How to Record Screen with Audio on Mac (2026 Guide)
Recording your Mac screen with audio is surprisingly tricky. macOS blocks internal audio capture by default—so recording system sounds, app audio, or music requires extra steps. This guide covers every method, from the simple microphone-only built-in tool to BlackHole, OBS, and the easiest all-in-one option.
TL;DR
macOS does not natively capture internal audio (system sounds, app audio). Here are your 4 options:
- 1Built-in Screenshot Tool — Microphone only — no internal audio
- 2BlackHole + QuickTime — Free, but requires installing a virtual audio driver
- 3OBS Studio — Free and powerful, but complex to configure
- 4ScreenBuddy — Simplest setup — captures screen + audio + editing in one app ($9.99)
1. The Problem: macOS Blocks Internal Audio
Apple restricts third-party apps from directly tapping into the system audio pipeline. This is a deliberate privacy and security decision—it prevents apps from silently recording everything playing through your speakers. The result is that most screen recorders on Mac, including Apple's own built-in tools, can only capture microphone input by default.
“Internal audio” means any sound your Mac plays: music from Spotify, video from YouTube, system notification sounds, app audio, game sounds, or audio from a video call. If you want to capture any of these in your screen recording, you need to route that audio through a virtual audio device or use a tool that bypasses the restriction through the browser screen-sharing API.
Good to know: macOS 14 Sonoma introduced a native “Screen Recording with Audio” option in Screen Recording permissions, but this captures audio from Safari tabs only—not from system-wide audio or other apps. For full internal audio capture, you still need one of the four methods below.
2. Method 1: Built-in Screenshot Tool (Microphone Only)
The macOS Screenshot Toolbar (Cmd+Shift+5) can record your screen with microphone audio—your voice, narration, or any sound picked up by your Mac's microphone. It cannot capture internal audio without extra software.
How to Record with Microphone Audio
Open the Screenshot Toolbar
Press Cmd+Shift+5. The toolbar appears at the bottom of your screen with screenshot and recording options.
Click "Options"
In the toolbar, click the "Options" button to expand audio and save settings.
Select Your Microphone
Under "Microphone", choose your built-in microphone or an external mic. If you see "None", audio will not be recorded.
Choose Recording Mode
Click "Record Entire Screen" or "Record Selected Portion" depending on what you want to capture.
Record and Stop
Click "Record" to start. To stop, click the Stop button in the menu bar or press Cmd+Control+Esc. Your recording saves as a .mov file.
Pros
- +Free and built into macOS
- +No download required
- +Simple microphone audio setup
- +Works on macOS Mojave and later
Cons
- −No internal audio capture
- −No editing beyond basic trim
- −Saves as MOV only
- −No zoom effects or annotations
3. Method 2: BlackHole + QuickTime (Free, Complex Setup)
BlackHole is a free, open-source virtual audio driver for macOS. It creates a fake audio device that routes your Mac's internal audio into any recording application. Paired with QuickTime Player, this is the most popular free way to capture internal audio—but the setup involves multiple steps.
Step-by-Step Setup
Install BlackHole
Download BlackHole from the official GitHub repository (github.com/ExistentialAudio/BlackHole) or via Homebrew: brew install blackhole-2ch. Follow the installer prompts.
Open Audio MIDI Setup
Go to Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup. Click the "+" button at the bottom left and choose "Create Multi-Output Device".
Configure Multi-Output Device
In the Multi-Output Device, check both your regular speakers/headphones and BlackHole 2ch. This lets you hear audio while it routes to BlackHole simultaneously.
Set System Output to Multi-Output Device
Open System Settings > Sound > Output. Select "Multi-Output Device". Your Mac audio now plays through both your speakers and BlackHole.
Open QuickTime and Select BlackHole as Input
Open QuickTime Player, go to File > New Screen Recording. Click the dropdown arrow and select "BlackHole 2ch" as the microphone input.
Record and Restore Audio
Click Record to start capturing your screen with internal audio. When done, remember to go back to System Settings > Sound > Output and select your speakers again.
Note: If you also want to record microphone audio alongside internal audio, you need to create an “Aggregate Device” in Audio MIDI Setup that combines BlackHole and your microphone. This adds more steps to an already complex workflow.
Pros
- +Completely free
- +Captures true internal audio
- +Works with QuickTime and most DAWs
- +Open source and actively maintained
Cons
- −Complex 6-step setup process
- −Must switch output device before/after recording
- −Easy to forget to restore audio settings
- −No editing after recording
4. Method 3: OBS Studio (Free, Complex)
OBS Studio is a powerful, free, and open-source recording and streaming application. On macOS 13 Ventura and later, OBS can capture internal audio natively using Apple's Screen Capture API—no BlackHole required. On older macOS versions, you'll still need a virtual audio driver.
Setting Up OBS for Screen + Audio Recording
Download and Install OBS
Go to obsproject.com and download the macOS version. Run the installer and open OBS Studio. Grant Screen Recording permission when prompted.
Add a Screen Capture Source
In the Sources panel at the bottom, click the "+" button and select "Screen Capture (macOS)". Name it and click OK. Select your display in the properties.
Enable Audio Capture
In the Screen Capture properties, check "Capture Audio" (macOS 13+). This captures internal audio from the selected screen without any extra tools.
Add Microphone Input (Optional)
In the Audio Mixer at the bottom, click the gear icon next to "Mic/Aux" and select your microphone from Properties. Adjust levels to balance voice and system audio.
