Well, if you want to record whatever happening on your Mac screen, you will need a screen recorder. If you are wondering which screen recorder you should use on your Mac, you are in the right place. We have covered the top 10 best free and paid screen recording software for Mac OS X in the article below. Movavi Screen Recorder is a screen recording software for macOS Sierra 10.12 that allows you to record activities on your Mac. Whether it’s a video call, live streaming video, gameplay and many more.
You might want to record the Mac screen for the reasons: create a video tutorial, record a gameplay, record online session, or capture some online videos that can't be downloaded. No matter what the reason is, recording Mac screen is quite easy if you read the guide here.
Next, we will show you how to capture the Mac computer screen, with 3 easy ways. You can pick the one you like to record what's happening on your Mac's screen.
Bonus: macOS Mojave now offers the option to directly record your Mac computer. Keeping reading to know how to do it.
CONTENTS
- 1. How to Use Screen Recording Option of macOS Mojave
- 2. Record Mac Screen with QuickTime Player
- 3. Professional Mac Screen Recorder to Record Mac's Screen
How to Use Recording Option Of macOS Mojave
Apple released the macOS Mojave in September 2019, and then screen recording became a whole lot easier on Mac computer. Because, there is a Screen Record tool built right into the new screenshot toolbar in macOS Mojave.
Here's how to capture Mac screen in macos Mojave:
1. Open the screenshot toolbar by pressing Command + Shift + 5.
2. Set the recording area via:
• If you want to record entire screen of your Mac, just click on 'Record Entire Screen' icon.
• If you want to record a portion of the Mac screen, choose 'Record Selected Portion' option. Then you can select the area you want to record.
3. Click on 'Record' to start the recording.
4. To stop recording, click the 'Stop Recording' icon in the menu bar. Or press Command-Control-Esc (Escape).
5. After you stop recording, a thumbnail of the video appears briefly in the lower-right corner of your screen. You can click the thumbnail to trim, save and share this Mac screen recording video.
The steps is really easy for Mac users. If you haven't yet upgraded Mojave - or can't install Mojave because your Mac isn't supported - you can record your Mac screen via other 2 ways below.
Record Mac Screen with QuickTime Player
For most people, QuickTime may just be used to watch movies on Mac. In fact, it has three additional recording functions: record video, record microphone audio, and record webcam video. However, all of these functions cannot record the system sound on Mac computer, so you need to install Soundflower and use 'QuickTime' + 'Soundflower' to capture all the screen activities and internal/external sound on Mac. Here are the detailed steps.
Step 1. Install Soundflower and restart your mac.
Step 2. Open Launchpad, type 'midi' to run Audio MIDI Setup.
Step 3. Click '+' in the lower left corner to create a new 'Aggregate Device' and check 'Built-in Microphone' & 'Soundflower(2ch)' on the right panel.
Step 4. Create a new 'Multi-Output Device' and check 'Soundflower(2ch)' & 'Built-in Output'.
Step 5. Go to System Preferences > Sound > Output, select 'Multi-Output Device'. On Input tab, select 'Aggregate Device'.
Step 6. Open QuickTime, File > New Screen Recording, click on the small triangle, and select 'Aggregate Device' from the microphone. Click on the QuickTime record button to start capturing video and video at the same time.
Macos Screen Time
Through the above settings, system sound and microphone sound will be both recorded. If you want to record only the sound of the system + screen, then in Step 6, select Soundflower(2ch).
This way is a little complicated for common users. And compared with way 1, it doesn't offer a editing tool to trim the recordings. The most important is that the user feedbacks who that Soundflower is not stable. It often fails to record.So, we need a easier and more professional way to record Mac screen. Let's go for Part 3.
Professional Mac Screen Recorder to Record Mac's Screen
Here, I will show you a simpler and also a powerful way to record your Mac computer - using VideoSolo Screen Recorder. This Mac screen recorder is a very stable product to help you capture all your mac screen activities. With it, you can do many personalized recording settings in the program, edit while recording, and don't need to make settings on your Mac computer. It's not free but not expensive to spend $24.95 on it. Click to download and view the recording procedures.
Step 1. Select the Recording Area
Install and launch this Screen Recorder for Mac, and choose 'Video Recorder' from the main interface.
Then you can define the region that you want to capture, and make other settings: turn on/off the microphone, adjust the volume, open the webcam, etc., according to your need.
Step 2. Set Preferences Such as Hotkeys
You are capable to set hotkeys and control the recording without a floating panel. After setting hotkeys, you can also click 'Hide floating panel when recording'. Remember to mark down the hotkeys you set.
Step 3. Start to Record by Clicking 'REC'
When you are ready for recording your Mac screen, click the 'REC' button.
Step 4. Save the Recording
After you finished recording your Mac screen, you can click 'REC' button again to stop capturing or use the hotkeys. You can preview or check it from 'History'.
