How to Record Your Screen with Audio (Mac, Windows, Chrome - 2026 Guide)

TL;DR

You want to know how to record screen with audio on Mac, Windows, or Chrome. Every operating system has a built-in tool. Most of them work.

The one that trips people up is Mac, where QuickTime cannot capture system audio without a workaround. This guide shows every method, plus the BlackHole fix for Mac system sound, plus a free tool (Vyds) that captures both microphone and system audio with one click on every platform.

Why screen recording with audio matters
Quick start: the fastest method for each platform
How to record screen with audio on Mac
How to record screen with audio on Windows
How to record screen with audio in Chrome
How to record screen with audio on iPhone and iPad
How to record screen with audio on Android
Troubleshooting common audio problems
System audio on Mac: the full guide
Best screen recorders with audio (comparison table)
Tips for better audio in screen recordings
FAQ

Why screen recording with audio matters

Screen recording without audio is a tutorial nobody can follow. Half the value of a screen recording is what you say while you do it. The other half is the sound the app makes - the ding when a notification arrives, the audio of a video you are demoing, the call you are documenting for a teammate.

Two kinds of audio can be captured during a screen recording, and the difference matters:

Microphone audio is your voice. Every screen recording tool can capture it. This is the easy one.
System audio is the sound your computer is producing - app alerts, video playback, music, the audio coming out of your speakers. This is the hard one, especially on Mac.

If you only need to narrate over your screen, microphone audio is enough. If you need to demo a video, capture a Zoom call, or show a workflow that depends on app sounds, you need system audio too. Most built-in tools handle one or the other. A few handle both.

The rest of this guide walks through how to record screen with audio on every major platform, including the workaround for Mac's system audio problem and a free screen recorder that captures both audio sources by default.

Quick start: the fastest method for each platform

Skip the rest of the guide if you just need to record screen with audio right now:

Mac: Press Command+Shift+5, click the audio dropdown, select your microphone, click Record. For system audio, install BlackHole (covered below).
Windows 11: Open Snipping Tool, switch to Record mode, click New, select your area, then enable the microphone before you start. For system audio, the Game Bar (Windows key + G) handles it natively.
Chrome (any OS): Install the Vyds Chrome extension, click the icon, choose Tab + Microphone + System Audio, click Record. Done.
iPhone/iPad: Add Screen Recording to Control Center, long-press the button, turn the microphone on, tap Start.
Android: Pull down the quick settings, tap Screen Recorder, choose your audio source, tap Start.

A faster option for any platform

If you want one tool that captures screen and audio with no setup, no workarounds, and no time limits, download Vyds. It's free, works on Mac and Windows, and saves the file to your computer the moment you press stop. No upload wait. No sign-in required to record.

How to record screen with audio on Mac

Mac has three good ways to record screen with audio. Two are built in. One is free and skips the most annoying part of the built-in tools (system audio).

Method 1: Built-in Screenshot toolbar (Command+Shift+5)

This is the fastest built-in option. macOS Mojave and later all support it.

Press Command + Shift + 5.
A floating toolbar appears at the bottom of the screen. Choose either "Record Entire Screen" or "Record Selected Portion".
Click the Options dropdown.
Under Microphone, select your input device (built-in mic, AirPods, USB mic).
Click Record.
To stop, click the stop icon in the menu bar, or press Command + Control + Esc.
The recording saves to your Desktop as a .mov file by default.

What works: Microphone capture is reliable. The output file plays in QuickTime, iMovie, and most editors. No third-party software required.

What doesn't: No system audio. If you record a YouTube video playing in Safari, you will get the visuals and your voice, but the video's own sound will not be in the file. This is by design - Apple does not let you capture system audio with the Screenshot toolbar.

Method 2: QuickTime Player (and the system audio workaround)

QuickTime works the same way as the Screenshot toolbar for microphone audio, with the same limitation on system audio.

