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# How to Screen Record with Internal Audio in QuickTime Player
- URL: https://macfixly.com/screen-record-internal-audio-quicktime/
- Published: 2026-10-11T03:05:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-11T03:05:00.000Z
- Description: Discover how to screen record with internal audio in QuickTime Player by setting up virtual audio devices and adjusting Mac settings for perfect recordings.
- Author: Macuser
- Tags: Mac Tutorials, Screen Recording, Audio Capture, QuickTime Player

You're ready to capture a tutorial or gameplay on your Mac, and you want to include the sound coming directly from your computer rather than using your microphone. However, QuickTime Player, the default screen recording tool on macOS, doesn't natively support recording internal audio. This can leave you wondering how to screen record with internal audio in QuickTime Player effectively.

This article walks you through the limitations of QuickTime Player for recording internal sound and explains practical workarounds using additional audio routing tools. You'll learn step-by-step how to [set up](https://macfixly.com/p/26b9c82f-dabf-475d-b7f8-41013eacf884/) your Mac to capture both screen and internal audio, how to check audio input settings for the best quality, and how to troubleshoot common issues that may arise during your recordings.

## Key takeaways

- QuickTime Player alone cannot record internal audio on Mac; it only captures microphone input.
- Using third-party audio routing tools like BlackHole or Soundflower enables internal audio capture.
- Set QuickTime's audio input to the virtual audio device to record system sound.
- Check System Preferences > Sound > Input to confirm the correct audio source.
- Troubleshoot by verifying permissions and ensuring the virtual device is active before recording.

## Before you start: What you need to record internal audio with QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player on macOS does not natively support recording internal audio due to system security restrictions. macOS prevents apps from directly capturing audio playing within the computer, allowing only microphone input by default. To work around this limitation, you will need a third-party audio routing tool such as BlackHole or Soundflower. These tools create virtual audio devices that can route the system sound to QuickTime Player as an input source.

Before you begin, ensure your Mac is running a supported version of macOS and that QuickTime Player is installed. You will also need to check system permissions: go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy tab, then verify that QuickTime Player has access to Screen Recording and Microphone. Without these permissions, your screen recordings or audio capture may fail.

Here is what you need to prepare:

1. Install a third-party audio routing driver like BlackHole or Soundflower. After installation, you should see the virtual audio device listed in your Sound preferences.
2. Open System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy. Select Microphone and ensure QuickTime Player is checked. Then do the same for Screen Recording.
3. Confirm QuickTime Player is updated and ready to use.

With these tools and permissions in place, you can proceed to capture internal audio alongside your screen recordings. Without an audio routing driver, QuickTime Player can only record external audio from a microphone.

## How to screen record with audio on QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player allows you to record your screen along with audio captured from an external microphone, but it does not capture internal system audio by default. Follow these steps to start a screen recording with microphone audio:

1. Open QuickTime Player from your Applications folder. You will see the QuickTime Player menu bar at the top of your screen.
2. Click on **File** in the menu bar and select **New Screen Recording**. A small recording window will appear.
3. In the recording window, click the small arrow next to the red record button to open the audio input menu. Here you can choose the microphone you want to use for audio capture, such as your Mac’s built-in microphone or an external mic.
4. Adjust the microphone input volume slider to make sure it’s picking up sound at a good level without distortion.
5. Click the red record button. You will be prompted to select whether to record the entire screen or a portion of it. After making your selection, the recording will begin.
6. When finished, click the stop button in the menu bar at the top right of your screen to end the recording. The video will automatically open in QuickTime Player for you to review.

Since QuickTime captures audio only from microphones, it works well for recording ambient sounds, voiceovers, or any external audio. Position your microphone close to the sound source for clearer recordings. For example, if you are recording a tutorial with narration, use a quality external mic placed near you to enhance sound clarity.

## How to screen record internal audio on Mac using QuickTime Player and audio routing tools

To capture internal audio with QuickTime Player, you need to use a virtual audio routing tool like BlackHole or Soundflower. These tools create a virtual audio device that channels your Mac’s internal sound output directly to QuickTime’s audio input, bypassing the macOS limitation on internal audio capture.

![How to screen record internal audio on Mac using QuickTime Player and audio routing tools – how to screen record with interna](https://macfixly.com/content/images/2026/10/screen-record-internal-audio-quicktime-2.webp)

1. Download and install a virtual audio routing tool such as BlackHole or Soundflower from a trusted source. After installation, you should see the virtual device listed in your Mac’s Sound preferences under Output and Input.
2. Open System Preferences > Sound > Output and select the virtual audio device (e.g., BlackHole 16ch) as the sound output. This routes your Mac’s internal audio to the virtual device.
3. In QuickTime Player, start a new screen recording. Click the arrow next to the record button and choose the same virtual audio device (e.g., BlackHole 16ch) as the microphone/input source. This allows QuickTime to capture the internal audio routed through the device.
4. Begin recording your screen. You should now hear the internal audio in your recording, with quality matching the direct system output rather than external microphone capture.
5. Once finished, return to System Preferences > Sound > Output and reset your output device to your usual speakers or headphones to restore normal audio playback.

This setup routes audio internally rather than through external mics, producing clean, high-quality recordings. Without routing tools, QuickTime records only ambient or microphone audio, resulting in lower fidelity for system sounds.

## How to check and adjust audio settings for best internal audio recording quality

To ensure clear internal audio recordings with QuickTime Player and your virtual audio routing tool, start by opening the Audio MIDI Setup app found in Applications > Utilities. Here, select the virtual audio device you created for routing internal sound. Check that the sample rate is set to 44100 Hz or 48000 Hz, which are standard rates for smooth audio playback and recording. Also, verify that the device is configured for 2 channels (stereo) unless you have a specific need for mono or more channels.

