How to Take a Screenshot on Mac (macOS Sonoma Updated)

Taking screenshots was quite typical before Apple launched Mojave and its unbelievable features. In macOS, you will get simplified tools to take screenshots, record video, edit screenshots, and more. No need to download third-party applications to do such editing and recording, now it is available on Apple Mac. Let’s see Mac Shortcuts Screenshot for the latest macOS.

Let’s check out how to take a Screenshot on Mac, how to screen record on Mac, and more.

Quick guide on how to screenshot on mac

  • Step 1: To bring screenshot toolkit press “Command+Shift+5”.
  • Step 2: Now mac will ask you to choose from three options: “Capture Entire Screen”, “Capture Selected Portion”, and “Capture Selected Windows”. So you have to decide what type of screenshot you want to take.
  • Step 3: When you choose “Capture Entire Screen” a screenshot will be taken immediately.
  • Step 4: If you go for “Capture Selected Portion or Capture Selected Window” then time will be allotted to select a portion and after selection of the portion the screenshot will be captured instantly.
  • Step 5: Now use control-click, two-finger-click or right-click when you see a screenshot on the bottom of the screen.
  • Step 6: To save the screenshot on the desired location you will need the help of the “contextual menu”.

How to edit screenshot on mac

  • Step 1: After taking screenshots right-click, control-click, or two-finger-click on the taken screenshots to start editing.
  • Step 2: Tap “Markup”.
  • Step 3: Now, to draw or write, insert texts, rotate, insert signature use the toolbar which is located on the top of the window.
  • Step 4: When you are done tap “Save”.

How to show the mouse cursor in a screenshot on mac

  • Step 1: Click “Command+Shift+5” to open the toolbar.
  • Step 2: Tap “Options”.
  • Step 3: Now, Click on “Show Mouse Cursor”.

How to select save location for screenshot on mac

choose or select save location for screenshots in macOS Mojave
  • Step 1: Tap “Command+Shift+5” together to raise the screenshot toolbar.
  • Step 2: Tap “Options”.
  • Step 3: There you will be given options such as Desktop, Messages, Preview, Clipboard, Documents, or Mail. Select any one of them to save screenshots.

Get more: Hidden way to take a screenshot on your Apple Tv

How to Set Timers for Screenshots on Mac, MacBook

  • Step 1: Just like before press “Command+Shift+5” to the awake toolbar.
  • Step 2: Click “Options”.
  • Step 3: Tap “Timer” and select None or 10 seconds or 5 seconds and set the timer.
Set Timer for Screenshots on Mac MacBook
Set Timer for Screenshots on Mac MacBook
  • It’s Very Easy.
  • Get More: Fix Screenshot not working on Mac

    Best Screenshot Tool Mac – Lightshot

    As a screenshot capture tool on Mac, you can use Lightshot on mac. For that, you will have to download and install Lightshot on mac, from your Apple mac App store. And then learn here,

    Lightshot screen shot making tool for Mac
    Lightshot screenshot making tool for Mac

    Click on Apple LogoSystem PreferencesSecurity & privacy – Unlock to prevent further changes – then select Lightshot screenshot.

    Allow Permission to Capture Screen
    Allow Permission to Capture Screen

    then re-open the program and then use a tool from the top menubar on your mac.

    Quit and Reopen Lightshot on Mac Menu
    Quit and Reopen Lightshot on Mac Menu

    Note: Best Snipping tool for Mac

    How to Take a screenshot on mac Using Lightshot tool

    • Step #1. the open screen on your mac that you want to capture
    • Step #2. now click on the Lightshot Screenshot icon that looks like a feather that appears on the top-right side of the menu bar.
    Take Screenshot on Mac using Snipping tool on Mac
    Take Screenshot on Mac using Snipping tool on Mac
  • Step #3. Choose to take Screenshot
  • step #4, Now select the Screen using your mac computer mouse.
  • step #5. after Grab the Screenshot, you can use a tool that is located right side and bottom edge of the window.
  • Step #6. For example, you can draw lines, Square, Circle, Arrow on the shot using the eight-edge side given toolbar.
  • How to use Lightshot screenshot on Mac
    How to use Lightshot screenshot on Mac
  • Step #7. then after you can get save options, save on cloud, sharing option, copy to clipboard in preview app directly or also on other location like email, etc.
  • Save Lightshot Screenshot on Mac
    Save Lightshot Screenshot on Mac
  • That’s it.
  • How to Crop Screenshot on Mac After Saved

    If you forget to crop the screenshot after taking it on Mac, MacBook, there are plenty of ways to crop screenshot on Mac after saved. Here’s how.

