JPEG, GIF, PNG, PDF: Change Screenshot Format on Mac, MacBook

🗓️ November 10, 2020 By ✍️ Jaysukh patel

Mac users have a query which is the best image screenshot format type? How to change default PNG image to JPG, GIF, PDF. that we capture screenshot on Mac using very easy keyboard shortcuts. Mac doesn’t give an option for saving into target format one we snap or select screen portion using a trackpad or logical mouse. MacOS automatically save into default format and default screenshot save location. Also, review for change default screenshot save location on Mac installed on MacOS Sierra, EI Capitan or Yosemite.

PNG is a standard format to get High-resolution image but JPEG image screenshot also in good quality. And the other are GIF, PDF file. But on our need and usage, we can save HD resolution picture directly in a preset format.

Bookmark this page for instantly access command line and start snap in another picture format. Given commands work for all the OS X Versions (MacOS Sierra, EI Capitan, Yosemite or other).

Change Screenshot image format on MacOS

First run single line command in Mac terminal, Open terminal from spotlight search (Command + Space) or open from Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

First: Default PNG to JPG file extension

Copy the line below, and press Enter.

defaults write com.apple.screencapture type jpg;killall SystemUIServer

Second: PNG to Gif file screenshot

GIF format is low quality for the viewer and not good presentation and professional use.

defaults write com.apple.screencapture type gif;killall SystemUIServer

Third: TIFT file

Tag image file format is in very HD resolution, So we can use this image (Rester graphics or Bitmap) in 3D Applications, Medical, Presentations.

Use command below, press return

defaults write com.apple.screencapture type tiff;killall SystemUIServer

Fourth: Convert PDF

Using this command we can use it directly convert into PDF document format without any software on Mac.

defaults write com.apple.screencapture type PDF;killall SystemUIServer

Fifth: PDF, TIFT, GIF or JPG to PNG Default

defaults write com.apple.screencapture type png;killall SystemUIServer

How to change Taken screenshot image format?

Using default picture viewing software (Preview app) we can change recently captured or existing image’s extension or type on Mac.

Open JPG, PDF, GIF, PNG file on Preview app.

Go to the Menu File > Export > Select targeted file format, Resolution, Location and Done.

For the information: iPhone capture screenshot in PNG and Camera is in JPEG.

Are you trouble with the same problem? That I faced, While we capture a screenshot (Shift + Command + 4 for selected portion or Shift + Command + 3 for full screen) your Mac hanging, Use Slow Mac solution.

If you won’t able to find where is saved captured screenshot, First change save path on Mac using discussed in the first paragraph.

Don’t miss to share which format works best for you, also share this knowledge with your friends.