QuickTime Player review

Every Mac can already record its screen. Apple's support page explains two routes: the Screenshot app toolbar, opened with Shift-Command-5, and QuickTime Player's New Screen Recording command. Both record the entire screen or a selected portion, can add microphone audio and can show a black circle around the pointer on clicks. On macOS Tahoe 26 or later the Screenshot app can record a single window and capture HDR, and on macOS 27 Golden Gate or later it can include system audio, which matters for recording calls. Recordings save as .mov files to the desktop by default and open in QuickTime Player for playback and simple edits. There is no webcam overlay, no zooms and no sharing link, so anything beyond a quick clip needs another app. For a one-off bug report or a short how-to, it is the fastest option because there is nothing to install or pay for.

Who it is for

quick recordings with no install

Price

Free, included with macOS.

You can use Screenshot or QuickTime player to make a video recording of the entire screen or just a selected portion of it.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Record the entire screen or a selected portion
• Microphone audio with an optional on-screen click indicator
• Screenshot app toolbar (Shift-Command-5) adds window recording on macOS Tahoe 26 or later
• System audio option in the Screenshot app on macOS 27 Golden Gate or later
• Basic trimming and playback after recording

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Already installed on every Mac
• Strength: No account, watermark or upload
• Strength: Stop any recording with Command-Control-Esc
• Weakness: No webcam overlay, zooms or cursor effects
• Weakness: System audio capture needs macOS 27 Golden Gate or later through the Screenshot app
• Weakness: Saves .mov files that need another app for real editing

Key facts

• Price: Free with macOS
• Shortcut: Shift-Command-5 or Control-Command-N in QuickTime Player
• File format: .mov

Where it ranks

QuickTime Player is No. 8 in our Best Screen Recorders for Mac verdict.