The Ultimate Guide: How to Screenshot on Mac

Capturing the perfect screenshot on your Mac involves more than just a simple click; it’s about knowing the right commands and tools at your disposal. Whether you’re looking to take a quick snapshot of your entire screen, a selected area, or even a specific window, Mac’s built-in features get the job done effortlessly. By mastering a few keyboard shortcuts and familiarizing yourself with the Screenshot app, you can tailor your captures to fit exactly what you need, from sharing error messages to showcasing your latest projects.

Additionally, understanding how to customize settings like timed delay and visibility of your mouse pointer or clicks can enhance the quality and relevance of your screenshots or screen recordings. Whether you’re navigating through Mac’s screenshot shortcuts or exploring third-party tools for more advanced editing and organization, this article will guide you through the steps to capture, edit, and share your snapshots seamlessly. Keep in mind that some applications may restrict window captures, adding a layer of complexity to your screenshot endeavours.

Command-Shift-3: Capturing the Entire Screen

Step-by-Step Instructions 

1. Press Shift-Command-3:

• This command instantly captures a screenshot of your entire screen.
• If you have multiple displays connected, this command will capture all screens simultaneously.

2. Locate the Screenshot:

• The screenshot is automatically saved as a PNG file on your desktop.
• The file will typically be named with the format ‘Screen Shot [date] at [time].png’.

3. Copying the Screenshot to the Clipboard:

• If you need to quickly use the screenshot in another application, hold down the Control key while pressing Shift-Command-3. This modifies the command to Command-Control-Shift-3, which copies the screenshot directly to your clipboard instead of saving it as a file.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Using Control with Shortcuts: Adding the Control (Ctrl) key to any screenshot shortcut, such as Command-Shift-4 or Command-Shift-4 + Space, will also save the screenshot to the clipboard instead of the desktop. This can be particularly useful for quickly sharing screenshots without cluttering your desktop.

Command-Shift-4: Selecting a Portion of the Screen 

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Initiate the Command:

• Press Shift-Command-4 to activate the screenshot mode for selecting a specific area of your screen.
• A crosshair cursor will appear, indicating that you can now select the desired area for your screenshot.

2. Select the Area:

• Click and drag the crosshair cursor to create a selection box around the area you want to capture.
• To adjust the position of the entire selection area without altering its size, press and hold the spacebar while dragging the selection box.

3. Modify the Selection:

• If you need to lock the vertical or horizontal size of your selection, hold down the Shift key. This action locks all sides except for the bottom edge, allowing you to adjust only one dimension of the selection box.

4. Capture and Save the Screenshot:

• Release the mouse or trackpad button to capture the screenshot. The selected area is automatically saved as a PNG file on your desktop, usually named with the format ‘Screen Shot [date] at [time].png’.

5. Copy to Clipboard (Optional):

For immediate use in another application, hold down the Command-Control-Shift-4 keys simultaneously before making your selection. This command copies the screenshot directly to your clipboard instead of saving it as a file.

Additional Tips and Tricks

• Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts: You can customize the default keyboard shortcuts for screenshots through the Keyboard settings in your System Preferences. This feature allows you to tailor the screenshot functionality to better fit your workflow and preferences.
• Restrictions on Screenshot Capabilities: Be aware that some applications, like the DVD Player on Mac, may restrict the ability to take screenshots. This is typically due to copyright or security measures.

Command-Shift-4 then Spacebar: Capturing a Window

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Activate the Command:

• Press Shift-Command-4 to activate the screenshot mode.
• Immediately after, tap on the Spacebar to transform the cursor into a camera icon.

2. Select Your Target Window:

• Move the camera icon over the window you intend to capture. The window will highlight once the camera hovers over it, indicating it’s selected for capture.

3. Capture the Window:

• With the desired window highlighted, click to capture the screenshot.
• A thumbnail of the screenshot will then briefly appear in the corner of your screen, offering a quick preview.

