Hello there, Mac users! Have you ever taken a screenshot and realized that it was saved to a location that was hard to find? Fear not, for changing where your screenshots are saved on your Mac is a simple process. In this article, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to change the default location of where your screenshots are saved on your Mac.
Steps
Step 1: Open Your Terminal
To get started, open your Terminal app. You can find it by going to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
Step 2: Create a New Screenshot Folder
Next, you need to create a new folder where you want your screenshots to be saved. You can create a new folder by entering the following command in your Terminal:
mkdir ~/Desktop/Screenshots
This will create a new folder named “Screenshots” on your desktop.
Step 3: Check Your Current Screenshot Folder Settings
To check your current screenshot folder settings, enter the following command in your Terminal:
defaults read com.apple.screencapture location
This will display the current location where your screenshots are being saved.
Step 4: Change Your Screenshot Folder Settings
To change your screenshot folder settings, enter the following command in your Terminal:
defaults write com.apple.screencapture location ~/Desktop/Screenshots
This will change the default location where your screenshots are saved to the new folder you created in Step 2.
Step 5: Restart System UI Server
After making changes to your screenshot settings, you need to restart System UI Server for the changes to take effect. To do this, enter the following command in your Terminal:
killall SystemUIServer
This will restart System UI Server and apply the changes you made.
Step 6: Take a Screenshot
To test if the changes were successful, take a screenshot by pressing Command + Shift + 3. Your screenshot should now be saved to the new folder you created in Step 2.
Step 7: Remove Timestamp from Screenshot File Names (Optional)
By default, Mac adds the date and time to the file name of your screenshots. If you want to remove the timestamp from your screenshot file names, enter the following command in your Terminal:
defaults write com.apple.screencapture include-date -bool FALSE
Then enter the following command to restart System UI Server:
killall SystemUIServer
This will remove the timestamp from your screenshot file names.
Step 8: Change Screenshot File Type (Optional)
By default, Mac saves screenshots in PNG format. If you want to change the file type, you can do so by entering the following commands in your Terminal:
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type JPG
or
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type PDF
Then enter the following command to restart System UI Server:
killall SystemUIServer
This will change the default file type for your screenshots.
Step 9: Change Screenshot File Name Prefix (Optional)
By default, Mac adds “Screen Shot” as a prefix to the file name of your screenshots. If you want to change the prefix, enter the following command in your Terminal:
defaults write com.apple.screencapture name “yourprefix”
Then enter the following command to restart System UI Server:
killall SystemUIServer
This will change the prefix for your screenshot file names.
Step 10: Change Screenshot File Name Suffix (Optional)
By default, Mac adds the date and time as a suffix to the file name of your screenshots. If you want to change the suffix, enter the following command in your Terminal:
defaults write com.apple.screencapture suffix “yoursuffix”
Then enter the following command to restart System UI Server:
killall SystemUIServer
This will change the suffix for your screenshot file names.
Step 11: Disable the Floating Thumbnail (Optional)
By default, Mac displays a floating thumbnail in the bottom-right corner of your screen when you take a screenshot. If you want to disable this feature, enter the following command in your Terminal:
defaults write com.apple.screencapture show-thumbnail -bool FALSE
Then enter the following command to restart System UI Server:
killall SystemUIServer
This will disable the floating thumbnail.
Step 12: Restore Default Settings (Optional)
If you want to restore the default settings for your screenshot folder, enter the following commands in your Terminal:
defaults write com.apple.screencapture location ~/Desktop
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type PNG
Then enter the following command to restart System UI Server:
killall SystemUIServer
This will restore the default settings for your screenshot folder.
Explanation
Now that we have gone over the steps to change where your screenshots are saved on your Mac, let’s explain a few things.
First, let’s talk about the Terminal app. The Terminal app is built into your Mac’s operating system and allows you to access the command line interface. You can use the Terminal to execute commands and scripts, install software, and more.
Next, we changed the default location where your screenshots are saved by using the “defaults write” command. This command allowed us to modify the com.apple.screencapture preferences, which control your screenshot settings.
