How to add automatic zooms to a screen recording
Updated · 4 min read
In short
A zoom refocuses attention on where the action is happening, which keeps a screen recording readable even on a phone. Instead of placing each zoom by hand, a recorder like Clarcut detects your clicks and zooms in automatically at the right moment, with smooth motion you can adjust.
Why zoom
A full 16:9 screen shrunk down to a phone becomes unreadable: buttons and text are tiny. Zooming shows the relevant detail and tells viewers where to look, just like a camera following the action.
How automatic zooms work
- 1
While you record
Clarcut logs the position and timing of every click.
- 2
After you record
It groups nearby clicks and places a smooth zoom on each area of action.
- 3
When you edit
Move a zoom, change its level or framing right on the preview, or add a new one.
Best practices
- A moderate zoom (around 1.5× to 2×) keeps the context visible.
- Give each zoom at least one to two seconds so the eye can follow.
- Avoid zooming in and out too quickly: group nearby actions together.
- Zoom back out to show the big picture at the end of a step.
Frequently asked questions
What software adds automatic zooms on Windows or Mac?
Clarcut adds automatic zooms on clicks, for free, on Windows 10 and 11 and on Apple silicon Macs. Other tools do it too, such as FocuSee, Rapidemo (Windows) or Screen Studio (Mac).
Can I edit an automatic zoom?
Yes. In Clarcut, every zoom shows up on the timeline: you can move it, change its duration, level and framing, or delete it.