How to Screen Record with Audio on Mac (2026 Guide)

# How to Screen Record with Audio on Mac: The Complete Guide

TL;DR: Mac's built-in tools don't capture system audio. Use BlackHole (free virtual audio driver) with QuickTime, or try CleanShot X ($29/year) for one-click internal audio capture. Skip to Method 2 for the best free option.

Want to screen record with audio on Mac? Here's the frustrating truth: macOS can record your screen natively, but it won't capture internal audio — like the sound from a video call, app notification, or YouTube video — without extra steps.

This limitation trips up thousands of Mac users creating tutorials, recording meetings, or documenting software. The built-in tools only record microphone audio, leaving your system sounds behind.

This guide covers four reliable methods to capture both your screen and internal audio on Mac, from free workarounds to professional tools that just work.

Why You Can't Screen Record with Audio on Mac (Natively)

Apple's built-in screen recording tools — the Screenshot app (⌘ + Shift + 5) and QuickTime Player — can only record external audio from your microphone. They don't capture internal audio by design, as Apple's official documentation confirms.

Why? Audio routing on macOS is sandboxed for privacy and security. Apps can't just tap into each other's audio streams without explicit routing. This protects you from malicious software recording your calls, but it also means you need extra tools for legitimate recording.

This has been a pain point since macOS's early days, and Apple shows no signs of changing it. The good news? Several reliable workarounds exist.

The solutions fall into two categories:

• Virtual audio drivers (free): Route system audio through a virtual device that screen recorders can capture
• Third-party apps (paid): Apps with built-in audio capture that bypass the limitation entirely

Let's start with the simplest option.

Method 1: QuickTime + Microphone (Basic)

If you only need to record your own voice narrating over your screen, the built-in tools work fine.

How to Record with Microphone Audio

1. Press ⌘ + Shift + 5 to open the Screenshot toolbar
2. Click Options
3. Under Microphone, select your input device (Built-in Microphone or external mic)
4. Choose Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion
5. Click Record
6. Click the Stop button in the menu bar when finished

Your recording saves to the Desktop by default. You can edit screen recordings on Mac using QuickTime's trim feature or more advanced tools.

Limitation: This captures your voice but not system audio — no app sounds, music, or video audio will be included.

Method 2: BlackHole Virtual Audio Driver (Free)

BlackHole is a free, open-source virtual audio driver that creates a "loopback" device on your Mac. It routes system audio to a virtual input that screen recorders can capture.

This is the best free method for capturing internal audio, but it requires some setup.

Installing BlackHole

1. Download BlackHole from the official GitHub page
2. Run the installer package and follow the prompts
3. Restart your Mac (recommended for clean audio routing)

BlackHole comes in two versions: 2ch (stereo) for most use cases and 16ch for advanced multi-channel routing. The 2ch version is what you need.

Setting Up Multi-Output Device

To hear audio while recording (instead of it only going to BlackHole), you need to create a Multi-Output Device:

1. Open Audio MIDI Setup (search in Spotlight or find in Applications → Utilities)
2. Click the + button at the bottom-left
3. Select Create Multi-Output Device
4. Check both BlackHole 2ch and your regular output (like MacBook Pro Speakers or headphones)
5. Make sure your speakers/headphones are checked as the Drift Correction source

Recording with Internal Audio

Now configure your Mac to use this setup:

1. Go to System Settings → Sound → Output
2. Select your new Multi-Output Device
3. Open QuickTime Player → File → New Screen Recording
4. Click the dropdown arrow next to the record button
5. Select BlackHole 2ch as the microphone
6. Start recording

Your screen recording will now capture all system audio. When you're done, switch your sound output back to normal speakers.

Tip: To record both microphone and system audio simultaneously, you'll need to create an Aggregate Device that combines BlackHole with your microphone input.

Creating an Aggregate Device for Dual Audio

If you need to capture both your voice and system sounds in the same recording (common for tutorials), here's how:

1. Open Audio MIDI Setup
2. Click + → Create Aggregate Device
3. Check BlackHole 2ch and your microphone input
4. Name it something like "Mic + System Audio"
5. In QuickTime's recording options, select this Aggregate Device as your microphone

This routes both audio streams into a single input that any screen recorder can capture.

Method 3: OBS Studio (Free, Advanced)

OBS Studio is professional-grade recording and streaming software that's completely free. It's more complex than simpler tools, but offers granular control over audio sources.

Setting Up OBS for Mac Audio

1. Download OBS Studio for macOS
2. Install BlackHole using the steps above (OBS needs it for system audio)
3. Open OBS and create a new Scene
4. Add a Display Capture or Window Capture source
5. Add an Audio Input Capture source and select BlackHole 2ch
6. Optionally add another Audio Input Capture for your microphone

OBS lets you mix multiple audio sources with individual volume controls. This is ideal for tutorials where you need to balance narration with app sounds.

Best for: Streamers, professional content creators, anyone who needs multi-source audio mixing.

Drawback: Steeper learning curve compared to simpler tools. If you're looking for something lighter, check out our guide to recording GIFs on Mac for simpler workflows.

