How to screen record on Mac with sound
For your voice, press ⇧⌘5, open Options and choose a microphone before you click Record. For the sound your Mac plays itself, from a video, a call or an app, choose Include System Audio in the same menu: it is there from macOS 27. On macOS 26, SimpleShot records that sound with one switch, Computer audio, together with your microphone if you want both.
Updated
Record with sound using the built-in tool
- Press ⇧⌘5 and choose Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion.
- Click Options and choose a microphone, such as MacBook Microphone or a headset.
- On macOS 27 or later, also choose Include System Audio in Options to record the sound the Mac plays.
- Click Record, and stop with the button in the menu bar or ⌃⌘Esc.
Before macOS 27, the built-in recorder could take a microphone only, which is why so many people ask how to capture “internal audio” on a Mac.
Record the Mac’s sound and your voice with SimpleShot
- Press ⌥⇧⌘R, then drag an area, press Space and click a window, or press Return for the whole screen.
- In the recording bar, switch on Computer audio for the sound the Mac plays, and Microphone for your voice. Turn on both for a narrated demo.
- Click Record. Stop with the same shortcut, the panel’s Stop button or a click on the red menu bar icon.
- Trim the recording, save it as MP4, or make a compact copy under 15 MB for a messenger.
SimpleShot is a free capture app for Mac. macOS asks once for the Screen & System Audio Recording permission, the one every recording app needs; SimpleShot uses it only while it captures or records. Clicks and keystrokes can be shown in the video as well.
| ⇧⌘5 (macOS) | SimpleShot | |
|---|---|---|
| Your microphone | Yes, in Options | Yes, one switch |
| The sound the Mac plays | macOS 27 or later: Include System Audio | Yes, Computer audio, on macOS 26 too |
| Clicks and keystrokes shown | Clicks | Clicks and keystrokes |
| Format | .mov | MP4 up to 4K, or GIF |
| A small copy for messengers | No | Yes, under 15 MB |
Questions
Why is there no sound in my Mac screen recording?
No microphone was chosen in ⇧⌘5 › Options, or the sound came from the Mac itself, which a microphone doesn’t capture. Choose a microphone for your voice; for the Mac’s own sound choose Include System Audio (macOS 27 or later), or use SimpleShot’s Computer audio.
How do I record internal audio on a Mac?
On macOS 27 or later, press ⇧⌘5, open Options and choose Include System Audio. On macOS 26, turn on Computer audio in SimpleShot’s recording bar before you click Record: it records the sound apps play, with or without your microphone.
Can I record a video call with sound?
Technically yes, with computer audio and the microphone on. Ask the people in the call first: in many places recording a call needs everyone’s consent.
Does recording sound need extra software or drivers?
Not with SimpleShot: it uses the Mac’s own screen and audio capture. macOS only asks once for the Screen & System Audio Recording permission.
Related
- How to screen record on a Mac
- How to record a GIF of your screen on Mac
- Why the Screen Recording permission, and how to check it
The picture
and the sound.
Free · macOS 26 or later · Apple Silicon