How to Take a Screenshot on Mac, Edit & Manage It Easily

Mac users can easily capture anything on their screen. Whether it is work, school, or personal use, there is a simple way for it.

In this guide on Cómo hacer una captura de pantalla en Mac, you will learn everything you need. From basic screenshot shortcuts to scrolling and full page captures. You will also learn how to print, save, and manage your screenshots. There are even ways to edit and delete them when needed.

So, if you want to master screenshots on Mac, you will find all the essential steps here.

Part 1. Basic Screenshot Shortcuts on Mac

Mac comes with built-in Mac screenshot shortcut tools. You can use simple keyboard shortcuts to capture your whole screen, a selected area, a display, or even the Touch Bar. Most screenshots are saved to your desktop automatically, so you can find them immediately after taking them.

Method 1: Capture the Entire Screen

This method lets you take a full screenshot of everything visible on your Mac screen in one quick action.

Paso 1Open the screen that you want to capture.

Paso 2Prensa Cambio + Mando + 3 on your keyboard at the same time.

Paso 3Your Mac will instantly take a screenshot of everything shown on your screen.

Etapa 4A small thumbnail may appear in the corner of the screen. Click it if you want to make quick edits.

Paso 5If you do not click the thumbnail, the screenshot will save automatically as an image file on your desktop.

Method 2: Capture a Selected Portion (Partial Screenshot)

This option allows you to use a Mac partial screenshot to choose and capture only a specific part of your screen by dragging your cursor.

Paso 1Go to the page, app, or content you want to capture.

Paso 2Prensa Cambio + Mando + 4 together.

Paso 3Your mouse pointer will switch into a crosshair shape. Click and drag it over the area you want to screenshot.

Etapa 4Adjust the selection until it covers the exact part you need.

Paso 5Unclick the Ratón botón o Trackpad to take the screenshot. The image will then save automatically.

Consejo extra: Mantenga presionado el Barra espaciadora while dragging if you need to move the selected area. Press Esc if you want to cancel and start again.

Method 3: Capture a Specific Window

This method focuses on one open window and captures only that app or window clearly without extra screen parts.

Paso 1Open the display that you want to capture.

Paso 2Prensa Cambio + Mando + 4 en tu teclado.

Paso 3presione el Barra espaciadora. Your cursor will change into a camera symbol.

Etapa 4Move the camera symbol over the display, menu, or Dock you want to capture. It will highlight when ready.

Paso 5Click once to take the screenshot. The captured window will then be saved as an image file.

Consejo extra: Sostén el Opción key while clicking if you want to remove the shadow that appears around the window.

Method 4: Capture the Touch Bar (If your Mac has one)

This feature captures what is shown on the MacBook Touch Bar for saving or sharing its current display.

Paso 1Make sure your MacBook Pro has a Touch Bar.

Paso 2Display the buttons, controls, or content you want to capture on the Touch Bar.

Paso 3Prensa Cambio + Mando + 6 at the same time.

Etapa 4Your Mac will instantly take a screenshot of everything currently shown on the Touch Bar.

Paso 5The screenshot will save automatically to your desktop so you can view or share it later.

These keyboard shortcuts are the fastest way to take screenshots on a Mac. They work without installing an extra program and help you capture exactly what you need in just a few seconds.

Part 2. Where Do Screenshots Go on Mac

After taking a screenshot on your Mac, you may wonder where screenshots go on Mac. Mac saves screenshots automatically, and it also gives you several ways to find them faster or change where they are stored. Follow the methods below to manage your screenshots with ease!

1. Default Save Location

Screenshots are automatically saved in a default location on your Mac for quick access after each capture.

Paso 1Take a screenshot using any screenshot shortcut on your Mac.

Paso 2Go to your Desktop and look for the new image file that was just created.

Paso 3Find a file named "Screen Shot [Date] at [Time]". Mac saves screenshots as PNG files by default.

Etapa 4Double-click the file if you want to open, view, edit, or share your screenshot.

Paso 5Repeat this process whenever you need to find screenshots saved in the default location.

2. How to Change Where Screenshots Are Saved on Mac

You can adjust settings to change where screenshots are saved on Mac and choose a new folder where all screenshots will be stored automatically.

