Mac recording guide
How to record system audio on Mac
To record system audio on a Mac, use a screen recorder that can capture app audio, allow it under System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen & System Audio Recording, then make a short test. Add microphone access separately if you also want to record your voice.
Updated: November 1, 2026 · About 6 minutes
Quick steps
- Open a recorder that supports macOS system-audio capture.
- Select the screen, window, or audio-only mode you need, then enable System Audio.
- When macOS prompts you, allow Screen & System Audio Recording. Allow Microphone separately only if you want to include your voice.
- Play audio in the app you want to capture, record for a few seconds, and play the file back to confirm the sound is there.
What counts as system audio on a Mac?
System audio is sound played by apps on your Mac, such as a meeting, browser video, or app notification. Microphone audio is sound picked up by an input device, such as your voice or a connected headset. A recording app needs to capture each source you want to hear in the finished file.
macOS controls screen and system-audio capture permissions. Apple’s ScreenCaptureKit framework supports capturing screen content and audio, while microphone access is controlled separately. Permission wording can vary by macOS version.
Can QuickTime Player record Mac system audio?
QuickTime Player can record the screen and microphone, but its standard screen-recording flow does not provide a built-in system-audio source selector. For app sound, choose a recorder that explicitly supports macOS system-audio capture. Older guides may suggest virtual audio drivers; whether one is needed depends on the macOS version and recording tool.
Record system audio on Mac with SceneCap
- Install and open SceneCap. It requires macOS 13 Ventura or later. Apple Silicon is recommended.
- Choose a recording mode. Use Meeting for a typical call, Full Screen to capture a display, Single Window for one app, or Audio Only when you do not need video.
- Enable the audio sources you need. Turn on system audio for sound from Mac apps. Turn on the microphone and choose the input device you want for your voice.
- Grant macOS permissions when asked. Allow Screen & System Audio Recording to capture the screen and app audio. Allow Microphone if you want to record your voice. If you change a permission in System Settings, quit and reopen SceneCap if macOS asks you to.
- Make a short test recording. Play a sound in another app and say a few words, then stop and play the recording back before starting a long session.
Allow system-audio recording in macOS
Open Apple menu → System Settings → Privacy & Security. Review Screen & System Audio Recording for screen and app-audio access, and Microphone for voice input. Turn on SceneCap for the access you intend to use. Apple explains these controls in its screen and system-audio recording permissions guide.
Only grant the access needed for your recording. If a permission was denied, SceneCap can help you recover it from the app; macOS may require you to reopen the app after changing the setting.
Troubleshoot a recording with no sound
- No app sound: Confirm system audio is enabled and that SceneCap has Screen & System Audio Recording permission.
- No voice: Confirm microphone capture is enabled, the correct input device is selected, and macOS microphone access is allowed. Check that the input device’s level is not muted.
- Only one source is present: Check the system-audio and microphone controls separately; enabling one does not automatically enable the other.
- Still silent: Quit and reopen SceneCap after permission changes, then make another short test. Check the playback volume and the app that is producing the sound.
Keep recordings private
SceneCap saves recordings locally on your Mac. Transcription runs on-device with WhisperKit. If you choose a cloud AI provider for a summary, the transcript is sent to that provider using your own API key; cloud summaries are optional and off by default. See the privacy policy for details.
Frequently asked questions
Can I record system audio on a Mac without recording the screen?
Yes, if your recorder has an audio-only mode. Select that mode and enable system audio; a screen recording is not required for an audio-only capture.
Can I record Mac system audio and my microphone at the same time?
Yes. Enable both sources in SceneCap and grant the corresponding macOS permissions. Make a short test to confirm both are audible.
Do I need a virtual audio driver?
SceneCap captures system audio through macOS screen-capture capabilities, so its supported system-audio workflow does not require a separate virtual audio driver.
Where are SceneCap recordings stored?
Recordings are stored locally on your Mac in the save location configured in SceneCap.
Does a screen-recording permission allow every app to record my Mac?
No. macOS lets you review and control which apps have screen and system-audio recording access under Privacy & Security.
Technical references: Apple Support: Control access to screen and system audio recording on Mac · Apple Developer: Capturing screen content in macOS.