Recording your Mac screen is easy. Recording your Mac screen with audio — both the sound coming from your apps and your voice through the microphone — is where things get interesting, and occasionally frustrating.

If you have ever tried to record a Zoom call, a streaming video, or a software tutorial with narration, you have probably run into the same problem: the built-in macOS screen recording tools capture video perfectly, but the audio side of things has some important limitations you need to understand.

In this guide, we cover every method to record screen with audio on Mac in 2026 — from the built-in Screenshot toolbar and QuickTime Player to powerful free tools like OBS Studio and virtual audio drivers like BlackHole. Whether you are on an Apple Silicon MacBook (M1/M2/M3/M4) or an Intel Mac, running macOS Sequoia or Sonoma, this guide has you covered.

💡 Key Fact: The macOS Screenshot toolbar (Command + Shift + 5) can record microphone audio out of the box — but it cannot capture system audio (the sound playing from apps like Safari, Music, or YouTube) without a virtual audio driver. For system audio capture, use OBS Studio 28+ (which has it built in) or install BlackHole.

Understanding Mac Screen Audio: What You Can (and Can't) Capture

Before diving into specific methods, it is important to understand the two types of audio you might want to capture, because macOS handles them very differently:

1. Microphone Audio (Narration)

This is your voice, or any sound picked up by your Mac's built-in microphone or an external USB mic. The built-in Screenshot toolbar can record microphone audio — just choose your mic in the Options menu. This works on every Mac without any additional software.

2. System Audio (App Sound / Internal Audio)

This is the sound coming from your Mac — music playing in Apple Music, audio from a YouTube video in Safari, notification sounds, game audio, etc. macOS does not expose system audio as a selectable input in the built-in recording tools, for privacy and security reasons.

To capture system audio on Mac, you need one of these approaches:

  • OBS Studio 28+ — has built-in system audio capture on macOS Ventura and later (no driver needed)
  • BlackHole — free virtual audio driver; route system audio into any recording app
  • Loopback — paid ($99), professional-grade virtual audio routing
  • ScreenFlow / Loom / Camtasia — paid apps with built-in system audio capture

Method 1: Record Screen with Microphone Audio (Built-in, Free)

If you only need to capture your voice narration (not system audio), the built-in macOS Screenshot toolbar is the simplest approach. Here is how to set it up correctly:

  1. Press Command + Shift + 5 to open the Screenshot toolbar.
  2. Click Options in the toolbar.
  3. Under Microphone, select Built-in Microphone (or any external mic you have connected).
  4. Choose whether to record the entire screen, a selected window, or a selected portion.
  5. Click Record. A small stop button appears in the menu bar.
  6. When finished, click the stop button (or press Command + Shift + 5 and choose Stop).
  7. Your recording saves to the Desktop by default as a .mov file with both video and microphone audio.
💡 Pro Tip: If you wear headphones while recording narration, make sure they do not have noise cancellation that might make your voice sound muffled. Also, the built-in Mac microphone is decent but a $30 USB mic will sound noticeably better for tutorials.

Method 2: Record Screen with System Audio Using OBS Studio (Free, No Driver Needed)

OBS Studio is the best free way to record screen with system audio on Mac in 2026. Starting with OBS 28, the app includes a built-in Audio Capture source that can record system audio on macOS Ventura and later without requiring a virtual audio driver.

Step-by-Step: Screen + System Audio + Mic in OBS

  1. Download OBS Studio from obsproject.com (free, open-source). Install it to /Applications/.
  2. Grant permissions: On first launch, macOS will ask for Screen Recording and Microphone access. Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen Recording and enable OBS Studio. Restart OBS after granting permissions.
  3. Run Auto-Configuration: Go to Tools → Auto-Configuration Wizard. Select "Optimize for recording" and follow the prompts. OBS will automatically configure the best settings for your Mac (including hardware encoding on Apple Silicon).
  4. Add screen source: In the Sources panel, click the + button and add Display Capture (for full screen) or Window Capture (for a single app).
  5. Add system audio: Click + in Sources and add Audio Capture. Select the appropriate system audio device (on macOS Ventura+, this captures desktop audio automatically).
  6. Add microphone: Click + in Sources and add Audio Input Capture. Select your microphone.
  7. Adjust audio levels: In the Audio Mixer panel (bottom-center), adjust the volume sliders for your mic and system audio so neither is clipping (the red zone).
  8. Set recording format: Go to Settings → Output → Recording. Set "Recording Format" to mp4 (or mkv for crash safety). Enable "Automatically remux to mp4" if using mkv.
  9. Start recording: Click Start Recording in the bottom-right Controls panel. When done, click Stop Recording.
  10. Find your recording: By default, OBS saves to ~/Movies/. You can change this in Settings → Output → Recording → Recording Path.
⚠️ macOS Permission Note: If OBS shows a black screen instead of your display, you need to grant Screen Recording permission in System Settings. This applies to all third-party screen recording apps on Mac — it is a macOS security feature, not a bug.

