Illustrative workflow
Choose MP4 or GIF before recording
A screen recording works best when it has one clear job: show a teammate how to complete a task, demonstrate a small interaction or preserve the steps behind a bug. Start by deciding whether the explanation needs your voice or just the movement on screen.
| What you need | MP4 | GIF |
|---|---|---|
| Selected screen region | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone narration | Optional; choose an input | No audio |
| Camera overlay | Optional; choose a camera | Not available |
| Sound playing on the Mac | System audio is not captured | No audio |
| Trim and remove a section | Built-in editor | Built-in editor |
Use MP4 for a narrated walkthrough or a clip with a camera overlay. Use GIF for a short visual loop that can explain itself without sound. Choose the available frame-rate setting for the format you selected; more frames and a larger capture region can produce a larger file.
Select the region and grant the access you need
The current Mac download requires macOS 14 or later and Apple silicon. Install Whynote in Applications and open Screen Recording from the app. Select the screen area you want to show, then review the recording controls. Use the reselect control if the region does not frame the task clearly.
macOS screen capture access lets Whynote record the selected area. Microphone and camera access are separate permissions, needed only when you enable those inputs for MP4. If a permission is missing, follow the app's permission control into macOS Privacy & Security, grant access and reopen the app if macOS asks.
If you use several displays, select the region on the display that contains the work. Run a short test on that display before a longer take. Arrange the relevant windows and hide private material that could enter the selected region during recording.
Record with the right microphone and camera
- Choose MP4 or GIF. Confirm the selected region and format before you start.
- For MP4 narration, enable the microphone. Choose the input you intend to use. A connected headset can change which microphone is available.
- For an MP4 camera overlay, enable the camera. Choose its source and size, position it so it does not cover the task, and wait for the ready state.
- Start recording. Explain or demonstrate one complete task. The recording controls show the recording state.
- Stop and review. Open the editor and play the result. Check that the important area is visible and that any narration is audible.
The screen recorder captures microphone narration when enabled for MP4. It does not capture system audio playing from a browser or another app. If your goal is a transcript of a meeting with call audio, use the meeting recording workflow.
Trim the edges or remove a section in the middle
The shared MP4 and GIF editor puts a large preview above a filmstrip timeline. First play the clip to find the part you want to keep. Drag the trim edges to shorten the beginning and end, or enter precise start and end times when you need a specific boundary.
To remove a pause or a mistake inside the clip, choose the cut-selection control. Adjust the selected range on the timeline, or enter its start and end times, then use Delete to remove that section. Preview the join before making another cut. Trimming the outer edges and removing an inner range do different jobs.
Use Undo or ⌘ Z to step back from an edit. Reset returns the edit to the full source. The original MP4 is retained, so editing and exporting a clip do not replace the original recording. The editor provides a control to reveal the original in Finder.
A short demonstration example
Record the full explanation, trim the few seconds before you begin, then remove the pause while you search for a setting. Play the cut once more before sharing. This illustrative workflow uses the editor’s manual controls.
Review what the clip contains
A selected region may still contain notifications, account details, documents or another person's camera image. Review the whole clip, including the frames around each cut, before copying it into a chat or uploading it to another service. If your own camera is enabled, your camera image becomes part of the MP4.
Screen, microphone and camera permissions do not make a recording appropriate to share. Follow the recording rules that apply to your situation and let participants know when you record them. Read the privacy policy for the wider app and account workflow.
Find the step that needs attention
| Symptom | Check | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Screen capture cannot start | macOS screen permission | Follow the access prompt and reopen Whynote if requested. |
| Camera is still preparing | Selected camera, permission and ready state | Wait for readiness, choose an available camera or disable the overlay. |
| No narration | MP4 format, microphone enabled and correct input | Record a short voice test; GIF has no audio. |
| No sound from a browser or call | System audio expectations | The screen recorder does not capture system audio. Use meeting recording for call transcription. |
| The clip cannot be saved | Available disk space and export result | Check space and retry. Keep the original recording until export succeeds. |
| Pasted media does not appear | Destination app's supported formats | Save the output and attach the file instead. |
If a repeatable issue remains, note the app version, format, selected display and devices. Contact support with those details and a description of the step that failed.
Common questions
Does the screen recorder capture system audio?
MP4 can include your microphone narration. Audio playing from other apps is not captured by this screen recorder. GIF is silent.
Can I add my camera to a GIF?
The camera overlay and microphone narration are available with MP4. Choose that format before enabling them.
Can I edit both MP4 and GIF?
Both formats use the clip editor for previewing, trimming and removing an inner section. Undo and Reset help revise the edit, and the original MP4 is retained.
Settings labels can vary between versions. Make a short recording on your selected display and devices before relying on a longer take.
Bring your next recording into Whynote
Get Whynote for Mac and try recording a short screen explanation. On iPhone, you can keep a voice note or import audio for transcription.