Guide
How to edit a screen recording on Mac
Most screen recordings need the same few edits. Here’s how to do each one with free tools, and which edits are faster done while you record.
In short
To trim, open the recording in QuickTime and choose Edit › Trim, or click the thumbnail right after recording. To crop, use iMovie’s Crop button, since QuickTime can’t crop. Zooms, captions, a smoother cursor and a background take much longer in a general video editor; a screen recorder such as ScreenRecordii applies them while you record.
Trim the start and end
Right after recording
Click the thumbnail in the corner, then the trim button.
Or in QuickTime
Open the file, press Command-T (Edit › Trim), drag the handles, and save.
Crop to part of the screen
QuickTime can’t crop. In iMovie, select the clip, click the Crop button above the viewer, and drag the frame. Better still, record just the window or area you need in the first place.
The edits that take hours by hand
Zooms
Two keyframes per zoom in a general editor. ScreenRecordii places them from your clicks.
Captions
Transcribed on your Mac; delete words to cut the video.
Cursor
Smoothing, size, click ripples and hiding when idle.
Dead air
Tighten cuts or speeds up pauses where nothing happens.
Secrets
Found on screen and blurred, even as they scroll.
Background
Wallpaper, padding, rounded corners and shadow.
Questions
How do I trim a screen recording on Mac?
Open it in QuickTime Player, press Command-T, drag the yellow handles, then click Trim.
How do I crop a screen recording on Mac?
Use iMovie’s Crop button, or record only the area you need.
How do I zoom in on part of a screen recording?
In a general editor, add a scale and position keyframe at the start and end of each zoom. In ScreenRecordii, zooms are placed from your clicks.
Keep reading
- Auto zoomZooms placed from your clicks, eased in and out, with no keyframes to set.
- Blur part of a videoHide emails, keys and faces in a video, and make sure the blur follows them.
- QuickTime screen recordingHow QuickTime screen recording works today, and what it can’t do.
- Screen recording to GIFTurn a screen recording into a small, sharp GIF for a README, docs or chat.
- Descript alternativeEditing video like a document, or recordings polished as you record.
Hit record.
ScreenRecordii is in early access for macOS 14 and later.