How to Screenshot on a Mac
Hey there! So, you’ve got a Mac and you’re ready to grab some screenshots but aren’t quite sure how. Don’t worry; it’s way easier than you think.
Grab the Entire Screen
- Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 3.
- You’ll hear a camera shutter sound, and the screenshot will appear on your desktop.
Capture a Selected Area
- Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 4.
- Your cursor will turn into a crosshair. Click and drag to select the area you want to capture.
- Let go of the mouse or trackpad, and your screenshot will be on your desktop.
Take a Screenshot of a Specific Window
- Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 4, then hit the Spacebar.
- Your cursor turns into a camera icon. Hover over the window and click to capture it.
- Your screenshot will show up on the desktop.
Pro Tip
If you’re using macOS Mojave or later, press Command (⌘) + Shift + 5 to open a screenshot toolbar. This lets you choose between capturing the entire screen, a window, or a selected portion.
Warning
Watch out! If you hold down the Control key while capturing, the screenshot goes to your clipboard instead of saving to your desktop. Make sure you’re not accidentally holding it if you’re looking for your screenshot on the desktop.
Common Mistake
A common mistake is forgetting where the screenshot gets saved. By default, it’s on your desktop, but if you’re using the toolbar (Command + Shift + 5), double-check the “Save to” location in the options so you know where it’s going.