If you just got your first Mac and your workflow involves taking screenshots, you might get confused. You knew that your new computer came with a bit of a learning curve. It’s a different operating system, but everything felt so intuitive that you immediately got used to it. Now you have to print screen on Mac and you have no idea how to do it. There’s no “Print Screen” on the keyboard. So what do you do?
Stay calm. It’s a Mac, so it will be easy. You only need to learn the right commands on how to screenshot on Mac. We’re here to get that covered.
Commands for Taking a Screenshot on Mac
- Command-Shift-3
Press and hold these three keys on your keyboard. You’ll immediately take a full screenshot on Mac. This is the shortcut that captures your entire screen, including the Dock. From there on, you can easily edit it as an image.
- Command-Shift-4
You want to save yourself from editing? With this command, you’ll be able to choose the portion of the screen that you want to capture.
This is a more useful command, which lets you choose the window you want to capture. To do this, press and release the space bar. You’ll see a tiny camera icon that you can move over the windows you opened. When you click, you’ll take that section as a screenshot on Mac.
- Shift-Command-5
This command is only available on Mojave and Catalina. So, if you have an older Mac that doesn’t support these operating systems or you chose not to upgrade for any reason, you’re stuck with the previous two options.
But if you can use the Shift-Command-5 command, you’ll be able to do more with it:
- Get an entire print screen on Mac
- Capture a specific window
- Capture a selected portion
- Record a video of the entire screen
- Record a video of a specific portion
As soon as you hit Shift-Command-5, you’ll see an adjustable rectangle. Get it where you want it and click the suitable icon for performing any of the functions listed above. If you use a MacBook and it has a touch bar, you’ll see the same icons on it.
- Shift-Command-6
This is a simple command that lets you capture the touch bar on a MacBook Pro that has that feature. If you’re working on a different type of Mac, the command won’t do anything for you. But if you have a touch bar and you want to capture what it currently shows, just press these three keys.
- Easily Edit Screenshots on Mac
What do you do with your screenshot on Mac once you take it? It will appear in a small window at the bottom right corner of your screen. Click to expand it. You can immediately edit the image. Markup tools are accessible, so you can annotate it in a matter of seconds. You can sign your name using the trackpad, or add color, text and shapes.
Once you’re done editing, you can save it in the Documents folder or on the desktop, where you can easily access it after that.
MacOS Makes Everything Easy
In most cases, Mac users don’t need third-party apps to capture screenshots. Those who need sophisticated recording features will benefit from Capto. But if you only need to take simple screenshots on Mac, the Shift-Command-5 option will get you covered. It lets you take different types of screenshots, but it also enables you to record the screen.
Screenshots and screen recordings are useful when you’re teaching people how to use software. You might be a team leader who’s offering instructions to the team. You may be reaching out to the support system of a certain service and you’re trying to explain what’s wrong on your end.
Every Mac user should know how to take screenshots, since they might need to do it sooner or later. The good news is that macOS makes everything easy.
James Dorian is a technical copywriter. He is a tech geek who knows a lot about modern apps that will make your work more productive. James reads tons of online blogs on technology, business, and ways to become a real pro in our modern world of innovations.