Paso 1Prensa Mando + Cambio + 5 on your keyboard to open the Screenshot toolbar.

Paso 2Hacer clic Opciones at the bottom of the toolbar to open the screenshot settings.

Paso 3Seleccione Otra ubicación from the menu. Then, choose a folder such as Documents or Downloads. You can also create a new folder for your screenshots.

Etapa 4Confirm your selected folder and return to the Screenshot toolbar.

Paso 5Take a new screenshot of a window or selected area. Your Mac will now save future screenshots to the folder you selected.

3. How to Find Recent Screenshots Quickly

It helps when learning how to find screenshots on Mac, as it guides you to locate your latest screenshots fast using Finder tools or recent file sorting options.

Paso 1Abierto Descubridor from your Dock.

Paso 2Hacer clic Recents in the left sidebar to view your latest files.

Paso 3Sort the files by Date Created if needed. It helps place your newest screenshots near the top.

Etapa 4Look through the list and find the screenshot you want to open.

Paso 5Double-click the file to view it or move it to another folder for better organization.

Part 3. How to Take Scrolling & Full-Page Screenshots on Mac

A regular screenshot only captures what you can see on the screen. If you want to save an entire webpage, a long article, a chat conversation, or a document, you need a scrolling or full-page screenshot on a Mac. Mac offers built-in ways to do this in web browsers, and you can also use third-party tools for other apps.

Method 1: Screenshot Entire Webpage in Safari

Safari has a built-in feature that lets you save a complete webpage without taking multiple screenshots.

Paso 1Run Safari and go to the website you wish to capture.

Paso 2Golpear Archivo from the menu bar at the top of the screen.

Paso 3Seleccione Export as PDF del menú desplegable.

Etapa 4Choose where you want to save the file and give it a name if needed.

Paso 5Golpear Ahorrar. Safari will create a PDF that contains the entire webpage from top to bottom.

Method 2: Screenshot Entire Webpage in Chrome/Firefox

1. Screenshot an Entire Webpage in Google Chrome

Google Chrome includes a hidden feature screenshot entire webpage Mac that can capture a complete webpage in one image.

Paso 1Open the webpage you want to capture in Chrome.

Paso 2Prensa Mando + Opción + I to open Developer Tools.

Paso 3Prensa Mando + Cambio + PAG to open the Command Menu.

Etapa 4Type screenshot into the search box that appears.

Paso 5Seleccione Capture full-size screenshot. Chrome will automatically create and download a full-page image of the webpage.

2. Screenshot an Entire Webpage in Firefox

Firefox makes full-page screenshots easy because the feature is built into the browser menu.

Paso 1Open the webpage you want to capture.

Paso 2Right-click an empty area of the page. If you use a trackpad, you can also Control-click.

Paso 3Seleccione Tomar captura de pantalla del menú.

Etapa 4Hacer clic Save Full Page to capture everything on the webpage.

Paso 5Download and save the image to your Mac.

Method 3: Scrolling Capture in Any App

Con Grabador de pantalla AVAide, you are not limited to scrolling screenshots on Mac in browsers only. You can use it in any app on your Mac. It works for chats, emails, documents, notes, and long app pages.

It has a built-in screen capture mode that allows scrolling screenshots in one clean image. After capturing, you can copy it for quick paste in apps like Word or Notes. You can also save it directly to your local folder for easy access later.

Paso 1Download and install AVAide Screen Recorder on your Mac. Open the program after installation, so it is ready to use.

Paso 2Open the app, webpage, chat, or document that you want to capture. Make sure the full content is loaded on the screen before you start.

Paso 3From the main interface, choose La captura de pantalla. Luego, seleccione Captura de pantalla con desplazamiento as the capture mode.

Etapa 4Select the window you want to capture. Use your mouse wheel, space bar, or scroll to move through the page. AVAide Screen Recorder will follow the scrolling and capture everything. Press Esc if you want to stop

Paso 5After the capture is complete, click the Ahorrar button. Choose your folder location, then save the final scrolling screenshot on your Mac.

