How to Screenshot on Mac: Easy Methods for Capturing Your Screen

This article explains how to screenshot on Mac using simple, up-to-date methods. It includes key keyboard shortcuts, app-based tools, and troubleshooting tips.

Supported by macOS 10.14 (Mojave) and later

macOS Mojave and newer versions support both keyboard shortcuts and a built-in Screenshot app. These apply to the latest macOS versions as of January 2026.

Capture Entire Screen

To take a full-screen screenshot, press Shift + Command (⌘) + 3. The image saves automatically to your Desktop unless you’ve changed the default save location.(support.apple.com)

You’ll usually hear a shutter sound or briefly see a thumbnail popup. Hold Control along with the other keys (i.e., Control + Shift + Command + 3) to copy the screenshot to the Clipboard instead.(support.apple.com)

Capture a Selected Portion of the Screen

Press Shift + Command + 4 to turn your cursor into a crosshair. Drag to select an area, then release to capture it.(support.apple.com)

You can refine your selection by holding:
– Space to reposition the selection without resizing.
– Option to resize from the center.
– Shift to lock one axis (horizontal or vertical).(support.apple.com)

Add Control to the mix (Control + Shift + Command + 4) to copy the screenshot to Clipboard instead of saving to Desktop.

Capture a Window or Menu

To screenshot a specific window or menu:
1. Press Shift + Command + 4, then tap Space.
2. The cursor changes to a camera icon.
3. Click the window or menu to capture.
To exclude the window’s shadow, hold after clicking while holding the Option key.(support.apple.com)

The screenshot saves to your Desktop unless specified otherwise.

Use the Screenshot App (Toolbar)

macOS Mojave and later include a Screenshot app accessed via Shift + Command + 5.(support.apple.com)

It provides controls to:
– Capture the entire screen, a window, or a custom selection.
– Set a timer (5 or 10 seconds).
– Choose save location and format.
– Show or hide the mouse pointer and floating thumbnail.(support.apple.com)

This tool also enables screen recording.

Customize Save Location and Format

By default, screenshots save to the Desktop with names like “Screen Shot [date] at [time].png.”

To change where screenshots save:
– Open the Screenshot app (Shift + Command + 5) and click Options. Choose from Desktop, Documents, Clipboard, or custom folder.

Alternatively, advanced users can use the Terminal:

bash
defaults write com.apple.screencapture location ~/Pictures/screenshots
killall SystemUIServer

Or to change file format:

bash
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type jpg
killall SystemUIServer

Editing and Clipboard Options

After taking a screenshot, a floating thumbnail may appear in the corner. Drag it into a folder, or Control-click it to save to Clipboard or open editing options like Markup.

Downloadable Tools and Utilities

There are third-party apps available if you need more features:

• Greenshot – free on Windows, proprietary on macOS, good for developers.(en.wikipedia.org)
• Snagit – robust editor supporting annotation, video, and guided tutorials.(en.wikipedia.org)
• Monosnap – allows screenshots, annotations, and cloud uploads.(en.wikipedia.org)

Troubleshooting Tips

If screenshots aren’t working:
– Ensure shortcuts are enabled in System Settings → Keyboard → Shortcuts → Screenshots.
– Try restarting your Mac, or reset NVRAM if issues persist.
– If Dropbox or other apps auto-override save location, inspect their settings.

Quote From Users

“Using Command‑Shift‑5, you go into Options and pick Clipboard. Then any screenshot jumps into your clipboard directly.”

This matches what technical guides show about Control modifiers.

What to Watch Next

Keep an eye on macOS updates. Features like screenshot format or toolbar capabilities may change. Also, explore customizable shortcuts for more efficient workflows.

As macOS evolves, the core methods—keyboard shortcuts, the Screenshot app, and customization via Terminal—remain relevant.