Yes, Mac screen recording captures audio by default, but you control what gets recorded

When you record your screen on a Mac using the built-in Screenshot app, audio recording is turned on automatically. This means the microphone picks up everything — your voice, system sounds, background noise, whatever is happening in the room. You can turn audio off entirely before you hit record, or switch to internal audio only if you want to capture what's playing on your Mac but not the room around you.

The choice matters because a video with no sound is often less useful than one with sound, but a video full of keyboard clicks, chair squeaks, and dog barking can be harder to watch. Understanding where the audio comes from and how to change it takes about 30 seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • Mac screen recording records microphone audio by default, capturing everything in the room unless you change the setting before you start.
  • You can choose between microphone audio, internal audio only, or no audio at all — the choice appears in the recording options menu.
  • Internal audio captures what your Mac is playing (music, video, system sounds) but not room noise or your voice.
  • Once recording starts, you cannot change the audio source — you must stop, adjust the setting, and start over.

How to turn audio on or off before recording

Open Screenshot by pressing Shift + Command + 5 on your keyboard. A menu bar appears at the bottom of your screen with recording options on the left side. Click the "Options" button (it looks like three horizontal lines) to see a dropdown menu.

In that menu, you will see "Microphone" with a dropdown next to it. Click that dropdown and choose from three options: your microphone name (usually "Built-in Microphone"), "Internal Speakers" (which records what your Mac is playing), or "None" (no audio at all). Once you have made your choice, close the menu and start recording by clicking the record button.

The setting you choose stays in place for your next recording, so if you always want audio off, you only need to change it once.

When to use microphone audio

Microphone audio is the right choice when you are recording a tutorial, a presentation, or anything where you need to explain what is happening on screen. Your voice comes through clearly, and viewers hear exactly what you are saying as you move through the steps.

The downside is that every other sound in your space gets recorded too — typing, notifications, a phone ringing, traffic outside. If you are in a quiet room and speaking clearly, this is usually fine. If you are in a busy environment, consider moving to a quieter space before you record, or use internal audio instead if you do not need your voice.

When to use internal audio only

Internal audio captures what your Mac is playing — music, video dialogue, system notification sounds — but not your voice or room noise. This is useful when you are recording a video that is already playing on your screen, or when you want to show what an app sounds like without adding your own narration.

If you want both your voice and the sounds from your Mac, you cannot get that from the built-in Screenshot tool. You would need a third-party app like OBS Studio or ScreenFlow, which can mix multiple audio sources. For most people recording a straightforward tutorial or demo, internal audio alone or microphone audio alone is enough.

When to record with no audio

Recording without audio makes sense when you plan to add narration or music later, or when the visual part of what you are showing is clear enough that sound is not needed. It also eliminates the risk of capturing background noise or accidentally recording something you did not intend to.

No audio is also the choice if you are recording something sensitive where you do not want any ambient sound preserved. Once you have recorded without audio, you can add a voiceover in video editing software like iMovie or Final Cut Pro.

What happens if you forget to change the audio setting

If you start recording and realize the audio setting is wrong, stop the recording when ready by pressing Shift + Command + 5 again or clicking the stop button in the menu bar. Then adjust the microphone setting in Options and start a new recording. There is no way to change the audio source mid-recording.

The file you just recorded will still have the audio it captured. You can delete it or keep it — the choice is yours. Most people find it faster to just re-record the last 30 seconds than to try to fix the audio afterward.

How to find and play back your recording

When you stop recording, a thumbnail appears in the bottom right corner of your screen. Click it to open the recording in QuickTime Player, where you can play it back and hear exactly what was captured. If you do not click the thumbnail, the file saves to your Desktop by default.

Before you share a recording with anyone, always play it back first. This is the only way to know whether the audio came through clearly, whether background noise is a problem, or whether you need to re-record with different settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record my screen and my microphone at the same time with different apps?

No. The built-in Screenshot tool records either microphone audio or internal audio, not both. If you need to mix your voice with system sounds, you need third-party software like OBS Studio, which is free and lets you add multiple audio sources to one recording.

Does internal audio recording work with all apps?

Internal audio works with most apps — web browsers, music players, video apps — but some apps block it for copyright reasons. If you are recording a streaming service like Netflix or Spotify, internal audio may not capture anything. Microphone audio will still work.

Will people hear my keyboard typing if I use microphone audio?

Yes, if your microphone is sensitive enough and you are typing loudly. If keyboard noise is a problem, type more slowly and deliberately, or record in a quieter space. You can also use internal audio only if you do not need your voice in the recording.

What if my Mac has no built-in microphone?

If you are using an external microphone, it will appear in the microphone dropdown menu in Screenshot Options. Select it the same way you would select the built-in microphone. Make sure the external microphone is plugged in and turned on before you open Screenshot.

Can I edit the audio after I record?

The built-in tools on Mac do not let you remove or change audio after recording. You would need video editing software like iMovie, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve. The easiest option is usually to re-record with the correct audio setting rather than trying to fix it afterward.