Tella for Mac records natively in 4K with built-in system audio capture. Record from your dock, then edit and share on the web.
Install and sign in
- Download Tella for Mac from the direct download link or by clicking Record in the web app and choosing Tella for Mac.
-
Open the downloaded
.dmgfile and drag Tella to your Applications folder. - Launch Tella from Applications and sign in with the same account you use on the web.
The Mac app requires macOS 13.0 (Ventura) or later.
Start a recording
- Click the Tella icon in your dock or menu bar.
- Choose what you want to record — your screen, camera, or both.
- If recording your screen, use Select Area to capture exactly the portion of the screen you want. You can drag to select any region, or pick a specific window.
- Press the red record button to start recording.
Pause and resume a recording
You can pause your recording at any time and resume when you’re ready — no need to start a new clip just because you need a moment.- While recording, click the pause button in the recording controls.
- The recording pauses. Take your time — gather your thoughts, check your notes, or handle an interruption.
- Click the resume button to continue recording from where you left off.
Use speaker notes
The Mac app includes a floating notepad that you can position anywhere on screen while recording. Write your script, bullet points, or talking points — they’re visible to you but never appear in the final video. This is especially useful during screen recordings, since the notepad floats above your other windows without being captured. See speaker notes for details.Record system audio
The Mac app captures system audio natively — no extra software required. Click the music note icon in the recording controls to enable it. This captures all desktop sound (app audio, browser audio, etc.) alongside your microphone. See record system audio for setup details and troubleshooting.Record with multiple monitors
If you have multiple displays connected, Tella lets you choose which screen to record. Select your preferred display when setting up the recording area, or use Select Area to capture a region on any connected monitor.Camera effects
The Mac app includes built-in camera effects:- Background blur — soften your background to keep the focus on you. See blur your camera background.
- Custom backgrounds — replace your background entirely.
Record in 4K
The Mac app records natively at your display’s full resolution, up to 4K. This is higher quality than browser-based recording, which is limited by browser encoding capabilities. No extra settings needed — Tella automatically captures at the highest quality your hardware supports.Finish and edit
When you’re done recording:- Click Preview to stop recording and open your video in the web editor.
- From the editor, you can trim, add layouts, apply zooms, and more — then share a link or export.
Mac app vs. web app
| Feature | Mac app | Web app |
|---|---|---|
| Max resolution | 4K (native) | Limited by browser |
| System audio | Built-in | Browser tab audio only |
| Pause recording | Yes | No |
| Area selection | Drag to select any region or window | Browser screen-share picker (screen, window, or tab) |
| Speaker notes | Floating notepad (not captured) | Fixed panel |
| Auto zoom in editor | Yes | No |
| Background blur | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-monitor | Yes | Depends on browser |
| Clips | Yes | Yes |
Troubleshooting
- Can’t record? Check your macOS permissions — see screen, camera, and mic permissions.
- Low disk space warning? See low disk space.
- Can’t edit your recording? Make sure you’re signed into the same account on both the Mac app and the web — see troubleshooting Mac app editing.
- Audio sync issues with XLR microphones? See fix audio sync.