How to Screenshot on Mac
Screenshots are one of the most useful tools for capturing and sharing information on your computer. Whether you are a student saving lecture slides, a professional collecting references, or simply someone who wants to share a funny moment online, knowing how to screenshot on Mac can make your digital life easier. The good news is that macOS offers multiple built-in methods for taking screenshots—no third-party software required.
In this guide, we’ll walk through every method step by step, explain when to use each one, and share tips for managing your screenshots efficiently.
Why Learn How to Screenshot on Mac?
Screenshots can be handy in countless situations. For example:
- Students often use them to save notes, diagrams, or online resources.
- Designers and developers rely on them for capturing layouts, bugs, or UI details.
- Professionals use screenshots to create reports, presentations, or tutorials.
- Everyday users take screenshots to save receipts, chat conversations, or social media posts.
Since Macs have slightly different shortcuts compared to Windows, many beginners struggle at first. Once you memorize these simple commands, however, you’ll be able to capture anything on your screen within seconds.
1. How to Screenshot the Entire Screen
If you want to capture everything visible on your Mac’s display, this is the quickest method:
- Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 3
- You’ll hear a camera click sound (if your volume is on).
- By default, the screenshot saves to your desktop as a .png file.
Tip: If you add the Control key to the shortcut (Command + Shift + Control + 3), the screenshot will copy to your clipboard instead of saving, so you can paste it directly into an app like Word, Slack, or Photoshop.
2. How to Screenshot a Selected Portion of the Screen
Sometimes you don’t want the entire screen—just a small section. For example, you might want to capture a chart from a webpage or a snippet of text from a PDF.
- Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 4
- Your cursor will turn into a crosshair.
- Click and drag to select the exact area you want.
- Release the mouse to take the screenshot.
This method gives you control and avoids unnecessary cropping later.
3. How to Screenshot a Specific Window
If you want a clean capture of just one window (like a browser, app, or dialog box), macOS has a shortcut for that:
- Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 4, then press the Spacebar
- Your cursor will turn into a small camera icon.
- Hover over the window you want, and it will highlight.
- Click to capture only that window.
This is perfect for presentations, tutorials, or professional work where you need clarity.
4. How to Use the Screenshot Toolbar (macOS Mojave and Later)
Starting with macOS Mojave, Apple introduced a Screenshot Toolbar for easier access:
- Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 5
- A control panel will appear at the bottom of the screen.
- Options include:
- Capture the entire screen
- Capture a specific window
- Capture a selected portion
- Record the entire screen
- Record a selected portion
The toolbar also lets you choose the save location, set a timer, or show the floating thumbnail preview.
This tool is very handy if you prefer clicking rather than memorizing shortcuts.
5. How to Screenshot the Touch Bar
If you have a MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar, you can even screenshot that small strip:
- Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 6
- A screenshot of whatever is displayed on your Touch Bar will be saved to the desktop.
Although not everyone uses it often, it can be useful for developers or educators making tutorials.
Tips for Managing Your Screenshots
Now that you know how to screenshot on Mac, here are some tips to keep things organized:
- Change the Default Save Location – Screenshots usually save to the desktop, but this can clutter your workspace. To change it, open the Screenshot Toolbar (Command + Shift + 5) and select “Options” → “Save to.”
- Rename Screenshots – By default, macOS names them “Screen Shot [date + time].” Renaming them with relevant titles makes them easier to find later.
- Use Preview for Editing – Open screenshots in the Preview app to crop, annotate, or add text without extra software.
- Use the Floating Thumbnail (macOS Mojave+) – After you take a screenshot, a small thumbnail appears in the corner of your screen. Click it to quickly crop, mark up, or share the screenshot.
- Organize with Folders – If you take a lot of screenshots, create a dedicated folder (like “Screenshots 2025”) to keep them neat.
Common Questions About Screenshots on Mac
Q1: Where do screenshots go on Mac?
By default, they save to your desktop, unless you change the location in settings.
Q2: Can I change the screenshot file format?
Yes, using the Terminal app you can change the default format (e.g., from PNG to JPG or PDF).
Q3: Can I record video instead of a screenshot?
Yes, using the Screenshot Toolbar (Command + Shift + 5) you can record the whole screen or a portion.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to screenshot on Mac is simple once you know the shortcuts. Whether you need the entire screen, a specific window, or just a selected portion, macOS gives you flexible options. Plus, with the Screenshot Toolbar, you can capture and organize screenshots more efficiently.
With these tips, you’ll be able to capture, save, and share screenshots effortlessly—making your workflow faster and more productive.
Read official apple guide:
Take a screenshot on Mac
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