How to Record A Live Stream on Mac for Free | 4 Ways

Are you a Mac user who loves to watch live streams but often finds yourself unable to do so due to time constraints? Don't worry; we've got you covered! In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process of how to record a live stream on Mac. Whether it's a favorite sports event, a live concert, or an important webinar, we'll show you how to capture and watch those precious moments at your convenience.  Let's dive in and unlock the world of endless entertainment, all at your fingertips!

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Method 1. Capture Live Stream on Mac via Professional Streaming Recorder

Let's start with a professional streaming video recorder - EaseUS RecExperts. This excellent Mac screen recorder enables you to capture almost all activities with audio on your screen hassle-free. 

With its help, you are able to record streaming audio or videos, and even personalize and make your recordings pop out with the advanced tools it offers. Besides, it also supports a schedule recording feature, which means you can set a specific time to start and end your live stream recording, even if you are not around your Mac. Most importantly, there is no time limit or watermark for any of your recordings!

Steps to capture a live stream on Mac with a professional streaming recorder:

Step 1. Select the Recording Area

Launch this program on your Mac, then click "Full screen" or "Region" to select the recording area on your desktop.

Step 2. Choose Audio Source/Webcam

Click the "Sound" icon at the bottom left of the panel to select the sound you want to capture with screen. If needed, you can add webcam overlay to your recording by hitting the "Webcam" icon next to "Sound".

Step 3. Adjust Output Settings

According to your needs, click the "Settings" button on the panel to choose the output format, quality, location, shortcuts, etc.

Step 4. Start Recording

Once all settings are done, move back to the main interface and click "REC" to start your recording. Then there will be a toolbar that lets you pause, resume, stop the recording flexibly.

Step 5. View Recordings

When you finish the recording, you can view all the recorded files with the help of the inbuilt player.

Don't forget to share this helpful guide with your friends!

Method 2. Record Live Stream on Mac with Audio using QuickTime Player

For Mac users, there is actually a built-in video capture software called QuickTime Player. This freeware not only lets you play media files, but also captures what your want on your Mac desktop, including any live streams.

This tool helps you start recording tasks with a few simple clicks because of its friendly UI and intuitive workflow. However, it also has a big drawback, that is, the system sound won't be included in your recording, as Apple doesn't allow you to record internal audio on Mac for safety concerns.

Step 1. Launch QuickTime Player, then click File > New Screen Recording on the top toolbar.

Step 2. Next, a screen recording window will appear. Here you can click the white arrow pointing down to choose an audio source for your recording.

Step 3. Once ready, click the Record button to begin your live stream recording.

Method 3. Record Live Stream Video on Mac with Hotkeys

If you prefer a quicker and easier way to capture a live stream on Mac, you can use the inbuilt Screenshot tool with keyboard shortcuts. With only a few key combinations, you can capture the live stream you want from your Mac desktop. However, this tool is only available on macOS Mojave or later versions. So check your macOS version before adopting this method.

Step 1. Press Shift + Command + 5 on your keyboard to open the Screenshot tool window. Also, open the live streaming window that you want to capture.

Step 2. Choose your desired recording mode from the recording toolbar. If you want to record the audio at the same time, click Options and select Microphone.

Step 3. When you are ready, click the Record button to capture the live streaming on your Mac.

Step 4. To end the recording, click it again or directly press Ctrl + Cmd + Esc. Then, the recording will be saved to your desktop as a .mov file automatically.

Method 4. Record A Live Stream on Mac via OBS

For those who want to find a free yet high-quality streaming recorder, OBS Studio is your best choice. As an open source screen recorder, it allows you to capture and even start a live stream for free on your Mac.

With its aid, you can easily record a Mac screen with audio. Unlike the built-in Mac recorder, OBS enables you to choose the audio source freely, including the system sound, built-in microphone, or even external mic. But, this software is a little difficult for those novices, as its interface is a little bit complicated.

Step 1. Download and launch OBS Studio on your Mac device.

Step 2. Find that Scenes tab and click the + icon to create a new scene. 

Step 3. Similarly, from the Source section, click the + icon > Display Cpature > OK to choose what you want to capture.

Step 4. (Optional) If you want to include the audio or change the recording settings, you can adjust them in the Setting section.

Step 5. Once done, click on the Start Recording button to start your recording.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, recording live streams on your Mac has never been easier, thanks to all the video recorders. Among the programs we mentioned here, EaseUS RecExperts is the best one.

With this user-friendly software, you can effortlessly capture and save your favorite live streams for later viewing, ensuring you never miss out on any important moments. Whether it's recording a live sports match or an exciting concert, it provides the perfect solution to meet all your recording needs. So why wait? Start exploring the world of live stream recording on your Mac today!

How to Record A Live Stream on Mac FAQs

1. Can you record live on a Macbook?

Of course, YES. You can record live on a Macbook, as there are some built-in and third-party Mac screen recorders. For the inbuilt ones, you can use the QuickTime Player or Screenshot Tool to record live on your Macbook.

2. Does the Mac have a recording feature?

The answer is YES.

• If your Mac runs macOS Mojave or later versions, you can find the Screenshot Tool that allows you to record something on your Mac desktop.
• If you use an older Mac device, you can try QuickTime Player to start recording.

3. Is it illegal to record live stream?

It depends on your recording purpose. If you record live streams and use them for commercial purposes, it might be illegal. However, if not, it's perfectly okay to record anything from video streaming sites.