How to Take a Screenshot on Mac

Updated on Sept. 9, 2025. Content reviewed and refreshed to include the latest macOS screenshot features.

Taking clear screenshots is a skill everyone needs these days. Whether you want to show a friend how to set up an app, solve a tricky problem, or add visuals to a tutorial, screenshots make communication easier. For content creators, they’re also a powerful way to enrich articles, guides, and presentations.

Luckily, macOS gives you multiple ways to take screenshots — from quick keyboard shortcuts to professional-grade third-party tools. In this guide, we’ll cover the most effective methods so you can choose the one that best suits your workflow.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Take a screenshot using the built-in Screenshot app
• Take a screenshot using keyboard shortcuts
• Take screenshots using the Preview app
• Take screenshots using a third-party app

Method #1 Take a screenshot using the built-in Screenshot app

macOS comes with a dedicated Screenshot app that makes capturing your screen fast and flexible. It’s integrated, reliable, and also supports screen recording.

Here is how to use it:

1. Open Launchpad on your Mac
2. Search for the Screenshot app and open it
3. You can see the Screenshot app with the full interface in a second. It should look like the screenshot below.

4. As you can see, you can choose between a few options:
   1. Capture the entire screen
   2. Capture a window
   3. Capture a part of the screen
   4. Record the entire screen
   5. Record a part of the screen
5. Depending on your requirements, you can choose one of these options. In most cases, you may need the first three options. For instance, you may use the third option to highlight a part of the window. On the other hand, you can use the first option if you’re going to capture everything on the screen.
   

6. By the way, you also get a couple of other options. For instance, you can decide where to save the screenshot or screen recording. The Screenshot app also has a built-in timer for 5 or 10 seconds. You can also choose whether you want to see the floating thumbnail post-screenshot. Lastly, the Screenshot app lets you decide whether you want the mouse pointer on the screenshot.
   

7. Once you have made a choice, click the Capture button.
   

Depending on your preferences, a floating thumbnail may appear on one part of the screen. You can double-click the thumbnail to open the screenshot image and make a few edits. However, we should warn you that this built-in utility has no annotation tools.

So, you cannot do anything beyond adding a few lines or shapes to the image. However, you can right-click the thumbnail and explore a few quick actions, such as saving the file to the clipboard, opening it in Mail or Photos, or showing it in Finder. The thumbnail will go away automatically or once you have picked an option.

As you can see, the built-in method to take screenshots on Mac works great when you need a simple picture of the screen. While it does not have dedicated annotation or editing tools, you can make a few pointers. If you want additional options, however, keep reading.

Method #2 Take a screenshot on Mac using keyboard shortcuts

If you prefer speed, keyboard shortcuts are the way to go. They’re quick, flexible, and work on all recent versions of macOS.

• Shift + Command + 3

This keyboard shortcut will capture a screenshot of the entire screen. It is an impressive command that you can keep in mind. When you take a full screenshot, everything on the screen is included, and you can crop it as you wish.

• Shift + Command + 4

This keyboard shortcut will launch the portion screenshot option. Select the area you want to capture and leave the mouse/trackpad.

• Shift + Command + 4 + Spacebar

This combination will launch the shortcut option, but you can select a window. The screenshot will consist of content from only the fixed window.

• Shift + Command + 6 (on MacBook Pro with Touch Bar)

Do you use a MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar? In that case, you can capture what is showing on the Touch Bar as well. You can use Command + Shift + 6 to capture a screenshot of the content on Touch Bar.

This method will help you if you want to show how something appears on the Touch Bar of a MacBook Pro.

Related: What Are the Mac Keyboard Modifiers? A Simple Guide

As you can see, these keyboard shortcuts are simple and easy to remember. After using them a few times, you can develop muscle memory as well. However, there are a few limitations, including the lack of editing and annotation options.

While you can save and edit the screenshot via Photoshop or other editing tools, you may need an integrated solution.

Method #3 Take screenshots using the Preview app

You may already know that Preview is one of the most powerful apps on macOS. So, it will not be surprising that you can use the Preview app to take screenshots on your Mac. This option comes in handy when you want to take a screenshot of a document or image. The steps you have to follow are:

1. Open the file containing the portion that you want to capture
2. Go to File > Take Screenshot > From Window
   

3. Preview will then take a full screenshot of the window and save it in the location you select

As you can see, the steps are straightforward. More so, you do not have to pay anything extra to use the app or its features. On the other hand,

Method #4 Take screenshots using a third-party app

This method is probably the best when you need the best of both worlds. If the built-in Screenshot app and the keyboard shortcuts do not seem that effective, you can use one of the many screenshot apps for Mac. It just so happens that you can find different types of screenshot apps.

