How to Screenshot on Mac?

Taking screenshots on a Mac is an essential skill for many users, whether you’re working on a project, capturing important information, or just sharing something with others. There are several ways to screenshot on Mac, each suited to different needs. In this article, we’ll dive into the various methods and give you a comprehensive guide on how to screenshot on Mac, covering everything from keyboard shortcuts to advanced options like using Preview or the Screenshot toolbar.

Overview of Screenshot Methods on Mac

Before we dive into the detailed steps, here’s a quick summary of the different methods for taking screenshots on Mac:

Now, let’s break down each of these methods in detail.

How to Take a Screenshot on Mac Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are the fastest and most common way to take screenshots on your Mac. They allow you to capture your screen without needing to open any additional apps or settings.

1. How to Capture a Full Screen Screenshot on Mac

To capture everything on your screen, you can use the Command + Shift + 3 keyboard shortcut. When you press these keys, your Mac will take a screenshot of the entire screen and save it to the desktop (or another folder, depending on your settings).

• Full Screen Screenshot: Press Command + Shift + 3
• Result: This captures the entire screen.
• File Type: PNG
• Save Location: Desktop (unless changed in settings)

2. How to Take a Screenshot of a Specific Area on Mac

If you want to capture only a specific part of the screen, the Command + Shift + 4 shortcut is perfect. This command changes your cursor to a crosshair, and you can click and drag to select the area you want to capture.

• Selected Area Screenshot: Press Command + Shift + 4
• Result: Select and capture a portion of the screen by dragging the cursor.
• File Type: PNG
• Save Location: Desktop (or the folder you’ve set)

How to Capture a Window Screenshot on Mac

If you’re looking to capture only a specific window, the Command + Shift + 4 + Spacebar shortcut is the way to go. After pressing Command + Shift + 4, tap the Spacebar and your cursor will turn into a camera. Hover the cursor over the window you want to capture and click.

• Window Screenshot: Press Command + Shift + 4, then press the Spacebar
• Result: Capture a specific window (without the background).
• File Type: PNG
• Save Location: Desktop or your selected folder.

How to Save Your Mac Screenshot Automatically

By default, screenshots are saved to the desktop, but you can change this to any folder you like. Here’s how:

1. Press Command + Shift + 5 to open the Screenshot toolbar.
2. Click on Options in the toolbar.
3. Under Save to, select a location (such as a folder or clipboard).

You can also set a timer, which gives you a few seconds before the screenshot is taken.

How to Use the Screenshot Toolbar on Mac

The Screenshot Toolbar is a versatile tool that provides multiple options for taking screenshots and screen recordings. Here’s how to use it:

Activating the Screenshot Toolbar

1. Press Command + Shift + 5.
2. The toolbar will appear at the bottom of your screen with several options:
   • Capture Entire Screen
   • Capture Selected Window
   • Capture Selected Portion
   • Record Entire Screen
   • Record Selected Portion

Each of these options allows you to choose the type of screenshot or recording you want to take.

Must read: How to Clean Your Computer

How to Screenshot on Mac Without a Mouse

You don’t need a mouse to screenshot on Mac. All you need are the keyboard shortcuts. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Full Screen: Press Command + Shift + 3.
2. Selected Area: Press Command + Shift + 4, then drag the crosshair.
3. Window Capture: Press Command + Shift + 4, then tap the Spacebar.

These shortcuts allow you to screenshot on Mac entirely using the keyboard.

How to Take Screenshots on Mac with Preview

The Preview app on Mac also allows you to take screenshots. Here’s how:

1. Open Preview from your Applications folder.
2. In the top menu, click File > Take Screenshot.
3. You’ll have the option to capture the entire screen, a selected window, or a specific area.

Once you take a screenshot, it will open automatically in Preview for editing or saving.

How to Edit Your Screenshot Immediately on Mac

Mac offers built-in tools to edit your screenshots immediately. When you take a screenshot, a thumbnail will appear in the corner of the screen. Click on it to open it in Markup mode.

Here, you can:

• Draw with a pen or highlighter.
• Add Text or shapes.
• Resize or crop the image.

This is particularly useful if you need to quickly annotate something before sending it.

How to Change Screenshot Settings on Mac

If you want more control over how your Mac screenshots behave, you can customize your settings:

1. Press Command + Shift + 5 to open the Screenshot toolbar.
2. Click Options in the toolbar.
3. You’ll see options to change the save location, set a timer, and choose whether or not to show the mouse cursor in screenshots.

This customization gives you more flexibility and control over your screenshot experience.

How to Take a Screenshot on Mac and Save to Clipboard

Sometimes you don’t want to save a screenshot as a file, but rather copy it to your clipboard for easy pasting into a document or email. To do this:

1. Press Command + Control + Shift + 3 for a full-screen screenshot.
2. Or use Command + Control + Shift + 4 to capture a selected area.

The screenshot will be copied to your clipboard, and you can paste it into any application by pressing Command + V.

How to Use Touch Bar for Screenshots on Mac (if applicable)

For MacBook Pro users with a Touch Bar, you can easily take screenshots by customizing your Touch Bar to include a screenshot button. Here’s how:

1. Go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Customize Control Strip.
2. Drag the Screenshot button to your Touch Bar.
3. Tap it whenever you need to take a screenshot.

This offers a faster way to capture your screen directly from the Touch Bar.

How to Find Your Screenshots on Mac

Once you’ve taken a screenshot, finding it is easy:

• By default, your screenshots are saved to the Desktop.
• If you’ve changed the save location, go to the folder you selected.
• You can also use Spotlight Search (Command + Space) and type “screenshot” to quickly locate the file.

How to Capture Screen and Add Annotations on Mac

Sometimes, you need to add annotations to your Mac screenshots. Here’s how to do it:

1. After taking the screenshot, click on the thumbnail that appears in the corner of your screen.
2. This opens the Markup tools, where you can:
   • Draw freehand.
   • Add text, shapes, or arrows.
   • Highlight important areas.

You can save the edited screenshot or copy it to your clipboard for immediate use.

Must read: What Is the Best Tech News App?

How to Troubleshoot Screenshot Problems on Mac

If your screenshots aren’t working, here are some troubleshooting steps:

1. Check Keyboard Shortcuts: Make sure they haven’t been altered in System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts.
2. Restart Your Mac: If screenshots aren’t saving, restarting your system might resolve the issue.
3. Check Storage: Ensure you have enough space on your Mac to save screenshots.

By following these steps, most screenshot issues can be resolved.

Conclusion

Now you know everything there is to know about how to screenshot on Mac. Whether you’re using keyboard shortcuts, the Screenshot toolbar, or the Preview app, taking screenshots on your Mac has never been easier. Customizing settings, editing screenshots immediately, and troubleshooting problems ensures that you can capture exactly what you need with minimal effort.