Open QuickTime Player from Applications.
Go to File > New Screen Recording.
Click the dropdown arrow next to the record button.
Select your microphone under Microphone.
Click Record, then click anywhere to record the full screen, or drag to select a region.
Stop with Command + Control + Esc or by clicking the stop button in the menu bar.

For system audio, you need a virtual audio driver. Most people use BlackHole, which is free. The full setup is in the System audio on Mac section below.

Method 3: Vyds desktop app (one-click, captures system audio natively)

If installing BlackHole, routing audio devices, and double-checking microphone settings sounds like too much work, Vyds handles it for you.

Download Vyds for Mac (it's free, no account needed).
Open the app.
Click Record, choose what to capture (full screen, window, or region).
Toggle on Microphone and System Audio. Both default to on.
Click Start, do your thing, click stop.
The video saves to your computer immediately. No upload. No wait.

System audio capture on Mac uses Vyds' built-in audio routing. You do not install anything else. This is the angle the brief flagged: most guides on how to record screen with audio gloss over Mac system audio, then send you to a third-party driver. Vyds handles it because we built it for the same person who got tired of Loom's reliability problems and wanted something that just works.

For a deeper walkthrough of all three Mac options, the dedicated record screen on Mac guide goes step-by-step through each.

How to record screen with audio on Windows

Windows has more built-in options than Mac. The catch: each one is good at one thing and bad at another.

Method 1: Snipping Tool (Windows 11)

Snipping Tool is the newest Windows screen recorder. It works in Windows 11 22H2 and later.

Press Windows key + Shift + S or open Snipping Tool from the Start menu.
Click the Record button at the top.
Click + New.
Drag to select the area you want to record.
Before you click Start, click the microphone icon and toggle audio on.
Click Start. A 3-second countdown begins.
To stop, click the stop button in the menu bar.
The video opens in Snipping Tool. Click the save icon to save it.

Audio: Microphone yes, system audio no. Same limitation as macOS Screenshot toolbar.

Method 2: Xbox Game Bar (Windows 10 and 11)

The Game Bar is hidden under the gaming label, but it works for any app. It is also one of the few built-in Windows tools that captures system audio by default.

Press Windows key + G to open the Game Bar.
Click the Capture widget (camera icon).
To enable microphone, click the microphone icon (it has a slash through it when off).
Click the Record button (circle icon).
To stop, press Windows key + Alt + R or click the stop button.
The video saves to Videos > Captures as an .mp4 file.

Audio: System audio yes, microphone yes. Both work. The catch: Game Bar will not record File Explorer or the Windows desktop. You must be in an app window.

Method 3: Clipchamp (built into Windows)

Clipchamp ships with Windows 11. It has a screen recorder buried inside the editor.

Open Clipchamp from Start.
Click Record & create, then Screen and camera or Screen only.
Allow microphone access if prompted.
Choose what to share (entire screen, window, or browser tab).
If you select "Browser tab", a checkbox appears for "Share tab audio". Check it for system audio.
Click Share to start recording.
Click stop when finished. The recording lands in Clipchamp's editor.

Audio: Microphone yes. System audio only if you record a browser tab and check the box. Whole-screen recordings do not include system audio.

Method 4: Vyds desktop app

Same flow as Mac. Download Vyds, open it, toggle microphone and system audio (both on by default), click Record. The file saves locally the moment you stop.

For a side-by-side comparison of every Windows option, see our record screen on Windows guide.

How to record screen with audio in Chrome

Chrome screen recording is the easiest case because Chrome has a native screen-share API and tab-audio capture built in. The challenge is finding a screen recorder that uses both correctly.

Method 1: Vyds Chrome extension

Install the Vyds Chrome extension.
Click the Vyds icon in your toolbar.
Choose what to record: Tab, Window, or Entire Screen.
Toggle on Microphone and Tab Audio (or System Audio for full-screen capture).
Click Start Recording.
To stop, click the Vyds icon again or press Alt + Shift + R.
The video opens in a new tab where you can trim, share, or save.

The extension captures tab audio natively. No virtual driver. No permission dance.

