# How to take a screenshot on a Mac

> The three ways to capture your Mac's screen (the entire screen, a portion, a window), the Screenshot app with its timer, where the images are saved, and how to copy them to the Clipboard instead of the desktop.

Source: https://simplebuild.it/tutorial/screenshot-mac
Author: SimpleBuild, Build simple. Deliver value.
Category: Mac
Procedure verified on: 2026-09-30

On a Mac you use three keys together: **Shift + Command + 3** captures the entire screen, **Shift + Command + 4** lets you choose a portion, **Shift + Command + 5** opens the **Screenshot** app with all the options. By default, the images go to the **desktop**.

**Command** is the key with the ⌘ symbol, next to the space bar. **Shift** is the one with the upward arrow.

![The three key combinations: Shift, Command and 3 for the entire screen; with 4 for a portion; with 5 for the Screenshot app.](https://simplebuild.it/assets/img/tutorial/screenshot-mac-tasti-en.svg)

## Before you start

- **Get the screen ready.** Open what you want to capture and close or move the windows that shouldn't show (a chat, your mail).
- **Press and release the keys together**, not one after the other: hold down **Shift** and **Command**, then press the number and let go of everything.

## Capture the entire screen

1. Press and release **Shift**, **Command** and **3** together.
2. A small thumbnail may appear in the corner of the screen. Click it if you want to edit the image right away, or wait: the screenshot is saved to the desktop.

## Capture a portion of the screen

1. Press and release **Shift**, **Command** and **4** together. The pointer turns into a crosshair.
2. Click and hold the mouse or trackpad button, then drag to draw the box.

   ![Screenshot of a portion of the screen: the box drawn by dragging, with the crosshair and the size in pixels in the corner.](https://simplebuild.it/assets/img/tutorial/screenshot-mac-parte-920.webp) (Image: [Supporto Apple](https://support.apple.com/it-it/102646))

3. Release the button: the screenshot is taken.

While you drag you can:

- press **Esc** to cancel;
- hold down the **space bar** to move the box without changing its size.

## Capture a window or a menu

1. Open the window or menu you want.
2. Press and release **Shift**, **Command** and **4**, then press and release the **space bar**. The pointer turns into a small camera.
3. Click the window or menu.

   ![Screenshot of a window: the Preview window is highlighted in blue and the pointer has turned into a small camera.](https://simplebuild.it/assets/img/tutorial/screenshot-mac-finestra-en-1440.webp) (Image: [Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102646))

If you don't want the shadow around the window, hold down the **Option** key while you click. To cancel, press **Esc**.

## The Screenshot app: timer, folder and other options

When you press **Shift + Command + 5**, a toolbar with buttons appears at the bottom: capture the screen, a window or a selection, and record a video. The app is also in the **Utilities** folder, inside **Applications**; it's available from macOS Mojave 10.14 onward.

![The Screenshot app toolbar: the buttons to capture and to record, then the Options menu and the blue button.](https://simplebuild.it/assets/img/tutorial/screenshot-mac-opzioni-en-1096.webp) (Image: [Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102618))

From the toolbar's **Options** menu you can:

- **set a timer**, useful for capturing a menu that closes as soon as you touch the keyboard;
- **choose where to save** screenshots, if you don't want them on the desktop;
- choose whether to show the **thumbnail** after each capture;
- choose whether to show the **mouse pointer** in the image.

On supported Mac models with macOS Tahoe 26 or later, you can also choose the format: **SDR** (PNG, the most compatible) or **HDR** (HEIF). If you need to send the image to someone who uses Windows, **SDR** is the safest choice. If you receive an image in a format that won't open, see [how to convert HEIC photos to JPG](https://simplebuild.it/tutorial/convertire-heic-in-jpg).

From the same toolbar you can also record a video of the screen: you'll find the steps in [how to record your screen with audio](https://simplebuild.it/tutorial/registrare-schermo).

## Where to find your screenshots

- **On the desktop**, with a name like "Screenshot [date] at [time]".
- **By dragging the thumbnail**: instead of waiting for it to save, you can drag the thumbnail that appears in the corner straight into a folder, an email or a document.
- **On the Clipboard**, if you choose it: Control-click the thumbnail and choose **Save to Clipboard**. Or add **Control** to the combination: **Control + Shift + Command + 3** (or 4). Then paste with **Command + V**.

If the thumbnail disappears too quickly, keep the pointer still over it: it stays on screen until you use it or move the pointer away.

## If it still doesn't work

- **The combination does nothing?** Check that you're pressing **Command** (⌘) and not **Control** or **Option**, and that you're pressing the keys together. Then try **Shift + Command + 5**: if the toolbar opens, the keyboard works.
- **Can't find the file on the desktop?** You may have changed the folder: open **Shift + Command + 5**, then **Options**, and see which folder is checked.
- **An app's window comes out black or can't be captured?** Some apps, such as the Apple TV app, don't allow it.
- **Is your desktop full of screenshots?** Move them to a folder or delete the old ones; if the disk is full, see [how to free up space on your Mac](https://simplebuild.it/tutorial/liberare-spazio-mac).
- **Do you also use a PC or a phone?** There are guides for [screenshots on a Windows PC](https://simplebuild.it/tutorial/screenshot-pc-windows) and for [screenshots on iPhone and Android](https://simplebuild.it/tutorial/screenshot-iphone-android).
- **When to ask a technician:** if no combination works, not even with a different keyboard, a key setting may have been changed or a program may be intercepting the keys. A check of a few minutes is usually enough to find it.

## Frequently asked questions

### Where do screenshots go on a Mac?

By default to the desktop, with a name like "Screenshot [date] at [time]". You can choose another folder from the Options menu of the Screenshot app, which you open with Shift-Command-5.

### How do I copy a screenshot without creating a file?

Add the Control key to the combination: for example Control-Shift-Command-3 instead of Shift-Command-3. The image goes to the Clipboard and you paste it with Command-V.

### Why do some windows come out black or can't be captured?

Some apps, such as the Apple TV app, don't let you take screenshots of their windows. It's the app's choice, not a fault in your Mac.

## Sources

- [Take a screenshot on Mac](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102646)
- [How to record the screen on Mac](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102618)