If you are searching for easy steps to take screenshots on Mac, then you are at the right place. In this comprehensive guide, I will tell you different methods to take screenshots on Mac. We will also explore third-party apps that can help you take screenshots on Mac with ease.
At some point, you may need to take a screenshot on Mac, whether for work or personal use. For many new Mac users, figuring out how to take a screenshot on a Mac can be a bit of a challenge, especially for those who are migrating from Windows and are used to the Prt Scrn (Print Screen) button.
How to Take Screenshots on Mac
In this article, I will provide you with the ultimate guide on How to screenshot on Mac, including tips on how to capture your entire screen, a window, or just a section of it.
Mac Screenshot Shortcuts
First and foremost, it’s essential to know the keyboard shortcuts for taking a screenshot on Mac. On every Mac computer, you can capture high-quality screenshots and modify or share them as you see fit. You have the option of capturing the entire screen, a window, or just a section of it. The Shift, Command, and number keys are used in every Mac screenshotting technique.
- To capture your entire Mac screen, press and hold Shift + Command + 3.
- If you only need to capture a portion of your screen, use Shift + Command + 4. This will change the cursor into a crosshair, and you can click and drag to select the area you want to capture, then release the mouse to take the screenshot.
- To take a screenshot of a specific Mac window, press and hold Shift + Command + 4, and then press the Spacebar. Your cursor’s crosshair now changes to a camera icon. After highlighting several windows with your cursor, click to take a screenshot.
These keyboard shortcuts are great for capturing basic screenshots, but Apple’s native screenshot tool only gives you five options on how to take screenshots on Mac. As you read on, you’ll discover many more options available with third-party apps.
Best Screenshot App for Mac
Although Apple’s native screenshot tool only gives you five options on how to capture a Mac’s screen, there are many more available with third-party apps. If you’re looking for a snipping tool for Mac that can do a little more, for example, you want to take a scrolling capture, you know that the native tool can’t do that. CleanShot X is unbeatable here.
CleanShot X is tailored for 50+ different changes, which makes it the ultimate screen-capturing tool for Mac. You can use CleanShot X to capture a screen, whether it’s a window, full screen, area, or even scrolling content, as well as record videos and GIFs. While capturing anything on your desktop, you can choose to hide all desktop clutter and disable desktop notifications.
While capturing anything on your desktop, you can choose to hide all desktop clutter and disable desktop notifications. Once you have your clean screenshot, open it from the overlay window that pops up, and start editing. You can add annotations, blur specific parts, or draw. CleanShot X will help you customize virtually anything. A few not-so-obvious yet cool features to mention are self-timer, screenshot pinning, and internal cloud.
Self-timer, screenshot pinning, and internal cloud are a few less visible yet cool things to highlight. Do you want to delay the capturing of something? The self-timer in CleanShot X will assist you in choosing the ideal moment. Pin your screenshot on the desktop if you want it to be visible on the screen. Save your screen captures to the internal CleanShot Cloud, and you’ll instantly have shareable links.
Screenshot on macOS Mojave and later
If you are a user of macOS Mojave and later, you can either use specialized keyboard keys for each activity, such as capturing a window or a selected region or enter the screenshot menu and select your method of screen capture. The commands to capture a part of the screen or the entire screen are present in MacOS versions published before Mojave, but the screen-capturing menu is absent.
If you are a user of the Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, or Monterey operating systems, then you can access a screen capture menu by pressing Command + Shift + 5. This menu includes options for:
- Capture Entire Screen
- Capture Selected Window(s)
- Capture Selected Portion
- Record Entire Screen
- Record Selected Portion.
The Options button, which is located on the right side of this menu, allows you to choose where your MacBook’s screenshot and video output are saved.
Now you have the ultimate guide on how to screenshot on Mac. Whether you use the built-in Mac screenshot shortcuts, third-party apps, or macOS Mojave and later.
Best third-party macOS screenshot apps
Let’s explore the best third-party apps to take a screenshot on Mac. These apps are user-friendly, offer advanced features, and can be customized to suit your needs. With these apps, you can take your screenshot game to the next level.
1. Snagit
Snagit is a popular screenshot app that offers a wide range of features for capturing and editing screenshots. With Snagit, you can capture scrolling web pages, record videos, and add annotations and effects to your screenshots. The app also allows you to save your screenshots to various file formats and cloud services, making it easy to share your work.
Pros:
- Advanced editing tools: Snagit offers a range of advanced editing tools, including effects and text options, making it a great option for users who need to customize their screenshots.