4. Edit or Save the Screenshot:

• Click on the thumbnail to open the screenshot for immediate editing, or ignore it to let it save automatically to your desktop.
• Screenshots are saved as .png files by default, ensuring high-quality images.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Copying to Clipboard: If you prefer the screenshot to be copied directly to your clipboard, modify the command by pressing Command-Control-Shift-4 before tapping the Spacebar. You can then paste the screenshot into another application without saving it as a file.

Application Restrictions: Note that some applications, like the DVD Player, might restrict capturing screenshots of their windows due to copyright or security reasons.

By following these steps, you can efficiently capture a specific application window or menu, enhancing your documentation or presentation materials with precise visual references.

Command-Shift-5: Using the Screenshot App

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open the Screenshot App:

   Press Shift-Command-5 to launch the Screenshot app, which provides a variety of options for capturing both screenshots and screen recordings.

   

2. Choose Your Capture Type:

   Use the on-screen toolbar to select whether to capture the entire screen, a selected window, or a specific portion of the screen.

   For screen recordings, you can choose to record the entire screen or just a selected portion.

3. Adjust Settings:

   Click on ‘Options’ to customize settings such as save location, timer delays, and whether to show mouse clicks during screen recordings. You can also select the microphone if you wish to include audio in your recording.

4. Take the Screenshot or Start Recording:

   Click on the appropriate tool for your task (screenshot or recording). If taking a screenshot, select ‘Capture’ once your area is defined.
   For recordings, click ‘Record’ to begin and ‘Stop’ from the menu bar or Touch Bar to end the recording session.

5. Access and Edit:

   Immediately after capture, a thumbnail appears temporarily at the corner of your screen. Click it to mark up the screenshot or trim the recording before it saves. If ignored, the file saves automatically to the predetermined location.

File Handling and Formats

• File Naming: Files are automatically named starting with “Screenshot” or “Screen Recording” followed by the date and time, helping you organize and locate files easily.
• File Formats: Screenshots are saved as .png files, while screen recordings are saved as .mov files, ensuring high-quality outputs for both images and videos.

Additional Features

• Capture the Touch Bar: For MacBook Pro users, capture the Touch Bar by using Shift-Command-6, which is particularly useful for developers and designers.
• No Need for QuickTime: With the introduction of the Screenshot app, there’s no longer a need to use QuickTime for screen recordings, simplifying the process.

Editing and Cropping a Screenshot on a Mac

Once you’ve captured a screenshot, you may want to edit or crop it. Mac offers several built-in tools to help you with this task:

Using the Default Screenshot Tools on a Mac

• After taking a screenshot, a thumbnail will appear in the bottom right corner of your screen.
• Click on the thumbnail to open the screenshot editor, where you can annotate, crop, or share the image.
• The screenshot editor provides a range of tools, including the ability to draw, add text, and highlight specific areas.

Using Third-Party Screenshot Apps on a Mac

• If you require more advanced editing capabilities, you can use third-party screenshot apps, such as Lightshot, Monosnap, or Skitch.
• These apps offer a wider range of editing features, including the ability to add annotations, blur sensitive information, and export the screenshot in various file formats.

Troubleshooting Common Screenshotting Issues on a Mac

While taking screenshots on a Mac is generally straightforward, you may occasionally encounter some issues. Here are a few common problems and their solutions:

Screenshot Not Saving

• Check the destination folder (usually the desktop) to ensure the screenshot was saved.
• Verify that you have the necessary permissions to save files on your desktop or the desired location.

Screenshot Appearing Blurry or Low-Quality

• Ensure that your display settings are configured for the appropriate resolution and scaling.
• Some third-party apps may compress the screenshot, resulting in a lower-quality image. Try using the built-in screenshot tools or a different app.

Unable to Capture a Specific Window or Area

• Make sure the window or area you’re trying to capture is not obscured by other windows or applications.
• Try using the Command + Shift + 4and Space bar combination to select the specific window you want to capture.