Screen Recording Mac Shortcut

The screen recording shortcut on a Mac is Shift-Command-5. It opens the Screenshot toolbar, where you choose what to record and click Record. To stop, press Command-Control-Esc or click the Stop button in the menu bar.

That is the whole answer. The rest of this page puts the keys in one table and explains what each one does. The macOS keys come from Apple's support page, linked at the end. We make Quibble, so its shortcut is listed too.

Mac screen record keyboard shortcuts

Shift-Command-5 only opens the toolbar. You still click Record to begin. There is no single key in the table that starts recording the entire screen with no further click.

How to start a screen recording with the shortcut

1. Press Shift-Command-5.
2. Choose Record Entire Screen, Record Selected Window or Record Selected Portion.
3. Click Record. If you chose a window, click the window you want.

Recording a selected window needs macOS Tahoe 26 or later, according to Apple. See how to record a specific window on Mac for older versions.

How to stop screen recording on Mac

You have two ways, and Apple lists both:

• Press Command-Control-Esc.
• Click the Stop button in the menu bar.

The recording is saved as a .mov file, to your Desktop by default. A thumbnail also appears in the corner of the screen. Click it to edit the recording.

If you pressed Shift-Command-5 and changed your mind before clicking Record, press Escape to close the toolbar.

Set a microphone, timer or save folder

Before you click Record, open Options in the toolbar. Apple lists these:

• Microphone to record your voice.
• Include System Audio to record sound from the Mac, on macOS 27 or later.
• Show Mouse Clicks to show a black circle when you click.
• Timer to delay the start by a number of seconds.
• Save to to change the folder from the Desktop.

For more on sound, see how to record your Mac screen with internal audio.

Shortcut for QuickTime Player

In QuickTime Player, Control-Command-N or File > New Screen Recording starts a new screen recording. Apple notes that on some versions the Screenshot toolbar appears instead of the old QuickTime window. The stop keys are the same: Command-Control-Esc or the menu bar button.

Quibble's shortcut

In Quibble, press Option-Command-R to start a recording. The screen dims so you can choose a screen, a window or an area. Quibble runs on Macs with Apple silicon and macOS 15 or later.

Two other keys matter in Quibble's editor:

• B is the Split tool. Click the timeline to cut.
• Hold Command and move the mouse to draw a yellow highlight into the video.

Recording, editing and previewing are free. Saving and exporting the finished video need a license ($7.99 per month, $79 per year or $129 once, with a 14-day refund).

If the shortcut does nothing

• Check that you are pressing all keys together. Shift-Command-5 needs three keys at once.
• Try the other route: in QuickTime Player, choose File > New Screen Recording.
• Make sure your Mac is on a macOS version that has the option you want. Selected window needs Tahoe 26 or later and Include System Audio needs macOS 27 or later.

Need more than the shortcuts? Our guide to how to record screen on Mac covers sound, webcam, captions and trimming.

Frequently asked questions

What is the shortcut for screen recording on a Mac?

Shift-Command-5. It opens the Screenshot toolbar, where you choose what to record and click Record.

How do I stop screen recording on Mac?

Press Command-Control-Esc, or click the Stop button in the menu bar.

Is there a keyboard shortcut that starts recording immediately?

Not in Apple's list. Shift-Command-5 opens the toolbar and you click Record. Quibble starts with Option-Command-R, and a window for choosing the screen, window or area opens first.

Where is the screen recording saved?

On the Desktop by default, as a .mov file. Change it with Save to in Options.

Sources

• Apple: Record the screen on your Mac
• Apple: Record your screen in QuickTime Player
• Quibble: getquibble.app

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