How to record a GIF of your screen on Mac
The recorder built into macOS (⇧⌘5) saves video only, as .mov files. To get a GIF you either convert that video in another app, or record the GIF directly: in SimpleShot, choose GIF in the recording bar, drag over the area and click Record.
Updated
Record a GIF with SimpleShot
- Press ⇧⌘5 for the All-in-One bar (with the standard keys) and click Record GIF. Or press ⌥⇧⌘R and choose GIF in the recording bar.
- Drag over the part of the screen to record. Small is good: a button, a menu, one panel.
- Click Record, show the thing, and stop with the same shortcut or the panel’s Stop.
- The GIF waits as a thumbnail: drag it into a message, a ticket or a pull request, copy it or save it.
SimpleShot is a free capture app for Mac. Its GIFs are 15 frames a second and up to 1200 pixels wide, sizes that play smoothly and stay light. Clicks can be shown, so people see where you pressed.
Already recorded a video?
On the recording’s thumbnail, choose More › Make a GIF; or open the recording from the Library and save it as GIF. Trim the start and the end first, so the loop is short and the file small.
GIF or video?
| GIF | Video (MP4) | |
|---|---|---|
| Plays | By itself, in a loop, almost everywhere | With a play button |
| Sound | No | Yes |
| Best for | A few seconds: a click, an animation, a bug | Longer demos, tutorials with a voice |
| File size | Grows fast with length and size | Smaller for the same length |
Questions
Can a Mac record a GIF without an app?
No. ⇧⌘5 and QuickTime Player record video only. You need an app that records GIFs, or one that converts the video afterwards.
How do I make a GIF smaller?
Record a smaller area and fewer seconds. Trim the ends before making the GIF. For anything long, send a video instead: SimpleShot makes a compact MP4 under 15 MB with one button.
Can a GIF have sound?
No, the format has no sound. Record a video with computer audio or your microphone instead.
Is SimpleShot’s GIF recording free?
Yes, with no watermark and no account.
Related
- How to screen record on a Mac
- How to screen record on Mac with sound
- How to share a screenshot as a link
Show it in
three seconds.
Free · macOS 26 or later · Apple Silicon