Yes, most screen recording tools record audio by default, but you can usually turn it off
When you start a screen recording on Windows, Mac, or a phone, the audio from your microphone and your computer's speakers will record together unless you specifically disable it. This happens automatically on most devices — you do not have to do anything extra to capture sound. The audio file becomes part of the same video file as your screen, so when you play back the recording, you hear both what was happening on screen and what was being said or played.
Whether you want audio in your recording depends on what you are recording. If you are capturing a tutorial or a presentation, audio is usually what you need most. If you are recording to show someone a visual problem or to document a process silently, you will want to turn audio off before you hit record.
Key Takeaways
- Screen recording tools capture microphone audio and computer audio at the same time by default on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android.
- You can disable audio recording in your tool's settings before you start, or mute your microphone if you only want to block your own voice.
- Computer audio (music, video playback, notification sounds) records separately from your microphone, so you can turn one off without affecting the other.
- Some tools like OBS Studio let you choose which audio sources to record, giving you more control over what ends up in your final video.
How audio recording works in built-in screen capture tools
On Windows 10 and 11, the built-in Xbox Game Bar records both your microphone and your computer's speakers when you press Windows key + G to start recording. You cannot turn off audio from within the Game Bar itself — it records everything. If you do not want audio, you can mute your microphone in Windows Settings before you record, or use a different tool that gives you more control.
On Mac, the built-in screen recording tool (accessed through Command + Shift + 5) records your microphone audio by default. You can see a microphone icon in the recording options menu. Click it to choose which microphone to use, or select "None" to record video without any audio at all.
On iPhone, the built-in screen recording (found in Control Center) captures microphone audio automatically. To turn it off, open Control Center, long-press the screen recording button, and toggle off "Microphone Audio" before you start.
On Android, the built-in screen recorder in Settings captures audio from both your microphone and your device's speakers. The option to disable audio is usually in the recording settings or in a menu that appears when you tap the record button — the exact location varies by phone manufacturer.
Computer audio versus microphone audio
Your screen recording captures two separate audio streams at once. Computer audio is everything your device plays out loud: music, video dialogue, notification sounds, system alerts. Microphone audio is your own voice and any sound in the room around you. Most built-in tools record both together in a single audio track.
Some situations call for one without the other. If you are recording a video tutorial and want to narrate over it, you need your microphone but might not want system notification sounds cluttering the audio. If you are recording a video call or a meeting, you probably want both — the other person's voice (computer audio) and your own voice (microphone audio).
Built-in tools usually do not let you separate these two sources, which means you have to choose: record both or record neither. If you need more control, third-party tools like OBS Studio (free, Windows and Mac) let you select which audio sources to include and adjust them independently.
Turning off audio before you record
The easiest way to prevent audio from recording is to disable it in your tool's settings before you press the record button. On Mac, use Command + Shift + 5, then click "Options" and select "None" next to the microphone. On iPhone, long-press the screen recording button in Control Center and toggle "Microphone Audio" off. On Windows, you will need to use a third-party tool, because the built-in Game Bar does not have an audio toggle.
If you forget to disable audio before you start, you can mute your microphone in your device's audio settings while recording. This stops your voice from being captured but does not affect computer audio — notification sounds and video playback will still record. To silence everything, you would need to mute your device's overall volume, which also silences the audio track.
Using third-party tools for more audio control
OBS Studio is a free, open-source tool available for Windows and Mac that gives you precise control over which audio sources record. When you set up a scene, you can add your microphone as one audio source and your computer's audio as another. You can then mute either one independently, adjust volume levels separately, or record them to different audio tracks that you can edit later.
Other tools like Camtasia, ScreenFlow (Mac only), and Snagit offer similar controls in their paid versions. These tools are useful if you record frequently and need to mix audio carefully — for example, if you want your narration louder than background music, or if you want to record a call but filter out notification sounds.
For most one-time recordings, the built-in tools are sufficient. You just need to remember to turn off audio in the settings before you start, or mute your microphone if you only want to block your own voice.
What happens to audio after you stop recording
Once you stop recording, the audio is permanently part of the video file. You cannot remove it later without using video editing software. If you recorded audio you did not want — background noise, a notification sound, someone talking in the room — you will need to edit the video to remove or mute that section.
Most computers come with basic video editing tools. Windows includes the Photos app, which can trim video and adjust audio. Mac includes iMovie. If you need more control, free tools like DaVinci Resolve or Shotcut let you mute specific sections of audio or replace it entirely with new narration.
This is why it is worth taking a few seconds to disable audio before you record, rather than trying to fix it afterward. Recording in a quiet space and muting your microphone if you do not need narration saves you editing time later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record video without audio and add narration later?
Yes. Record with audio turned off, then use video editing software to add your voice afterward. This gives you more control over what you say and lets you re-record if you make a mistake. Most free editors like iMovie or DaVinci Resolve support adding audio tracks to existing video.
Will system notification sounds record if I mute my microphone?
Yes. Muting your microphone only stops your voice from recording. Computer audio — notifications, alerts, music, video playback — will still record at full volume. To silence everything, you need to mute your device's overall volume or disable audio recording in your tool's settings.
What if I want to record a video call without the other person knowing?
Recording someone without their knowledge is illegal in many places. Some states and countries require all parties to consent to being recorded. Check your local laws before recording any conversation, and consider telling the other person you are recording.
Can I record my screen and my microphone separately?
Yes, with tools like OBS Studio. You can set up separate audio tracks for your microphone and your computer audio, then edit them independently after recording. Built-in tools usually combine them into one track, so you cannot separate them later.
Does screen recording use a lot of storage space if audio is included?
Audio takes up very little space compared to video. A one-hour screen recording with audio might be 500 MB to 2 GB depending on your video quality settings. Audio alone would add only 50 to 100 MB. Video quality matters far more than whether audio is included.