If a macOS screen recording contains video but no app or system sound, first check whether the recording app has permission for Screen & System Audio Recording. On current macOS versions, screen capture and system-audio access are privacy-controlled. Microphone permission is separate: it records your voice or room audio, not necessarily the sound generated by the Mac.
System audio and microphone are different inputs
| What you want to record | Permission/input involved |
|---|---|
| Your voice | Microphone permission + selected microphone |
| App/music/system sound | Screen & System Audio Recording capability |
| Screen picture | Screen Recording capability |
| Meeting participant audio | depends on app, permission and meeting platform rules |
| External interface | selected input/output device and app support |
Check Screen & System Audio Recording permission
Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen & System Audio Recording. Find the recording or streaming app and enable the access it needs. macOS may ask you to quit and reopen the app. Do that before testing again.
The exact wording and options can differ slightly by macOS version and app. Some tools request screen and audio together, while others can request audio-only access.
Check the app’s own audio source
Permission only allows access. The recording app may still be configured to capture “None”, “Microphone only” or a specific source. Open the app’s recording settings and choose system/app audio if the app supports it.
QuickTime and other tools do not all capture audio the same way
Do not assume that because one app records screen video, it can capture arbitrary system audio. macOS has historically restricted this, and current APIs require app support. Use the recording mode documented by your software. If the app only exposes microphone input, selecting MacBook Microphone will record speakers acoustically, not a clean digital system-audio feed.
If only one app has no sound
Test another source. Play a short system sound or browser video and make a 10-second recording. If that appears in the file, the recording pipeline works and the original app may be protecting or routing its audio differently. DRM-protected media and some conferencing contexts can restrict capture.
Check the Mac’s actual output device
If sound is routed to AirPods, a USB interface, HDMI display or virtual audio device, the recording app may not be listening to the source you expect. Open Control Centre or System Settings → Sound and note the output device. Then check whether the recorder captures system mix generically or a device-specific source.
Microphone permission still matters for narration
If system sound records correctly but your voice is missing, open Privacy & Security → Microphone and verify the app. Also choose the expected mic inside the app. The troubleshooting principles are similar to the guide for microphones that work in Voice Memos but not Zoom or Teams.
Restart the app after changing permission
Privacy changes may not take effect in a process that already initialised capture. Quit the app completely and reopen it. If macOS explicitly asks for a restart of the application, follow that prompt.
A controlled 20-second test
- Quit other screen-recording and virtual-audio apps.
- Enable the required screen/system-audio permission.
- Open one browser tab with a short non-protected audio/video source.
- Set Mac volume to an audible level.
- Record 10–20 seconds.
- Stop and play the file in QuickTime Player.
- Then repeat with microphone narration enabled.
When virtual audio drivers are involved
Older tutorials often recommend installing a virtual audio driver and building an Aggregate or Multi-Output Device. That can still be useful for specialised routing, but it also adds complexity. On macOS versions and apps that support system-audio capture directly, use the native path first. If a professional workflow needs a virtual device, document the routing so output does not silently disappear after reboot or device changes.
Do not reset all privacy permissions first
A global TCC reset can revoke access for many apps and force you to rebuild permissions. It is rarely the right first fix for one recorder. Use System Settings and the app’s documented permissions before resorting to Terminal.
FAQ
Why is my voice recorded but YouTube/system sound is silent?
The recorder likely has microphone input but not system-audio capture enabled or supported. Check Screen & System Audio Recording permission and the app’s source settings.
Why is system sound recorded but my voice is missing?
Enable Microphone permission and select the correct microphone in the recording app.
Can DRM-protected video be screen-recorded with audio?
Protected services may intentionally block video or audio capture. A black/silent result for protected media does not necessarily mean your Mac permissions are broken.