Method 2: Other Chrome screen recorder extensions

Several other extensions handle screen and audio capture. Quality varies. Some require a paid plan before audio capture turns on, and some watermark the output. The full breakdown is in our guide to Chrome screen recorder extensions.

What to check before you install:

Does the free tier capture audio at all?
Does it watermark recordings?
Is there a time limit on free recordings?
Where does the recording save - to the cloud (someone else's) or to your device?

The last question matters more than people think. A recording sitting on a vendor's server is one billing dispute away from being held hostage. Any screen recorder that saves to Google Drive or your local disk gives you the file no matter what happens to the vendor.

How to record screen with audio on iPhone and iPad

iOS has a built-in screen recorder. It captures app audio by default and microphone audio with a long-press.

Open Settings > Control Center.
Scroll to "More Controls" and tap the green plus next to Screen Recording.
Open Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner on Face ID iPhones, or up from the bottom on older models).
Long-press the screen recording button (do not just tap it).
Tap the microphone icon to turn it on (it goes red when active).
Tap Start Recording. A 3-second countdown begins.
To stop, tap the red status bar at the top, or open Control Center and tap the recording icon.
The video saves to Photos.

Audio behavior: App sound (system audio) records by default. Microphone records only if you turned it on. If you want a clean voiceover with no app sounds, leave the microphone on and silence your phone.

How to record screen with audio on Android

Android 11 and later have a built-in screen recorder in the Quick Settings panel.

Pull down twice from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings.
Tap Screen Recorder (you may need to edit the panel to add it).
Choose audio source: Media sounds, Media sounds and microphone, or No audio.
Tap Start. A 3-second countdown begins.
The recording controls live in the notification shade. Pull down to pause or stop.
Stop the recording. The file saves to your gallery.

Audio: Both system and microphone are supported, separately or together. Pick "Media sounds and microphone" for narration over a video.

If your Android device is older than Android 11, you need a third-party app. Most of the popular ones charge for audio capture or watermark recordings. The same advice from the Chrome section applies: check what the free tier actually does before you commit.

Troubleshooting common audio problems

Most "no audio" complaints come down to one of five things. Run through this list before you blame the tool.

"I recorded my screen but there is no sound"

Check three settings:

Microphone permission: macOS, Windows, and browsers all require explicit permission. Check System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone (Mac), or Settings > Privacy > Microphone (Windows). Make sure the screen recorder is on the allowed list.
Microphone selected: The recorder may be set to "None" or to an input device that is not connected. Open the recorder's audio settings and pick the right mic.
System volume not muted: Sounds obvious. Often the cause. If the source app was muted, the recording captured silence.

"My voice is too quiet"

Move closer to the microphone. 6 to 12 inches is the sweet spot for a built-in laptop mic.
Check input level in System Settings > Sound > Input (Mac) or Settings > System > Sound > Input (Windows). Speak normally and watch the meter. If it stays in the bottom third, raise the input volume.
Switch to a USB or headset mic if your built-in is weak. AirPods work well for casual recordings.

"There is an echo or feedback"

Two audio sources are catching each other. Usually this is your speakers playing back into your microphone.
Use headphones. The fastest fix.
If you are routing system audio through a virtual driver (BlackHole), check that the driver is set as the output for the source app, not as the system-wide output.

"The microphone works in other apps but not this recorder"

Quit the recorder, restart it, and try again. Microphone permission can fail to register on the first launch.
On Mac, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and toggle the recorder off and back on.
On Windows, go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone, scroll down, and confirm the recorder app is in the allowed list.

"I get system audio but no microphone (or vice versa)"

The recorder probably only supports one input at a time. Check the audio settings inside the recorder.
Vyds, OBS, and most paid recorders capture both inputs simultaneously. Built-in tools sometimes do not.

For more on getting clean recordings, see our screen recording tips guide.

Skip the audio headaches

If you are tired of toggling settings and praying the recording captured what you said, download Vyds. Microphone and system audio are on by default.

