So, what’s a screenshot? It is simply a photo of whatever is on your screen. It could be a website page, an app window, or messages.
Taking a screenshot on a Mac isn’t an uphill battle because Apple equips its computer with the necessary tools. Of course, you have to know how to use the built-in tools. And this is where this guide comes to your rescue. Keep scrolling.
Taking a Screenshot: How?
No, the PrtSc option is not found on the Mac keyboard. If you have just joined the Mac family from the Windows ecosystem, this might come as a rude shock to you.
Mac makes up for the lack of the PrtSc button by allowing users to take screenshots using keyboard shortcuts.
- Command + Shift + 3: Capture the entire screen.
- Command + Shift + 4: Capture part of the screen. The cursor changes to a crosshair pointer. Drag and move the crosshair to capture a specific part of the screen. To adjust the area while you drag, press Shift + Option + Spacebar.
- Command + Shift + 5: Bring up more options. For instance, the screen-capture window. You can record the entire screen or portion of the screen by selecting the Screen Recording option. Recording the screen comes in handy when creating tutorials.
Where are the Screenshots Saved?
The screenshots are saved on the desktop by default. But you can change the default setting.
Changing the default option might be an excellent idea if you are in the business of taking multiple screenshots for your projects. Very quickly, the desktop will appear cluttered. You can change the screenshot location by pressing Command + Shift + 5 > clicking Options > clicking one of the pre-defined save locations under the Save To option. Viola! You are done.
How to Delete the Screenshots?
As mentioned, the screenshots are saved on the desktop by default. Hence, before you know it, you will be looking at a messy, chaotic desktop filled with screenshots. Something needs to be done!
The most straightforward method of organizing the desktop is removing unnecessary items. So, how to delete screenshot from desktop on Mac? You don’t have to be as genius as Einstein to delete screenshots from your desktop. Select the screenshot file you want to delete and press Command + Delete. The screenshot will be sent to the Trash/Bin. Then, right-click the Trash icon and choose Empty Trash.
If there are too many screenshots to be deleted, you can put the ones you want to delete in a folder. Then, delete the entire folder.
Can You Add Annotations to a Screenshot?
Yes, you can add annotations to a screenshot on a Mac computer. In fact, the in-built macOS Screenshot application comes packed with Markup capabilities. Hence, you don’t have to look elsewhere to draw, add highlights to text, draw arrows, add your signature, or make freehand sketches.
After you have taken a screenshot, notice the thumbnail in the bottom-right corner. Click the thumbnail to see the Markup Toolbar. In the toolbar, you will find various drawing tools, an option to add your signature, a text tool, and so on.
Click the Shapes tool to add perfect circles and squares to the screenshot. Click the Sketch tool if you want to add freehand drawings and shapes, including arrows, triangles, etc.
Moreover, you can edit the annotations and drawings on the screenshot by deselecting the current tool. When this is done, the cursor becomes an arrow. You can choose any annotation to adjust the position, color, and size. If you want to remove something from the screenshot, press the Delete key.
Once you are satisfied with the annotations and markings on the screenshot, click the Done button. Finally, share the screenshot via AirDrop, email, or another app.
Are There Third-Party Screenshot Apps for Macs?
The macOS Screenshot application is a good tool with basic features. This tool can handle your everyday screenshot requirements. But if you require extensive editing capabilities, cloud-sharing options, or simply better security, consider exploring third-party screenshot applications. Some of the top choices are:
- Scribe: Captures screenshots automatically to document a process. Use the desktop software or the Chrome extension to have your workflow captured as you go about your day. The screenshots can be customized by zooming and cropping, highlighting and annotating, redacting sensitive information, etc. The screenshots can be shared as a PDF or copied into an XML document.
- Cleanshot X: User-friendly tool used to take scrolling screen captures, screen grabs, and recordings. A webcam can be added to make the grabs even more attractive. There are various options to annotate the screenshots, and they can be uploaded to the Cleanshot Cloud.
- Droplr: Effortless way of capturing the screen and sharing screen grabs and recordings. Equipped with third-party integrations to make collaboration fuss-free. Comes with an in-built editor and offers cloud storage functionality.
No more excuses for not using screenshots to the fullest for your projects!