We also discussed how to remove the timestamp from your screenshot file names, change the file type, change the file name prefix and suffix, disable the floating thumbnail, and restore the default settings.
By changing your screenshot settings, you can save time and improve your workflow. Instead of spending time searching for your screenshots, you can easily find them in the folder of your choice.
Tips and Tricks
Here are some additional tips and tricks related to taking screenshots on your Mac:
1. Use Keyboard Shortcuts
Instead of using the Screenshot app, you can use keyboard shortcuts to take screenshots on your Mac. Pressing Command + Shift + 3 will take a screenshot of your entire screen, while Command + Shift + 4 will allow you to select a portion of your screen to capture.
2. Use Preview to Edit Screenshots
After taking a screenshot, you can use the Preview app to edit your screenshot. You can crop, resize, annotate, and more.
3. Recording Your Screen
If you need to record a video of your screen, you can use the built-in QuickTime Player app. Go to File > New Screen Recording and follow the prompts.
4. Use Third-Party Apps
There are many third-party apps available that can enhance your screenshot experience on your Mac. Some popular options include Snagit, Lightshot, and Skitch.
5. Utilize iCloud
If you have iCloud enabled, you can automatically save your screenshots to iCloud. This allows you to access your screenshots from any device that is connected to iCloud.
6. Use Automator
If you take a lot of screenshots, you can use the Automator app to create a workflow for renaming and saving your screenshots in one step.
7. Use the Grab App
The Grab app is a built-in app on your Mac that allows you to take screenshots with a few clicks. You can find it in Applications > Utilities > Grab.
8. Customize Keyboard Shortcuts
If you prefer to use different keyboard shortcuts for taking screenshots, you can customize these in your Mac’s system preferences. Go to Keyboard > Shortcuts > Screenshots.
9. Use Terminal to Access Hidden Features
There are many hidden features related to taking screenshots that can only be accessed through Terminal. Do some research to find out what features might be available to you.
10. Use Siri
If you have macOS Catalina or later, you can use Siri to take a screenshot. Simply say “Hey Siri, take a screenshot” and it will be done for you.
We hope this article has been helpful in teaching you how to change where your screenshots are saved on your Mac. By following these steps, you can save time and improve your workflow.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Changing Where Screenshots are Saved on Mac
Advantages
1. It allows you to have more control over where your screenshots are saved, making it easier to organize and find them.
2. It helps prevent clutter on your desktop by automatically saving screenshots to a specific folder.
3. Changing the location of where screenshots are saved can also free up space on your Mac’s hard drive.
4. If you share your Mac with others, changing the default location for screenshots can help prevent confusion over where they are saved.
5. It’s a quick and easy way to customize your Mac to your personal preferences.
6. Creating a separate folder just for screenshots can also help you stay more organized and productive.
7. It can improve your workflow by saving you time searching for specific screenshots.
8. It can help prevent accidental deletion of important screenshots by keeping them in a separate, designated folder.
9. It can help prevent sensitive information from being accidentally shared if screenshots are saved to a secure or private folder.
10. Changing the default location of screenshots can also provide an extra layer of backup in case of hardware failure or other computer issues.
Disadvantages
1. Changing the location of where screenshots are saved requires a few additional steps and could take some time to set up.
2. If the new location is not easily accessible, it could take even longer to locate and retrieve important screenshots.
3. If multiple users share the same Mac, changing the location of where screenshots are saved could cause confusion.
4. Changing the default location could also affect certain third-party apps that rely on screenshots being saved to the default location.
5. If you forget to change the location for screenshots, they may be saved to the default location and cause clutter on your desktop.
6. If the new location is not backed up regularly, important screenshots could still be lost in case of a computer malfunction or software failure.
7. If you change the screenshot location frequently, it could become difficult to keep track of where everything is saved on your Mac.
8. It may not be necessary to change the default location if you already have a system in place for organizing and saving screenshots.
9. Changing the default location could create additional work if you need to share screenshots with others who are not familiar with the new location.
10. If the new location is not secure or private, sensitive information could still be at risk of being inadvertently shared.
