How to record your Mac screen with audio

A recording can have a clear picture and the wrong sound. Decide what you need before you start: your voice, the app’s audio, or both.

Choose the audio inputs before recording

Select the sound your viewer needs. Record a brief check and listen to the saved file before a longer take.

Use the microphone

Choose the intended microphone in the recorder. Apple’s Screenshot app lets you select a microphone from Options. Check the input level and make a short spoken test.

Apple: record the screen on Mac

Use system audio

Enable the recorder’s system-audio option. In Screenshot, Apple documents Include System Audio for macOS 27 Golden Gate or later. Confirm any required screen and system-audio recording access before testing.

Apple: screen and system-audio recording access

Use both, then prevent echo

Enable the microphone and system-audio inputs. Use headphones if speaker playback could reach the microphone. Say one sentence while the app makes a sound, then listen to the saved file.

Apple: recording options on Mac

MicrophoneYour voice and room

System audioSound from the Mac

BothNarration with app sound

Using the built-in Mac recorder

Open Screenshot with Shift + Command + 5. Under Options, select a microphone. On macOS 27 or later, enable Include System Audio for the Mac’s sound. See Apple’s recording guide for the version-specific controls.

Using Moonshot

Open the recording controls and pick a window, area or display. Turn on Microphone for narration and System audio for app sound. Check the selected input device. Webcam is a separate control.

Moonshot recording settings showing system audio and microphone controls — The sound inputs are separate. Moonshot product capture from September 10, 2026.

Record a short test. Say a sentence, play a sound in the app, then open the saved video. Check both before recording the full walkthrough. The Mac recorder page covers local capture and sharing.

Check macOS permissions

Open System Settings → Privacy & Security. Check Microphone access for your voice and Screen & System Audio Recording for screen and app sound. The wording can vary with your macOS version.

If narration is still missing, check the chosen input and its level in Sound settings.

Avoid an echo

Use headphones when recording narration over app audio. Otherwise the microphone may pick up the speakers as well as your voice.

Still silent? Follow the no-sound checks to test one input at a time.