How to Capture a Screenshot on Mac

For those transitioning from Windows to Mac, the absence of a Print Screen key might be initially perplexing. However, capturing a screenshot on a Mac is straightforward. You can effortlessly capture the entire screen, a window, or a specific section using simple keyboard shortcuts. Let’s delve into how:

Full-Screen Screenshot on Mac

To capture the entire screen in high quality for later editing and sharing via AirDrop, follow these steps:

1. On the Mac window, press Shift + Command + 3 to capture a screenshot of the entire screen.

2. A thumbnail will appear at the bottom right corner of your screen. Click on it to view the screenshot or wait for it to save on your desktop.

How to Take a Selective Screen Screenshot on Mac

This method turns your cursor into a crosshair, allowing you to capture a selective portion of your screen. Here’s how:

1. On the Mac window, press Shift + Command + 4, and the cursor will become a crosshair.

2. Click and drag the crosshair to mark the selection, then release it to capture the screenshot.

3. You can press & hold the Spacebar to move the selection while dragging.

Capturing a Screenshot of a Window on Mac

While you can capture a window using the method discussed earlier, Mac allows you to capture a screenshot of a window using a keyboard combination:

1. Open the window you want to capture.

2. Press Shift + Command + 4 + Space bar, and the window gets greyed out, with the pointer turning into a camera icon.

3. Click anywhere on the window to take the screenshot.

4. To exclude the window’s shadow from the screenshot, press and hold the Option key while clicking.

How to Take A Screenshot on Mac Using Screen Capture Window

Until now, I’ve detailed every method to capture screenshots on Mac, including capturing full screen, a portion of the screen, and a window. While you can use these methods separately, Mac offers a dedicated screen-capturing tool accessible from a single dashboard. Here’s how it works:

1. Press Shift + Command + 5 to bring up the screen capture window.
2. You’ll find different options for taking screenshots on Mac, including capturing the entire screen, a window, or a portion of it. You can also use this method for screen recording on Mac.

Changing the Save Location of Screenshots on Mac

By default, all screenshots on your Mac save to the desktop. To change this:

Change Location via Screen Capture Window

1. Press Shift + Command + 5 to open the screen capture window.

2. Click the Options tab, then select your desired location from the menu.

Note: This method applies to individual screenshots, requiring location selection each time.

Change Location via Terminal

To change the default save location of screenshots on Mac permanently, follow these steps:

1. Launch Finder and press Shift + Command + N to create a new folder for screenshots.

2. Open Terminal via Spotlight Search.

3. Enter “defaults write com.apple.screencapture location” followed by the spacebar.

4. Drag the new folder into the terminal window, and the folder path will appear after the command. Press Enter.

Best Third Party Screenshot App for Mac

Apple’s native screenshot capture method suffices but lacks some features. Third-party apps fill this gap. Shottr, a lightweight screenshot app for Mac, offers an alternative for those unable to download from the App Store. It resides in the menu bar, represented by an S icon, providing numerous options upon opening.

Shottr provides several premium features at no cost, including scrolling screenshots, annotations, zoom functionality, and OCR. Comparable features typically require payment with other screenshot apps.

Additionally, Shottr is user-friendly. Utilize shortcuts like Shift + Cmd + 1 or Shift + Cmd + 2 to capture full-screen or selected area screenshots. After capturing an image, Shottr’s editing mode opens for further adjustments. Shottr can be downloaded for free from the official website.

Why Can’t I Screenshot on Mac?

Usually, screenshot shortcuts are enabled by default on Mac. However, sometimes settings may need adjustment. Here’s how: Apple menu -> System Preferences -> Keyboard -> Shortcuts -> Screenshots

Does Mac Have a Screenshot Tool?

Yes, it does. Access it by pressing Command + Shift + 5.