The built-in tools on your Mac can record audio without buying anything

Your Mac comes with Voice Memos, a recording app that captures audio through your microphone and saves it as an audio file. For most people, this is the fastest way to record a voice note, interview, or meeting. If you need to record what's playing on your screen — music, a video call, a podcast — you'll need a different tool, because Voice Memos only captures sound coming into your microphone.

The method you choose depends on what you're recording: your own voice, someone else's voice through a call, or audio playing on your computer. Each has a different path, and some require a free download.

Key Takeaways

  • Voice Memos, built into every Mac, records audio from your microphone and saves it as an M4A file you can move or share.
  • To record audio playing on your screen — like a Zoom call, YouTube video, or music — you need QuickTime Player or a free third-party app like Audacity.
  • Check your microphone input in System Settings before you record, because Voice Memos will use whatever input is selected.
  • Audio files from Voice Memos sync to your other Apple devices if you use iCloud, but files from QuickTime or Audacity stay only where you save them.

Recording your voice with Voice Memos

Open Voice Memos from your Applications folder or by searching for it with Spotlight (Command + Space). Press the red record button or press Space to start. Speak into your Mac's microphone. Press the pause button or Space again to stop. Your recording appears in the list on the left side of the window.

To save the recording with a custom name, right-click it and select Rename. By default, Voice Memos saves files as M4A audio, which plays on any Mac, iPhone, or iPad, and can be opened in most audio software. If you need the file in a different format like MP3 or WAV, you'll need to convert it using a separate tool — Voice Memos doesn't offer that option built in.

Voice Memos stores recordings in iCloud by default if you're signed into your Apple account. This means the recording shows up on your iPhone and iPad too, but it also means the file takes up space in your iCloud storage. To save only to your Mac instead, open Voice Memos settings and change the storage location from iCloud to This Mac.

Recording audio from your screen with QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player, which comes with every Mac, can record audio from your speakers — what's playing on your screen — but the process is not obvious. Open QuickTime Player from Applications. Go to File > New Audio Recording. A small window appears with a red record button.

Before you hit record, click the down arrow next to the red button. A menu shows your available audio inputs. Select Soundflower or another audio routing app if you have one installed. If you don't see an option to record system audio, you'll need to install a free tool like Soundflower or Loopback to route your Mac's speaker output into QuickTime.

Once you've selected your audio input, press the red button to start recording. The audio file saves as an M4A file in your Downloads folder by default. You can move it anywhere after that.

Recording screen audio with Audacity (free alternative)

Audacity is a free, open-source audio editor that records both microphone input and system audio without needing extra software. Download it from audacityteam.org. When you open Audacity, the Transport Controls toolbar at the top shows a red record button.

Before recording, check the input dropdown (it usually says "Microphone" by default). Click it and select your audio source — your microphone, or if you've installed Soundflower, your system audio. Press the red record button to start. The waveform appears in real time as audio comes in. Press the pause button or Space to stop.

Audacity saves in its own project format by default, but you can export to MP3, WAV, FLAC, or other formats. Go to File > Export and choose your format. This makes Audacity useful if you need your recording in a specific file type that Voice Memos doesn't support.

Checking your microphone input before recording

Both Voice Memos and Audacity use whatever microphone input your Mac has selected in System Settings. If you have an external microphone, headset, or USB audio interface plugged in, your Mac may default to that instead of the built-in microphone. Open System Settings, go to Sound, and check which device is listed under Input. Select the microphone you want to use.

Test your microphone by speaking while watching the input level meter in Sound settings. The meter should move when you talk. If it doesn't move, your microphone isn't working or isn't selected. Try unplugging and replugging your external microphone, or restart your Mac if the built-in microphone isn't responding.

Moving and sharing your recordings

Voice Memos files live in the Voice Memos app by default, but you can export them. Right-click a recording and select Share, then choose where to send it — email, Messages, AirDrop, or a cloud service. You can also drag a Voice Memos file out of the app and onto your desktop or into a folder.

QuickTime and Audacity save files directly to your chosen location, usually Downloads. From there, you can move them to any folder, upload them to cloud storage, or email them. M4A files play on any Mac or iOS device. MP3 and WAV files play on almost any device or software. If someone tells you they can't open your file, ask what format they need and convert it using a free online converter or audio software.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record a phone call or Zoom meeting on my Mac?

Yes, but the method depends on the app. Some apps like Zoom have a built-in record button that saves the meeting to your computer. For apps without that feature, use QuickTime Player or Audacity to record system audio while the call is happening. Always tell the other person you're recording — it's required by law in many places.

Why does my recording sound quiet or distorted?

Check your microphone input level in System Settings under Sound. If the input meter barely moves when you speak, your microphone is too far away or set to low volume. Move closer to the microphone or increase the input volume slider. If the meter goes all the way to the top and turns red, your microphone is too loud — move back or lower the volume to avoid distortion.

What's the difference between M4A, MP3, and WAV files?

M4A is Apple's format and takes up less space than WAV but more than MP3. MP3 is the most widely supported format across devices and software. WAV is uncompressed and takes up the most space but has the highest quality. For voice recordings, MP3 or M4A is fine. For music or professional audio, WAV is better if you have the storage space.

Can I record audio while my Mac is asleep?

No. Your Mac must be awake and the recording app must be open and active. If your Mac goes to sleep, recording stops. Keep your Mac plugged in and adjust your energy settings to prevent sleep while you're recording.

Where do Voice Memos files go if I turn off iCloud?

If you change Voice Memos storage from iCloud to This Mac, new recordings save only to your Mac's local storage. They won't appear on your iPhone or iPad. Existing recordings that were in iCloud stay there unless you manually delete them from iCloud.