Question 1

What is Showesome Screen Recorder?

Accepted Answer

Showesome is a free Chrome extension for screen, browser tab, and camera recording—with no watermark, local MP4 export, virtual backgrounds, and Focus Mode (click-to-zoom spotlight during recording). Install from the Chrome Web Store; recordings stay on your device by default. Official site: recorder.showesome.com.

Question 2

Is Showesome free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Showesome is free with no watermark and unlimited recording length in product messaging. Install from the Chrome Web Store—there is no paid tier required to export MP4 or use Focus Mode and virtual backgrounds.

Question 3

Does Showesome add a watermark to recordings?

Accepted Answer

No. Showesome does not add a watermark to your recordings. You export clean MP4 (or WebM) files locally from your browser.

Question 4

What is the best free screen recorder for Chrome?

Accepted Answer

Showesome is built for Chrome: screen, tab, and camera recording with no watermark, local MP4 export, virtual backgrounds, and Focus Mode for tutorials. It runs as a browser extension (not a separate desktop app). Compare options in our guide on choosing a screen recorder, or install from the Chrome Web Store to try it.

Question 5

How does Showesome compare to Loom?

Accepted Answer

Both record screen and camera in the browser. Showesome is a free Chrome extension with no watermark, local-first storage, and no built-in 5-minute cap in product messaging—plus Focus Mode for click-to-zoom tutorials. Loom is a hosted platform with sharing links and team features. See our Loom alternative guide for a detailed comparison.

Question 6

How do I record a Chrome tab with audio?

Accepted Answer

In Showesome, enable your microphone in the popup if you want narration. When Chrome’s share dialog opens, pick the tab and turn on **Also share tab audio**. Showesome captures tab sound from what Chrome allows in that dialog. Step-by-step: see the record Chrome tab with audio guide on the website.

Question 7

How do I install the extension?

Accepted Answer

Click the 'Add to Chrome' button on our website or visit the Chrome Web Store. The extension will be installed automatically and appear in your browser toolbar.

Question 8

Can I use Showesome in Chrome Incognito mode?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Chrome disables extensions in Incognito by default, and extensions can have separate permissions for normal and private windows. On chrome://extensions, open Showesome Details and turn on Allow in Incognito (off by default). Then open an Incognito window, pin Showesome from the Extensions menu if needed, and record as usual. Recordings are still stored locally on your device.

Question 9

What recording modes are available?

Accepted Answer

You can record Screen Only, Camera Only, or Both Screen and Camera simultaneously. Choose the mode that best fits your needs.

Question 10

What video quality does the extension support?

Accepted Answer

Showesome captures at your screen’s native resolution when your setup allows it—up to 4K on supported displays. In the extension settings you can pick a quality preset to balance sharpness and file size, from everyday balanced recording to an ultra-sharp option when you want maximum detail.

Question 11

How do I use keyboard shortcuts?

Accepted Answer

Use Alt+Shift+S to start/stop, Alt+Shift+P to pause/resume, and Alt+Shift+C to cancel — from any tab. You can hide the on-screen control bar in Settings and use shortcuts only. Focus Mode uses double-tap Cmd/Ctrl and Esc (see the guide below).

Question 12

What is Focus Mode and how do I use it?

Accepted Answer

Focus Mode highlights and smoothly zooms into what you choose during recording—like click-to-zoom for tutorials. Double-tap Cmd/Ctrl to activate it, then click an element, select text, or drag an area; Showesome spotlights it and zooms automatically (no post-production keyframes). Press ESC or double-tap Cmd/Ctrl again to deactivate.

Question 13

Is Focus Mode the same as auto zoom for screen recordings?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in the sense that you pick the target and Showesome zooms for you. Click a button, select text, or draw an area—Focus Mode spotlights it and runs a smooth automatic zoom. It is not continuous cursor-following zoom; you direct attention, then the zoom happens automatically. See Focus Mode tips or the interactive tutorial on the website.

Question 14

How do I activate and deactivate Focus Mode?

Accepted Answer

To activate Focus Mode: Double-tap the Cmd key (Mac) or Ctrl key (Windows). To deactivate: Press ESC or double-tap Cmd/Ctrl again. Focus Mode is available during recording or when the tutorial is open.

