ScreenPal: Download and Install

ScreenPal (formerly Screencast-O-Matic) is a screenshot, screen/webcam recording, and video editing tool for macOS and Windows.

ScreenPal is available to all University of Minnesota faculty, staff, and students, EXCEPT students who have suppressed their directory information. When a directory-suppressed student logs in to screenpal.com/uofminn, they receive a blank screen. UMN IT staff are working to improve that issue.

Past Users: Quitting Screencast-O-Matic

In March 2023, Screencast-O-Matic rebranded to ScreenPal. Refer to ScreenPal's Transition FAQ for more information. If you are a past user of Screencast-O-Matic, quit the app before downloading and installing ScreenPal:

  1. Open the Screencast-O-Matic app menu
    • macOS: In the menu bar at the top of the screen, select Screencast-O-Matic . 
    • Windows: In the Windows taskbar at the bottom of the screen, select Screencast-O-Matic . You may need to select ^ (Show hidden icons) to find it. 
  2. In the upper right of the ScreenPal menu, select your initials (for example, "GG" for Goldy Gopher). In the menu that appears, select Quit.

Downloading and Installing ScreenPal

  1. Go to https://screenpal.com/uofminn and log in with your University of Minnesota Internet ID. The ScreenPal - University of Minnesota page appears.
  2. In the upper right, select your initials (for example, "GG" for Goldy Gopher). In the menu that appears, confirm that it says "Team Deluxe" under your name. 
    • If the menu says "Free User", visit https://screenpal.com/uofminn again. After that, if the menu still says Free User, select Sign Out and return to step 1.
  3. On the ScreenPal - University of Minnesota page, select the checkbox next to "I agree to the Terms of Service."
  4. Select Launch the Recorder.
  5. At the bottom of the window, select Download app and follow the prompts.
  6. When the installation is complete, return to https://screenpal.com/uofminn and select Launch the Recorder. 

Note: After completing the above steps you will stay logged in for 30 days, and you can open the ScreenPal app on your computer without logging in again. After 30 days, you will be prompted to log in. Repeat steps 1-6 in this section to log in again. 

Fix: Recorder Has Max Time of 15 Minutes

When the ScreenPal Recorder shows a Max Time of 15 minutes, it is because your Team Deluxe session has ended and you are considered a Free User. Follow these steps to resolve the issue:

  1. Open the ScreenPal app menu
    1. macOS: In the menu bar at the top of the screen, select ScreenPal . 
    2. Windows: In the Windows taskbar at the bottom of the screen, select ScreenPal . You may need to select ^ (Show hidden icons) to find it. 
  2. In the upper right of the ScreenPal menu, select your initials (for example, "GG" for Goldy Gopher). In the menu that appears, select Quit.
  3. Go to the Download and Install ScreenPal section in this article and complete steps 1-4.

Usage Notes

Being Mindful of What You Are Recording

Consider what you have on screen or on camera when you are recording, especially if you are sharing with a wide audience. When ScreenPal's Recorder interface loads, there is a checkered box around the recording area noting: "Recorder will record anything that happens in this frame."

Avoid Publishing to ScreenPal.com; Save to Desktop Instead

The UMN site license does not include storage space on ScreenPal.com.

  1. To save a recording to your computer, from the Options panel, select Save As Video File.
    Screenpal Options menu. Save as Video File highlighted
  2. In the pop-up window, update the publishing options, then select Publish to save the file to your computer.

Additional Resources

TDX ID
3723