Which method to choose is driven by your needs and budget. If you need to record your mac screen frequently and stable, VideoSolo Screen Recorder may be a better way.
But if you are a Mac user which using the macOS Mojave, then you can ignore VideoSolo Screen Recorder. Hope you can find a proper way to record the Mac computer screen in today's guide. Any problem, you can leave them on the comment section.
Sometimes, when you watch the live streaming of a specific show, you may want to capture some moments to share with your friends or loved one who missed it. Being that said, recording your screen while watching it will be the best thing that you can do for them. For Mac users, there are also cases that you need to record your Mac screen in order to make a video tutorial, capture an online conference, record a gameplay, and so on. However, on Mac devices, you might have limited apps that you can use. Proceed to learn the best screen recorder for macOS Sierra we listed in this article.
Best Screen Recorder on macOS Sierra
Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder
Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder is a web-based tool that records your screen and audio at the same time while watching a live stream, live chat, movies and more. Basically, it records all types of activity on your computer. By using it, you can customize the region that you prefer to record or choose full screen. What makes this app more interesting is that you can insert webcams while recording.
Follow the steps below to learn how to use this screen recorder on macOS Sierra.
Step 1. Please go to the official website of Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder. Then click the “Start Recording”, and wait for it to launch.
Step 2. You can make some configurations on the main interface of the program, change the output folder and hotkeys there.
Step 3. Click the record button on the top left of the interface, and select to customize a region or record full screen. During the recording process, you can add a webcam to record by clicking the camera icon on the toolbar.
Step 4. Press the stop button to end the recording once it is finished. Then the file will be saved automatically.
ApowerREC
ApowerREC is an application that allows you to record screen and audio and every activity on your Mac. This app incorporates some features that you will surely find helpful. By using this app, you can do real-time editing while recording your favorite shows. Moreover, you can also schedule a task to record, simultaneously record your screen and your webcam, and take screenshots.
There is more to discover about this app. Let’s learn how to use this macOS Sierra screen recorder.
Step 1. Download and install this program onto your Mac.
Step 2. Launch the application. Turn on the system sound and microphone if you want to record both. Then customize a region to record or record full screen.
Step 3. Click the red “REC” button to start recording and click the red square button to stop it. Then your file will be saved automatically and will appear on the file list.
QuickTime Player
QuickTime Player is a built-in recorder available on macOS 10.12 devices. It can be used to record your screen, mirror iOS devices to Mac, and even save videos from the internet and supply the URL video source at the same time. You can add video and audio files and edit them using the same tool.
Here is an easy guide for screen recording software for macOS 10.12 Sierra.
Step 1. Launch QuickTime Player.
Step 2. Click “File” menu from the upper left corner of the screen. Then choose “New screen recording”. Then you will get a little pop-up box.
Step 3. Hit the recording button at the center of the pop-up box. Then click to record the full screen or drag to select a region to record.
Note: If you want to record the audio, make sure that the microphone is enabled by clicking the drop-down beside the record button.
Step 4. To end the recording, look at the taskbar on top of the screen, and you will see the QuickTime menu bar from there. Click it to stop recording. Then a preview of your recording will pop up. Afterwards, you can rename the video, add tags, and change the folder to save it.
Movavi Screen Recorder
Movavi Screen Recorder is a screen recording software for macOS Sierra 10.12 that allows you to record activities on your Mac. Whether it’s a video call, live streaming video, gameplay and many more. Just like the other tools mentioned above, this is an app that you can consider for this can also schedule a task, edit your video by dividing or removing the unwanted parts, adding music and much more.
Macos Record Screen
Here is a step by step procedure on how you can use this app on macOS Sierra.
Step 1. Launch the program, and select a region to resize the screen by clicking the capture area at the bottom left of the interface.
Step 2. Click the “Rec”. Once this button is clicked, it will give three options that include “Cancel”, “Pause”, and “Stop”.
Step 3. Click the “Stop” button to stop the recording.
Macos Record Iphone Screen
Icecream Screen Recorder
Icecream Screen Recorder is a video recording software for macOS Sierra that allows you to annotate real-time and draw to enhance the video while recording. One feature that is likable about this app is the “Project History” features where you can easily locate a specific video if you have recorded several videos.
Here is a guide on how to use it.
Step 1. Open the program on your Mac, check each tab from Systems, audio, and video tabs to make sure everything is properly configured.
Step 2. To get started, click the “Capture Video”, then select to custom area, record full screen, or even capture last area that you have recorded. Then click the “Rec” button to start recording.
Step 3. Once done, click the “Stop” button to stop the recording, and the recorded file will be saved automatically.
Conclusion
All applications mentioned above are all helpful apps for recording your screen to share important videos or memories. Each program has unique features that let them stand out. When it comes to features to maximize, some of them are competitive enough just like the ApowerREC and Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder. If necessary, try all of them out, and you will be amazed by some features provided by them.