How to Screen Record on MacBook Air Easily [M1, M2, More]

Jane Zhou updated on Dec 20, 2024 to Screen Recording Utility

Are you still searching for how to screen record on MacBook Air? Stop it now! This post will show you some MacBook Air screen recording tools, and walk you through the detailed steps to complete the task. Among all the programs we mentioned, EaseUS Screen Recorder is worth trying best!

I use a MacBook Air (M1, macOS Ventura). I often need to record screens during study and work, such as recording online courses or meeting content, but the screen recording operation is inconvenient. I can use the shortcut key (Shift + Command + 5) to call up the screen recording tool, but the resolution and frame rate of the recorded video can't be adjusted, and the effect is sometimes unclear enough. What's worse, the system sound, only the picture, can't be recorded during recording. I checked and found I need to install additional plug-ins or set some complicated options. Has anyone used the Mac's screen recording function or other simple methods to screen record on MacBook Air with the screen and system sound together?

As shown in the case above, recording on a Macbook Air M1, M2, or M3 with the system sound is not easy. If you're also bothered by a similar issue, please learn how to screen record on a MacBook Air with sound via the following content. 

Before Screen Recordings on MacBook Air 

"Can you screen record on a MacBook Air?" The answer is YES. If you've enabled the screen recording feature, you can screen record on MacBook Air with its built-in screen recording features or third-party screen recorders. More precisely, you have to allow control access to screen and system recordings on Mac before beginning recording. 

Step 1. Choose Apple menu > select System settings > scroll down to locate Privacy & Security > choose  Screen Recording.

Step 2. Turn recording on or off for each listed app. You can allow the app to record your computer screen with audio or only the audio. If you cannot find your targeted app on the list, click the plus icon to add it. 

Way 1. Screen Record Macbook Air with Sound via a Mac Screen Recorder

👀This method suits pros and beginners who want to create high-quality recordings within simple steps.

Based on our assessment, this Mac screen recorder, EaseUS RecExperts for Mac, could be a top choice to screen record on MacBook Air M1, M2, or M3 with system sound and/or voices using a webcam and microphone. This MacBook screen recorder supports macOS 10.13 and later versions and runs perfectly on M1-based, M2-based, and M3-based Mac devices.

Key features:

  • Screen record Mac with internal audio and the microphone 
  • Provide full-screen recording, selected region recording, schedule recording, and auto-stop and auto-split options.
  • Enable video/audio-to-text transcription, video/audio file import, video/audio editing, audio extraction from videos, microphone noise reduction, etc.

The following steps depict how to screen record MacBook Air via EaseUS Experts for Mac. 

Step 1. Download and launch EaseUS RecExperts on your Mac. To capture the whole screen, click on the "Full Screen" button from the main interface. If you want to customize the recording area, choose the "Region" button. 

Step 2. To record the screen with audio, hit the Sound icon from the bottom left side of the toolbar. The audio resources can be your external sound or system audio. Based on your needs, enable the target option. 

Step 3. Before capturing, you can change the output format of the recorded video by clicking "Settings" from the main interface. Then, scroll down the menu of Output format for Video. Choose the output type as you like. 

Step 4. Once done, click the REC button to begin recording. It captures anything displayed on your Mac screen. When you are done, click the Stop button. Then you can watch the recorded video from "Recordings". 

Way 2. Screen Record MacBook Air with Screenshot Toolbar

👀Running the Screenshot Toolbar requires macOS Catalina 10.15 or newer. If your MacBook Air runs macOS 10.14 or earlier, you're supposed to update your operating system or refer to another way on this page.  

As the title suggests, the Screenshot Toolbar can take screenshots and screen record on macOS. Thus, if you prefer built-in screen recording features and want to screen record MacBook Air M1, M2, or M3 with/without sound, this method is the most suitable because the Screenshot Toolbar enables users to turn on/off the sound property. 

Step 1. Press Shift + Command + 5 keys together on your keyboard to launch the Screenshot Toolbar. 

Step 2. In the pop-up window, select Record the entire screen or Record a portion of the screen. 

Step 3. Click Options > set a saved path and countdown timer, and select whether to enable the microphone. 

Step 4. Once done, click Record to start your recording. To end this recording, simultaneously press the Command + Control + Esc shortcut.

