Introduction
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to print screen on Mac. Whether you’re a new Mac user or an experienced one, taking screenshots is a crucial part of everyday work. Screenshots are useful for illustrating ideas, keeping records, and troubleshooting issues. Knowing how to take a screenshot on a Mac is a skill that can save you time and effort. This article is a complete guide with step-by-step instructions, so you can capture screenshots in no time.
First, we’ll explain what the Print Screen key is and how it works. Then, we’ll show you different methods to capture screenshots on Mac. Finally, we’ll provide answers to frequently asked questions, so you can get the most out of your Mac. Let’s get started!
What is the Print Screen Key?
The Print Screen key, also known as PrtSc, is a button located on most PC keyboards. Its main function is to capture the entire screen and save it to the clipboard. This feature is useful for copying and pasting images in documents or emails. However, Mac keyboards don’t have a dedicated Print Screen key, but don’t worry; there are other ways to take screenshots on a Mac.
Method 1: How to Screenshot the Whole Screen on Mac
The easiest way to take a screenshot on a Mac is to capture the whole screen. Here’s how to do it:
| Keystroke | Function |
|---|---|
| Command + Shift + 3 | Take a screenshot of the entire screen and save it as a PNG file on the desktop |
| Command + Control + Shift + 3 | Take a screenshot of the entire screen and save it to the clipboard |
Once you’ve pressed the keystroke, you’ll hear a camera shutter sound, and the screenshot will be saved to the location specified. If you’ve saved it to the clipboard, you can paste it into any document or image editor.
Method 2: How to Screenshot a Selected Area on Mac
Sometimes, you might not want to capture the entire screen but only a portion of it. Here’s how to take a screenshot of a selected area on Mac:
| Keystroke | Function |
|---|---|
| Command + Shift + 4 | Change the pointer to a crosshair, which you can drag to select a specific area of the screen to capture. Then release the mouse or trackpad to take the screenshot. |
After you’ve selected the area, you’ll hear a camera shutter sound, and the screenshot will be saved to the desktop by default. You can also save it to the clipboard by pressing Command + Control + Shift + 4.
Method 3: How to Screenshot a Window on Mac
If you need to capture a specific window, you can do so with this method:
| Keystroke | Function |
|---|---|
| Command + Shift + 4 + Space | Change the pointer to a camera icon, which you can move over any window. Click the window to capture it, and the screenshot will be saved to the desktop by default. |
Note that this method doesn’t work for menus or tooltips, only for windows. Also, if you hold down the Option key, the screenshot will be saved to the clipboard instead of the desktop.
Method 4: How to Take a Screenshot of the Touch Bar on Mac
MacBook Pro laptops have a Touch Bar instead of function keys. If you need to take a screenshot of the Touch Bar, you can do so with this method:
| Keystroke | Function |
|---|---|
| Command + Shift + 6 | Take a screenshot of the Touch Bar and save it as a PNG file on the desktop. |
After you’ve pressed the keystroke, you’ll hear a camera shutter sound, and the screenshot will be saved to the desktop.
Method 5: How to Take a Screenshot with Grab on Mac
Grab is a built-in Mac app that lets you take screenshots in more ways than the keyboard shortcuts. Here’s how to use Grab:
| Action | Function |
|---|---|
| Open Grab | Go to Applications, then Utilities, and select Grab or search for it in Spotlight. |
| Select a capture mode | Click one of the capture modes: Selection, Window, Screen, Timed Screen. |
| Take the screenshot | Follow the instructions for the selected capture mode, then save or copy the screenshot. |
Grab is especially useful if you need to customize your screenshots or take timed captures. You can also use it to capture a specific menu, which is difficult to achieve with the keyboard shortcuts.
FAQs About How to Print Screen on Mac
Q1: How can I change the default location for screenshots on Mac?
A1: You can change the default location for screenshots by using the Terminal app. Here’s how:
- Open Terminal from Applications > Utilities or search for it in Spotlight.
- Type the following command:
defaults write com.apple.screencapture location - Drag and drop the folder where you want to save your screenshots to the Terminal window.
- Press Enter and type your administrator password if prompted.
- Restart the SystemUIServer process by typing the following command:
killall SystemUIServer
Q2: Can I edit my screenshots on Mac?
A2: Yes, you can edit your screenshots on Mac using Preview or any other image editor. Preview is a built-in Mac app that lets you crop, resize, annotate, and add text to your screenshots. You can also use third-party apps like Skitch or Snagit for more advanced editing options.
A3: You can take a screenshot of a menu on Mac by using the keyboard shortcuts or Grab app. Here’s how to do it:
- Activate the menu you want to capture.
- Press Command + Shift + 4 to change the pointer to a crosshair.
- Press the Space bar to change the crosshair to a camera icon.
- Move the camera icon over the menu item you want to capture and click it.
- The screenshot will be saved to the desktop by default.
Q4: Why is my screenshot blurry on Mac?
A4: If your screenshot is blurry on Mac, it might be due to a low screen resolution or scaling. Check your display settings and make sure your resolution is set to the highest possible level. You can also try disabling scaling or reducing the zoom level if you’re using it.
Q5: Can I take a screenshot on Mac without sound?
A5: Yes, you can take a screenshot on Mac without sound by pressing the Mute key or lowering the volume before taking the screenshot. This will disable the camera shutter sound, but the screenshot will still be taken.
Q6: How can I take a screenshot with a timer on Mac?
A6: You can take a screenshot with a timer on Mac by using the Grab app or Terminal. Here’s how to do it:
- Open Grab from Applications > Utilities or search for it in Spotlight.
- Select Timed Screen from the Capture menu.
- Choose the time delay you want and click Start Timer.
- Set up your screen and wait for the timer to expire.
- The screenshot will be taken automatically.
Alternatively, you can use Terminal to set a timer for the keyboard shortcuts. Here’s how:
- Open Terminal from Applications > Utilities or search for it in Spotlight.
- Type the following command:
screencapture -T 5 ~/Desktop/screenshot.png - Replace “5” with the number of seconds you want to delay the capture.
- Press Enter to execute the command.
- Set up your screen and wait for the timer to expire.
- The screenshot will be saved to the desktop as a PNG file.
Q7: Can I take a screenshot on Mac with a keyboard shortcut while in Boot Camp?
A7: Yes, you can take a screenshot on Mac with a keyboard shortcut while in Boot Camp, but you need to use the Windows keyboard layout. The Print Screen key works as usual, but if your keyboard doesn’t have a PrtSc key, you can use the Windows Snipping Tool instead.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has provided you with a complete understanding of how to print screen on Mac. Whether you’re taking screenshots for work or play, knowing how to capture your Mac’s screen is an essential skill. We’ve covered five methods, including keyboard shortcuts and Grab, and answered some of the most frequently asked questions. Now, it’s your turn to practice and explore different options. We encourage you to experiment with your Mac’s features and use screenshots to enhance your productivity and creativity.
Remember that taking screenshots is just one aspect of the Mac’s capabilities. There are plenty of other features and apps to discover, so keep exploring and learning. We wish you success and enjoyment in your Mac journey!
Closing
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. While we make every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness. The use of this information is at your own risk. We accept no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from or in connection with the use of this article.
Thank you for reading this article on how to print screen on Mac. We hope you found it helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. Don’t forget to share this article with your friends and colleagues who use Macs. Happy screenshotting!