- Customizable hotkeys: Snagit allows for customizable hotkeys, which can be useful for users who prefer to use specific hotkeys.
- Multiple format support: Snagit supports a range of output formats, including PNG, JPG, and GIF, making it a great option for users who require multiple output options.
- Video recording: Snagit allows for video recording in addition to screenshots, which may be a draw for users who require this feature.
Cons:
- Paid app: Snagit is a paid app, which may be a drawback for users on a budget.
- Steep learning curve: Snagit has a steep learning curve, which can be intimidating for users who are new to screenshot apps.
- Limited cloud storage options: Snagit only allows you to save your screenshots to Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive, which may not be ideal for users who require other cloud storage options.
2. Skitch
Skitch is a free screenshot app that offers basic annotation tools and the ability to save screenshots to Evernote. With Skitch, you can quickly capture screenshots and add text, arrows, and shapes to highlight important areas. While it does not have as many features as some of the other apps on this list, it is a great option if you are looking for a simple and easy-to-use screenshot app.
Pros:
- Advanced editing tools: Skitch offers advanced editing tools like arrows, stamps, and shapes, making it a great option for users who need to customize their screenshots.
- Easy sharing: Skitch allows for easy sharing of screenshots via social media or email, which can be a convenient feature for users who need to share their screenshots with others.
- Customizable hotkeys: Skitch allows for customizable hotkeys, which can be useful for users who prefer to use specific hotkeys.
- Multiple output formats: Skitch supports multiple output formats, including PNG, JPG, and PDF, making it a great option for users who require multiple output options.
Cons:
- Limited video recording options: Skitch only allows for video recording up to 5 minutes, which may not be sufficient for users who require longer recordings.
- No cloud storage options: Skitch does not offer any cloud storage options, which may be a drawback for users who require this feature.
- Limited integration options: Skitch only integrates with Evernote, which may not be ideal for users who use other note-taking apps.
3. Lightshot
Lightshot is a lightweight screenshot app that allows you to capture specific areas of your screen. With Lightshot, you can also add annotations and effects to your screenshots and share them to various platforms. One unique feature of Lightshot is the ability to search for similar images on Google, making it easy to find information about what you have captured.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface: Lightshot has a simple and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to capture and edit screenshots.
- Annotating and editing tools: Lightshot offers a range of annotating and editing tools, including arrows, shapes, text, and highlighting, making it easy to customize and edit your screenshots.
- Instant sharing: Lightshot allows you to instantly share your screenshots to social media, email, and other platforms, making it easy to share your work with others.
- Free to use: Lightshot is free to download and use, which may be a draw for users on a budget.
Cons:
- Limited cloud storage options: Lightshot only allows you to save your screenshots to the Lightshot cloud, which may not be ideal for users who require other cloud storage options.
- Limited format support: Lightshot only supports PNG and JPG output formats, which may be a limitation for some users who require other formats.
- Limited hotkey customization: Lightshot only allows for limited hotkey customization, which may be a drawback for users who prefer to use specific hotkeys.
4. Monosnap
Monosnap is a free screenshot app that offers advanced features such as customizable hotkeys and the ability to capture full-screen videos. With Monosnap, you can also add annotations and effects to your screenshots and share them on various platforms. The app also has a built-in cloud service that allows you to easily save and access your work from anywhere.
Pros:
- Advanced editing tools: Monosnap offers advanced editing tools like blur and pixelates, making it a great option for users who need to protect sensitive information in their screenshots.
- Customizable hotkeys: Monosnap allows for customizable hotkeys, which can be useful for users who prefer to use specific hotkeys.
- Video recording: Monosnap allows for video recording in addition to screenshots, which may be a draw for users who require this feature.
- Cloud storage options: Monosnap allows you to save your screenshots to various cloud storage options, including Dropbox, Google Drive, and Amazon S3.
Cons:
- Limited free version: While Monosnap offers a free version, it has limitations, including limited storage space and a watermark on all screenshots.
- Limited format support: Monosnap only supports PNG and JPG output formats, which may be a limitation for some users who require other formats.
- Some bugs: Some users have reported bugs and glitches when using Monosnap, which can be frustrating for users who rely on the app for their work.
5. Snip
Snip is a simple and lightweight screenshot app that allows you to capture specific areas of your screen. With Snip, you can also add annotations and effects to your screenshots and share them to various platforms. One unique feature of Snip is the ability to record audio alongside your screenshots, making it easy to provide context for what you have captured.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface: Snip has a simple and easy-to-use interface, which makes it easy for users to quickly take and edit screenshots.