    Method 1: Using The Preview App

    1. Directly Double-Click on the Screenshot to open it.
    2. Click on the Show Markup Toolbar.
    Markup tool on Preview Mac App
    Markup tool on Preview Mac App
  • Now select the area of the image that you want to crop.
  • And press the Command + K to crop.
  • Crop Image file on Mac using Preview
    Crop Image file on Mac using Preview
  • Lastly, Save [Command + S] the picture.
  • Cropped Screenshot on Mac
    Cropped Screenshot on Mac
  • That’s it.
  • Method 2: From The Photos App

    1. Launch the Photos app on Mac.
    2. Locate and open the Screenshot that you want to crop.
    3. Select the Edit button on the top-right side.
    4. Click on the Crop button in the top menu bar.
    5. Manually crop the image or click on the Aspect and choose the desired option. From the Aspect option, you can choose different shapes too or go with Custom if you’ve any special requirements.
    6. Once you’re done, click Save.

    Meanwhile, if you have third-party applications like Adobe Photoshop, they also support such operations and editing tools.

    Also Read4 methods to take a screenshot on your Apple mobile

    How to Draw on a Screenshot on Mac

    The Markup toolbar contains various tools to edit the images and make them your own. After taking a screenshot, if you want to draw anything on Mac Screenshot, it can be done from the Markup Toolbar.

    1. Click on the screenshot to edit, it should be open in Preview.
    2. Select the Show Markup Toolbar button if you don’t see the Markup tools.
    Draw on Screenshot on Mac or Macbook
    Draw on Screenshot on Mac or MacBook
  • Click on the Drawing tool (fourth icon from the left side) to draw anything on the screenshot. Also, we can Add and Use Signatures from the toolbar.
  • That’s it.
  • How to Highlight Text in Screenshot Mac

    Do you want to highlight a certain part of the screenshot, Markup Toolbar offers the Highlighter tool too. It helps to rectify the text if you’re preparing for an examination or want to mark the point.

    1. Open the Screenshot in Preview, to do so, double-click on the screenshot.
    2. Click on the Shape button (the fifth icon from the left side), select the Highlight tool from the dropdown, and highlight the text.

    How to Re-size a Screenshot on Mac/ How to Reduce Size on Screenshot Mac

    How to Reduce Screenshot File Size on Mac Without Lossing Quality we have Separate options that we have to set before export from the Preview app. That’s easy but you might lose the quality of your Picture after Resize file size and Change the Resolution. Follow the below steps,

    1. Locate and open the Screenshot on Mac.
    2. Make sure to open in Preview
    3. If there are no tools available, click on Show Markup Toolbar.
    Resize Screenshot on Mac Using Preview
    Resize Screenshot on Mac Using Preview
  • Click on the Resize button (Eighth icon from left-side) and Select your Size in Pixel or Other Length types.
  • Add a new Size or Click on the Unlock icon to stop auto-resizing Width and Height.
  • Remove lock for Resizing Height and Width of Picture in Preview
    Remove lock for Resizing Height and Width of Picture in Preview
  • One more setting is, Also we can change the Picture Quality,
  • Change Screenshot picture quality on MacBook and Mac
    Change Screenshot picture quality on MacBook and Mac
  • That’s it.
  • How to Enlarge a Screenshot on Mac: Use Zoom Magnification Tool Mac

    Sometimes it’s necessary to show the enlarged part of the screenshot, and it is possible with the Preview Markup Toolbar. If you haven’t done it yet, here’s how to do it.

    1. Locate and open the Screenshot on Mac.
    2. Make sure to open in Preview
    3. If there are no tools available, click on Show Markup Toolbar.
    How to Use Zoom Magnification Tool on Mac Preview
    How to Use Zoom Magnification Tool on Mac Preview
  • Click on the Shape button (Fifth icon from left-side) and select the Loupe tool and draw the loupe on the area to enlarge it. Use the Green handle to manage the magnification, while the Blue handle can use to adjust the loupe size.
  • how do you find the magnifier on a mac
    how do you find the magnifier on a mac?
  • That’s it.
  • How to Markup a Screenshot on Mac

    The best part of using Mac, MacBook is Apple offers almost all the tools as pre-installed, while on other desktops, we’ve to download or purchase the third-party tools. One of the greatest tools of Apple Mac is Markup Toolbar, which offers numerous tools and options to edit the pictures.

    Resize Screenshot on Mac Using Preview
    Resize Screenshot on Mac Using Preview

    When you open any Picture or Screenshot in Preview Mode, just click on Show Markup Tool to enable all the tools. From Regular Selection to Drawing Freehand, or Highlighting the document, everything is present in the Markup toolbar.

    How to Screenshot on Mac Without Keyboard

    While the quickest way to take a screenshot on Mac is by using Keyboard, however, if your keyboard is not working or there’s a problem with keys, Mac lets you capture screenshots without using keys.