Method 3: Record Screen with Audio Using BlackHole + QuickTime (Free)

If you prefer using QuickTime Player (or the Screenshot toolbar) but need system audio, BlackHole is the solution. It is a free, open-source virtual audio driver that creates a "virtual" audio output device. You route your Mac's system audio into BlackHole, then select BlackHole as the "microphone" in QuickTime or the Screenshot toolbar.

Step-by-Step: Installing and Using BlackHole

  1. Install BlackHole: Download it from GitHub. For most users, the BlackHole2ch.pkg (2-channel) file is sufficient. Double-click to install (you may need to approve the kernel extension in System Settings → Privacy & Security).
  2. Create a Multi-Output Device: Open Audio MIDI Setup (found in /Applications/Utilities/). Click the + button at the bottom-left and choose Create Multi-Output Device.
  3. Configure the Multi-Output Device: Check both BlackHole 2ch and your built-in speakers (or headphones). This lets you hear the audio while simultaneously routing it to BlackHole for recording.
  4. Set as output: In Audio MIDI Setup, right-click your Multi-Output Device and choose "Use this device for sound output". Alternatively, go to System Settings → Sound → Output and select the Multi-Output Device.
  5. Open QuickTime Player: Go to File → New Screen Recording.
  6. Select BlackHole as the microphone: Click the small arrow next to the record button and choose BlackHole 2ch as the audio source.
  7. Record: Click the record button, then click the screen to record full screen (or drag to select a region). When done, click Stop in the menu bar.
  8. Save: QuickTime will open the recording. Go to File → Save to keep it, or File → Export As to convert to a different quality/size.
💡 Important Limitation: With a Multi-Output Device, you cannot control the volume using the Mac's volume keys — you need to control it in the individual app (e.g., Safari's volume slider). This is a known limitation of Multi-Output Devices on macOS. For a more seamless experience, consider a paid tool like Loopback ($99) or use OBS Studio instead.

Method 4: ScreenFlow — Best Paid App for Screen + Audio Recording on Mac

ScreenFlow is the most popular paid screen recording and video editing app for Mac. Unlike OBS (which is focused on live streaming) or QuickTime (which is basic), ScreenFlow is built specifically for creating tutorial videos with screen capture, audio, and editing all in one app.

Why Choose ScreenFlow for Mac Screen Recording with Audio

  • Built-in system audio capture — no virtual audio driver needed
  • Multi-track editing — separate tracks for screen, mic, system audio, and webcam
  • Click highlighting and mouse zoom — automatically highlights mouse clicks and zooms to the cursor area
  • Automatic eye contact — uses the front camera to create a talking-head overlay with correct eye contact
  • Export directly to MP4, HEVC, ProRes, GIF, and WebM
  • Native Apple Silicon support — runs fast and efficiently on M1/M2/M3/M4 Macs

ScreenFlow costs $169 for the basic version (one-time purchase, no subscription). If you create tutorials or educational content regularly, it pays for itself quickly in time saved compared to stitching together OBS + iMovie + a separate audio driver.

Method 5: Loom — Best for Quick Sharing (Free Tier Available)

Loom is a screen recording app that focuses on instant sharing. Instead of saving a large video file to your Mac, Loom uploads it to the cloud and gives you a link to share immediately. It captures screen, camera, microphone, and system audio (on Mac, using its own virtual audio driver bundled with the app).

Loom on Mac: Pros and Cons for Screen + Audio Recording

Pros

  • Instant cloud link after recording
  • System audio capture included
  • Free tier: up to 25 videos, 5-minute limit
  • Automatic transcription
  • Viewer analytics (who watched, for how long)

Cons

  • Free tier has limits
  • Paid: $12.50/month (annual)
  • Requires internet to share
  • Limited local export options
  • Not ideal for long recordings (>30 min)

Comparing the Best Screen Recording Apps for Mac (2026)

Not sure which method to use? Here is a side-by-side comparison of the most popular Mac screen recording tools that support audio capture:

App Price System Audio Mic Audio Editing Built-in Best For
Screenshot Toolbar Free (built-in) ❌ (needs BlackHole) ✅ Basic trim Quick clips, no setup
QuickTime Player Free (built-in) ❌ (needs BlackHole) ✅ Basic trim iOS device recording, simple captures
OBS Studio Free (open-source) ✅ (OBS 28+) ✅ ❌ (separate editor needed) Long recordings, streaming, gaming
ScreenFlow $169 (one-time) ✅ ✅ ✅ (full editor) Tutorials, courses, professional videos
Loom Free / $12.50/mo ✅ ✅ Basic (cloud-based) Quick sharing, team communication
Camtasia $299 (one-time) ✅ ✅ ✅ (full editor) Enterprise training, detailed tutorials

How to Fix "No Audio" in Mac Screen Recordings

Even with the right tools, audio problems are the most common issue Mac users face when recording their screens. Here is the troubleshooting checklist:

