How to Record an iPad Screen on a Mac With QuickTime

Before you start

This method runs locally between the iPad and the Mac. QuickTime Player on the Mac acts as the recorder, and the connected iPad is selected as the capture source. No internet service or third-party screen recording app is required.

Use a USB cable that supports data transfer, not a charging-only cable. Connect the iPad to the Mac and unlock the iPad. If the iPad asks whether to trust the computer, confirm it. The Mac and iPad should be using versions that support this QuickTime feature; older operating system combinations may not offer the iPad as a source.

Step-by-step instructions

Open QuickTime Player on the Mac. From the File menu, choose New Movie Recording. A preview window opens, usually showing the Mac camera first.

Move the pointer over the preview window so the recording controls appear. Next to the red record button, open the source menu using the small arrow or chevron. Look under Camera or a similar device section and select the iPad.

The preview should now show the iPad display. If needed, choose the iPad under the microphone menu as well to include audio from the device. Microphone availability may depend on the iPad model and connection.

Set the iPad to the screen or app you want to capture. Start the recording with the red button, perform the actions on the iPad, then stop the recording when finished. Save the file with File, Save or Export.

Exported recording format varies by QuickTime version and available export options. On current versions you can often export the movie in a higher resolution or in a format suitable for sharing. Keep the original saved file before testing exports if a particular format is required.

Check the output

Open the saved movie and compare a short section with the actions you performed. Confirm that the visible frame includes the full iPad screen area you intended and that the audio, if enabled, is present and in sync enough for your use.

Recording quality is limited by the connection and the QuickTime capture settings. The resulting file may have a lower frame rate or different encoding than the iPad's built-in screen recording. If precise resolution, frame rate, bitrate or recording format matters, check the file information or an export dialog rather than assuming it matches the iPad display.

Common problems and next steps

If the iPad does not appear in the source menu, unlock it and check the trust prompt. Reconnect the cable, try another USB port, or use a different data-capable cable. Restarting QuickTime Player after reconnecting can also make the device visible.

If audio is missing, confirm that the iPad is selected as the microphone source before recording. If the recording looks low-resolution or choppy, close other demanding apps on the Mac and keep the cable connected during the whole capture.

For a recording saved directly on the iPad, use the built-in screen recording control in Control Center. That method records without a Mac and may preserve different default settings, but it is a separate workflow from using QuickTime as the recorder.