Question 15

How do I focus on specific elements in Focus Mode?

Accepted Answer

Once Focus Mode is active, click any element on the page (buttons, text, images, etc.) to focus on it. The element is highlighted with a spotlight effect and the page smoothly zooms in.

Question 16

Can I focus on text selections in Focus Mode?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Select any text on the page and Focus Mode automatically zooms in on that selection—ideal for highlighting information or code snippets.

Question 17

Can I select a custom area to focus on?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Click and drag to select a rectangular area on the page. The selected area is highlighted and zoomed in for precise control.

Question 18

What visual effects does Focus Mode provide?

Accepted Answer

Focus Mode provides spotlight highlighting, smooth zoom animations, cursor changes, and dimming of non-focused areas.

Question 19

What are Virtual Backgrounds and how do I use them?

Accepted Answer

Virtual Backgrounds let you use blur or choose from 8+ professional image and video backgrounds. Open Settings, enable Virtual Background, then select Background Gallery. You'll see a real-time preview in the camera bubble before recording.

Question 20

Can I change virtual backgrounds during recording?

Accepted Answer

Virtual backgrounds are applied during the preview phase. Change backgrounds before recording in Settings, or during preview for camera-only recordings.

Question 21

Where are my recordings stored?

Accepted Answer

In your Chrome browser on your device—not on Showesome servers. When you finish recording, the clip is saved automatically and appears in Recordings History; you do not need to download it first. Recordings stay there until you delete them in Showesome or Chrome clears the extension’s saved data. Download MP4/WebM exports an extra copy if you want one. Optional cloud upload to Google Drive, Dropbox, or YouTube is separate.

Question 22

How do I access my recordings?

Accepted Answer

Click the extension icon, then View Recordings in the popup header — or open the RECORDINGS card in the feature carousel for statistics, then View All & Manage. Search, filter by mode, and switch Compact, Large, or List view in Recordings History.

Question 23

What can I do on the preview page?

Accepted Answer

Watch with full playback controls, edit the title, see mode/duration/date, convert WebM to MP4 locally (Convert to MP4 in the header), download WebM or MP4, delete, or jump back to All Recordings. Camera-only recordings can change virtual background after recording—the updated clip is MP4 when processing finishes (no separate export step). Cloud upload to Google Drive, Dropbox, or YouTube is optional; connect only the services you want. Preview plays automatically.

Question 24

Can I upload recordings to Google Drive, Dropbox, or YouTube?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you want to—each service (Google Drive, Dropbox, YouTube) is optional on its own. Open Upload to Cloud from Recordings History or preview, connect only the accounts you need, then upload individual clips. Recordings stay on your device by default; cloud is a backup you control. Disconnect anytime from the same modal.

Question 25

How do I convert my recording to MP4?

Accepted Answer

On the preview page, click Convert to MP4. FFmpeg converts WebM to MP4 locally on your device—nothing is uploaded.

Question 26

How do I download my recordings?

Accepted Answer

Download WebM or MP4 from the preview page or from each row in Recordings History. Convert to MP4 on preview runs locally on your device. Optional cloud upload is separate—see the cloud FAQ below.

Question 27

Can I record audio with my screen?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In the extension popup, choose your microphone and keep the mic enabled before you record—Showesome captures high-quality stereo audio with built-in noise suppression. For a Chrome tab with sound, also enable **Also share tab audio** in Chrome’s share dialog when you pick the tab.

Question 28

What happens if I run out of storage space?

Accepted Answer

When storage reaches 85%, the extension keeps your 5 most recent recordings. At 95%, it keeps your 2 most recent recordings.

Help & Support

Quick Start Guide

1. Install

2. Get started

3. Choose a mode

4. Record & export

Ask a question

How-to & tips

All guides

Bugs & account help

Frequently Asked Questions

Popular guides

Can't find Showesome? Enable the extension and pin it in Chrome

Record your screen with audio: microphone, mute, and tab sound

Five Focus Mode tips for better tutorials

Keyboard shortcuts: record without touching the controls

Your recordings library: stats, search, and three views

Virtual backgrounds: blur, gallery backgrounds, and live preview

Still need help?