Short answer: record a small, zoomed-in browser window rather than a full desktop, so text is readable when cropped to vertical. macOS includes a recorder (Shift-Command-5) that can capture a selected portion of the screen. Use a demo workspace with made-up data, a decent USB or lapel mic, and plan the 9:16 crop before you hit record.
The core problem
Product videos on TikTok, Reels and Shorts are watched on a phone held upright. A full 16:9 desktop shrunk into a 9:16 frame makes every word unreadable. The fix is to record less screen, larger.
Recording tools
macOS's Screenshot app opens with Shift-Command-5 and can record the whole screen or a selected portion, with options for a timer, microphone, showing the mouse pointer and where to save (Apple Support, checked 17 September 2026). That is enough to start. Dedicated recorders add cursor highlighting, automatic zoom and webcam overlays, which help but are not required.
Setup checklist
| Setting | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Browser window | Narrow, roughly phone-shaped or square | Less cropping later |
| Browser zoom | 125–150% | Larger text after the crop |
| Display scaling | Default or "larger text" | Sharper capture |
| Selected area | Just the app region you need | Readable output |
| Workspace | Demo account, made-up data ("Acme Test Co") | No customer data on screen |
| Notifications | Focus mode on | No pop-ups mid-take |
| Bookmarks bar, extensions | Hidden | Cleaner frame |
| Cursor | Visible, moving slowly | Viewers follow it |
| Mic | USB or lapel, close to mouth | Clearer voice |
| Room | Soft furnishings, no echo | Clearer voice |
The zoom range is a starting assumption. Test by cropping one take and viewing it on a phone.
Planning the vertical crop
| Approach | When to use | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Record a narrow window directly | Most product demos | Minimal cropping |
| Record wide, crop and pan in the editor | Wide dashboards | Follow the action |
| Stack: face on top, screen below | Founder demos | Two regions in 9:16 |
| Full-screen zoom per step | Detailed settings | Punch in on each click |
Export at 1080 x 1920. TikTok's ad specs recommend 9:16 vertical at 540 x 960 or more (TikTok Ads Help), and YouTube treats square or vertical uploads up to three minutes as Shorts (YouTube Help).
Audio that does not distract
Viewers forgive plain visuals more readily than bad sound. Record in a small room with soft surfaces, keep the mic a hand's width from your mouth, and do a ten-second test before every session. Turn off fans or notifications you can hear. If you add music, use only tracks you have the rights to use, and keep it well below the voice.
Recording routine
- Write the steps you will click, in order.
- Reset the demo workspace to the starting state.
- Record each step as its own short take.
- Record voice-over separately if you stumble while clicking.
- Cut pauses and loading screens in the editor.
- Add captions and a title line in the first frame.
For what to put in the video, see product demo shorts. For turning existing recordings into clips, see repurposing.
From Mac to phone with Farmero
If the same Mac runs Farmero, finished exports can go straight into the posting queue. Clips reach each iPhone over USB (about 11 seconds measured), with a cloud fallback through a signed link when there is no cable, and are removed from the camera roll once the post is confirmed. See clip delivery and install.
FAQ
What resolution should I record at?
Record at your display's native resolution, then export at 1080 x 1920 for vertical platforms.
Do I need a paid screen recorder?
No. macOS's built-in recorder is enough to start.
Should I show my face?
Optional. A small face cam can add trust; a clear voice-over also works.
How do I keep customer data out of recordings?
Use a separate demo workspace with made-up data.