How to screen record on mac

Last Updated: Mar 2, 2024 by

Screen recording is a useful feature that allows you to capture your screen activity on your Mac. Whether you want to create a tutorial, record a video call, or save a gameplay session, screen recording on Mac can come in handy. In this article, we will discuss how to screen record on Mac and how to stop a screen recording on Mac.

How to Screen Record on Mac

Screen recording on Mac is a built-in feature that is available on macOS Mojave or later versions. Follow these steps to start screen recording on your Mac:

  1. Open the app or window that you want to record.
  2. Press the “Command + Shift + 5” keys on your keyboard to open the screen recording toolbar.
  3. Click on the “Options” button on the toolbar to select your recording settings. You can choose to record your entire screen or a selected portion, enable or disable the microphone, and choose where to save your recording.
  4. Click on the “Record” button on the toolbar or press the “Command + Shift + R” keys on your keyboard to start recording.
  5. Once you are done recording, click on the “Stop” button on the toolbar or press the “Command + Shift + R” keys again to stop the recording.

Your screen recording will be saved to your chosen location in .mov format. You can also access your recording by clicking on the thumbnail that appears on the bottom right corner of your screen after you stop the recording.

Tips for Screen Recording on Mac

Here are some tips to help you make the most out of your screen recording on Mac:

  • Use keyboard shortcuts: As mentioned earlier, you can use keyboard shortcuts to start and stop your screen recording. You can also use the “Command + Shift + 5” keys to access the screen recording toolbar and the “Command + Shift + 3” keys to take a screenshot of your entire screen.
  • Use the timer: The screen recording toolbar also allows you to set a timer for your recording. This can be useful if you need to prepare your screen before starting the recording.
  • Use the microphone: If you want to add audio to your screen recording, make sure to enable the microphone option in the screen recording toolbar. This will allow you to record your voice or any other audio playing on your Mac.
  • Use QuickTime Player: If you need more advanced screen recording features, you can use QuickTime Player. Open the app, go to “File” and select “New Screen Recording”. This will give you more options such as recording a specific window or selecting a microphone.

How to Stop a Screen Recording on Mac

Stopping a screen recording on Mac is a simple process. You can either click on the “Stop” button on the screen recording toolbar or use the keyboard shortcut “Command + Shift + R”. However, there are some instances where you may encounter issues with stopping a screen recording on Mac. Here are some troubleshooting tips to help you stop a screen recording on Mac:

  1. Check if the recording is paused: If you are unable to stop your screen recording, make sure that it is not paused. If the recording is paused, you will see a “Resume” button on the screen recording toolbar. Click on it to resume the recording and then click on the “Stop” button to end it.
  2. Check if the recording is frozen: Sometimes, the screen recording may freeze and you may not be able to stop it. In this case, you can force quit the app that you are recording or restart your Mac.
  3. Use Activity Monitor: If the above methods do not work, you can use the Activity Monitor app to force quit the process that is causing the issue. Open the app, search for “QuickTime Player” or “Screen Recording”, select the process, and click on the “X” button on the toolbar to force quit it.

How to Stop a Screen Recording on Mac Using Activity Monitor

Here are the steps to stop a screen recording on Mac using Activity Monitor:

  1. Open the Activity Monitor app from the “Applications” folder or by searching for it in Spotlight.
  2. In the search bar, type “QuickTime Player” or “Screen Recording” and press enter.
  3. Select the process and click on the “X” button on the toolbar.
  4. A pop-up window will appear asking you to confirm the action. Click on “Force Quit” to stop the process.
  5. Your screen recording should now stop.

Conclusion

Screen recording on Mac is a useful feature that can help you capture your screen activity for various purposes. Whether you want to create a tutorial, record a video call, or save a gameplay session, screen recording on Mac is easy and convenient. Just remember to use the keyboard shortcuts and the timer feature to make the most out of your screen recording. If you encounter any issues with stopping a screen recording on Mac, you can use the troubleshooting tips mentioned in this article to resolve them. Happy recording!

Gulrukh Ch

About the Author: Gulrukh Ch

Gulrukh Chaudhary, an accomplished digital marketer and technology writer with a passion for exploring the frontiers of innovation. Armed with a Master's degree in Information Technology, Gulrukh seamlessly blends her technical prowess with her creative flair, resulting in captivating insights into the world of emerging technologies. Discover more about her on her LinkedIn profile.