Here’s a clear guide on how to take screenshots on Mac, including several free built-in tools:

How to Take Screenshots on Mac: A Complete Guide

macOS comes with powerful built-in screenshot tools that eliminate the need for third-party applications. Here’s everything you need to know about capturing your screen on a Mac.

Built-in Screenshot Commands

Basic Screenshot Shortcuts

• Press Shift + Command (⌘) + 3 to capture the entire screen
• Press Shift + Command (⌘) + 4 to capture a selected portion of the screen
• Press Shift + Command (⌘) + 5 to open the Screenshot app with additional options

Screenshot Toolbar (Shift + Command + 5)

The Screenshot toolbar offers comprehensive features including:

• Capture entire screen
• Capture selected window
• Capture selected portion
• Record entire screen
• Record selected portion
• Screenshot settings for saving location and timer options

Free Additional Tools

Preview App

Already installed on your Mac, Preview allows you to:

• Edit screenshots
• Add annotations
• Resize images
• Export in different formats

Quick Look

Press Space bar while selecting a screenshot to:

• Quickly view images
• Perform basic markup
• Share files easily

Tips for Better Screenshots

1. Hold the Control key with any screenshot command to copy the image to clipboard instead of saving it
2. Press Space bar after Shift + Command + 4 to capture a specific window with a nice shadow effect
3. Use the Options menu in Screenshot toolbar to:

• Choose where to save screenshots
• Set a timer
• Show or hide the mouse pointer
• Remember your last selection

Where to Find Your Screenshots

By default, screenshots save to your Desktop with the filename format “Screenshot [date] at [time].” You can change this location through the Screenshot app settings.

This comprehensive set of tools means you rarely need third-party applications for basic screenshot needs on your Mac. The built-in options provide professional-quality results for most users.