With theright keyboard shortcuts , takinga screenshot on a Macis very straightforward – although they do n’t always save to the right location . Fortunately , there are a telephone number of locations you may prefer from and selecting from them is as ready and easy as taking a screenshot in the first place .
Here ’s how to select where screenshots are savedon a Mac .
How to change where screenshots are saved on a Mac
The " Command + Shift + 5 " method will reach the full - screen capture panel on your Mac . This defaults to a large capture window call Screenshot that you’re able to align for your screenshot and several modes below that can exchange what kind of capture you want . you’re able to opt to charm the whole screen , a specific windowpane of an app ( ordinarily for larger Mac screen ) , or a tailor-make portion of the entire sieve , along with television capture option .
What is n’t clear is how to change where that screenshot saves to . Here ’s what to do :
stone’s throw 1 : PressCommand + Shift + 5to start the Screenshot capture panel and get start out .
stone’s throw 2 : Look at the Screenshot control board ascendence at the bottom of your screen . At the right end , you should see a button calledOptions . choose it to open a drink down - up fare .
Step 3 : At the top of this new pop - up menu is a section labeledSave To . Here you will see a variety of popular booklet or apps you could make unnecessary the screenshot to , including Documents , Clipboard , Mail , and Preview . If one of those work for you , select it .
Step 4 : If you need a dedicated file cabinet for lay aside this particular screenshot , selectOther Locationinstead . This will permit you to foot or make a specific folder for stack away these files . If you take frequent screenshots , we suggest creating a dedicated folder for this role .
gradation 5 : For smaller screenshots , the * Command + Shift + 4 * option allows you to immediately sweep a customise screenshot window with your cursor to enamor whatever part of the screen you like . It ’s very tight and an excellent option for look at frequent screenshots . The job is that these screenshots are saved as individual Indian file on your desktop , so before long , they are covering your intact habitation CRT screen and causing issues .
Another option , is to use the Terminal .
Changing where screenshots are saved on a Mac using Terminal
you’re able to use the Terminal to vary the location where screenshots are save on a Mac , too . It ’s a bit more of an involved process , but follow along with these steps and you wo n’t run into any issuance .
dance step 1 : Head to your Terminal to type out a couple of important bidding . you could find the Terminal in the Applications section on your Mac Dock , within the Utilities pamphlet .
Step 2 : With the terminal open , type ( or copy and paste ) this command :
default option pen com.apple.screencapture localisation
Finish by pressing the spacebar . Do n’t go into the instruction yet !
Step 3 : You need to end the command by specifying a proper folder destination . you’re able to typewrite this out , but it ’s usually much easier to notice the brochure itself and drag on it to the Terminal windowpane . This will automatically glue the folder localization into the command for you ( without doing anything to the pamphlet ) .
As before , we urge creating a folder on your screen background call up screenshots to habituate for this , but you could hale any folder destination you desire . However , do not drag a folder from the left - side Finder menu , as these are just folder crosscut that can be get rid of but wo n’t give a helpful name and address . Always use the booklet itself .
footstep 4 : PressEnter . With the command correct , Terminal should process this without any errors . To eat up , glue in the following :
killall SystemUIServer
Press Enter again . Your spry screenshots should now be saved to the folder of your alternative .
Handily , the Screenshot gaining control panel also appears to spot this command . If you create and use a leaflet for these quick screenshots , it will also become the default save location for any screenshot mode you may apply in the gaining control jury , add another layer of usefulness .
Want more tips to improve your Mac skill ? Here are our top tips tomake your MacBook even well .