Method 4: CleanShot X (Paid, Simple)

CleanShot X is a popular screenshot and screen recording app for Mac. It can record system audio without needing BlackHole or any virtual audio drivers.

Recording with CleanShot X

1. Click the CleanShot X menu bar icon
2. Select Record Screen
3. In the recording options, enable Computer Audio
4. Choose to record full screen, window, or custom area
5. Click to start recording

CleanShot X handles the audio routing automatically. No separate drivers, no complex setup.

Pricing: $29/year subscription or one-time purchase via Setapp.

Best for: Users who want a polished, all-in-one solution. It also includes excellent annotation tools and cloud sharing.

If CleanShot X feels expensive for your needs, we've covered several CleanShot X alternatives that might work better.

Screen Recording Tools Comparison

Here's how each method stacks up:

For most users, a paid tool like CleanShot X saves hours of troubleshooting BlackHole configurations. If budget is the priority, BlackHole + QuickTime works — it just takes patience to set up correctly.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

No Audio in Recording

Check your audio source: Make sure BlackHole 2ch (or your app's audio capture) is selected as the recording input — not your microphone.

Check Sound Output: If using BlackHole, confirm your System Settings → Sound → Output is set to the Multi-Output Device you created.

Restart Audio Services: Open Terminal and run:

sudo killall coreaudiod

This restarts the audio system without rebooting.

Audio Out of Sync

Sync issues usually happen with BlackHole at higher sample rates. Try:

1. Open Audio MIDI Setup
2. Select BlackHole 2ch
3. Set format to 44100 Hz (standard CD quality)
4. Match this setting on your Multi-Output Device

Can't Hear Audio While Recording

If you're using BlackHole without a Multi-Output Device, all audio goes to the virtual device — you won't hear it. Create a Multi-Output Device as described in Method 2 to hear audio while recording.

Permission Errors

macOS requires screen recording permissions for third-party apps:

1. Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen Recording
2. Enable the toggle for your recording app
3. Restart the app if prompted

For more Mac troubleshooting, check out our guide on fixing Mac screenshot not working issues — many permission fixes apply to screen recording too.

Quick Tips for Better Screen Recordings

• Close unnecessary apps to reduce background noise and CPU usage
• Use an external microphone for narration — built-in mics pick up fan noise and keyboard sounds
• Record at native resolution for the sharpest output
• Test audio levels first with a short 10-second clip before long recordings
• Know your shortcuts: ⌘ + Shift + 5 opens the Screenshot toolbar; ⌘ + Control + Esc stops recording
• Disable notifications to prevent interruptions — use Focus mode or Do Not Disturb
• Check disk space — screen recordings, especially at high resolution, can consume gigabytes quickly

Audio Quality Matters

The microphone makes a huge difference in tutorial quality. Built-in Mac microphones are convenient but pick up fan noise, keyboard clicks, and room echo. Even a $30 USB microphone dramatically improves narration quality.

For the best results, record in a quiet space with soft surfaces (carpet, curtains) to reduce echo. Position your mic 6-12 inches from your mouth at a slight angle to minimize plosives.

For a complete reference on capture shortcuts, see our Mac screenshot shortcuts guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Mac record screen with internal audio natively?

No. The built-in Screenshot app and QuickTime Player can only record microphone audio, not internal system audio. You need either a virtual audio driver like BlackHole or a third-party app with built-in audio capture.

Is BlackHole safe to install?

Yes. BlackHole is open-source software maintained by Existential Audio. You can review the source code on GitHub. It's widely used by audio professionals and content creators.

What's the best free way to screen record with audio on Mac?

BlackHole combined with QuickTime Player is the best free option. It requires some setup but works reliably once configured. OBS Studio is another free option with more features but a steeper learning curve.

Why is my screen recording audio out of sync?

Audio sync issues are usually caused by mismatched sample rates between your audio devices. Set all devices to the same sample rate (44100 Hz or 48000 Hz) in Audio MIDI Setup.

Do I need BlackHole if I use CleanShot X?

No. CleanShot X has built-in audio capture that works without virtual audio drivers. This is one of the main advantages of paid screen recording tools — they handle the audio routing internally.

Conclusion

Recording your Mac screen with internal audio isn't as simple as it should be, but you have options:

• Free and reliable: BlackHole + QuickTime works great once configured
• Simple and polished: CleanShot X handles audio capture automatically
• Professional and free: OBS Studio for advanced multi-source mixing

The right choice depends on how often you record. If you're creating occasional tutorials, the free BlackHole method works fine. For regular recording — documentation, content creation, client presentations — a dedicated tool like CleanShot X pays for itself in time saved.

Whatever you choose, test your audio setup before important recordings. A quick 10-second test clip can save you from discovering audio issues after a 30-minute session.

For capturing and annotating screenshots to complement your screen recordings, ScreenSnap Pro offers a lightweight one-time purchase option with instant cloud sharing and professional annotation tools — perfect for adding context to your video content.

Looking for more Mac screen capture tips? Browse our best screenshot apps for Mac comparison to find tools that complement your workflow.