How to Screenshot on Mac: A Complete Guide
Taking a screenshot on a Mac is simple and extremely useful, whether you're saving a memorable conversation, capturing a tutorial step, or reporting a technical issue. Apple offers built-in screenshot capabilities that are fast, flexible, and don’t require any third-party software. In this guide, we'll explore all the methods to take screenshots on a Mac, including keyboard shortcuts, using the Screenshot app, saving options, editing screenshots, and troubleshooting tips.
Why Take a Screenshot?
Screenshots are helpful for:
- Saving online content or receipts.
- Sharing what’s on your screen with others.
- Reporting bugs or errors.
- Creating tutorials and educational materials.
- Capturing video stills or images for presentations.
No matter what your reason, Mac makes it easy.
1. Basic Mac Screenshot Shortcuts
macOS comes with several keyboard shortcuts to take screenshots quickly. Here’s a breakdown:
Capture Entire Screen
Shortcut:
Command (⌘) + Shift + 3
This takes a snapshot of your entire screen and saves it as a file on your
desktop.
Capture a Selected Portion of Screen
Shortcut:
Command (⌘) + Shift + 4
This changes your cursor to a crosshair. Click and drag to select the area you
want to capture. When you release the mouse, the screenshot will be taken and
saved.
Capture a Specific Window
Shortcut:
Command (⌘) + Shift + 4, then tap the Spacebar
The cursor changes to a camera icon. Hover over the window you want to capture
and click. Only that window is saved in the screenshot.
Capture Touch Bar (MacBook Pro Only)
Shortcut:
Command (⌘) + Shift + 6
If your Mac has a Touch Bar, this captures what’s currently displayed on it.
2. Using the Screenshot App (macOS Mojave and Later)
If you're using macOS Mojave (10.14) or newer, Apple introduced the Screenshot app, a more interactive way to take screenshots and record your screen.
How to Launch:
- Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 5
- Or go to Applications > Utilities > Screenshot
Options Available:
- Capture Entire Screen
- Capture Selected Window
- Capture Selected Portion
- Record Entire Screen
- Record Selected Portion
You can also:
- Set a timer (5 or 10 seconds)
- Choose where to save the file
- Show or hide the mouse pointer
- Automatically open in Preview for editing
3. Where Are Screenshots Saved on Mac?
By default, screenshots are saved to your Desktop with a filename like:
Screen Shot [date] at [time].png
But you can change this:
To change screenshot save location:
- Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 5
- Click “Options”
- Under “Save to,” choose a different location like Documents or Clipboard, or click “Other Location...” to pick a custom folder.
4. How to Copy Screenshot to Clipboard
Want to paste your screenshot directly into an email or document?
Just add the Control key to any shortcut:
- Command (⌘) + Control + Shift + 3 – Entire screen to clipboard
- Command (⌘) + Control + Shift + 4 – Selected area to clipboard
- Command (⌘) + Control + Shift + 4, then Space – Specific window to clipboard
Then paste with Command (⌘) + V wherever needed.
5. Editing and Annotating Screenshots
After you take a screenshot, a thumbnail appears in the bottom-right corner of your screen for a few seconds.
Click the thumbnail to:
- Crop the image
- Add shapes or text
- Use highlighter or pen tools
- Sign with your digital signature
Click “Done” to save changes or “Trash” to delete.
Alternatively, open any screenshot in Preview or Photos to edit it later.
6. Recording Screen Video on Mac
Sometimes a screenshot isn’t enough—you need a video. You can do that too:
Use Screenshot App (Command (⌘) + Shift + 5)
- Choose “Record Entire Screen” or “Record Selected Portion”
- Click “Record”
- Stop recording using the menu bar icon (top-right corner)
The recording is saved as a .mov file and can be edited in QuickTime or iMovie.
7. Advanced Screenshot Tips
A. Change Default Format
By default, macOS saves screenshots in PNG format. To change this to JPEG, open Terminal:
bash
CopyEdit
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type jpg; killall SystemUIServer
To revert back to PNG:
bash
CopyEdit
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type png; killall SystemUIServer
B. Remove Drop Shadow
When you capture a window using Command + Shift + 4 + Spacebar, macOS adds a drop shadow. To remove it:
bash
CopyEdit
defaults write com.apple.screencapture disable-shadow -bool true; killall SystemUIServer
To re-enable shadow:
bash
CopyEdit
defaults write com.apple.screencapture disable-shadow -bool false; killall SystemUIServer
8. Troubleshooting Screenshot Issues
If your screenshots aren't working:
- Restart your Mac
- Check Keyboard Shortcuts in System Settings > Keyboard > Shortcuts
- Try resetting the PRAM/NVRAM or SMC
- Make sure your Desktop isn't full or write-protected
- Use Terminal to reset settings
9. Best Practices for Screenshot Management
- Organize your screenshots in folders.
- Use descriptive names if you take lots of screenshots.
- Set up iCloud syncing so screenshots are available on iPhone/iPad.
- Use tools like Skitch, Snagit, or CleanShot X for more advanced options if needed.
Conclusion
Taking screenshots on a Mac is easy once you know the shortcuts and available tools. Whether you're capturing a quick image of your full screen or a precise section of an app window, macOS offers all the built-in features you need. From keyboard commands to the Screenshot app and Touch Bar support, Mac users have a wide array of methods to document, share, and save what’s on their screen.
So the next time you need to grab something off your screen, you’ll be ready—quick, efficient, and perfectly captured.