How to Screen Record YouTube Videos on Mac (Audio Included)

Larissa updated on Jul 08, 2025 to Screen Recording Utility

Recording YouTube videos on a Mac might be difficult, particularly for beginners. Having the appropriate tools can make all the difference, whether recording an instructional, vlog, or gaming video. This article will go through several easy ways to record YouTube videos on a Mac so you can start making high-quality material right now.

Have you ever wanted to save a YouTube video on your Mac for offline viewing, educational use, or video editing? While Windows users have a range of built-in and third-party YouTube recorders, Mac users often struggle to record YouTube videos, especially when it comes to capturing both screen and internal audio. Common challenges include poor video quality, lack of system sound, and complex software setups.

This guide will walk you through how to screen record YouTube content on macOS easily and effectively, with or without sound, using both native and third-party screen recording tools. 

The Easiest Way to Record YouTube Videos With Sound on Mac

Compatibility: macOS 10.13 or later, M1-based and M2-based Mac devices

One of the biggest frustrations for users trying to record YouTube videos on a Mac is the inability to capture internal audio. Many Mac screen recorder tools either lack this feature or require a complex setup, which can be overwhelming for beginners. EaseUS RecExperts addresses this pain point by offering a simple, effective way to record both screen and system sound on Mac, no extra plugins or virtual audio drivers needed. With just a few clicks, users can select their recording area, enable internal audio, and start capturing high-quality video and sound in perfect sync.

Whether you're saving tutorials for offline viewing, recording commentary for creative projects, or capturing streaming content for personal reference, this lightweight Mac screen recording software ensures smooth performance, intuitive controls, and flexible export options. For anyone looking for a reliable way to record YouTube with sound on a Mac, RecExperts offers a streamlined and hassle-free experience.

Steps to Record YouTube Videos on Mac via EaseUS RecExperts:

Step 1. Run EaseUS RecExperts on your device and you will see two recording modes. You can choose "Full Screen"to record the whole screen or choose "Region" to select the recording area manually before recording.

Step 2. After that, you can choose to record the webcam, system sound, microphone or record none of them as you like. You can also set auto split, auto recording with various functions on the interface.

Step 3. Then, you can click the red "REC" button to start recording. Here will be a menu bar on your screen. To pause the recording, click on the white double vertical bar; to end the recording, click on the red square sign.

Step 4. After recording, you will be led to the list interface. Here you can view or edit your recordings. To start a new recording, just click on the "REC" button on the top of the interface.

How to Screen Record YouTube Videos on a MacBook Directly

macOS comes with a couple of built-in tools that support basic screen recording, which can be useful for users who only need to capture YouTube video playback, like QuickTime Player and the Screenshot Toolbar. Now, let's check its performance on YouTube video recording for Mac.

1. Record YouTube Videos on Mac via QuickTime Player

Compatibility: macOS X v10.5 or later

QuickTime Player is a free, built-in screen recording tool on Mac that's easy to use for capturing your screen and microphone audio. However, by default, it cannot record internal system sound on Mac, meaning the audio from YouTube videos won't be captured directly. To record both system audio and screen simultaneously, you need to install third-party virtual audio drivers, such as BlackHole or Soundflower, and configure audio routing in your Mac's settings. While this approach avoids extra costs, the setup process can be complicated and may not be ideal for beginners.

Steps to Record YouTube Videos on Mac via QuickTime Player

Step 1. Open the QuickTime app on your Mac. Click on "File" and then select "New Screen Recording" in the drop-down menu. 

Step 2. Once you see the Recording Interface, click on the arrow to the right of the record button. Then, you will need to select a microphone if you want to record video and audio.

Step 3. Open the YouTube video that you want to record and simply press the Record button on QuickTime.

Step 4. If you want to record the entire screen, just click anywhere on it. If you're going only to record a section, click and drag the cursor to create a new window.

Step 5. Press the Stop button on QuickTime's menu bar when you finish recording. 

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2. Screen Record YouTube Video on Mac with Screenshot Toolbar

Compatibility: macOS Catalina or later

The Screenshot Toolbar on Mac, accessed via the shortcut Command + Shift + 5, provides a quick and convenient way to record your screen without installing extra software. It lets you capture the entire screen, a selected window, or a custom area with just a few clicks.