1. Third-party screenshot apps

You can find a variety of third-party screenshot apps for Mac. These apps are designed to offer a seamless screenshot-capturing and management experience. Therefore, they often come with powerful features for editing, annotation, and sharing. For instance, let’s take the case of CleanShot X, one of the most popular as well as our favorite screenshot apps for Mac.

CleanShot X helps you take different types of screenshots and offers impressive editing/annotation options. For instance, you can capture the entire screen, including additional displays if you have them. Then, you get a bunch of tools like magnification, redaction, highlighting, and other markup methods. In the end, you can create a screenshot that conveys the message well.

These tools are great if you are preparing screenshots for tutorials or other web publications. In these cases, you have to ensure the best screenshots to help people. So, if you think this is you, you can get one of the best screenshot apps for Mac.

2. Third-party screen recording apps

There are times when you need a little more than static screenshots, and you may consider getting fully-fledged screen recording apps. These apps are designed to offer multiple ways to record the screen and turn them into high-quality videos. For instance, if you want to create a video explaining how to manage windows on your Mac, you may want one of these tools. One of the best examples is Snagit.

Snagit is a complete screen recording solution available for macOS and Windows. It lets you create rich screenshots and screencast videos and upload them directly to sharing platforms. For instance, if you want to create tutorial videos for your YouTube channel, you can count on Snagit. Because it is a dedicated tool, it may take up more resources.

You should consider this type of screenshot app if you want maximum flexibility and control over the screen videos you record. Of course, you may have to pay an extra charge for these tools. By the way, you should keep in mind that you can use CleanShot X for basic screen video recording.

3. Third-party browser extensions

If you mostly deal with web browsers on Mac, you can also consider getting a web browser extension to take a screenshot on the device. Considering how powerful browser extensions are these days, you will not have trouble expanding the control to native screenshots, either.

More importantly, these web extensions offer advanced options for uploading and sharing screenshots with other platforms. For instance, you can upload the screenshots directly to an image-sharing website and copy the URL instantly.

Tip: Do you use Microsoft Office Suite programs on your Mac? In that case, you can use the built-in screenshot tool from these apps. So, if you want to capture a screenshot from a part of the Word or Excel document, you do not need a separate app. As you can guess, the built-in screenshot apps on Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access are optimized for the content you may prepare through these apps.

Summary: when to use what

Method	Best for	Features
Keyboard Shortcuts (Shift + Cmd + 3/4/5)	Quick captures	Fast, built-in, no extra apps needed
Screenshot Utility (Cmd + Shift + 5)	Flexible capture + screen recording	Timer, floating thumbnail, save options
Preview App	Simple edits after capture	Basic screenshots and annotation
CleanShot X / Snagit / Shottr	Heavy annotation, video, sharing workflows	Advanced editing, OCR, cloud upload, batch capture

Heads Up for macOS Sequoia (& macOS Tahoe 26)

If you’re running macOS Sequoia (version 15) or the upcoming macOS Tahoe (version 26), some apps like CleanShot or Snagit may trigger repeated screen recording permission alerts due to Apple’s enhanced privacy rules. This is expected behavior. Simply grant permissions in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen Recording to ensure these apps function smoothly.

While macOS Tahoe’s final policies are still under refinement, current developer information suggests similar screen recording permission requirements will remain.

FAQs

How do I screenshot a selected area?
Use Shift + Command + 4 or choose “Selected Portion” in the Screenshot app toolbar.

How can I take a screenshot without using the keyboard?
Open the Screenshot app from Launchpad and click the capture option you want.

How do I edit or annotate a screenshot?
Click the floating thumbnail after capture to open Markup tools. For advanced editing, try third-party apps like CleanShot X, Xnapper, or Snagit.

Can I capture the Touch Bar on my Mac?
Yes — press Shift + Command + 6 to save the Touch Bar as an image.

Where are my screenshots saved, and in what format?
By default, screenshots save to the Desktop in PNG format. You can change the location in Screenshot app Options, or change the format via Terminal. Screen recordings save as MOV files.

Can I record my Mac’s screen?
Yes — the Screenshot app (Shift + Command + 5) supports recording the whole screen or a portion. You can also use QuickTime Player for basic recording or third-party tools like Snagit for advanced workflows.

Conclusion

We’ve covered all the major ways to take a screenshot on a Mac — from lightning-fast shortcuts to pro-level apps with editing and sharing features. For casual use, the built-in Screenshot app or keyboard shortcuts will be enough. But if you’re a creator, educator, or professional, tools like CleanShot X or Xnapper can supercharge your workflow.

Choose the method that fits your needs, and you’ll always be ready to capture and share your Mac screen with ease.

READ ALSO:

• Best Screenshot Apps for Mac (Free/Paid)
• CleanShot X vs Xnapper: Which screenshot tool is best?
• How to Record Screen on Mac (macOS Ventura Included)
• How to Take a Screenshot on Windows 11/10
• Best Voice / Audio Recording Software
• Best Screen Recording Software for Windows 11

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