Recording your Screen in macOS

Students, faculty, and staff can record what is shown on their screens with or without audio. Two methods for screen recording are available.

For University IT professionals: This method continues to record both video and audio while remoting-in to another computer or while switching to screens containing running virtual machines (VM).

Method 1: Shift + Command + 5

This is for newer updates. If you have not upgraded to Mojave, review the Method 2 section below to record your screen with QuickTime Player.

Simultaneously press Shift + Command (⌘) + 5 on your keyboard to see all controls you need to record video and capture still images of your screen.
Use these onscreen controls to select the parts of your screen you wish to record. Multiple options are available, including:
1. Record the entire screen.
2. Record a selected portion.
3. Capture a still image of your screen.

Screen Recording Options

Recording Your Entire Screen

Click the Camera Button in the onscreen controls.
- Your pointer will change to a small camera icon.
Click anywhere on the screen to start recording. Alternatively, click Record in the onscreen controls.
Use the thumbnail to trim, share, save, or take other actions.

Recording a Selected Portion of Your Screen

Click the Selection Icon in the onscreen controls.
Drag to select the area of the screen you would like to record. To move the entire selection, drag from within the selection.
To start recording, click Record in the onscreen controls.
To stop recording, click the Record button in the menu bar. Alternatively, you can press Command + Control + Esc.
Use the thumbnail to trim, share, save, or take other actions.

Trim, Share, and Save

After you stop recording, a thumbnail of the video appears briefly in the lower-right corner of your screen.

To automatically save the recording, either take no action or swipe the thumbnail to the right.
Click the thumbnail to open the recording. You can then trim the recording or share it.
Drag the thumbnail to move the recording to another location such as a document, email, Finder, or Trash.
Control-click the thumbnail for more options.
- For example, you can change the save location, open the recording in an app, or delete the recording without saving it.

Changing Your Settings

Click Options in the onscreen controls to change these settings:

Save To
Enables you to choose where your recordings are automatically saved, such as Desktop, Documents, or Clipboard.
Timer
Enables you to choose when to begin recording: immediately, 5 seconds, or 10 seconds after you click Record.
Microphone
Enables you to record your voice or other audio along with your recording and choose a microphone.
Show Floating Thumbnail
Enables you to choose whether or not to show the thumbnail.
Remember Last Selection
Enables you to choose whether or not to default to the selections you made the last time you used this tool.
Show Mouse Clicks
Enables you to choose whether or not to show a black circle around your pointer when you click in the recording.

Method 2: QuickTime Player

This method is specifically for older macOS versions.

You can use QuickTime Player's built-in tools to record your screen.

Open QuickTime Player from your Applications folder.
Click on File.
Select New Screen Recording from the menu bar. The Screen Recording window will then open. You may be prompted to grant permission for QuickTime Player to record your screen and use your microphone in System Preferences > Security & Privacy.
Before starting your recording, you can click the arrow next to the red dot in the gray circle to change the following recording settings:
- To record your voice or other audio with the screen recording, choose a microphone. To monitor that audio during recording, adjust the volume slider (if you get audio feedback, lower the volume or use headphones with a microphone).
- To show a black circle around your pointer when you click, choose Show Mouse Clicks in Recording.
To start recording, click the red dot in the gray circle.
Take one of the following actions:
- Click anywhere on the screen to begin recording the entire screen.
- Alternatively,
  - Drag to select an area to record.
  - Click Start Recording within that area.
To stop recording, click the black square in the gray circle in the menu bar, or press Command + Control + Esc (Escape). After you stop recording, QuickTime Player automatically opens the recording. You can then play, edit, or share the recording.

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