Important Takeaways:
Utilise Shift + Command + 3 to capture an entire-screen screenshot on your Mac.
Hold down Shift + Command + 4 if only a portion of the screen needs to be captured.
Hold down Shift + Command + 4, followed by the Space key to capture a screenshot of a particular Mac window.
Top Screen Capture Tools:
CleanShot X is the finest screen capturer due to its integrated annotation tool, cloud upload, scrolling capture, and other features.
Capto is something to consider if you’re searching for something emphasizing screen recording. Each application is accessible via Setapp.
Proficiency in capturing photographs on a Mac is highly advantageous, as one might be required to do so to document a tutorial, share a chat conversation, or report an error. Although Mac computers are equipped with nearly everything required to capture a screenshot, the procedure is more complicated than it initially appears. Additionally, there are numerous sophisticated options that you should be aware of.
Comprehensive Guide to Capturing Screenshots on a Mac:
Screenshot Shortcuts for Mac
To take a screenshot of your entire Mac screen.
- Shift + Command + 3
To capture a portion of your screen.
- Shift + Command + 4
Then to snap a screenshot of a specific Mac window.
- Shift + Command + 4
- then press Space
To open the Screenshot app for screenshot options.
- Shift + Command + 5
To capture the Touch Bar.
- Shift + Command + 6
Mastering Screenshots on Mac
Although Mac computers lack a dedicated screenshot icon, it is still possible to capture any element displayed on the screen by utilizing the standard keyboard shortcuts for taking screenshots:
- Utilise Shift + Command + 3 to capture an image of the entire Mac display.
- Pressing Shift + Command + 3 will immediately capture an entire-screen screenshot for your Mac, which will then be saved as a file on your desktop. Typically, the file is titled Screenshot and includes the time and date of capture.
- A thumbnail preview of the captured Screenshot will appear in the lower-right quadrant of the screen; clicking on this preview will allow you to modify the Screenshot.
- Shift + Command + 4: Select a segment of the display to capture.
- The cursor transforms into a crosshair by holding down Shift + Command + 4. The crosshair can then be moved by clicking and dragging to indicate the screen region to be captured. The selected region is highlighted with a transparent rectangle as you drag.
- Use Shift + Command + 4, followed by Space, to capture an image of a particular Mac window.
- Hold down Shift + Command + 4, followed by the Space key to capture a screenshot of a particular Mac window. The crosshair should transform into an icon representing a camera. To capture a screenshot, click the window following its selection with the mouse.
- Press Shift + Command + 5 to launch the Screenshot application.
Some more Keyboard Shortcuts for Effortless Capture
- The screenshot includes macOS Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, and Sonoma. To access it, you must enter Shift + Command + 5.
A tiny menu will display at the bottom of the screen. One can capture a screenshot of the entire display, a designated window, or the highlighted region by clicking on the three symbols on the left. Clicking the two symbols immediately to the right allows you to record a video of the entire display or a specific highlighted area. Determine how you wish to capture your screen by selecting one of the options on the left. - Command plus Shift plus 6: Capture the Touch Bar.
- To capture a screenshot of an element displayed on your Touch Bar to share it with others, select the combination of Shift + Command + 6. This will capture everything displayed on the Touch Bar of your MacBook if it is present.
Photographic Menu on a Mac
As previously stated, the screenshot menu can be accessed to select the screen capture method, starting with macOS Mojave and later, including window or specified area. macOS versions released before Mojave lack the screen-capturing interface but include commands for capturing the entire screen or a portion of it.
Users in Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, or Sonoma can access a screen capture menu by pressing and holding Command + Shift + 5. This menu provides the following options:
- Acquire the Entire Display
- Selected Window Capture
- Achieve a Selected Capture
- Capture the Entire Screen
- Document the Selected Portion
