way to Screen Record on Mac
- Part 6: Tips to Seamlessly Screen Record on Mac
QuickTime Player - Mac’s Multi-Purpose Program
Most people know QuickTime as Apple’s built-in media player, which is pre-installed on all their computers. However, aside from that, QuickTime features a screen recording function that captures screen activity, audio, and webcam feed.
Key Features of QuickTime
✅ Screen Recording - Can record a full or a portion of the screen
✅ Audio Recording - Can record external microphone feed
✅ Video Editing - Has basic editing tools such as trim, cut, & exporting options
✅ Free & Built In - No installation needed
As a Mac screen recorder, QuickTime is lightweight and has a user-friendly interface. It's recommended for beginners and for those who don’t want to install or pay for third-party apps.
How to Screen Record on Mac Using QuickTime Player
Here is the full step-by-step guide on how to use QuickTime Player to record screen on Mac.
Step 1:
On your Mac, go to Applications, then open QuickTime. Alternatively, you can also Command + Space and type “QuickTime Player” to open it.
Step 2:
Tick File and choose New Screen Recording. After that, the screen recorder window will appear.
Step 3:
Click the arrow beside the recording button, then select a microphone if you want audio in your recording.
Step 4:
Next, choose which part of the screen you wish to record. Simply click and select the area.
Step 5:
Hit the Record button to begin. To stop screen recording in QuickTime, tick the Stop button in the menu bar.
Step 6:
To save the recording, go to File > Save, then set a file name and choose a location.
Tip: QuickTime Screen Recording with Audio
By default, QuickTime can only record audio through the microphone input, be it the built-in or external mic. Unlike other screen recorders, QuickTime cannot capture system sound, like music, app sounds, or any audio produced internally by the computer.
To record the screen with both internal and external audio, users are required to install additional plugins like BlackHole or Soundflower. These tools will re-route the system audio into QuickTime as a virtual audio source, so it can be included in the recordings.
You can get the plugins here:
⬇️ BlackHole
⬇️ Soundflower
💡 Pro Tip: If installing plugins is a hassle for you, we recommend using a tool that can record external and system audio at the same time: WidsMob Screen Recorder. Check out the comprehensive review and tutorial here!
✔️ Pros
- Free & pre-installed on Mac
- Clean interface & easy to use
- Lightweight
- Has basic editing features
❌ Cons
- Cannot record system audio
- No webcam overlay or annotations
- Limited editing tools
- Only exports in MOV format
QuickTime Alternative: A Better Way to Screen Record on Mac
As mentioned, there’s no doubt in QuickTime’s features; however, those features aren't enough for some users. And because of that, the need for a Mac screen recorder alternative arises.
To successfully screen record on Mac with audio, we highly recommend using WidsMob Screen Recorder. It has everything beginners and professionals need to capture screen activities and record audio!
Just like QuickTime, this program has a clean and easy-to-operate interface, and it also has video editing tools to help you enhance your recordings.
On top of that, it supports external and internal audio recording. Yes! It means you can add voiceovers to your tutorials, and record audio from streaming sites and more! How cool is that?
It supports multiple audio and video formats, including MP4, MOV, AVI, and more. It also has a screenshot feature that captures the full or a portion of the screen and saves it in superb quality!
Try it now!
How to Record Screen on Mac via WidsMob Screen Recorder
Here is the full tutorial on how to capture your screen using WidsMob.
Step 1:
Click the button below to download and install WidsMob on your Mac.
Step 2:
Launch WidsMob, on the first tab, set up the portion of the screen you wish to record.
Step 3:
Turn on the System Audio or Microphone option to record with sound. You can also check the sound before recording.
Step 4:
Below the record button, there’s an option for the mouse; select the ones you prefer.
Step 5:
If you want to change anything on the output, press Settings > Output. From there, you can change the format, bitrate, codec, etc.
Step 6:
When you’re ready to record, just press the Record button. While recording, you can hit Pause, and when you’re done, just tick Stop. After that, the recording will be saved in the default video folder.
Quick Comparison: QuickTime vs. WidsMob Screen Recorder
Here’s a closer look at QuickTime and WidsMob’s differences.
| Feature | QuickTime Player | WidsMob Screen Recorder |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Recording | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| System Audio | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Microphone Audio | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Webcam Overlay | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Real-Time Annotations | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Scheduled Recording | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Output Formats | MOV | MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, etc. |
| Video Editing | Basic features | Full editing tools |
| Operating System | macOS | Windows & macOS |
| Price | Free | Paid: $12.50 to $79.96 |
Tips to Seamlessly Screen Record on Mac
Here are the things you can do to have a smooth screen recording on your Mac. Whether you use QuickTime or WidsMob as a Mac screen recorder, these tips will help you enhance your recordings and make the process easier.
✅ Close unused apps or tabs to avoid system overload.
✅ Check the microphone and audio settings before recording; check the connections and sound quality.
✅ If you’re using a Mac laptop, keep it plugged in if you’re planning to record long videos.
✅ Record in segments, instead of one long footage. It's easier to edit, and you can just merge the clips after.
✅ Use a durable and high-quality external mic to have a better audio quality.
✅ Update macOS and QuickTime before recording to avoid system issues.
Conclusion
Is QuickTime worth trying? Of course! If you’re looking for a free way to record your screen and you don’t require advanced features, then it's the best option for you.
But, if you want to level up your screen recordings, then we highly recommend WidsMob Screen Recorder. It's one of the most trusted Mac screen recorders in the market, offering premium features and the best service. Try it now!