Screen recording on a MacBook can be a useful tool for a variety of purposes such as creating instructional videos, recording webinars, or capturing gameplay. With the built-in screen recording feature on macOS and various third-party tools available, it’s easy to capture whatever is happening on your screen. In this article, we’ll go over the different ways to screen record on a MacBook, including the keyboard shortcut, built-in screen recording feature on macOS, third-party screen recording tools, and advanced tips and tricks for improving the quality of your recordings.
Whether you’re a professional or just starting out, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know to start screen recording on your MacBook.
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
- Press the “Command + Shift + 5” keys on your keyboard to open the screen recording toolbar in the bottom of your screen. In this toolbar you see 2 recording icon, first one for recording entire screen and second one for specific area.
- Click on the “Options” button to access the recording settings. Customize the recording settings, such as including or excluding audio, setting a countdown timer, and choose the area of the screen you want to record.
- Click on the “Record” button to start recording.
- To pause or resume the recording, press the “Control” key on your keyboard.
- To stop the recording press the “Command + Control + Esc” keys on your keyboard.
- Once you’ve finished recording your screen, you can use the built-in video editing tools on your MacBook to make any necessary adjustments to the recording.
Note: The above steps are for macOS Mojave or later version. If you are using an older version of macOS, the process may vary slightly. You can refer to the Apple support website or the user manual for further assistance.
Using The Screenshot Tool
- Click on the Spotlight/Search icon in the top right corner of your screen, or press Command + Spacebar.
- Type “Screenshot” in the search bar and hit enter.
- The Screenshot tool will open in the bottom of your screen. In this toolbar you see 2 recording icon, first one for recording entire screen and second one for specific area.
- Click on the “Options” button to access the recording settings. Customize the recording settings, such as including or excluding audio, setting a countdown timer, and choose the area of the screen you want to record.
- Click on the “Record” button to start recording.
- To pause or resume the recording, press the “Control” key on your keyboard.
- To stop the recording press the “Command + Control + Esc” keys on your keyboard. Also, if your MacBook has touchbar option then you stop recording from touchbar.
- Once you’ve finished recording your screen, a thumbnail of the recording will appear in the corner of your screen.
- Click on the thumbnail to edit and save the recording.
- From the editing window, you can trim the video, add text or images, and make other edits as needed.
- Click on “Done” to save the recording to your desktop or share it.
Third-Party Screen Recording Tools for MacBook
In addition to the built-in screen recording feature on macOS, many third-party screen recording tools are available for MacBooks.
Here are some popular third-party screen recording tools:
- OBS (Open Broadcaster Software): it is a free, open-source software for recording and live streaming. It offers a wide range of advanced features such as the ability to add multiple sources, record from multiple cameras, and stream live to multiple platforms.
- ScreenFlow: it is a paid software that offers advanced editing and post-processing features, allowing you to create professional-quality screen recordings.
- Camtasia: it is a paid software that offers a wide range of features, including the ability to record video and audio, add animations and effects, and create interactive quizzes.
- Snagit: it is a paid software that allows you to capture screenshots, videos, and GIFs, as well as edit and share them.
When you choose a third-party screen recording tool, it’s important to consider your specific needs and the features that are most important to you. Some tools like OBS are more geared towards live streaming and video production, while others like Snagit are better suited for capturing screenshots and GIFs.
By using third-party tools, you’ll be able to record your screen with more advanced features and options.
Advanced Tips and Tricks
Here are some advanced tips and tricks for improving the quality of your screen recordings and making them more professional:
- Use a high-quality microphone: The audio quality of your recording can greatly affect the overall quality of the recording. Using a high-quality microphone can help to improve the audio quality and make it more clear and more professional.
- Optimize your recording settings: Many screen recording tools allow you to adjust the recording settings to improve the quality of the video. This can include adjusting the resolution, frame rate, and bitrate of the recording.
- Use keyframe-based editing: Keyframe-based editing allows you to make precise adjustments to the video and audio during post-processing. This can be used to remove unwanted background noise, adjust the volume, and make other adjustments to improve the overall quality of the recording.
- Add annotations, callouts, and other elements: You can add annotations, callouts, and other elements to your recording to make it more engaging and informative. This can include adding captions, highlighting important information, and creating interactive quizzes.
- Record in landscape mode: Recording in landscape mode will give you a larger recording area and make the video more visually appealing, especially when watching on a widescreen display.
- Check and test your recording before publishing: Before publishing your recording, make sure to check the video and audio quality, remove any unwanted parts and test it on different devices and platforms.
By following these tips and tricks, you can improve the quality of your screen recordings and make them more professional. Remember to always experiment and test new techniques and ideas to find what works best for you.
Conclusion
Screen recording on a MacBook is a straightforward process that can be done in just a few simple steps. By following the steps in this article, you’ll be able to record your screen with ease and create high-quality videos that can be used for a variety of purposes. Additionally, you can use the built-in editing tools to make the final touch-ups and save the recording wherever you want to. If you have any questions or need further help, feel free to reach out to Apple support or refer to the user manual.