How to record a customer onboarding clip on a MacBook

A short onboarding clip can show a customer exactly where to click, without asking them to follow a long set of written steps. On a MacBook, you can record a browser tab, window, or screen and add your voice using a browser-based recorder.

Use the Screen Recorder to capture the walkthrough. These steps also help you avoid common snags with macOS screen permissions, missing audio, and private information appearing in the recording.

Record the onboarding clip

1. Open the Screen Recorder and prepare the page or demo account you want to show. Use a test account or sample data rather than a customer's real information.
2. Choose whether to capture a browser tab, a window, or the whole screen. When the browser's sharing selector appears, select the view that contains the steps. A single tab is often easiest to keep focused.
3. Choose the audio you need. Enable the microphone if you will explain the steps aloud. If the browser offers audio from the shared tab or screen, select it only if the clip needs to include sounds from the demo.
4. Start the recording and walk through one task at a steady pace. Keep the cursor near the control you are describing, and pause briefly after important clicks so the customer can follow along.
5. Stop when you have shown the whole task. Review the clip, check that the picture and sound are clear, then use the recorder's available save or export option to keep a copy.

If you want your face in the clip, the Screen Recorder can also use a camera. Add it only if it helps the customer feel guided. For a simple settings walkthrough, narration and a clean screen are often enough.

Choose what the customer should see

Record one browser tab

Choose a tab when the onboarding task happens entirely in a website. This keeps other tabs and most of your desktop out of view. If you need to demonstrate navigation between pages, keep the workflow in the same tab or make sure the recording follows the page changes.

Record a window

Choose a window if you need to show a browser and another app, such as a file picker. Check the edges of the window before recording so menus or important controls are not cut off.

Record the whole screen

Choose the screen when the task crosses between apps or includes a desktop setting. This gives viewers more context, but it can also show open files, notifications, bookmarks, or unrelated windows. Close anything private first and turn on a macOS focus mode if notifications might appear.

Add microphone or tab audio

Use microphone audio for spoken instructions. A built-in MacBook microphone can work in a quiet room, but keep your voice close and speak at an even volume. Use headphones to reduce the chance that sounds from the computer play back into the microphone.

Tab or screen audio is separate from your narration. Browser and macOS support can vary, and some sharing choices may not offer audio capture. If the browser shows an audio-sharing option, select it for the source you want, then make a short test recording to confirm it was captured.

Fix common recording problems

1. Allow screen recording in macOS. If the browser cannot capture the selected screen, open System Settings › Privacy & Security › Screen & System Audio Recording and allow the browser you are using. The setting name can differ on older macOS versions. Quit and reopen the browser if macOS asks you to restart it.
2. Allow microphone access. When the browser asks to use the microphone, allow it. If you previously blocked access, check System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone and enable the browser. Also check the microphone permission from the icon beside the browser's address bar.
3. Pick the right microphone. On macOS, open System Settings › Sound › Input and select the MacBook microphone or connected headset. Speak and watch the input level. If it stays still, check the headset's mute switch and reconnect it.
4. Close apps that may be using the camera or microphone. Video call and recording apps can hold a device or affect its input. Close them, then reload the recorder and grant permission when asked.
5. Make a short audio check. Record a few seconds, then listen before making the full walkthrough. If your voice is missing, confirm microphone permission and selection. If tab sound is missing, reopen the browser's sharing selector and check whether audio sharing is available for that capture choice.
6. Reduce visual distractions. Close unrelated tabs and windows, hide bookmarks if they reveal private details, and pause notifications. If a password or customer detail appears by mistake, do not share that clip. Record a clean replacement.

Keep the clip clear and safe to share

Before recording, write down the two or three actions the customer needs to learn. A useful clip usually focuses on one outcome, such as setting up a profile or inviting a team member. Show the starting point, perform each action, and end on the result the customer should expect.

Use a sample account with fictional names, email addresses, and order details. Close private messages and unrelated files, and avoid showing passwords, access codes, payment details, or customer records. A screen recording can reveal information in the background even when you do not mention it aloud.

The Screen Recorder runs in your browser, and recordings stay on your device. Nothing you record is uploaded.