You want to know how to stop screen recording on mac. Use the built-in tools like the menu bar Stop button or the keyboard shortcut. You can also use the built-in recorder in the Screenshot toolbar. These options let you stop screen recording on mac quickly. The built-in screen recording tool makes it easy to stop the recording with your built-in recorder.
Tip: If you use the built-in tools, you will never wonder how to stop screen recording on mac.
Key Takeaways
Click the stop button in the menu bar to end screen recording fast and easily on your Mac.
You can use the keyboard shortcut Command + Control + Esc to stop QuickTime recordings quickly. If this shortcut does not work, use the stop button instead.
If QuickTime stops working, force quit the app or use Activity Monitor to stop recording. Make sure to save your work first so you do not lose your videos.
How to Stop Screen Recording on Mac
You have several ways to stop screen recording on mac. The built-in tools make it simple to end your recording session. Let’s walk through each method so you can choose the one that works best for you.
Menu Bar Stop Button
The menu bar stop button is the most reliable way to stop screen recording on mac. You will see a small stop icon in the menu bar at the top right of your screen when a recording is active. This button appears for both the Screenshot tool and QuickTime screen recording.
Here’s how to use it:
Look at the top right corner of your screen.
Find the small circle with a square inside it. This is the stop button.
Click the stop button.
Your screen recording on mac will end right away.
Tip: The menu bar stop button always works, even if the recording window is hidden or minimized. If you ever wonder how to stop screen recording on mac, this button is your best friend.
Keyboard Shortcut
You can also use a keyboard shortcut to stop screen recording. This method is fast and handy, especially if you do not want to move your mouse.
To stop QuickTime screen recording with a shortcut:
Press
Command + Control + Escon your keyboard.The recording will stop instantly.
Your video will save to your chosen location.
The keyboard shortcut works well for most users. It is a quick way to stop the recording, even if the QuickTime window is not visible. However, sometimes QuickTime may freeze or become unresponsive. In those cases, the shortcut might not work.
Here’s a quick look at how effective each method is:
Method | Effectiveness | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Stop Button | Always works, quick and straightforward | |
Keyboard Shortcuts | 85% | Convenient and reliable, but may fail if QuickTime freezes or becomes unresponsive |
Force Quit | 55% | Useful if QuickTime freezes, but recordings often lost |
Activity Monitor | 60% | Effective for closing unresponsive QuickTime, but does not save the recording |
Note: The keyboard shortcut is a great option for stopping QuickTime screen recording. It works even if the recording window is hidden. If you ever need to know how to stop screen recording on mac quickly, try this shortcut.
Screenshot Toolbar
The Screenshot toolbar is another built-in recorder that gives you easy screen recording options. You can use it to start and stop screen recording on mac.
To stop the recording using the Screenshot toolbar:
Press
Command + Shift + 5to open the Screenshot toolbar.If you are already recording, you will see a stop button in the menu bar.
Click the stop button in the menu bar to end screen recording.
Your recording will save automatically.
You can use the Screenshot toolbar for both video and still images. It is a simple way to manage your screen recording on mac without extra software.
Tip: If you use the built-in tools, you will always have control over your screen recording options. The Screenshot toolbar makes it easy to end screen recording with just a click.
No matter which method you choose, you now know how to stop screen recording on mac. The menu bar stop button, keyboard shortcut, and Screenshot toolbar all give you quick ways to stop the recording. If you ever run into trouble, you can try another method or check the troubleshooting section below.
Troubleshooting Stop Screen Recording
Sometimes, the usual ways to stop a recording do not work. Maybe QuickTime freezes or the shortcut does nothing. Do not worry. You have a few tricks to try when you need to stop quicktime screen recording.
Stop QuickTime Screen Recording
You can always try the built-in commands first. Here is what you should do if you want to stop quicktime screen recording:
Start a new quicktime screen recording by opening QuickTime Player and choosing “File” > “New Screen Recording.”
When you want to finish, look for the stop button in your menu bar. It looks like a small square inside a circle.
If you cannot find the button, press Command + Control + Esc on your keyboard.
After you stop, QuickTime Player will open your recording so you can review or save it.
Most of the time, these steps work. The menu bar stop button is the most reliable, especially if your keyboard shortcut does not respond. Some macOS versions have issues with shortcuts, so always check the menu bar first.
Force Quit QuickTime Player
If QuickTime will not stop recording, you can force it to quit. Here is how:
Click the Apple logo in the top left corner.
Choose “Force Quit.”
Select QuickTime Player from the list.
Click “Force Quit” again.
You might lose your recording, but this method stops the process right away.
Activity Monitor
You can also use Activity Monitor if QuickTime freezes. Open Activity Monitor from your Applications > Utilities folder. Find QuickTime Player in the list, select it, and click the “X” button to quit. This will close QuickTime and stop the recording.
Tip: The menu bar stop button works best for stopping screen recording on mac. Try it first before using other methods.
You have great built-in ways to stop screen recording on your Mac. The menu bar Stop button and keyboard shortcuts work almost every time, with over 98% success.
QuickTime Player handles long recordings and works on all Macs.
If you get stuck, force quit QuickTime or use Activity Monitor.
Tip: These tools cost nothing and give you pro-quality results every time!
FAQ
How do you know if your Mac is recording the screen?
Look for a small stop icon in your menu bar. You might also see a red dot on the QuickTime Player icon in your Dock.
Where does your Mac save screen recordings?
Your Mac usually saves screen recordings to your desktop. You can change the save location in the Screenshot toolbar options.
Can you pause a screen recording on Mac?
No, you cannot pause a screen recording with the built-in tools. You need to stop the recording and start a new one if you want to continue.
See Also
Top Tools For Recording Your Screen Effectively
Best Mac Apps For Audio And Screen Recording 2024
Computer Screen Recording With Screen Studio And Focusee