If you are a Mac user, you have likely faced a frustrating moment: You record a video, meeting, or gameplay, only to realize there is no sound. Many creators struggle to record screen with internal audio on Mac because macOS prevents capturing system sound by default for privacy reasons.
Today, we will break down the two best free methods for recording your Mac screen with internal audio: using the built-in QuickTime Player and the popular open-source tool OBS Studio.
Method 1: QuickTime Player (The Native Way)
Best for: Casual users who want to record screen with internal audio on Mac without paid software.
QuickTime is already installed on your Mac, but to make it record system sound, you need a “bridge.” We recommend a free plugin called BlackHole.
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Install the Audio Driver: Download and install BlackHole (it’s free and open-source).
2. Configure Audio MIDI Setup:
- Open Spotlight (Command + Space) and search for Audio MIDI Setup.
- Click the
+icon in the bottom left and select Create Multi-Output Device.
3. Check the boxes for both “Built-in Output” (your speakers) and “BlackHole.”
4. Change your output to the Multi-Output Device you just created.
5. Open QuickTime Player and start recording.
To start recording, open QuickTime Player, go to File > New Screen Recording, click Options on the toolbar, and set the Microphone to BlackHole 2ch.
Pros: No heavy software to learn; high-quality recording.
Cons: Initial setup is tricky; you must remember to switch your audio output back to “Speakers” after recording to control your volume again.
Method 2: OBS Studio (The Pro Way)
Best for: Streamers and gamers looking to record screen with internal audio on Mac with advanced controls.
In the past, OBS was complicated. However, with recent macOS updates, it has become the easiest way to capture audio because it no longer requires extra plugins like BlackHole for basic tasks.
Step-by-Step Guide (for macOS 13+):
- Download OBS Studio from their official website.
- Add Source: Click
+in Sources and select macOS Screen Capture. - Verify Audio:
- By default, audio is captured automatically.
- Tip: Just glance at the Audio Mixer bars while playing a sound. If the bars move, you are good to go!
- Record: Hit “Start Recording.”
Pros: Extremely powerful; can isolate specific app audio; no need to mess with System Sound settings.
Cons: The interface can look intimidating to beginners.
Which one should you choose?
Here is a quick comparison to help you decide:
| Feature | QuickTime Player | OBS Studio |
| Cost | Free (Built-in) | Free (Open Source) |
| Difficulty | Medium (Requires setup) | Easy (On modern macOS) |
| System Load | Very Low | Medium |
| Audio Control | Records everything | Precise (Can isolate apps) |
| Best For | One-off, simple clips | YouTubers & Gamers |
Editor’s Tip
If you are running macOS Ventura or Sonoma, OBS Studio is a powerful free choice, though it has a bit of a learning curve. If you prefer native apps, the QuickTime + BlackHole combo is a reliable classic, but the setup can be tricky.
Want a simpler solution? Try the newly released Bandicam for Mac. Unlike QuickTime, it captures system sound natively without any plugins, and it is much easier to use than OBS. If you are looking for a lightweight recorder that simply “just works” with high quality, Bandicam is now the best alternative on the Mac App Store.
Choose the tool that fits your workflow!