The recording saves to your computer the moment you stop. No upload spinner. No paywall on audio.

System audio on Mac: the full guide

This is the section most guides on how to record screen with audio skip. It is the section Mac users actually search for.

Apple does not let macOS apps capture system audio without a virtual audio driver. The Screenshot toolbar, QuickTime, and most native screen recorders cannot record the sound coming out of your speakers. Two workarounds exist.

Option A: Install BlackHole (free, open source)

BlackHole is a free virtual audio driver. It creates a fake audio device that other apps can record from.

Download BlackHole 2ch from existential.audio.
Run the installer. You may need to grant permission in System Settings > Privacy & Security.
Open Audio MIDI Setup (in Applications > Utilities).
Click the + in the bottom-left corner and choose Create Multi-Output Device.
Check both Built-in Output (so you can still hear) and BlackHole 2ch (so the recorder can capture).
Set the Multi-Output Device as your system output: System Settings > Sound > Output > Multi-Output Device.
In QuickTime, choose BlackHole 2ch as your microphone input. The recording will now capture system audio.

The downside: this routes ALL system audio through BlackHole. Notifications, alerts, music, everything. You also lose volume control because the Multi-Output Device does not have a volume slider. Many people use it once and never again.

Option B: Use a tool that captures system audio without BlackHole

Vyds, OBS Studio, and a few paid tools capture Mac system audio without making you install or configure anything. Vyds is free. OBS is free but takes about an hour to set up correctly. Paid tools cost what they cost.

If you record screen with audio more than once or twice a year, the BlackHole route gets old fast. A purpose-built tool saves the time.

Option C: SoundFlower (deprecated, do not use)

SoundFlower is the older virtual audio driver many old guides still recommend. It has not been updated for modern macOS. On Apple silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) it does not work at all. Use BlackHole instead.

Best screen recorders with audio (comparison table)

Tool	Mac mic	Mac system audio	Windows mic	Windows system audio	Chrome	Free tier	Time limit
Vyds	Yes	Yes (no driver needed)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Free, unlimited	None
Screenshot toolbar	Yes	No (BlackHole required)	n/a	n/a	n/a	Free	None
QuickTime	Yes	No (BlackHole required)	n/a	n/a	n/a	Free	None
Snipping Tool	n/a	n/a	Yes	No	n/a	Free	None
Xbox Game Bar	n/a	n/a	Yes	Yes	n/a	Free	None
Clipchamp	n/a	n/a	Yes	Tab only	Tab only	Free	30 min
Loom (Starter)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Free, 25 videos	5 min/video
Loom (Business)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	$18/user/mo	None
ScreenPal	Yes	Mac requires plugin	Yes	Yes	Yes	Free, 15 min	15 min
OBS Studio	Yes	Requires setup	Yes	Yes	n/a	Free	None

Notes on the table:

Loom Starter caps free videos at 25 lifetime and 5 minutes each. The free tier is shrinking - read is Loom worth it for the breakdown.
Vyds is free with no time limits and saves recordings to your computer (or your Google Drive if you connect it). See Vyds pricing for the full plan structure.
OBS Studio is free and fully featured but is built for streamers, not casual screen recording. Steep learning curve.
ScreenPal Mac users still need a system audio plugin from ScreenPal's site.

Tips for better audio in screen recordings

The tool matters less than these five habits.

1. Wear headphones. This eliminates echo and stops your speakers from feeding into your microphone. If you do nothing else, do this.

2. Close everything that pings. Quit Slack. Quit Mail. Turn on Do Not Disturb (Mac: Control Center > Focus; Windows: Settings > System > Notifications > Do Not Disturb). One stray notification ding ruins a recording you cannot easily edit.

3. Test your levels first. Record 10 seconds, play it back, listen. If your voice is quiet, raise input volume. If audio clips, lower it. This 30-second check saves you from re-recording a 5-minute walkthrough.

