Capturing a screen on a Mac can be a bit confusing if you are new to the system. However, once you master the steps, it’s one of the easiest tasks you can do on a Mac. Whether you want to capture an image, a portion of your screen or record a video, we have got you covered. In this article, we will be sharing with you how to capture a screen on Mac.
Steps
Step 1 – Capture entire screen
To capture the entire screen, press and hold down Command + Shift + 3. The screen will make a camera shutter sound, and the image will be saved in PNG format on your desktop.
Step 2 – Capture a portion of the screen
If you only want to capture a portion of your screen, press and hold down Command + Shift + 4. You will see a cursor that looks like a crosshair. Drag the cursor to select the portion of the screen you want to capture and release the mouse button. The image will be saved in PNG format on your desktop.
Step 3 – Capture a window
To capture a window, press and hold down Command + Shift + 4, then press the space bar. Your cursor will turn into a camera icon, which you can bring to the window you want to capture. Click on the window, and the image will be saved in PNG format on your desktop.
Step 4 – Record your screen
To record your screen, press and hold down Command + Shift + 5. A menu will appear on your screen with recording options. You can choose to capture the entire screen, a portion of the screen, or a window. You can also choose to record your microphone or system audio. Once you are done recording, the video will be saved in MOV format on your desktop.
Step 5 – Capture a touch bar
To capture a touch bar on your MacBook Pro, press and hold down Command + Shift + 6. The image will be saved in PNG format on your desktop.
Step 6 – Edit your screenshots
Open the screenshot you want to edit and click on the Markup tool. You can use this tool to add text, shapes, arrows, and more to your screenshot.
Step 7 – Change your screenshot save location
By default, your screenshots are saved on the desktop. To change the save location, press and hold down Command + Shift + 5, then click on “Options”. Here, you can choose to save your screenshots in a different folder.
Step 8 – Capture a menu
To capture a menu, click on the menu to open it, then press and hold down Command + Shift + 4. You will see a crosshair cursor. Drag the cursor to select the menu, then release the mouse button. The image will be saved in PNG format on your desktop.
Step 9 – Capture a timed screenshot
To capture a timed screenshot, press and hold down Command + Shift + 5, then click on “Options”. Here, you can choose to capture a screenshot after a 5 or 10-second delay.
Step 10 – Capture a screenshot from a URL
To capture a screenshot of a web page, press and hold down Command + Shift + 4, then press the space bar. Your cursor will turn into a camera icon, which you can bring to the web page you want to capture. The image will be saved in PNG format on your desktop.
Step 11 – Capture a screenshot from an app
To capture a screenshot from an app, open the app and press and hold down Command + Shift + 4. You will see a crosshair cursor. Drag the cursor to select the portion of the app you want to capture and release the mouse button. The image will be saved in PNG format on your desktop.
Step 12 – Use third-party apps
If you want more advanced screenshot features, you can use third-party apps like Snagit, Skitch, or Lightshot. These apps offer more editing options and can save your screenshots in different file formats.
Explanation
Capturing a screen on a Mac is not rocket science. You can capture an entire screen, a portion of your screen, a window, or even record a video. The best part is that you can edit your screenshots and choose where to save them. You can also capture a timed screenshot, a screenshot from a URL, or even a screenshot from an app. If you need more advanced features, third-party apps are always an option.
Tips and Tricks
1. Use keyboard shortcuts for faster capturing
Keyboard shortcuts are quick and easy to use. Use Command + Shift + 3 to capture the entire screen, Command + Shift + 4 to capture a portion of the screen, and Command + Shift + 5 to access more recording options.
2. Use the Markup tool to add annotations
The Markup tool can help you label and annotate your screenshots to make them more informative.
3. Save your screenshots in different formats
By default, Mac saves your screenshots in PNG format. If you want to save them in different formats like JPEG or BMP, you can use third-party apps or change the format in the Preview app.
4. Use timed screenshots to frame your screen
Sometimes you need to capture a screenshot with specific dimensions. You can use timed screenshots to frame your screen and capture the exact portion of the screen you want to capture.
5. Use third-party apps for advanced features
Third-party apps like Snagit, Skitch, and Lightshot offer more advanced features like video recording, more editing options, and the ability to save your screenshots in different file formats.
6. Take screenshots in different languages
If you need to take screenshots in different languages, you can change the language in the System Preferences > Language & Region settings.
7. Share your screenshots with others
If you need to share your screenshots with others, you can drag and drop them directly into an email, or use third-party apps like Droplr or CloudApp to share them with others.
8. Use the Preview app to edit and crop your screenshots
The Preview app is a basic image editing app that can help you crop your screenshots and make quick edits.
9. Take screenshots in different resolutions
You can change the resolution of your screenshots in the System Preferences > Displays settings.
10. Archive your screenshots to save space
If you take a lot of screenshots, they can take up a lot of disk space. You can archive your screenshots by creating a folder and moving them there. This way, you can save space and keep your desktop clean.
Advantages of Capturing a Screen on Mac
There are several advantages of capturing a screen on Mac, which include:
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Convenient for sharing information: Capturing a screen is an easy way to share information with others, especially when you need to show visual aids.
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Efficient: This method saves you time from typing long paragraphs to explain something.
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Useful for tutorials: Screen capture is an excellent tool to use when creating tutorials or instructional materials for a presentation.
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Enhanced communication: Capturing a screen helps to communicate clearly and concisely.
