How to Screenshot on Mac: A Complete Guide
If you’re wondering how to screenshot on a Mac, you’re in the right place. Taking screenshots on Mac computers is straightforward, but the method can vary depending on whether you want to capture the entire screen, a selected portion, or a specific window. In this guide, we’ll show you all the ways to take screenshots on Mac, along with some handy tips.
Why Taking a Mac Screenshot May Be Necessary
Screenshots are necessary for a variety of reasons, such as:
storing data from apps or websites
Giving friends or coworkers visual instructions
Using error messages to troubleshoot problems
Keeping significant content archived
Let’s now examine the many ways to take screenshots on a Mac.
Method 1: Take a Full-Screen Screenshot
Press Shift + 3 and Command (Ψ).
If sound is enabled, a camera shutter sound will be audible.
The screenshot will show up as a .png file on your desktop automatically.
When you wish to record everything that is visible on your screen, this technique is ideal.
Method 2: Screenshot a Selected Portion of the Screen
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Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 4.
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Your cursor will change to a crosshair.
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Click and drag to select the area you want to capture.
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Release the mouse or trackpad button to take the screenshot.
This method is ideal for capturing a specific part of your screen without including unnecessary details.
Method 3: Screenshot a Specific Window
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Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 4, then press Spacebar.
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Your cursor will turn into a camera icon.
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Hover over the window you want to capture.
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Click to take a screenshot of that window.
The screenshot will include only the selected window, with a clean background.
Method 4: On macOS, utilize the Screenshot Toolbar
A screenshot toolbar is included in macOS Mojave and later versions:
Press Shift + 5 and Command (Ψ).
There will be a toolbar with choices to:
Take a full-screen capture.
Take a picture of a chosen window
Take a chosen section.
Take a screen capture.
After selecting your preferred option, adhere to the instructions.
You may easily access sophisticated screenshot features and have flexibility in this way.
Method 5: Clipboard Copy of Screenshot
If you wish to paste the snapshot straight into another program (such as Mail or Pages) without first storing it:
To view the entire screen, press Command (Ψ) + Control + Shift + 3.
To pick an area, press Command (Ψ) + Control + Shift + 4.
Next, just use Command (Ψ) + V to paste it.
Advice for Handling Mac Screenshots
Modify the default place for saving: Navigate to the screenshot toolbar’s Options section.
Add text, shapes, or highlights to screenshots using Preview or Markup.
For a quicker workflow, regularly use keyboard shortcuts.