Configure Output Settings
Go to Settings > Output. Set Recording Path to your desired folder. Choose MP4 format under Recording Format for best compatibility.
Start and Stop Recording
Click "Start Recording" in the Controls panel on the right. When done, click "Stop Recording". Your file saves to the path you configured.
Pros
- +Completely free and open source
- +Native audio capture on macOS 13+
- +Highly customizable scenes and sources
- +Also supports live streaming
Cons
- −Steep learning curve for beginners
- −No built-in editing timeline
- −Heavy resource usage on older Macs
- −Overkill for simple screen recordings
OBS is an excellent choice for streamers and power users who need granular control. For most people recording tutorials or demos, the complexity is a significant barrier. See our OBS alternatives guide for simpler options.
5. Method 4: ScreenBuddy (Record + Edit in One App)
ScreenBuddy takes a different approach to the internal audio problem. Instead of requiring a virtual audio driver, it leverages the browser's built-in getDisplayMedia API with audio sharing enabled. When you start recording, macOS prompts you to select what to share—and offers a native “Share audio” checkbox that captures internal audio without any extra setup.
How ScreenBuddy Captures Audio
Open ScreenBuddy
Launch ScreenBuddy on your Mac. No audio driver installation or system configuration needed.
Click "Start Recording"
macOS displays the native screen sharing picker. Choose a tab, window, or your entire screen.
Enable "Share audio"
In the screen sharing picker, check the "Share audio" box. This is the macOS-native way to pass internal audio to the recorder.
Optionally add microphone
ScreenBuddy can simultaneously capture your microphone for voice narration alongside the internal audio.
Record and edit in one place
When you stop recording, ScreenBuddy opens the editor directly. Add zoom effects, annotations, change backgrounds, trim clips, and export to MP4 or GIF—all without leaving the app.
No Driver Installation
No BlackHole, no Audio MIDI Setup, no system audio rerouting. Just open the app and record.
Auto-Zoom on Clicks
Automatically zooms in when you click with adjustable magnification from 1.25x to 5x. Viewers always see what matters.
18 Gradient Backgrounds
Wrap your recording in a professional gradient background. Choose from 18 built-in gradients for a polished, branded look.
MP4 & GIF Export
Export your finished recording as MP4 for universal sharing or GIF for quick embeds. No format conversion needed.
Pricing: ScreenBuddy is a one-time purchase of $9.99—no subscriptions, no per-seat licensing, no cloud storage fees. It runs entirely on your Mac and works offline.
6. Comparison: All 4 Methods
Here's a side-by-side look at how each method handles audio recording, editing, and overall setup complexity:
| Method | Internal Audio | Microphone | Editing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in Screenshot Tool | No | Yes | Trim only | Free |
| BlackHole + QuickTime | Yes (complex setup) | Yes (extra steps) | Trim only | Free |
| OBS Studio | Yes (macOS 13+) | Yes | None | Free |
| ScreenBuddy | Yes (native checkbox) | Yes | Full editor + zoom | $9.99 one-time |
Bottom line: If your priority is zero cost and you're willing to spend time on setup, OBS Studio on macOS 13+ is the best free option. If you want the simplest path from recording to a polished video with audio, ScreenBuddy removes every friction point in that workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Mac record screen with system audio?
Not natively with the built-in Screenshot Tool or QuickTime. macOS blocks direct internal audio capture for privacy reasons. To record system audio, you need either a virtual audio driver like BlackHole, OBS Studio on macOS 13 or later, or an app like ScreenBuddy that uses the browser's getDisplayMedia API with the "Share audio" option.
How do I record internal audio on Mac without BlackHole?
You have two good options. First, OBS Studio on macOS 13 Ventura or later can capture internal audio natively using Apple's Screen Capture API—no virtual driver needed. Second, ScreenBuddy uses the browser's built-in screen sharing API (getDisplayMedia) with a native "Share audio" checkbox, also requiring no extra software installation.
Does QuickTime record internal audio?
No. QuickTime Player cannot capture Mac internal audio (system sounds, music, app audio) without a third-party virtual audio device. It only records microphone input by default. This is an Apple-level restriction. To get internal audio with QuickTime, you must install BlackHole and configure a Multi-Output Device in Audio MIDI Setup first.
What’s the best free screen recorder for Mac with audio?
OBS Studio is the most capable free screen recorder on Mac that captures both internal and microphone audio, particularly on macOS 13 and later where it works without extra drivers. BlackHole with QuickTime is also free but requires more setup. If you value simplicity over zero cost, ScreenBuddy at $9.99 one-time provides the easiest internal audio setup plus a built-in editor.
Can I record screen and webcam with audio on Mac?
Yes. ScreenBuddy supports simultaneous screen and webcam recording with audio capture on Mac. OBS Studio also supports this as a free option through its multi-source scene setup, though it requires more configuration. The built-in macOS Screenshot Tool (Cmd+Shift+5) does not support webcam overlay recording.
How do I record a Zoom meeting with audio on Mac?
The easiest and most reliable way is to use Zoom’s built-in record feature—press Alt+R during a meeting or go to Meeting > Record. For third-party recording with internal audio, use BlackHole with QuickTime, OBS Studio, or ScreenBuddy. Always be aware that recording a meeting without all participants’ consent may violate Zoom’s terms of service and local privacy laws.
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Record Screen with Audio on Mac — No Setup Required
ScreenBuddy captures internal audio natively—no BlackHole, no Audio MIDI Setup, no configuration. Record, edit with zoom effects, and export to MP4 in one app. $9.99 one-time.