4. Speak slower than feels natural. Most people race when they record. Slow down by about 20%. Pause between sentences. The result sounds more confident and is easier for viewers to follow.

5. Do a soft start. Record 3 seconds of silence at the beginning before you start talking. This gives you headroom to trim cleanly. Same at the end.

For more on improving the recordings themselves, the screen recording tips guide goes deeper into framing, pacing, and editing.

FAQ

Can I record screen with audio for free?

Yes. Every major operating system includes a free screen recorder that captures microphone audio (Screenshot toolbar on Mac, Snipping Tool or Xbox Game Bar on Windows). For both microphone and system audio in one click, Vyds is free with no time limits and works on Mac, Windows, and Chrome.

Why does QuickTime not record system audio on Mac?

Apple blocks apps from capturing system audio at the OS level. QuickTime can only record what is connected as an input device (microphone, line-in). To capture system sound, you need a virtual audio driver like BlackHole that registers as a fake input. Or use a screen recorder built to handle Mac system audio - see the Mac system audio section above.

What is the difference between system audio and microphone audio?

Microphone audio is your voice (or whatever your mic is pointing at). System audio is everything coming out of your computer's speakers - app sounds, video playback, music, alerts. Both can be captured during a screen recording, but most built-in tools only support microphone by default. To capture both, you need a screen recorder that supports two inputs at once.

How do I record screen with audio on Mac without BlackHole?

Use a screen recorder that captures system audio natively. Vyds does this on Mac without installing any drivers. OBS Studio can also do it, but the setup is involved. Most other free tools either skip system audio entirely or send you to BlackHole.

Why is there no sound in my screen recording?

Three usual causes: the recorder did not have microphone permission, no input device was selected, or the source you were recording was muted. See the troubleshooting section above for the full checklist.

Can I record a Zoom or Google Meet call with audio?

Yes, but check your local laws first - many jurisdictions require all-party consent. Once you have consent, any screen recorder that captures both microphone and system audio will record the call. The Zoom call gives you system audio (the other people talking) and your microphone gives you your own voice. Vyds, Loom, and OBS all handle this.

Does Loom record screen with audio for free?

Loom's free Starter plan records both microphone and system audio, but caps recordings at 5 minutes each and 25 videos lifetime. To remove the cap you need Business at $18/user per month. See is Loom worth it for a full breakdown of what the free tier actually gets you.

What format does a screen recording save in?

Default formats vary by tool. Mac's Screenshot toolbar saves .mov, Windows Game Bar saves .mp4, and most browser-based tools save .webm. Vyds saves .webm by default (smaller files, plays everywhere). All of these can be converted, but starting with the right format saves a step.

Why does my recording have no sound when I play it back in another app?

Some media players do not handle every audio codec. Try opening the file in VLC, which supports nearly everything. If you still get no audio, the recording itself is silent - meaning the input was wrong when you recorded.

Can I record screen with audio on a Chromebook?

Yes. Chromebooks have a built-in screen recorder (Shift + Ctrl + Show Windows). It captures microphone audio. For more options, the Vyds Chrome extension works on ChromeOS the same way it works in Chrome on Mac or Windows.

Is OBS Studio better than the built-in tools?

OBS is more powerful but takes time to learn. If you record screen with audio occasionally, the built-in tools or a one-click app like Vyds are faster. If you stream regularly, edit live, or need scene composition, OBS is worth the setup time. For a deeper look at the alternatives, see our free screen recorders with audio roundup.

The short version

Every platform has a way to record screen with audio for free. Mac is the trickiest because of the system audio block. Windows is the most flexible because the Game Bar handles system audio out of the box. Chrome is the cleanest because tab audio is built into the browser API.

If you only record once in a while, the built-in tools are fine. If you record often enough that toggling microphone settings and routing audio through BlackHole feels like a tax, download Vyds.

Microphone and system audio are both on by default. The recording saves to your computer the moment you press stop. No spinner, no upload wait, no paywall on audio.

Your video is saved the moment you hit stop. Download Vyds free.