FAQ
1. How do I change where screenshots are saved on my Mac?
To change where screenshots are saved on your Mac, open the “Terminal” app and type the command: “defaults write com.apple.screencapture location [insert file path here]”. Be sure to replace “[insert file path here]” with the file path of the folder where you want your screenshots to be saved. Then, press “Enter” and type “killall SystemUIServer” to restart the UI.
2. Can I change where screenshots are saved for a specific application?
Unfortunately, you cannot change where screenshots are saved for a specific application. The location you set in the Terminal command will be used for all screenshots taken on your Mac.
3. Can I change the default filename for screenshots?
Yes, you can change the default filename for screenshots. To do so, open the “Terminal” app and type the command: “defaults write com.apple.screencapture name [insert name here]”. Be sure to replace “[insert name here]” with the desired filename. Then, press “Enter” and type “killall SystemUIServer” to restart the UI.
4. How can I take a screenshot of a selected area?
To take a screenshot of a selected area on your Mac, press “Command-Shift-4” and drag your cursor to select the desired area. Release the mouse button to take the screenshot.
5. How can I take a screenshot of a specific window?
To take a screenshot of a specific window on your Mac, press “Command-Shift-4” and then press the “Spacebar”. Your cursor will change to a camera icon. Move the camera icon over the desired window and click to take the screenshot.
6. Can I change the format of screenshots?
Yes, you can change the format of screenshots. To do so, open the “Terminal” app and type the command: “defaults write com.apple.screencapture type [insert format here]”. Be sure to replace “[insert format here]” with the desired format (e.g. png, jpg, pdf). Then, press “Enter” and type “killall SystemUIServer” to restart the UI.
7. Can I disable the screenshot thumbnail that appears in the corner of my screen?
Yes, you can disable the screenshot thumbnail. To do so, open the “Terminal” app and type the command: “defaults write com.apple.screencapture show-thumbnail -bool FALSE”. Then, press “Enter” and type “killall SystemUIServer” to restart the UI.
8. Where do screenshots get saved by default?
Screenshots are saved to the desktop by default. They are saved as “Screen Shot [date] at [time].png”.
9. Can I change the default save location for files in general?
Yes, you can change the default save location for files in general. Open the “Finder” app and go to the folder where you want your files to be saved. Then, right-click and select “Get Info”. In the “General” section, select the option “Use as Default”.
10. Can I change the default save location for a specific type of file?
Yes, you can change the default save location for a specific type of file. Open the “Finder” app and go to the folder where you want your files to be saved. Then, right-click and select “Get Info”. In the “General” section, select the option “Use as Default”. This will only change the default save location for files of the same type.
11. How do I take a screenshot of the entire screen?
To take a screenshot of the entire screen on your Mac, press “Command-Shift-3”. The screenshot will be saved to the desktop.
12. Can I disable the sound that plays when taking a screenshot?
Yes, you can disable the sound that plays when taking a screenshot. Open the “Terminal” app and type the command: “defaults write com.apple.systemsound com.apple.sound.uiaudio.enabled -bool FALSE”. Then, press “Enter”.
13. How can I view my screenshots?
You can view your screenshots in the “Finder” app. By default, they are saved to the desktop. You can also change the default save location using the steps outlined in this article.
How to Change Where Screenshots are Saved on Mac
Do you know that by default, macOS saves all your screenshots to the desktop? While this may seem convenient at first, it can quickly lead to a cluttered desktop. Thankfully, you can easily change the default location for your screenshots. This article will guide you on how to change where screenshots are saved on Mac with just a few clicks.
Conclusion
Changing where screenshots are saved on Mac is a quick and easy process that can go a long way in keeping your desktop clutter-free. You have the option to choose your preferred folder or create a new one for your screenshots. Just follow the steps outlined above, and you will be good to go.
Remember, the process may differ slightly depending on the version of macOS and your settings, so take your time and carefully follow the instructions. Good luck!
Closing
Thank you for taking the time to read this article on how to change where screenshots are saved on Mac. We hope that you have found it helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. See you next time!