MotionShineShort answer: Apple's Support page "How to record the screen on Mac" has no frame rate, fps or 60 setting for QuickTime Player or the Screenshot app. Checked on 23 October 2026, on the version dated 14 September 2026. So with Apple's steps alone you cannot pick 60 fps. MotionShine, by the maker of this blog, unlocks 60 fps with Pro. The free version exports at 30 fps.
What Apple documents
Apple's page lists these settings for the Screenshot app: microphone, Include System Audio (macOS 27 Golden Gate or later), Show Mouse Clicks, a timer, the save location, and, on supported Macs with macOS Tahoe 26 or later, a capture format of SDR or HDR. For QuickTime Player it lists the microphone and Show Mouse Clicks.
Frame rate is not in either list. I did not find any other Apple page that sets it, so I do not state what rate the built-in tools record at. If you need to know for a given file, check the file's own info in a video app.
When 60 fps is worth it
60 frames per second shows twice as many frames as 30 in each second of video. It makes the most difference when things move fast:
- Scrolling and dragging. Long pages and windows look smoother.
- Cursor movement. Quick sweeps across the screen show less stepping.
- Games and animations. Fast motion keeps more detail.
It matters less for slides, forms and slow walkthroughs, where little changes between frames. The costs are bigger files and a heavier export, because there are twice as many frames. A shorter clip, or a smaller size, keeps files easy to share. The video compressor shrinks one that is too large.
How to record at 60 fps on a Mac
Because Apple lists no setting, you need a recorder that offers one. With MotionShine:
- Record as usual. Auto zoom, the smooth cursor, click effects and motion blur are in the free app.
- Edit in the built-in editor.
- Export. Free exports go up to 720p at 30 fps with no watermark and no time limit. Pro, a one-time payment, unlocks 1080p, 1440p, 4K and 60 fps.
MotionShine is not for you if you only need a quick throwaway clip with your voice. QuickTime does that for free, and how to record a video on Mac has the steps.
What to record before you worry about frame rate
Smoothness in a demo often comes from other things. A steady cursor, a calm pace and a clean desktop do more for a viewer than a higher number. MotionShine adds a smooth cursor and motion blur, and you can add click effects, so fast moves read cleanly even at 30 fps. Try a short test clip at 30 and at 60 on your own content, then keep the one you can see a difference in.
Pick a file type for 60 fps
A higher frame rate adds data, so the codec matters. H.264 vs HEVC for screen recordings explains the tradeoff, and MOV vs MP4 for screen recordings covers the container. For help with the cut itself, see video editing tips for screen recordings.
Playback matters too
A 60 fps file only looks smoother if the place you play it supports 60 fps. Check the player or site you will publish on before you commit. If it re-encodes your upload, the final result depends on that site, and this post does not claim what any one site does.
Quick checklist
- Decide if the clip has fast motion. If not, 30 fps is enough.
- Record at the size you plan to publish.
- Export at 60 fps only for the version where smoothness shows.
- Keep the original, then make a smaller copy for email or chat.
FAQ
Can QuickTime record at 60 fps?
Apple's page for QuickTime Player lists a microphone and Show Mouse Clicks, and no frame rate setting.
Can the Shift-Command-5 toolbar record at 60 fps?
Its Options list on Apple's page has no frame rate. Capture format (SDR or HDR) is on supported Macs with macOS Tahoe 26 or later.
Is 60 fps better than 30 fps for screen recording?
Smoother for scrolling, cursor sweeps and games. For slides and slow demos you will hardly see a change, and the file is bigger.
Does MotionShine record at 60 fps for free?
Free exports are 30 fps. Pro unlocks 60 fps.
Will a 60 fps file be much larger?
It has more frames to store, so expect it to be larger. The exact size depends on your content and settings.