While this tool is ideal for fast screen recording on macOS, it shares the same limitation as QuickTime: it cannot capture internal system audio. This means that if you record a YouTube video using the Screenshot Toolbar, only the video's visuals will be saved, and any sound will need to come from the microphone. Despite this, the tool's simplicity and ease of access make it suitable for users who only need to capture screen content or add voice narration without system audio.

Steps to Record YouTube Videos on Mac via Hot Keys

Step 1. Press Command + Shift + 5 hotkeys to trigger Screenshot Toolbar on your Mac, and you can see a recording menu on your screen.

  • You can choose to record full screen or record part of the screen.

Step 2. Click the Options button to enable the microphone to record audio.

Step 3. Open the YouTube video you want to record, and click the Record button to start recording.

How to Save YouTube Videos on Mac via OBS Studio

Compatibility: macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later

OBS Studio is a free, powerful screen recorder popular among advanced users. However, due to macOS restrictions, OBS cannot directly record internal system audio. To capture both screen and system sound, you need to install and set up virtual audio drivers like BlackHole or Soundflower. This process can be technical and challenging for beginners. Despite this, OBS offers great flexibility and professional features, making it ideal for users who are comfortable with complex setups and want to record YouTube videos with synced audio on a Mac. For those seeking simplicity, other tools may be more suitable.

Steps to Record YouTube Videos on Mac via OBS Studio

Step 1. Open the YouTube video you want to record on your computer.

Step 2. Download and launch OBS Studio on your Mac. 

Step 3. Click "Settings" in the Control box. Then adjust the audio and video settings for your recording. 

Step 4. Click the "+" icon under the Sources and choose "Display Capture" to create a new display. Once done, click "OK".

Step 5. When all settings are done, begin the screen and audio recording by clicking "Start Recording".

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Legal and Compliance Considerations for Recording YouTube Videos

When recording YouTube videos, it's important to respect copyright laws and YouTube's terms of service. Most tools clearly state that recording and sharing copyrighted content without permission is not allowed. We recommend using your recordings only for personal purposes like learning, commenting, or teaching, activities generally covered under "fair use." Avoid using recorded videos for commercial reasons or public distribution to stay on the safe side legally. Always check relevant rules and policies to make sure you're using the content appropriately.

The Final Words

In summary, choosing the right recording tool and method is essential for capturing YouTube videos on a Mac. Different solutions suit different needs:

  • QuickTime and the Screenshot Toolbar are good for basic screen recording, but cannot capture system audio;
  • OBS Studio provides powerful features but requiresa technical setup of virtual audio drivers, ideal for advanced users;
  • EaseUS RecExperts offers an easy-to-use option with system audio recording, suitable for most users.

Regardless of the method you choose, always respect copyright laws and avoid unauthorized distribution. Use recorded content responsibly for personal learning, commentary, or educational “fair use” purposes.

We hope this guide helps you overcome challenges in recording YouTube videos on your Mac. Start recording today and capture your favorite content with ease!

How to Record YouTube Videos on Mac FAQs

1. Can I record the audio from a YouTube video on Mac?

You certainly can. Because QuickTime Player does not support capturing internal audio, you must use a third-party tool to record the audio from a YouTube video on a Mac. EaseUS RecExperts is an excellent option for recording audio from both the system sound and the microphone. It is simple to use for shooting YouTube audio. It can also extract audio from video.

2. Is it illegal to screen-record YouTube videos?

Screen-recording YouTube videos is not automatically illegal, but how you use the recording matters. If the content is recorded solely for personal use, such as studying, commentary, or education, it may fall under the "fair use" exception and generally won't cause legal issues. However, recording and then sharing, distributing, or using the video for commercial purposes without permission can violate copyright laws and YouTube's terms of service. In short, it's usually fine to record for yourself, but not to publish or profit from that content unless you have explicit rights to do so. Always respect content ownership and use recordings responsibly.

3. Can YouTube videos be downloaded for free?

According to YouTube's terms of service, downloading YouTube videos for free is illegal and not permitted. Although several websites claim to be able to download YouTube videos by URL, this is against YouTube's terms of service.