Recording system audio on a Mac: what built-in tools miss and how to fix it

Why Mac recordings come out without app sound

Microphone audio and system audio are separate inputs on a Mac. A recorder can capture your voice perfectly and still miss the sound of a video, a notification or an app demo. This guide explains, from Apple and vendor documentation read on 30 October 2026, which recorders capture system audio natively, what permission they need, and the workarounds when they do not. We have not tested these recorders ourselves.

Who this is for: anyone recording tutorials, game clips or app demos on a Mac where on-screen sound matters. Who can skip it: people who only need their microphone.

What the built-in tools do

The Screenshot toolbar (Shift-Command-5) has an Options menu with Microphone, Show Mouse Clicks, a timer and save location. Apple's page lists Include System Audio only for 'macOS 27 Golden Gate or later'. On earlier versions, do not expect the option to be there. [1]

QuickTime Player's File > New Screen Recording lets you choose a microphone, monitoring volume and mouse clicks. Apple notes the Screenshot toolbar may open instead. The page does not mention system audio for QuickTime. [1]

Both save .mov files named with the date and time. Apple also notes that some apps, such as the Apple TV app, might not let you record their windows. [1]

Options by macOS version

Summarised from Apple, OBS and vendor pages. Check your own macOS version in Apple menu > About This Mac before choosing. [1][3][4][5][6][7]

The permission that silently blocks audio

Apple's Mac User Guide puts this under System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen & System Audio Recording. Each app in the list can be turned on or off, and apps can be allowed to record both the screen and audio, or just audio. If your recorder is not listed, use the Add button and choose it. [2]

The usual symptom of a system audio problem is a file with your voice but no app sound. If that happens, check this setting before changing anything else. After changing it, quitting and reopening the recorder is a sensible step, although Apple's page does not state it is required. [2]

Setting up OBS or a virtual device

OBS on macOS 13 or later: with OBS 30 or newer, add a macOS Audio Capture source and choose all desktop audio or a single application. OBS says the macOS Screen Capture source also captures audio. For audio only, place the source behind other sources or set its size to zero. [3]

Older macOS with VB-CABLE, per OBS: in Audio MIDI Setup create a Multi-Output Device, set the device you listen on as the Master Device and include VB-Cable, choose that Multi-Output Device as system output, then set Desktop Audio in OBS to VB-CABLE. OBS notes VB-CABLE does not support per-application capture, while Loopback and Sound Siphon do. [3]

BlackHole describes itself as a virtual loopback driver that lets apps pass audio to other apps with zero additional latency, built for Intel and Apple silicon. Its page offers a Homebrew install and points to its Discord download channel for instructions, so follow those rather than generic tutorials. [5]

Loopback describes cable-free routing that combines app audio and input devices into a virtual device available anywhere on the Mac. The download is both trial and full version, with trial limitations not specified on the page. [6]

Troubleshooting checklist for silent recordings

Work through these in order; most silent recordings fail at the first three.

• Confirm your macOS version supports the option you are relying on, such as Include System Audio on macOS 27 or later. [1]
• Check System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen & System Audio Recording and make sure your recorder is on. [2]
• Quit and reopen the recorder after changing permissions.
• In OBS, confirm the audio source exists and its meter moves when sound plays. [3]
• If using a Multi-Output Device, confirm the Mac output is set to it and the listening device is the Master Device. [3]
• Check the app you are recording: some apps block window recording. [1]
• Record a 20-second test with voice and a system sound, then play the file in another app before the real session.

Which path to take

On macOS 27 or later, start with the built-in toolbar for short clips. On macOS 13 to 26, OBS, which describes itself as free and open source, is the no-cost route and Screen Studio the paid one if you also want zoom and cursor polish. On anything older, a virtual device is the only option the official pages describe. A fictional example: a teacher on macOS 15 records a lesson with the Screenshot toolbar and finds the embedded video is silent, because Include System Audio is not listed for that version; a 20-second test before the lesson would have caught it. This example is invented, not a test result. [1][3][4][7]

Sources & verification

Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.

1. Apple Support: How to record the screen on Mac Accessed 30 Oct 2026
2. Apple Mac User Guide: Control access to screen and system audio recording Accessed 30 Oct 2026
3. OBS Knowledge Base: macOS Desktop Audio Capture Guide Accessed 30 Oct 2026
4. Screen Studio homepage, including features, pricing and FAQ Accessed 30 Oct 2026
5. Existential Audio: BlackHole Accessed 30 Oct 2026
6. Rogue Amoeba: Loopback Accessed 30 Oct 2026
7. OBS Project homepage Accessed 30 Oct 2026