    Method 1: Using the Preview App

    1. Press the Command+Space Bar to launch Spotlight Search and from there open the Preview.
    Open Preview Using Spotligh Search on Mac and MacBook
    Open Preview Using Spotligh Search on Mac and MacBook
  • Click on the File option on the top menu bar.
  • And choose Take Screen Shot from the dropdown. Here you get three options, From Selection, From Window and From Entire Screen, select as per your requirement.
  • Take Screenshot From Preview Menu on Mac
    Take Screenshot From Preview Menu on Mac
  • That’s it.
  • Method 2: Using Grab App

    1. Launch the Spotlight Search and open Grab/Screenshot App on Mac
    2. Click Capture from the top menu bar.
    Screenshot App on Macbook and Mac
    Screenshot App on Macbook and Mac
  • Select from Selection, Window, Screen, and Timed Screen.
  • How to Take a Screenshot on a Mac with a Windows Keyboard

    There is not much difference in taking screenshots on MacBook, Mac using a Windows Keyboard, however, instead of using the Command key, with Windows Keyboard, you’ll have to press the Windows button, everything else is the same.

    • Use “Windows + Shift + 5” Key

    Mac Screenshot Resolution Settings

    Unfortunately, there is no straight setting available that lets you change the screenshot resolution on MacBook, Mac.

    Save Preview File on Mac or MacBook
    Save Preview File on Mac or MacBook

    However, you can change the Screenshot File Format to JPG, PNG, GIF, PDF or TIFF, and get the desired results. Alternatively, using any third-party Photoshop app would allow you to increase or decrease the resolution.

    Change Screenshot Format on MacBook and Mac
    Change Screenshot Format on MacBook and Mac
    • Use Preview App: Open Screenshot in Preview > File > Export > And Select File Type before saving on Mac.
    Change Screenshot picture quality on MacBook and Mac
    Change Screenshot picture quality on MacBook and Mac

    How to Copy and Paste a Screenshot on Mac

    Instead of saving and moving the screenshot to another tool, why not copy the Screenshot to Clipboard and paste it on the desired app or location. That might be Your Browser, Photo Editing tools or Share on Social using the Paste option.

    Copy Clipboard on Mac or MacBook app
    Copy Clipboard on Mac or MacBook app

    The alternate way is, Hold the Control Key while taking screenshots and paste wherever you want. Alternatively, with Universal Clipboard, you can paste it on any other Apple device.

    Where Do Screenshots Go On Mac?

    By default all the screenshots stores on the Mac Desktop, like Screen Shot [date] at [time].png. But to keep the desktop tidy, you can manually change the location from the desktop to any other folder.

    1. Open the Screenshot App, and go to the Options menu, from here choose the location where you want to save the screenshot.
    Select Screenshot Default Save Location on Mac and MacBook
    Select Screenshot Default Save Location on Mac and MacBook
  • That’s it.
  • Where Do FaceTime Screenshots Go on Mac?

    FaceTime Screenshots are called Live Photos. During FaceTime Video Calls, if anyone takes a Live Photo, everyone on the Call will receive a Notification that the Live Photo has been taken. However, the participants need to allow a Live Photo, without permission, no one can take a Live Photo. And most importantly, the FaceTime Screenshots go directly into Photos App.

    Where Do Minecraft Screenshots Go On Mac?

    You can locate Minecraft Screenshots on the following path in Mac, MacBook,

    Open Finder on Mac, Click on Go > Go to Folder.. from top Menu. and Enter the Bellow folder path to locate Mincecraf Screenshot on Mac or MacBook.

    Open Minecraft Screenshots location on Macbook and Mac
    Open Minecraft Screenshots location on Macbook and Mac
    • ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/screenshots
    Give Minecraft Screenshots Path to find on Macbook and Mac
    Give Minecraft Screenshots Path to find on Macbook and Mac

    Here’s all screenshot.

    How to Change Mac Screenshot Save Location

    If you don’t want to save the screenshot to Desktop, then create a folder and set it as Screenshot Save Default location on Mac.

    Select Screenshot Default Save Location on Mac and MacBook
    Select Screenshot Default Save Location on Mac and MacBook

    For macOS Mojave or later, launch the Screenshot App and click on the Options. And change the default location from there.

    How to Convert Mac Screenshot to JPG (Change Mac Screen Capture to JPG)

    1. Open the Terminal on Mac (press command+space bar and search Terminal).
    2. Enter the following command,

    defaults write com.apple.screencapture type JPG

    1. Hit Enter.
    2. From now onwards the screenshots must be saved in JPG format. Restart the Mac if they don’t.

    Read more: How to Print Screen on Mac

    That’s all about new tips and tricks for Screenshot take on your Macbook, Mac running on any macOS Version.

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    Karly Wood

    Karly Wood is a journalist based in Ohio who specializes in covering Apple and technology trends. With a varied experience in reporting on public safety, government, and education, her insights bridge multiple disciplines, providing readers with a well-rounded perspective on today's technological advancements. If you need to contact me, you can reach me at [email protected] or through (Facebook)

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