Part 4. How to Edit, Crop, and Annotate Screenshots

Learning how to screenshot on a Mac desktop is only the first step. But what if you need to crop unwanted parts, add notes, draw arrows, or highlight important details?

The good news is that Macs have built-in tools that make editing screenshots quick and simple. If you require more sophisticated features, you can also utilize third-party apps.

1. Instant Editing After Capture

Mac lets you edit a screenshot the moment you capture it. It is one of the fastest ways to make changes without opening another app.

Paso 1 Take a screenshot using Cambio + Mando + 4 o Cambio + Mando + 5.

Paso 2Look for the floating thumbnail that appears in the bottom-right corner of your screen.

Paso 3Click the thumbnail before it disappears. It opens the screenshot in the Markup editing window.

Etapa 4Use the toolbar at the top to add text, arrows, shapes, lines, or highlights. You can also use the crop tool to remove unwanted parts of the image.

Paso 5Hacer clic Hecho to save your changes. You can also click the Cuota button if you want to send the screenshot by email, Messages, or another app.

2. Using Preview to Crop Existing Screenshots

If the screenshot is already saved on your Mac, you can crop it later using the built-in Preview app; besides the fact that you can also use it to recortar vídeo.

Paso 1Locate the screenshot file and double-click it to open it in Preview.

Paso 2Check if the Markup Toolbar is visible. If you do not see it, click View and then select Mostrar barra de herramientas de marcado.

Paso 3Click and drag your mouse over the area you want to keep. It creates a selection around the important part of the image.

Etapa 4Haga clic en el Cultivo button on the toolbar. Preview will remove everything outside the selected area.

Paso 5Prensa Mando + S to save the edited screenshot.

3. Third-Party Photo Editors

When Mac's built-in tools are not enough, third-party editores de fotos help you do more with your screenshots. They are used for editing, improving, and organizing images after you capture them on your Mac. Each tool has a different strength depending on your needs!

1. Skitch

Skitch is made for quick screenshot editing with simple tools. You can open a screenshot and instantly mark it with arrows, stamps, or short text notes. It is super useful when you only need to highlight important parts fast. It keeps editing simple and does not overload you with complex features.

2. Canva

When you want to create simple visual designs from screenshots, you can use Canva. Screenshots can be added to templates, mixed with other shapes or images, and given titles. It is beneficial for creating social media posts, slides, and school reports. Additionally, it makes it simple to resize screenshots for various layouts.

3. Photoshop

Complete control over editing screenshots is provided by Adobe Photoshop. You can work with multiple layers, remove unwanted objects, adjust lighting, and crop precisely. For professional work, where screenshots need to be clear and detailed, it is helpful. It provides the most editing control, but it requires practice.

Part 5. How to Print a Screenshot on Mac

You can use the steps on how to print a screenshot on a Mac to print it straight from a saved image. You can also copy it first and paste it into a document before printing. Both methods are simple and work well for school, work, or personal use.

Method 1: Print a Saved Screenshot Using Preview

Using the built-in Mac printing features, you can open a saved screenshot in Preview and print it right away.

Paso 1Find your screenshot on the Desktop or in the folder where it was saved. It is usually a PNG file named "Screen Shot [Date] at [Time]."

Paso 2Double-click the screenshot file. It will open in the Preview app. It is the default image viewer on Mac.

Paso 3Check the image carefully. Make sure it is the correct screenshot you want to print.

Etapa 4Prensa Mando + PAG on your keyboard. You can also click Archivo at the top menu, then choose Imprimir.

Paso 5Select your printer from the list. Adjust settings if needed. Then, click Print to start printing.

Method 2: Paste a Screenshot into a Document Before Printing

This method lets you learn how to paste a screenshot on a Mac by placing a screenshot into a document first, then printing it with added content if needed.

Paso 1Prensa Control + Cambio + Mando + 3 to take a screenshot and copy it directly to the clipboard.

Paso 2Open a document app like Pages, Word, or Notes. Go to a blank page or section.

Paso 3Prensa Mando + V to paste the screenshot into the document.

Etapa 4Move or resize the image if needed so it fits well on the page.

Paso 5Prensa Mando + PAG to open the print window. Choose your printer, then click Imprimir.

