How to screen record with QuickTime Player on a Mac
Short answer: Open QuickTime Player and choose File → New Screen Recording (⌃⌘N). On current macOS, including macOS 27 Golden Gate, this opens the Screenshot toolbar: pick the whole screen or a portion and click Record. On older versions a Screen Recording window opens instead. Stop with the Stop button in the menu bar or ⌃⌘Esc, then trim with Edit → Trim.
These steps describe QuickTime Player on macOS 27 Golden Gate and earlier versions. Checked on 2026-10-10 against Apple’s QuickTime Player User Guide and support pages published 2026-09-14.
What you see after File → New Screen Recording
| You see | What it means | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| The Screenshot toolbar at the bottom of the screen | the Screenshot app records for QuickTime Player; follow Method 1 | microphone; Include System Audio from macOS 27 Golden Gate |
| A Screen Recording window with a Record button | QuickTime Player records itself; follow Method 2 | microphone only |
Checked on 2026-10-10. Sources below.
Method 1: When the Screenshot toolbar opens
- Open QuickTime Player from the Applications folder.
- Choose File → New Screen Recording, or press ⌃⌘N.
- In the toolbar, choose Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion. On macOS Tahoe 26 or later there is also Record Selected Window.
- Click Options to choose a microphone, a timer, Show Mouse Clicks and the folder under Save to.
- Click Record.
- To stop, click the Stop button in the menu bar or press ⌃⌘Esc. Depending on where you chose to save the recording, an app may open.
Method 2: When the Screen Recording window opens
- Click the arrow next to the Record button. Choose a microphone, and turn on Show Mouse Clicks in Recording if you want clicks shown. Use headphones to avoid feedback while you monitor the microphone.
- Click Record.
- Click anywhere to record the whole screen, or drag over an area and click Start Recording.
- To stop, click the Stop button in the menu bar or press ⌃⌘Esc.
- QuickTime Player opens the recording so you can play, edit or share it.
Trim the recording
- Open the recording in QuickTime Player.
- Choose Edit → Trim. A trimming bar with yellow handles appears.
- Drag the yellow handles so only the part you want to keep is between them. Hold a handle to see single frames for a precise cut.
- Click Trim.
Export at another resolution
- Choose File → Export As.
- Pick 4K, 1080p, 720p, 480p or Audio Only. Apple suggests 480p for a movie you post online.
- For 4K and 1080p, the Format menu offers Smaller File Size (HEVC) or Greater Compatibility.
Resolutions larger than the recording are dimmed in the menu.
The Screen2Shot way: record and style in one place
QuickTime Player records and trims. Screen2Shot records with one shortcut and opens Studio, where the pointer, zoom and background are set before you save. Recording is part of Screen2Shot 1.1 and needs macOS 15 Sequoia or later on Apple silicon.
- Press ⌥⇧⌘9 to record the display under the pointer, or choose Record Area… and drag a rectangle.
- For the Mac’s sound, open Recording ▸ in the menu and turn on System Audio. This works on macOS 15 and later, where the built-in tools before macOS 27 record only a microphone.
- Press ⌥⇧⌘9 again to stop. Studio opens with the recording.
- Choose Save Video… to export an MP4.
A free recording exports up to 1080p with no time limit and a thin Screen2Shot strip at the bottom. PRO removes the strip and adds export up to 4K, a smooth cursor and auto zoom on clicks; see pricing.
Troubleshooting
- File → New Screen Recording opens a toolbar, not a window. That is the Screenshot app recording for QuickTime Player. Use Method 1.
- The recording has no sound from apps. QuickTime Player’s own window records a microphone only. On macOS 27 Golden Gate or later, choose Include System Audio in the toolbar’s Options. For older versions see recording your Mac screen with audio.
- The export menu greys out 4K. The recording is smaller than 4K; export at the largest size that is not dimmed.