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Good for troubleshooting: When you have a problem with your Mac, you can use a screen capture to show the tech support what is happening.
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Can be used as a reference: With a screen capture, you can refer to a previous project or document.
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Helpful in social media: Screenshots are an essential tool for creating social media content.
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Easy to use: Capturing a screen on Mac is an easy process that does not require any technical expertise.
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Improved productivity: Screen captures can help you become more productive in your work, especially when working remotely.
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Cost-effective: Unlike some software tools, capturing a screen on Mac does not require any extra cost.
Disadvantages of Capturing a Screen on Mac
Despite its many advantages, there are a few disadvantages of capturing a screen on Mac, which include:
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File size: Screen captures can take up large amounts of storage space on your device.
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Quality loss: Screen captures can sometimes result in lower quality images than the original content.
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Complex visuals may be difficult to capture: Capturing images of complex graphics or animations can be challenging and result in lower image quality.
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Not practical in some situations: In some cases, capturing a screen may not be practical, such as when dealing with sensitive information.
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Inappropriate use: Screen captures can also be misused and lead to copyright infringement or invasion of privacy.
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May require editing: Screenshots may require editing to improve the quality or remove unnecessary details, which can be time-consuming.
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Possible misinterpretations: A screenshot can sometimes be misunderstood or misinterpreted, leading to confusion or errors.
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Not suitable for audio or video: Screen capture only captures visual content, which may not be adequate in scenarios where audio or video is required.
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Not accessible to people with disabilities: Screen captures do not provide text-based alternatives, making them inaccessible to people with disabilities.
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May be misused for malicious intent: Screen captures can also be used for illegal activities, such as cyberbullying or cyberstalking
FAQ
1. How do I take a screenshot on a Mac?
To capture a full screen, press Command + Shift + 3. To capture a specific area, press Command + Shift + 4 and use your mouse to select the area.
2. Can I capture a screenshot of a specific window?
Yes, press Command + Shift + 4, then press the spacebar. Your cursor will turn into a camera icon. Click on the window you want to capture.
3. Where are my screenshots saved?
By default, your screenshots will be saved on your desktop with the filename “Screen Shot [date] at [time].png”.
4. Can I change where my screenshots are saved?
Yes, you can change the save location by opening Terminal and typing “defaults write com.apple.screencapture location [location]” (without quotes) and replacing “[location]” with the filepath of your desired location.
5. How do I capture a screenshot of a menu?
Press Command + Shift + 4, then press the spacebar. Your cursor will turn into a camera icon. Click on the menu you want to capture.
6. Can I capture a screenshot while using an external keyboard?
Yes, if you have an external keyboard, you can use the same keyboard shortcuts as on a Mac laptop.
7. How do I capture a screenshot of a Touch Bar on a Macbook?
Press Command + Shift + 6 to capture a screenshot of your Touch Bar.
8. Can I take a screenshot of a web page that’s longer than what’s visible on my screen?
Yes, you can use a third-party app like “Paparazzi!” to capture a screenshot of an entire web page, even if it extends beyond your screen’s view.
9. How do I capture a screenshot of a video playing on my Mac?
Press Command + Shift + 4 and use your mouse to select the area where the video is playing.
10. Can I capture a screenshot of a screen recording?
No, you cannot capture a screenshot of a screen recording.
11. How do I take a screenshot of a window with rounded corners?
To capture the window without the rounded corners, press Command + Shift + 4 and use your mouse to select the area. To capture the complete window, including the rounded corners, use a third-party app like “Snagit”.
12. How do I capture a screenshot in black and white or grayscale?
Press Command + Shift + Control + 3 (for full screen) or Command + Shift + Control + 4 (for a selected area) and immediately press the “Esc” key. Then open Preview, select “File” and “New from Clipboard”. Under “Tools”, select “Adjust Color” and choose “Grayscale” or “Black and White”.
13. How do I capture a screenshot if my Mac freezes?
If your Mac freezes, press and hold the Power button until it shuts down. Then press the Power button again to restart your Mac.
Are you a Mac user who wants to capture a screenshot of your screen? Whether you want to save an image, capture a moment, or demonstrate something to someone else, taking a screenshot is a simple and practical solution. MacOS offers several default ways to take a screenshot. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to capture a screen on Mac.
Capturing a Full Screen Shot
If you want to capture a full screen, press “Command+Shift+3.” The image of your entire screen will be automatically saved as a PNG file on your desktop. If you want to copy your screenshot to the clipboard instead of saving it, use the “Command+Control+Shift+3” combination.
Note that if you have multiple displays, each display will have its own screenshot unless you press “Command+Shift+3” while holding down the “Control” key. It saves the image of all displays as one file.
Capturing a Partial Shot
If you want to capture only a portion of the screen, try “Command+Shift+4” combination and your cursor will change to a crosshair. Click and drag your cursor over the area you want to capture it. As soon as you release the mouse button, the captured image will be saved as a PNG on your desktop. Just like the full screenshot, if you want to copy your partial shot to the clipboard, use “Command+Control+Shift+4”.
If you want to cancel partial screenshots, press the key “Esc”.
Conclusion
MacOS offers several ways to capture a screen easily by using simple keyboard shortcuts. Whether you need to capture just a portion of the screen or the entire screen, the process is fast and simple. Now that you know how to capture a screen on Mac, you can easily share your captured moments with friends, family, or colleagues.
Closing
We hope that you found this article helpful and that you now know how to capture a screen on Mac. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thanks for reading and see you soon!