How-to / Screen recording
How to stop a screen recording on Mac
Click Stop in the menu bar or press Command Control Esc. What to do if the Stop button is missing or the recording will not stop.
Stopping a screen recording ends the capture and saves the video. On a Mac, click the Stop button in the menu bar, or press the 3 keys Command, Control, Esc (Apple Support). This works for recordings started with Shift, Command, 5 and for QuickTime Player.
If the button is missing or the recording will not stop, try the steps below in order. For every way to start a recording, see how to screen record on Mac.
Stop a recording from the Screenshot toolbar
You start these with Shift, Command, 5 and Record. To stop:
- Click the Stop button in the menu bar, or
- Press Command, Control, Esc.
A thumbnail appears in the corner. Click it to trim or share, or let it save. Source: Apple Support: How to record the screen on Mac.
Stop a QuickTime Player recording
If you used File > New Screen Recording in QuickTime Player, stop it the same way: the Stop button in the menu bar or Command, Control, Esc. QuickTime opens the recording when it finishes.
If you cannot see the Stop button
- Press Command, Control, Esc. It works even when the menu bar is hidden.
- Leave full screen. In a full screen app, move the pointer to the top of the screen to reveal the menu bar.
- Check a crowded menu bar. On smaller screens, menu bar icons can be hidden behind the notch. Quit an app with a menu bar icon or close a few to make room.
If the recording will not stop
As a last resort, force the capture process to quit. You may lose the recording.
- Open Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities.
- Search for screencaptureui.
- Select it, click the Stop (X) button and choose Quit or Force Quit.
If you used QuickTime, choose Apple menu > Force Quit, then select QuickTime Player.
Stop an app from recording your screen
If you mean you want to stop an app from being able to record your screen, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen & System Audio Recording and turn off the app (Apple Support).
Where your recording is saved
By default, recordings save to your desktop as .mov files named "Screen Recording" with the date and time. You can change the folder in Shift, Command, 5 > Options > Save to.
Stop recording in Znip
Disclosure: Znip is the app I build. In Znip you can pause, resume and stop from the recording controls, then trim and share the clip in its editor. It is in invite-only beta for Apple silicon Macs on macOS 15 or later.
Want sound in your next recording? See how to screen record on Mac with audio.
Frequently asked questions
What is the shortcut to stop screen recording on Mac?
Command, Control, Esc.
Why is there no Stop button in my menu bar?
The menu bar may be hidden in full screen, or the icon may be hidden behind the notch on a crowded menu bar. Use Command, Control, Esc.
Does force quitting save the recording?
Not reliably. Try the Stop button or the shortcut first.
How do I stop QuickTime screen recording?
Click Stop in the menu bar or press Command, Control, Esc.