How to Enable the Hidden Built-In Screen Recorder on a Mac

If you need to capture a video of your Mac’s screen to create a software tutorial or record a video call, you do not need to download expensive third-party software like OBS Studio or Camtasia. Since macOS Mojave, Apple has included a powerful, native screen recording utility built directly into the operating system.

This tool is technically a component of the QuickTime framework, but it operates independently through a specialized keyboard shortcut, allowing you to capture high-resolution video without ever opening an application from your Launchpad.

How to Launch the Screen Recorder

1. Navigate to the screen or application you wish to record.
2. Press the following three keys simultaneously: Shift + Command + 5.
3. A translucent toolbar will appear at the bottom of your screen.

This toolbar is divided into three sections: capturing still screenshots (the left three icons), capturing video (the middle two icons), and an Options menu.

How to Record the Entire Screen

1. On the toolbar, click the icon that looks like a solid computer screen with a small circle in the bottom right corner (the fourth icon from the left).
2. Your mouse pointer will turn into a camera icon.
3. Simply click anywhere on your screen to begin the recording immediately. Alternatively, click the Record button on the toolbar.

How to Record a Specific Portion of the Screen

If you only want to record a specific window or a small rectangle to hide your messy desktop, follow these steps:

1. Press Shift + Command + 5.
2. Click the icon that looks like a dotted square with a circle in the corner (the fifth icon).
3. A highlighted box will appear on your screen. You can drag this box around and resize it by pulling the edges to perfectly frame the area you want to capture.
4. Click the Record button on the toolbar.

How to Stop the Recording

While the recording is active, a small, square “Stop” button enclosed in a circle will appear in your top menu bar (near the Wi-Fi and battery icons).

1. Click the Stop icon in the menu bar to end the recording.
2. Alternatively, press Command + Control + Esc.

By default, macOS will immediately save the finished .mov video file directly to your desktop.