DeviceHowTo
macOS⏱ 1 min

How to Take a Screenshot on macOS

Capture your full screen or a selected region using built-in shortcuts.

Last verified: February 21, 2026

macOS offers one of the most refined built-in screenshot experiences across any desktop OS, built around a consistent set of keyboard shortcuts that have remained stable for many versions. Captures save automatically to the Desktop as timestamped PNG files without any clipboard step, though adding the Control modifier to any shortcut copies to clipboard instead. The unified Screenshot utility (Command + Shift + 5) surfaces every capture mode in a floating toolbar and lets you set a delay, choose a save location, and toggle the cursor visibility before shooting.

Quick Steps

Follow in order for the fastest result.

  1. 1Press Command + Shift + 3. The screenshot saves to the Desktop with a timestamp file name.
  2. 2Open the screenshot from the notification bar or Screenshots / Desktop folder to verify it captured correctly.
  3. 3Rename and move the file to your preferred location.

Still Not Working?

Try these if the steps above didn't help.

Verify the Fix

Confirm everything is fully working before closing this guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does macOS have a built-in screenshot tool?
Yes. macOS has a built-in screenshot toolbar accessible with Command + Shift + 5, offering full screen, window, selection, and screen recording modes.
Where do screenshots save on macOS?
Screenshots save to the Desktop as timestamped .png files by default. You can change the save location in Command + Shift + 5 > Options.
Why is my screenshot shortcut not working on macOS?
This usually happens when a game overlay, remote desktop client, or screen utility has captured the same keyboard shortcut. Try an alternative shortcut, close background apps, or open the screenshot tool directly from the app list.
Can I take a screenshot on macOS without a keyboard?
Yes. Open Finder > Applications > Utilities > Screenshot to launch the toolbar without using keyboard shortcuts.

Same task, different device

Windows 11Windows 10iPhone (iOS)iPad (iPadOS)Samsung GalaxyGoogle PixelChromebook

Related guides for macOS

Record Your Screen

Start a native screen recording without installing third-party software.

Take a Partial Screenshot

Capture only the area you need instead of the full screen.

Clear Cache

Remove cached data to fix loading errors and reclaim disk space.

Uninstall Apps

Remove apps you no longer use to free up storage and improve performance.