How to Screenshot on Mac

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Taking a screenshot on a Mac is super easy! Whether you want to capture your entire screen, just a part of it, or a specific window, this guide will help you do it in a few simple steps.

Steps to Take a Screenshot on Mac

1. Capture the Entire Screen

If you want to take a picture of everything on your screen:

  • Press: Shift + Command + 3
  • Your screenshot will automatically save to your desktop (by default).

2. Capture a Specific Part of the Screen

If you only want to capture a specific area:

  • Press: Shift + Command + 4
  • Your cursor will turn into a crosshair.
  • Click and drag the crosshair to select the area you want to capture.
  • Release the mouse or trackpad button to take the screenshot.

3. Capture a Specific Window

Want to take a screenshot of just one window?

  • Press: Shift + Command + 4 + Spacebar
  • Your cursor will turn into a camera icon.
  • Hover over the window you want to capture and click.

4. Use Screenshot Toolbar (macOS Mojave or Later)

For more options, you can use the Screenshot Toolbar:

  • Press: Shift + Command + 5
  • A toolbar will appear at the bottom of the screen with options to:
    • Capture the entire screen
    • Capture a selected window
    • Capture a selected portion
    • Record your screen (yes, you can make videos too!)

5. Capture the Touch Bar (if you have one)

If your MacBook has a Touch Bar, you can even take a screenshot of that:

  • Press: Shift + Command + 6

Where Do My Screenshots Go?

By default, screenshots are saved to your desktop. If you want to change this:

  1. Press Shift + Command + 5.
  2. Click Options in the toolbar.
  3. Choose a new location like Documents or a custom folder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I edit my screenshot after taking it?

Yes! After taking a screenshot, a small thumbnail will appear in the bottom-right corner of your screen. Click it to edit, crop, or annotate the image before saving it.

Q2. How do I take a screenshot without saving it?

If you just want to copy the screenshot to your clipboard:

  • Press Control along with the usual shortcuts (e.g., Shift + Command + Control + 3 to copy the entire screen).
  • Then, paste it into another app like Messages, Notes, or an email.

Q3. What if the shortcuts don’t work?

Check if screenshot shortcuts are enabled:

  1. Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Shortcuts.
  2. Ensure “Screenshots” is turned on.

Q4. Can I take screenshots in macOS older than Mojave?

Yes, but you won’t have the Shift + Command + 5 toolbar. You can still use Shift + Command + 3 or 4 to capture the screen.

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