Best Ways to Record YouTube Videos on Mac in 2025

Found a YouTube video you want to keep, but no download button on your Mac? Whether it's a tutorial, a music clip, or a short highlight, recording it is the easiest solution. In this guide, we'll show you some YouTube screen recorders to record YouTube videos on Mac safely and efficiently, so you can choose the best method for your goal.

Record YouTube Videos on Mac for Content Creation and Editing

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

Creators and editors often need to capture YouTube videos on a Mac with high-quality video and audio, ready for editing or content reuse. Many users on forums have complained about losing system audio or recording unwanted desktop clutter when using built-in tools.

EaseUS RecExperts solves these problems effortlessly. It allows you to record both system sound and microphone simultaneously, select a specific region or the full screen, and even trim or edit clips instantly. You can also schedule recordings for live streams or time-sensitive videos.

Steps to Record YouTube Videos on Mac via EaseUS RecExperts:

Step 1. Launch EaseUS RecExperts and choose "Audio" (looks like a speaker) from the left side of the interface. Select the sound source by clicking on the speaker sign (the system sound) or the mic sign (the microphone). Or, you can record them both at the same time.

Step 2. Hit "REC" button to start recording audio. To finish it, you just click on the red square icon to stop the recording.

Step 3. After that, the recording list window will pop up automatically. You can listen to or edit the recording with built-in tools.

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Record YouTube Tutorials on Mac for Offline Learning

Students and learners often want to save YouTube tutorials on Mac for offline viewing. Built-in tools like QuickTime Player and the Screenshot Toolbar make this simple, without needing extra software. Many users on forums have shared frustrations about losing audio or accidentally recording unwanted parts of the screen, so knowing the strengths and limitations of these tools helps ensure smooth recordings.

1. QuickTime Player: Built-in and Easy

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. Screenshot Toolbar: Fast Clips for Key Points

Compatibility: macOS Catalina or later

For short clips or specific highlights, Mac's Screenshot Toolbar is a lightweight alternative. Press Shift + Command + 5, select the recording area, and start recording. This method is ideal for capturing important moments quickly without extra setup.

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.

Record YouTube Clips on Mac for Quick Entertainment

Sometimes users want to save a short YouTube clip on a Mac for entertainment, like a funny moment, a music snippet, or a highlight. Built-in tools like QuickTime Player and Screenshot Toolbar can handle these recordings, but for quick, one-off captures, an online video recorder can provide a lightweight and convenient alternative.

EaseUS Online Video Recorder is a tool that allows you to capture YouTube videos directly in your browser without installing extra software. You can start Mac YouTube recording immediately,

Step 1. Open the recording webpage, and click Start Recording.

Step 2. Choose the recording source, like a specific tab in your browser, a target window, or just full screen. Once done, click Share.

Step 3. Once done, it will start capturing the YouTube videos on your Mac.

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;
• Online video recorder provides a quick way for capturing short YouTube clips for fun.
• 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.