NiCorder – Guide

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↓ Download NiCorder

NiCorder.zip — click to download
Double-click the ZIP — NiCorder.app appears
Important: Move the app to Applications (don't leave it in Downloads)

1 Open the App for the First Time

macOS doesn't know NiCorder yet. A security warning appears on first launch — this is normal.

Right-click on NiCorder.app
Select Open (not double-click)
Click Open Anyway

No dialog on double-click? That's normal — always use Right-click → Open.
Still blocked? System Settings → Privacy & Security → Open Anyway — then try Right-click → Open again.

NiCorder appears as a small "N" in the menu bar. No dock icon — that's intentional.

2 Start Recording

Click the "N" in the menu bar
Select Start Recording
When macOS asks: Allow
Quit NiCorder (Menu → Quit NiCorder)
Relaunch NiCorder

Important: Always quit and relaunch after granting permission. Otherwise macOS often won't recognize the new permission.

When recording is active, the circle is filled (solid circle with N).

3 Permission: Screen Recording Required

So NiCorder can see your screen.

Open System Settings
Privacy & Security
Screen Recording
Enable the switch for NiCorder
Quit and relaunch the app

4 Permission: Accessibility For hotkey

So you can save with ⌘⇧↩ from any app — not just when NiCorder is focused.

Open System Settings
Privacy & Security
Accessibility
Enable the switch for NiCorder
Quit and relaunch the app

⌘ + ⇧ + ↩ = Save (default)

Change the hotkey: "N" → Settings → Tab Recording → Change

5 Record Audio Optional

Click "N" → Settings
Tab Recording
Check Record System Audio

6 Everyday Use

What you want	How to do it
Save a clip	Left-click "N" — or `⌘⇧↩`
Open menu	Right-click "N" (or left-click when paused)
Toggle recording	Menu → Start Recording / Stop
Settings	Menu → Settings …
Quit	Menu → Quit NiCorder

Saved videos are in Movies (~/Movies) — e.g. NiCorder_2026-06-27_143022.mp4

Wait a few seconds after starting before saving. Otherwise the buffer is still empty.

↑ Updates & Installation

NiCorder keeps itself up to date — no App Store, no manual downloads.

What happens	When
Automatic update check	On launch — in the background, no interruption
If newer version found: Update dialog	"Update Now" → downloads, replaces, restarts
Check manually	Menu → Settings → Tab Info → "Check for Updates"

After an update NiCorder restarts automatically. Recording resumes immediately.

Self-Install

If the app is not in /Applications, a dialog appears automatically on launch:

Click "Install & Restart" — NiCorder copies itself to Applications and relaunches. Permissions and updates then work reliably.

One-time only: After install, launch via Right-click → Open → Open Anyway (first launch only).

? Troubleshooting

Problem	Solution
No "N" visible	1. Is NiCorder.app in Applications? (not Downloads) 2. Right-click → Open → Open Anyway 3. Activity Monitor: is "NiCorder" running? If not → repeat step 2.
Clicked "Open Anyway", still no "N"	"Open Anyway" only permits the launch — the app must then be opened from Applications via right-click. Double-click often doesn't work.
No dialog when opening	Right-click NiCorder.app → Open → Open Anyway. Double-click often shows nothing.
Recording won't start	Check Screen Recording permission → quit → relaunch
⌘⇧↩ does nothing	Check Accessibility permission → quit → relaunch
"Buffer empty" / "No data"	Is the circle filled? If just an outline: start recording first. If filled: wait 5–10 sec. Then check Screen Recording permission → restart app.
"Storage folder unavailable"	The chosen location doesn't exist or isn't writable (e.g. external drive disconnected, iCloud Drive offline). Menu → Settings → Tab Storage → choose another folder.
Update dialog doesn't appear	Menu → Settings → Tab Info → "Check for Updates". Internet connection required.