If you want to record your screen on a Mac, you might be tempted to use one of the pre-installed screen recording tools that come with the operating system. But many of them don’t quite hit the mark – they’re complicated, and clunky, and you’ll need to upload and download large files whenever you want to share your video with a recipient.
A better alternative is to use a third-party app like Loom. You’ll simply record your screen, then instantly share your video via an automatic link. That’s right – it doesn’t take up any space on your computer.
Our step-by-step guide takes you through how to use our mac screen recorder using Loom’s user-friendly desktop app and Chrome extension tools.
Can you screen record on a Mac?
Yes – Loom’s powerful communication tool allows you to screen record from a high-quality camera in a matter of seconds. Instead of using the slightly limited Quicktime player app that comes with the o/s, you can use Loom’s native Mac app or the Chrome extension to record your screen.
As soon as you’ve finished recording your screen, camera, or both, the app immediately generates a shareable link. Simply copy and paste the link to share your vid with others.
The Loom Desktop App is always available from your menu bar, so your red record button is just a click away.
What are the benefits of screen recording?
Screen recordings are a popular method of asynchronous communication. They allow distributed teams to communicate and share essential information, without the pressure of meeting in real-time. Colleagues and customers in different time zones, working in office-based, remote or hybrid roles, can all make the most of screen recording tools and their extended features.
Here are just some of the cool things you can do with Loom:
Dual-Screen Communication – Show your face and your computer screen simultaneously, so there’s never any confusion.
Onboard Employees – Greet new joiners and show them the ropes through a series of Loom videos.
Deliver Tutorials – Build a video training library to upskill your team members by training remotely.
Show Your Portfolio – Show off your best work whenever you’re on a sales call with a lead. Actions speak louder than words, so don’t just tell them how great you are, show them.
Build Personal Relationships – Seeing your face and building that personal connection enhances morale and unity across your entire organization.
Resolve IT Issues – Record a video of the problem you’re experiencing and send it to your IT team to debug.
Share Important Data – Deliver asynchronous and synchronous data straight from your Mac.
How to screen record on a Mac using the Loom desktop app
Loom’s Mac screen recorder is available as a desktop app that allows you to capture, annotate, and share what’s on your screen. It’s a versatile communication tool – you have the option to record your camera, screen or both at once – resulting in an engaging and expressive video message to share with your team.
A step-by-step tutorial on how to record video on Mac using the Loom desktop app
Here’s how to capture a new screen recording after you install the Loom desktop app (further installation instructions are available if you have macOS Mojave or Catalina):
Click on the desktop app icon to open the recorder.
With the Loom desktop app recorder, you can easily select your audio input and recording preferences straight from the main menu.
2. Sign in to your Loom account, or create a free account.
3. Choose what to capture and your screen recording settings. With Loom, you have three recording options:
Screen + Cam: Records both your screen and camera
Screen Only: Records just your screen and no audio, with no camera
Cam Only: Enables a webcam recorder only.
You have further options if you choose Screen + Cam or Screen Only. Record your full screen, a specific window, or a custom-size area if you want to record selected portions of your screen. If your Mac is hooked up to multiple monitors, you can also choose which to record.
4. Choose the audio and camera for your recording.
If you want to record both your camera and audio with your screen, you can select any camera or microphone connected to your computer. Check the audio recording indicator to tell if your microphone is enabled and ready to start capturing audio before you hit record.
5. Click Start Recording.
6. To stop the Mac screen recorder, use the stop button on the Control Menu or click the Loom app on your desktop. To gather your thoughts or start over, use the Control Menu to pause or delete your recording.
Here’s an overview of Loom’s recording controls (or how to hide them, if you prefer.)
To check you’re happy with your recording once you’re finished, head to your Loom library to watch your auto-uploaded video. You don’t need to manually download or upload any files, as with QuickTime player or similar.
But what if you want to tinker with your video after you’ve stopped recording? With Loom, you can also customize your recording experience – from adjusting your microphone and camera inputs to resolution, settings, and keyboard shortcuts. Want to add some fun to your recording? Use the shortcut “control + command + c” to add a fun burst of confetti.
If you need a recording tool that’s even more powerful, check out Loom Business. It delivers enhanced features like HD recording, and shows mouse clicks, call-to-action buttons, custom thumbnails, and engagement insights. The drawing tool is also a firm user favorite, allowing you to scribble and annotate to your heart’s content as you record.
If you don’t need to produce a full recording, try our new screenshot feature, which is now in beta. You’ll take cloud-based screenshots which create quick links to share. Try out keyboard shortcuts like:
Command + Shift + 1 to record the entire screen
Command + Shift + 2 for a selected area screenshot.
How to screen record on a Mac using the Loom Chrome extension
With Loom’s Chrome extension, you’ll record your screen straight from your browser instead of using the native Mac app.
A step-by-step tutorial on how to record your Mac screen using the Loom Chrome extension
After you add the Loom Chrome extension to your browser, follow the instructions below to record your screen:
1. Click on the Chrome extension icon.
2. Decide how to capture your recording:
Screen + Cam: Records your screen and camera, offering the best of both worlds.
Screen Only: Records just your screen with no camera - perfect if you’re camera-shy.
Cam Only: Records only your camera for a personable and engaging loom.
If you choose either Screen + Cam, or Screen Only record preferences, you can either record your whole screen or a specific browser window. Select any external microphone or camera that’s connected to your Mac for your recording. An audio indicator highlights that your microphone is enabled and is successfully capturing audio before you hit record.
3. Click the Start Recording button.
A screen recorder that works wherever you work
Loom is also a super mobile tool you can use on the go. The Loom iOS Screen Recorder app allows you to record your iPhone screen or your iPad screen to round out the full suite of Apple products. The mobile app allows you to record audio only if you prefer not to show your screen.
And if you have an Android device, no problem, use our Android Screen Recorder.
Accelerate the flow of information with video messaging
Loom is a fantastic asynchronous tool with some creative use cases. At its core, it allows you to record your Mac screen and share information with colleagues and customers. Here are some of the exciting ways you can use Loom:
All great conversations are a two-way street, which is why Loom recipients can always reply to a video message with their own loom. It’s also possible to include text comments and emojis to interact with the content.
Learn how to add emojis and interactive comments in the loom above! 🙌
All looms remain in a cloud-based personal library, and you can access them anytime and anywhere. And you’ll always be able to share them freely with your teammates. Don’t worry if an employee leaves your company – their looms will live on, so the organization retains valuable company knowledge as your team evolves.
Why choose Loom as your Mac screen recorder?
Loom is the ultimate free screen recorder that can be activated with a click of a button. With extra video editing tools, you can give your shared videos a little extra oomph to impress. Create high-quality tutorials and sales presentations, or just chat with your employees face-to-face.
What’s more, you don’t need to be at your computer to record your Mac screen. Loom is fully compatible with all iOS devices, so wherever you go, Loom goes too.