Next, balance your system and application volumes. Keep your Mac’s main volume at a moderate level—around 50-70%—to avoid distortion or clipping. Likewise, adjust the volume within the apps generating sound, ensuring they aren't set too high or too low. This balance prevents audio from sounding muffled or overly loud in your recording.

Latency or echo can occur when routing audio through software. If you notice delays or feedback, open your routing tool’s settings and look for options to reduce buffer size or disable monitoring. Muting or lowering your external microphone input is also advisable if you only want to capture internal audio; otherwise, background noise may interfere with clarity.

1. Open **Audio MIDI Setup** from Applications > Utilities. You should see a list of audio devices.
2. Select your virtual audio device. Confirm the sample rate is set to 44100 Hz or 48000 Hz and that it uses 2 output channels. If not, click the dropdowns to adjust these settings.
3. Adjust your system volume to around 50-70% using the volume keys or menu bar slider. Make sure application volumes are moderate by checking their individual sound settings.
4. Open your virtual audio routing software and check for buffer size or latency settings. Reduce buffer size if you notice audio lag, and disable monitoring if echo occurs.
5. If you want only internal audio, mute or lower the volume of your external microphone in System Preferences > Sound > Input or within the routing tool if it manages inputs separately.

After these adjustments, test your recording. You should hear clearer, well-balanced internal audio without distortion or echo. For example, before adjusting, audio might sound faint or have noticeable delay; after following these steps, the sound should be sharp and synchronized with your screen capture.

## Troubleshooting common issues when screen recording with internal audio on QuickTime Player

![Troubleshooting common issues when screen recording with internal audio on QuickTime Player – how to screen record with inter](https://macfixly.com/content/images/2026/10/screen-record-internal-audio-quicktime-3.webp)

1. **Check if QuickTime Player records silent or no internal audio:** If your recording has no sound, verify that your virtual audio device is correctly set as both the system output and QuickTime's audio input. You should hear system sounds routed through this device. If not, restart the audio routing tool and confirm its configuration. When working, QuickTime will display audio levels moving during recording.
2. **Resolve missing or non-functional virtual audio device:** If the virtual audio device does not appear in QuickTime's input list, ensure it is properly installed and enabled in *System Preferences > Sound > Input*. Restart your Mac if necessary. When recognized, the device will appear selectable in QuickTime’s audio input dropdown.
3. **Fix permission or security prompts blocking audio or screen recording:** Open *System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy* and check that QuickTime Player and any audio routing tools have permissions under *Microphone* and *Screen Recording*. If permissions are missing, grant them and restart QuickTime. A confirmation prompt or the ability to select inputs usually indicates success.
4. **Address audio sync issues or distorted sound:** Audio latency or distortion often arises from misconfigured virtual devices or conflicting app volumes. Lower system volume slightly and ensure the virtual audio device’s sample rate matches your Mac’s audio settings (typically 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz). Use the routing tool’s latency compensation features if available. Clear, in-sync audio levels during a test recording confirm resolution.
5. **Consider alternative screen recording software when necessary:** QuickTime Player’s inability to natively capture internal audio and its reliance on third-party routing tools may be limiting. If persistent issues occur or you need advanced features like direct internal audio capture, apps like OBS Studio or ScreenFlow offer built-in support and more robust audio management.

## Frequently asked questions

### How to screen record with internal audio on quicktime player?

QuickTime Player by itself cannot directly record internal audio on Mac. To capture internal sound, you need to install an audio routing tool like BlackHole or Soundflower that creates a virtual audio device. Then, select this virtual device as the audio input in QuickTime's recording options to capture both screen and internal audio.

### Can QuickTime Player record internal audio on Mac without additional software?

No, QuickTime Player does not support internal audio recording on Mac without third-party software. It can record microphone audio but cannot capture system sounds or application audio without using an audio routing utility.

### How do I record internal audio and microphone audio at the same time with QuickTime Player?

To record both internal audio and microphone audio simultaneously, you need to combine them into a single audio input using audio routing tools like Loopback or creating a multi-output device in Audio MIDI Setup. Then, select that combined device in QuickTime Player’s audio input before starting your recording.

### Is it legal to record internal audio using QuickTime Player on Mac?

Recording internal audio is legal if you have permission to capture the content. For example, recording your own gameplay or meetings is generally allowed. However, recording copyrighted music, movies, or other protected content without authorization may violate copyright laws.

### What are the best free tools to use with QuickTime Player for internal audio recording?

Popular free tools include BlackHole and Soundflower, which create virtual audio devices to route internal sound to QuickTime Player. Both are widely used and compatible with recent macOS versions, allowing you to capture system audio alongside your screen recording.

## Understanding QuickTime Player’s Limitations

QuickTime Player cannot natively capture internal system audio due to macOS security restrictions. To record internal audio, you must use third-party audio routing tools like BlackHole or Soundflower. These tools can add complexity to your setup and may introduce audio latency, which could affect synchronization. This guide does not cover professional multi-track audio recording or advanced editing features beyond QuickTime’s basic capabilities. Additionally, if you are using an older macOS version, compatibility with these audio routing tools might vary, so always consult the specific tool’s documentation before proceeding.

The most useful next step is to install a reliable audio routing tool and configure your Mac’s audio input accordingly. This setup ensures QuickTime Player can capture internal audio alongside your screen recording. Carefully follow the installation and configuration instructions for your chosen tool, then test your recording setup to verify audio quality and synchronization before capturing important content.

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