How to screenshot on Mac? – Quick Guide

Taking screenshots on a Mac is a quick and easy, whether you need to capture the entire screen, a specific window, or a selected portion. Apple provides built-in tools that make the process seamless, and in this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about taking screenshots on a Mac, including keyboard shortcuts, advanced tools, and third-party apps.

Why Take Screenshots on a Mac?

Screenshots can be helpful in many situations, such as:

✔️ Capturing Important Information – Save documents, images, and online content for later reference. ✔️ Sharing Information Quickly – Send screenshots instead of explaining things in words. ✔️ Reporting Bugs or Issues – Help tech support by providing a visual reference. ✔️ Creating Tutorials – Guide others with step-by-step images. ✔️ Saving Receipts or Confirmations – Capture online transactions or bookings.

Now, let’s dive into the different ways you can take a screenshot on your Mac.

1. Screenshot the Entire Screen

If you want to capture everything displayed on your screen, use this simple shortcut:

Keyboard Shortcut:

Command (⌘) + Shift + 3

Steps:

1. Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 3 at the same time.
2. Your screen will flash briefly, indicating that a screenshot has been taken.
3. The screenshot will be saved as a file on your desktop by default.

2. Screenshot a Selected Portion of the Screen

If you only need to capture a specific area, you can use this shortcut:

Keyboard Shortcut:

Command (⌘) + Shift + 4

Steps:

1. Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 4.
2. Your cursor will change into a crosshair.
3. Click and drag to select the portion of the screen you want to capture.
4. Release the mouse or trackpad to take the screenshot.
5. The screenshot will be saved on your desktop.

3. Screenshot a Specific Window

You can capture a single application window instead of the entire screen.

Keyboard Shortcut:

Command (⌘) + Shift + 4 + Spacebar

Steps:

1. Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 4 and then hit the Spacebar.
2. Your cursor will turn into a camera icon.
3. Hover over the window you want to capture. The selected window will be highlighted.
4. Click to capture the window.
5. The screenshot will be saved on your desktop.

🔹 Tip: This method captures the window with a shadow. If you don’t want the shadow, hold Option while clicking.

4. Use the Screenshot Toolbar (for More Options)

For even more screenshot options, Mac provides a built-in screenshot toolbar.

Keyboard Shortcut:

Command (⌘) + Shift + 5

Steps:

1. Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 5.
2. A small toolbar will appear at the bottom of the screen with options to:
   • Capture the entire screen.
   • Capture a selected window.
   • Capture a specific portion.
   • Record the screen (useful for screen recordings).
3. Click the desired option and take your screenshot.
4. The screenshot will be saved to the desktop by default.

🔹 Extra Options: Clicking Options in the toolbar allows you to:

• Change the save location.
• Enable/disable the floating thumbnail preview.
• Set a timer before the screenshot is taken.

5. Screenshot with Preview (Edit Before Saving)

If you want to take a screenshot and edit it before saving, you can use the Preview app.

Steps:

1. Open Preview (found in Applications or via Spotlight search).
2. Click File > Take Screenshot, then select:
   • From Selection – Capture a selected portion.
   • From Window – Capture a specific window.
   • From Entire Screen – Capture everything.
3. The screenshot will open in Preview, where you can edit it before saving.

🔹 Tip: This method is useful if you want to add text, shapes, or annotations before saving the screenshot.

6. Screenshot Without Saving (Copy to Clipboard)

If you don’t want to save the screenshot as a file but just want to paste it into another app (e.g., Messages, Email, or Photoshop), use this shortcut:

Keyboard Shortcuts:

• Command (⌘) + Shift + 3 + Control (Entire screen)
• Command (⌘) + Shift + 4 + Control (Selected area)
• Command (⌘) + Shift + 4 + Space + Control (Window)

Steps:

1. Press the appropriate shortcut.
2. The screenshot will be copied to the clipboard instead of being saved.
3. Open an application and press Command (⌘) + V to paste it.

7. Screenshot Using Third-Party Apps

While Mac’s built-in tools are powerful, third-party apps offer additional features like scrolling screenshots, annotations, and cloud sharing.

Best Third-Party Screenshot Apps for Mac:

• Snagit – Great for professional screenshots and editing.
• Lightshot – Simple and lightweight.
• Skitch (by Evernote) – Best for annotating screenshots.
• Monosnap – Good for quick editing and cloud sharing.

Where Are My Screenshots Saved?

By default, screenshots are saved on the desktop with filenames like:

Screen Shot [date] at [time].png

Change Screenshot Save Location

To save screenshots somewhere else:

1. Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 5.
2. Click Options.
3. Under Save to, select a different folder.

How to Edit Screenshots on Mac

After taking a screenshot, you can edit it using Markup.

Steps to Edit a Screenshot:

1. Click the floating thumbnail after taking a screenshot.
2. Use the Markup tools to:
   • Draw or highlight.
   • Add text or shapes.
   • Crop or rotate.
3. Click Done to save the changes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I take a scrolling screenshot on Mac?

Mac does not have a built-in scrolling screenshot tool. Use third-party apps like Snagit or Monosnap.

2. Why isn’t my screenshot working?

Try the following fixes:

• Check if screenshot shortcuts are enabled: System Settings > Keyboard > Shortcuts.
• Restart your Mac.
• Ensure sufficient storage space.

3. How do I remove the screenshot preview popup?

Go to Command (⌘) + Shift + 5 > Options and disable Show Floating Thumbnail.

4. How do I take a screenshot on a MacBook with a Touch Bar?

Use Command (⌘) + Shift + 6 to capture the Touch Bar.

Final Thoughts

Taking a screenshot on a Mac is easy with the right shortcuts and tools. Whether you want to capture the entire screen, a specific window, or a selected portion, this guide has you covered.

Try out these methods and enhance your productivity today! 🚀