Part 6. How to Manage & Delete Screenshots

Screenshots can build up fast on your Mac. That is why it helps to manage them. You can change file size, switch file format, and delete unwanted screenshots to keep your desktop clean and organized.

1. Screenshot Size & File Format Settings

These settings help control how big your screenshots are and what file type they are saved as.

Reduce Screenshot File Size

This option helps make screenshots smaller so they take up less storage space on your Mac.

Paso 1Take screenshots only of what you need. Press Mando + Cambio + 4 and drag to select a small area. It helps avoid large full-screen images.

Paso 2After saving, right-click the screenshot file on your Mac.

Paso 3Escoger Acciones rápidas > Convert Image. You can change it to JPG or HEIF. These formats make the file smaller.

Etapa 4Save the new version. It helps you save space on your Mac.

Change Screenshot File Format Using Terminal

You can use Terminal to switch screenshot formats like PNG, JPG, or other supported file types.

Paso 1Abierto Terminal on your Mac. Press Mando + Espacio, type "Terminal", then press Devolver.

Paso 2Type this command exactly: defaults write com.apple.screencapture type jpg.

Paso 3Prensa Ingresar to apply the command. It changes your screenshot format to JPG.

Etapa 4Restart your Mac. Or type killall SystemUIServer y presione Ingresar to activate the change right away.

Paso 5Take a new screenshot. It will now save in the new format you selected.

2. How to Delete Screenshots

This section explains how to delete screenshots on Mac using different methods to remove unwanted images and keep your Mac storage clean.

Delete Screenshots from the Thumbnail.

You can quickly delete a screenshot right after capturing it using the floating preview window.

Paso 1Take a screenshot using any shortcut on Mac.

Paso 2Look at the floating thumbnail that appears in the corner of your screen.

Paso 3Click the thumbnail before it disappears. It opens the editing window.

Etapa 4Haga clic en el Basura button inside the window to delete the screenshot instantly.

Paso 5Close the window when you are done.

Delete Screenshots from the Desktop or Finder.

This method removes screenshots manually from your Desktop or Finder by moving them to the Trash.

Paso 1Go to your Desktop or open Finder and find your screenshot file.

Paso 2Click the screenshot once to select it.

Paso 3Drag the file to the Basura in the Dock.

Etapa 4Or press Mando + Borrar to move it to Trash quickly.

Paso 5Empty the Trash if you want to remove it permanently.

Delete a Screenshot Permanently.

This option removes screenshots immediately without sending them to Trash for recovery.

Paso 1Select the screenshot file on your Mac.

Paso 2Prensa Opción + Mando + Borrar en tu teclado.

Paso 3A warning will appear asking for confirmation.

Etapa 4Confirm the action to delete the file immediately.

Paso 5The screenshot will be removed without going to the Trash.

Part 7. Troubleshooting

Sometimes, screenshots on a Mac do not work as expected. You may not be able to drag them, they may not save, or they may show as black. These issues are common and can be fixed with simple checks.

1. Can't Drag Screenshots Anymore

If you are dealing with a "can't drag screenshots anymore on Mac", go to Ajustes del sistema > Trackpad o Ratón and make sure click and drag is enabled, because if it is off, dragging will not work. Then, open Descubridor, hold the Shift key, haga clic en el manzana menú y elige Force Quit Finder, luego haga clic Relaunch. If it still fails, open the screenshot thumbnail and use the Cuota button instead, or save it first and move it from the Desktop.

2. Screenshots Not Saving

If screenshots do not appear on your Desktop, press Mando + Cambio + 5, click Options, and check the save location because it may be set incorrectly. Make sure Escritorio o Documentos is selected. If you use buzón o OneDrive, check their settings since they may be saving your files to the cloud. If it still does not work, restart Descubridor or restart your Mac to fix the issue.

3. Screenshots Are Blank/Black

The app might block your screenshot if it is black. Screenshots won't work with streaming apps like Netflix or Apple TV because they use DRM protection. Turn off Aceleracion de hardware in the browser's settings if it occurs. Additionally, confirm that screenshot permissions are permitted by going to Ajustes del sistema > Privacy & Security > Grabación de pantalla.

Por Aisha Johnson on Jun 10, 2026