How to Record System Audio on Mac Without Installing Extra Software

For years, recording internal system audio on a Mac was a nightmare. Unlike Windows, macOS does not provide a default routing method to capture the sound coming out of your speakers.

To record a video call or browser audio, you had to install virtual loopback drivers like Soundflower or BlackHole, configure a "Multi-Output Device" in macOS Audio MIDI Setup, and hope your volume controls didn't break in the process.

In 2026, those workarounds are obsolete. Here is how to capture system audio natively.

The Shift: Apple's ScreenCaptureKit

With the release of macOS Ventura, Apple introduced ScreenCaptureKit, a high-performance framework designed specifically for screen recording.

One of the biggest features of ScreenCaptureKit is its built-in ability to capture system audio directly from specific applications or the entire system. Because this is handled at the operating system level, third-party drivers are no longer needed.

How to Record System Audio in QuickTime (The Old Way)

If you are stuck on older macOS versions or must use QuickTime Player, you still have to use a virtual driver:

1. Download and install BlackHole (an open-source audio loopback driver).
2. Open Audio MIDI Setup on your Mac.
3. Click the + button and create a Multi-Output Device.
4. Check both your built-in speakers/headphones and BlackHole.
5. Set your system output device to this Multi-Output Device.
6. In QuickTime Player, select BlackHole as the recording microphone.

Disadvantage: You cannot control your system volume using your keyboard keys while using a Multi-Output Device.

The Better Way: Use a Native ScreenCaptureKit Recorder

If you are running a modern version of macOS, you should use a recording utility that implements ScreenCaptureKit.

With ScreenKite, system audio capture is handled automatically. The software hooks into the macOS native capture system, records crystal-clear internal audio, and preserves your keyboard volume control functionality.