Problem 1: Microphone Not Recording

  • Check the Options menu in the Screenshot toolbar — make sure a mic is selected (not "None")
  • Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone and ensure the app has permission
  • In OBS, check that the Audio Input Capture source is not muted (click the speaker icon in the Audio Mixer)
  • Test the mic in System Settings → Sound → Input — speak and check if the input level meter moves

Problem 2: System Audio Not Recording

  • If using OBS 28+, make sure you added an Audio Capture source (not just Audio Input Capture)
  • If using BlackHole, verify the Multi-Output Device is set as the system output in Audio MIDI Setup
  • Note: some apps (Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+) use protected content APIs — their audio cannot be captured by any method on Mac

Problem 3: Audio Out of Sync with Video

  • This is usually caused by variable frame rate in the source. Convert the recording to a constant frame rate using Total Video Converter for Mac
  • In OBS, go to Settings → Output → Recording and set the keyframe interval to 2 seconds for better sync
  • Close memory-intensive apps (Chrome with many tabs, etc.) during recording to prevent dropped frames

Problem 4: Audio Too Quiet or Too Loud

  • In OBS, use the Compressor and Noise Gate filters (right-click the audio source in the Audio Mixer → Filters)
  • In ScreenFlow, the audio levels can be adjusted per-track in the editing timeline
  • For existing recordings, use Total Video Converter for Mac to adjust audio volume during conversion

Converting and Sharing Your Mac Screen Recordings

Once you have recorded your screen with audio, you will often need to convert the file for sharing — .mov files from QuickTime are large, and some platforms (like Slack, Discord, or WhatsApp) prefer MP4.

Total Video Converter for Mac is the fastest way to convert Mac screen recordings:

  1. Open Total Video Converter for Mac
  2. Drag in your .mov screen recording
  3. Select MP4 (H.264) or MP4 (HEVC/H.265) as the output format
  4. Adjust the bitrate: 5-8 Mbps is good for 1080p tutorials; 12-15 Mbps for high-motion content
  5. Click Convert — Apple Silicon Macs use hardware acceleration, so a 10-minute recording converts in under 30 seconds
  6. For sharing, you can also convert to WebM (VP9) for smaller files, or GIF for very short clips (under 10 seconds)
💡 Batch Conversion: If you recorded a series of tutorial clips, use the batch conversion feature — add all .mov files at once, set the output format to MP4, and convert them all in one go. This is much faster than converting them one by one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record my Mac screen with audio without installing any software?

You can record with microphone audio using the built-in Screenshot toolbar (Command + Shift + 5) without installing anything. However, to record system audio (app sound), you need either OBS Studio 28+ (which has it built in) or a virtual audio driver like BlackHole. There is no way to capture system audio with only Apple-provided tools.

Does BlackHole work on Apple Silicon Macs (M1/M2/M3/M4)?

Yes, BlackHole 2ch is fully compatible with Apple Silicon Macs. After installing, you may need to approve a system extension in System Settings → Privacy & Security (scroll down to the "Security" section at the bottom). Reboot if prompted.

Can I record a Zoom or Google Meet call on Mac with audio?

Yes. Use OBS Studio with Display Capture (for the screen) and Audio Capture (for system audio). Note that Zoom and Meet have their own built-in cloud recording features — those are often simpler if you just need to review the meeting later. Be sure to inform other participants if you are recording, as this may be legally required depending on your jurisdiction.

How do I reduce the file size of my Mac screen recording?

Screen recordings are large because they use high bitrates. To shrink them: (1) In QuickTime, use File → Export As and choose a lower resolution (720p instead of 1080p), (2) Use Total Video Converter for Mac to re-encode at a lower bitrate, or (3) Use OBS Studio and set a lower video bitrate in Settings → Output → Recording before you start recording.

Can I edit the audio separately from the video in my screen recording?

Yes. ScreenFlow and Camtasia both create multi-track projects where audio and video are on separate tracks. For free options, convert your recording to MP4, import it into iMovie (free on Mac), and detach the audio (right-click the clip → Detach Audio). You can then edit the audio waveform separately.

Conclusion

Recording your screen with audio on Mac in 2026 is straightforward once you understand the tools available. Here is our quick recommendation summary:

  • For microphone-only recording (narration): Use the built-in Screenshot toolbar (Command + Shift + 5). Free, zero setup, saves to .mov.
  • For system audio + screen (free): Use OBS Studio 28+. It captures system audio natively and supports hardware encoding on Apple Silicon.
  • For system audio + screen (easiest): Use ScreenFlow ($169). It handles everything — recording, system audio, and editing — in one app.
  • For quick sharing: Use Loom. Records screen + audio and gives you a cloud link immediately.
  • For converting and compressing: Use Total Video Converter for Mac to convert .mov to MP4, WebM, or GIF for easy sharing.

The key takeaway: macOS cannot record system audio with built-in tools alone. If you need to capture the sound from apps (YouTube videos, music, game audio), OBS Studio is the best free solution, and ScreenFlow is the best paid all-in-one solution for Mac users in 2026.