Step 5. Your screen recordings will be automatically saved as .mov files in your designated saved path. These filenames begin with Screen Recording and include the date and time. 

Way 3. Screen Capture on MacBook Air with QuickTime Player

👀QuickTime can record system audio and microphone at the same time. You can check if the built-in microphone is selected if you use QuickTime Player to screen record on a MacBook Air M1, M2, or M3 without sound. If not, please manually select the microphone to capture your voice and sound before starting your recording.

As you can see, QuickTime Player is another way to screen record MacBook Air with sound. Better than the Screenshot Toolbar, it supports almost all macOS operating systems. The steps below depict how to make a screen recording on MacBook Air via QuickTime Player. 

Step 1. Find and launch QuickTime Player on your MacBook Air.

Step 2. Click File > New Screen Recording to open the Screen Recording window.

Step 3. Click the arrow beside the Record button to adjust the recording settings. Please ensure you've selected the microphone to record your voice or other audio with the screen recording.

Step 4. When ready, click the Record button to record the entire screen or a partial area. Click the Stop button or press Command + Control + Esc to finish this process. 

Step 5. After recording, QuickTime Player will automatically open your video recording. Then, you can view, edit, or share it based on your needs. 

Way 4. Screen Record MacBook Air with Audio using OBS Studio

👀OBS Studio aims for professionals because it provides many advanced features with a complicated UI and workflow.

Apart from the above, you can also use OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software) to screen record MacBook Air with audio. This open-source screen recorder is helpful for offline video recording and live streaming on Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems. You can begin utilizing it by creating a source for your video feeds and selecting an output.

Moreover, if there are two or more monitors, you can even record multiple screens using it! Please note that OBS Studio is only compatible with MacOS 10.13 and later. If not, you need to upgrade your macOS. 

Step 1. Install and launch OBS Studio on your Mac > click + under the Sources tab > select Display Capture > set a new name > click OK.

Step 2. Click Settings > adjust the Output, Audio, and Video settings for your video recording process. 

Step 3. Click the plus icon > hit Display capture > click OK.

Step 4. Click Start Recording to screen record on MacBook Air with sound.

Way 5. Screen Record MacBook Air via the Loom Extension 

If you're unwilling to download third-party tools, Loom is a good choice because this extension tool can help you record your screen, webcam, or both. Its free version supports recording to 720p quality, and you can easily share your recordings with your contacts. If you prefer sharp, clear HD or 4K resolution, please upgrade it. Let's show how it works! 

Step 1: Install the available Loom Extension in the Chrome web store.

Step 2: Now sign in with Loom on your Chrome browser.

Step 3: Click the Loom icon at the top left of your browser to open the recording window.

Step 4: Choose screen, cam, or screen + cam for recording.

Step 5: Then click the Start Recording option. The countdown for recording will start. After that, the extension will start capturing your screen.

Step 6: Once done, click the Stop Button in Loom Extension.

Step 7: Save the file in your Loom Account. After saving, you can share the link with others.

Final Words

As you can see, this page covers five ways to record on MacBook Air, including built-in, open-source, and third-party software. You can choose the one that suits your needs best. To make it clear, we had made a simple conclusion:

EaseUS RecExperts is suitable for those with high recording requirements but little tech knowledge.

QuickTime Player/Screenshot Toolbar is an ideal option for those who only capture the screen.

OBS Studio is best for those who have no budget and still want to create high-quality recordings. Make sure you have enough time to learn how to use it.

How to Screen Record on MacBook Air FAQs

1. How do I record my screen with built-in sound on Mac?

To capture screen with built-in sound on Mac, you need to find a powerful screen and audio recorder, like EaseUS RecExperts. Just download it, choose the recording area, select the audio source, and click REC. That's it!

2. How to record screen and audio at the same time on MacBook Air?

You can use QuickTime Player to record screen and audio at the same time on MacBook Air. But you only can capture the microphone sound. If you need to record Mac screen with the system sound, you need to install some plug-in like Soundflower.

3. Why doesn't screen record have sound on Mac?

If you use QuickTime Player to screen record on Mac and find there is no sound, you can check if the built-in microphone is selected. If not, you need to manually select a microphone to capture your voice and sound before starting your recording.