Live stream guide

How to record a live stream on macOS

A live stream is still changing while you watch it. Recording therefore means capturing media as it becomes available, keeping the connection healthy, and finalizing a file when you stop.

Written and checked by Bart Knobben, developer of Slurp · For Slurp 1.x · Updated

The short answer

To record a supported live stream on macOS, paste the active live link into Slurp and analyze it. When Slurp identifies supported live media, choose an available quality, preview when offered, and select Start Recording. Use Stop & Save when you want to finish and keep the recording on your Mac.

Live recording is not the same as downloading a finished video

A finished on-demand video has a known beginning and end. A live broadcast does not. Its playlist or media feed continues to change as new segments are published, so a recorder has to keep following the source until you stop or the broadcast ends.

Slurp therefore keeps supported live recordings separate from ordinary download jobs. It first analyzes what the source actually returned instead of assuming that every Twitch, YouTube or other streaming URL is currently live.

Before you start

Confirm that the broadcast is actually live in your browser and use the individual live page or channel URL supported by the source. Keep enough free disk space for the expected duration and use a stable network connection when possible.

Available recording qualities come from the source. A high-bitrate stream can consume substantially more storage than a lower-quality one over a long session.

Record in four steps

  1. Paste the live link

    Open New in Slurp, paste the supported live-stream URL and analyze it while the broadcast is active.

  2. Confirm Slurp found live media

    Check the result. When Slurp identifies supported active live media, it presents the live-recording interface rather than treating the link as an ordinary finished video.

  3. Choose quality and start

    Select an available recording quality, use the preview when offered, then choose Start Recording. Slurp captures the stream to your Mac as it continues.

  4. Stop and save

    When you are finished, choose Stop & Save. Slurp finalizes the recording and keeps the resulting file on your Mac.

What happens during a live recording

Many live services deliver media as a sequence of short segments. Slurp keeps reading the supported live source as new media appears. If the network or source drops temporarily, the app can use reconnection handling on supported recordings; watch the recording state if connectivity becomes unstable.

Pause and resume controls are available in the supported Slurp live workflow. They control what Slurp records; they cannot pause the broadcast itself.

Stopping and keeping the file

Use Stop & Save when you want to end the recording cleanly. The finished file is stored in your selected destination and remains on your Mac like any other saved media.

If the broadcast ends unexpectedly or a recording repeatedly disconnects, check Slurp and compatibility updates, then use live-recording troubleshooting.

Common questions

Can Slurp record any live stream?

No. Live recording is available only when Slurp can identify and access a supported live source. The supported-sites page describes current source-specific capabilities.

Can I start recording before the stream is live?

No useful recording can begin until the source is actually publishing live media. A scheduled or offline page may analyze differently from an active broadcast.

Can I pause a live recording?

Slurp’s supported live workflow can provide pause and resume controls. These affect the local recording, not the live broadcast.

What happens if my connection drops?

Slurp includes reconnection handling for supported live recordings. If interruptions continue, watch the recording state and use Stop & Save when you need to end the session.

Use Slurp only for media you are authorized to save or record. Source availability can change; try the links you need during the free trial. Slurp does not bypass DRM. Usage & trademark notice.

Your next link

Try Slurp with a link of your own.

Every feature is included for seven days, starting with your first successful download or live recording. No card required.

Apple silicon M1 or later · macOS 14 or later