How to Record Mac Screen with Internal Audio (Without BlackHole)

To record internal system audio on a Mac (like the sound from a video call or browser tab), the standard recommendation has always been to install virtual loopback drivers like BlackHole or Loopback.

However, these drivers introduce significant friction. They hijack your system audio routing, disable your keyboard volume keys, and often fail to switch output when you plug in Bluetooth headphones.

You do not need to install these drivers. Here is how to capture system audio on macOS natively.

Understanding Apple's Native Capture Pipeline

In recent macOS versions (Ventura, Sonoma, and Sequoia), Apple introduced ScreenCaptureKit. This native framework allows applications to capture screen video, microphone input, and internal system audio streams directly from the operating system.

Because ScreenCaptureKit handles the audio routing at the system level, you no longer need virtual cables or loopback drivers to capture internal sound.

The Friction with Virtual Drivers (BlackHole / Soundflower)

If you use older screen capture utilities, you are forced to configure virtual routing:

1. Install the driver.
2. Create a "Multi-Output Device" in Audio MIDI Setup.
3. Direct your system audio to this virtual device.
4. Route your recorder's input source to the same device.

This process disables your ability to use your keyboard's volume keys, and if the virtual driver crashes, it can mute your Mac's speaker output entirely.

Switch to native ScreenCaptureKit Utilities

To record screen and internal audio cleanly:

1. Ensure your Mac is updated to macOS Ventura or newer.
2. Open a screen recorder built on ScreenCaptureKit.
3. Check the Record System Audio box.
4. Select your microphone.
5. Click record.

The system will capture internal sound streams directly without affecting your speaker routing or disabling your keyboard shortcuts.

Native and Driver-Free: ScreenKite

ScreenKite is built natively on ScreenCaptureKit. It handles system audio routing automatically in the background. Your headphones, speakers, and volume controls function normally during recording, and the audio files remain in sync.