How to Use OBS for Screen Recording on Mac and Windows

How to Use OBS for Screen Recording

Want to learn how to use OBS for screen recording? Whether you are on Windows or Mac, OBS screen recorder is a free and versatile option for capturing your desktop. This guide shows you exactly how to record your screen using OBS on both platforms.

Using OBS Screen Recorder on Windows

OBS screen recorder for Windows works best with Display Capture:

1. Open OBS Studio and create a new Scene
2. Click + under Sources, then select Display Capture
3. Choose your monitor if you have multiple displays
4. Go to Settings > Output and set format to MP4
5. Click Start Recording

For OBS desktop capture on Windows, Display Capture is the most reliable method. It captures everything on screen including notifications and overlays.

Using OBS Screen Recorder on Mac

OBS screen recorder for Mac requires a few extra steps due to macOS permissions:

1. Open OBS and create a Scene
2. Add a macOS Screen Capture source (replaces Display Capture on newer OBS versions)
3. Grant OBS Screen Recording permission in System Settings > Privacy & Security
4. Select your display or a specific window
5. Configure audio capture (macOS requires additional setup for system audio)
6. Click Start Recording

On Mac, OBS needs explicit permission to capture your screen. Make sure to grant access in System Settings or your recording will be blank.

OBS Screen Capture vs Window Capture

How to Record Screen Using OBS – Pro Tips

• Use Hardware Encoding: Select NVENC (NVIDIA) or AMF (AMD) in output settings for less CPU usage
• Set a Recording Hotkey: Go to Settings > Hotkeys and assign a key to Start/Stop Recording
• Use OBS Scenes: Create multiple scenes for different recording layouts and switch between them
• Monitor Audio Levels: Watch the audio mixer at the bottom to avoid clipping
• Record in MKV First: MKV does not corrupt if OBS crashes. Remux to MP4 after using File > Remux Recordings

Common OBS Problems and Fixes

• Black screen on capture: Try running OBS as Administrator or switch between Display Capture and Window Capture
• OBS recording laggy: Lower your output resolution or switch to hardware encoding
• No audio captured: Check that the correct audio device is selected in OBS audio settings
• OBS crashes during recording: Update OBS and your GPU drivers to the latest versions

A Simpler Alternative to OBS

OBS is powerful but can be complex. If you just want to record your screen without spending time on configuration, Super Recorder offers:

• One-key recording with Alt + Z
• Native C++ performance with zero lag
• Live Canvas for annotating during recordings
• Direct export to Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve
• No scenes, sources, or settings to configure

Summary

Using OBS for screen recording is a great free option for both Mac and Windows. The learning curve is steeper than dedicated tools, but OBS rewards you with flexibility and customization. If you prefer simplicity and native performance, give Super Recorder a try alongside OBS.