How to screen record on Mac with audio (incl. system sound)

A screen recording with audio saves your screen as video, along with sound from a microphone or from the Mac itself. Press Shift, Command, 5, click Options, choose a microphone, then click Record. In macOS 27, the same Options menu also has Include System Audio (Apple Support). On older macOS versions, you need an app that records system audio.

Here is how to get exactly the sound you want. For every way to record, QuickTime Player included, see how to screen record on Mac.

Record your screen with your voice (any recent macOS)

Press Shift, Command, 5 to open the Screenshot toolbar.
Choose Record Entire Screen, Record Selected Window (macOS 26 or later) or Record Selected Portion.
Click Options and pick a microphone.
Click Record.
To stop, click the Stop button in the menu bar or press Command, Control, Esc.

By default the recording saves to your desktop as a .mov file. Source: Apple Support: How to record the screen on Mac.

Record system audio in macOS 27

Apple added system audio to the Screenshot toolbar in macOS 27 Golden Gate. In step 3 above, also choose Include System Audio in the Options menu (Apple Support). You can use it with or without a microphone.

To check your version, choose Apple menu > About This Mac.

Record system audio on macOS 26 or earlier

The Screenshot toolbar and QuickTime Player on earlier versions record a microphone only. To include the sound playing on your Mac, you have two routes.

Use a recorder with system audio

Many screen recorders built on Apple's modern capture APIs can record system audio directly.

Disclosure: Znip is the app I build. In Znip you choose microphone and system audio separately in the recording options, so you can record your voice, your Mac's sound or both (Znip FAQ). It can also add a webcam bubble. Znip is in invite-only beta for Apple silicon Macs on macOS 15 or later.

OBS Studio is a free, open source option that can capture screen and audio, with more setup.

Route audio through a virtual device

A free virtual audio driver such as BlackHole sends your Mac's output into a recording app.

Install the driver.
Open Audio MIDI Setup and create a Multi-Output Device that includes the driver and your speakers or headphones, so you can still hear the sound.
Set that device as your Mac's sound output.
Choose the driver as the audio input in your recording app.

This works with most recorders but takes a few minutes to set up and undo.

Give the right permissions

macOS asks before an app can record your screen, system audio or microphone.

Screen and system audio: System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen & System Audio Recording (Apple Support).
Microphone: System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone.

Turn the app on in each list, then quit and reopen it.

No sound in your recording? Check these

Which sound was missing? Your voice comes from the microphone. Video and app sound is system audio. They are separate settings.
Microphone set to None. Open Options again and pick a microphone.
Permission off. Check both lists above.
Wrong input device. Check System Settings > Sound > Input.
Muted source. Some apps and sites stay quiet while muted or in the background.
Make a 10-second test before a long recording and play it back.

Once you are done, see how to stop a screen recording on Mac if the Stop button goes missing.

Frequently asked questions

Does Mac screen recording include sound?

It includes your microphone if you choose one in Options. In macOS 27, it can also include system audio. Earlier versions need another app for system audio.

How do I record internal audio on Mac?

In macOS 27, choose Include System Audio in the Shift, Command, 5 Options menu. On earlier versions, use a recorder with system audio or a virtual audio driver.

Can I screen record with sound on a MacBook Air?

Yes. The steps are the same on every Mac running the same macOS version.

Can QuickTime record system audio?

Apple's QuickTime instructions only cover choosing a microphone. Use the Screenshot toolbar in macOS 27 or another app for system audio.