- Multiple editing tools: Snip offers a range of editing tools, including crop, highlight, and text, which can help users to create professional-looking screenshots.
- Customizable hotkeys: Snip allows for customizable hotkeys, which can be useful for users who prefer to use specific hotkeys.
- Multiple output formats: Snip supports multiple output formats, including PNG, JPG, and BMP, making it a great option for users who require multiple output options.
Cons:
- No video recording: Snip does not offer video recording, which may be a drawback for users who require this feature.
- Limited cloud storage options: Snip only allows you to save your screenshots to your computer’s local storage, which may not be ideal for users who require other cloud storage options.
- Limited annotation options: While Snip offers some basic annotation options, such as text and highlighting, it does not offer more advanced options like arrows and shapes.
- Limited sharing options: Snip does not offer direct sharing options, which may be a drawback for users who need to quickly share their screenshots with others.
The third-party macOS screenshot apps can greatly enhance your screenshot game, offering advanced features and customization options that are not available with the built-in macOS screenshot capabilities.
Screenshot on Mac with Preview
Before we dive into the step-by-step guide on how to screenshot on Mac with a built-in Preview app, it’s important to understand the basics of taking a screenshot on a Mac. There are three basic types of screenshots that you can take on a Mac:
Full-Screen Screenshot
A full-screen screenshot captures the entire screen of your Mac, including the dock and menu bar. To take a full-screen screenshot, press Command + Shift + 3. The screenshot will be saved on your desktop.
Partial-Screen Screenshot
A partial-screen screenshot captures a specific part of your screen. To take a partial-screen screenshot, press Command + Shift + 4. The cursor will turn into a crosshair, and you can select the area that you want to capture by clicking and dragging your mouse. The screenshot will be saved on your desktop.
Window Screenshot
A window screenshot captures a specific window or dialog box. To take a window screenshot, press Command + Shift + 4 + Spacebar. The cursor will turn into a camera, and you can select the window or dialog box that you want to capture by clicking on it. The screenshot will be saved on your desktop.
Using Preview to Take Screenshots
Preview is a powerful image viewer that also allows you to take screenshots. Here’s how you can use the in-built Preview app to take screenshots on Mac:
Step 1: Open the Preview
To open Preview, click on the Launchpad icon in your Dock and type “Preview” in the search bar. Click on the Preview icon to open the app.
Step 2: Choose the Type of Screenshot You Want to Take
Once you have opened Preview, click on “File” in the menu bar and select “Take Screenshot”. You will see three options: “From Selection”, “From Window”, and “From Entire Screen”. Choose the option that suits your needs.
Step 3: Take the Screenshot
After selecting the type of screenshot you want to take, follow the prompts to take the screenshot. For example, if you choose “From Window”, you will be asked to select the window or dialog box that you want to capture.
Step 4: Edit and Save the Screenshot
Once you have taken the screenshot, it will open in Preview. You can use the editing tools in Preview to annotate, crop, or resize the screenshot. Once you are done editing, click on “File” in the menu bar and select “Save” to save the screenshot.
Tips for Taking Screenshots with Preview
No matter which method you choose, here are a few tips and tricks you can use to make your screenshots look even better:
- Use keyboard shortcuts: Preview supports several keyboard shortcuts for taking screenshots. For example, you can press Command + Shift + 4 to take a partial-screen screenshot, or Command + Shift + 4 + Spacebar to take a window screenshot.
- Use timed screenshots: Preview also supports timed screenshots, which can be helpful if you need to capture a menu or tooltip. To take a timed screenshot, press Command + Shift + 5 and choose “Timed Screen” from the options.
- Use annotations: Preview’s annotation tools can help you highlight important parts of your screenshot. You can use arrows, text boxes, or shapes to draw attention to specific areas.
Conclusion
Taking a screenshot on a Mac is easier than you might think. Whether you’re using the built-in screenshot menu, a third-party app, or the Preview app, there are plenty of tools available to choose from. With a little bit of practice and experimentation, you can take high-quality screenshots that can be shared with others easily. So, Don’t be afraid to try out different methods and see which one best suits you.
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FAQ
Q: How do I take a screenshot on Mac of a specific window?
Q: How do I take a screenshot of a specific portion of the screen?
Q: Can I take a screenshot of a menu?
Q: Can I take a screenshot of a webpage that requires scrolling?
Q: How do I take a screenshot on a Macbook Pro with Touch Bar?
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only. It is not professional advice, and the author and publisher are not liable for any consequences resulting from its use. Consult a qualified professional for specific questions or concerns. The accuracy and completeness of the information are not guaranteed. Use the content at your own risk.