How To Take Screenshot on Mac: 4 Easy Ways Explained Step By Step
by Chelsea Bruhl on Sep 26, 2024
Trying to figure out how to take a screenshot on Macbook? Here’s how to take screenshot on Mac.
Alright so, it’s Friday night and you’re just about to pack your newly bought Macbook and leave for the day when you get a message from your boss. “Can you add some screenshots to the presentation to be delivered on Monday? It’ll explain what we want to say better.”
You realize they are right but more importantly, your appraisal depends on it so you get ready to sacrifice your Friday night.
However, you are clueless about how to take screenshots on Mac because you just transitioned from Windows or are a loyal Macbook user but have never even attempted to take a screenshot on your system.
Lucky for you, we’re here to help.
Besides, your Mac may not have the Prt or Scrn buttons, but it follows the same process of tapping a few keys together to generate a screenshot.
However, it provides you with about 4 ways to capture your desired screen and also record it if you’re a Big Sur, Mojave, Monterey, or Catalina user.
In this article, MacSecurity will teach you how to take a screenshot on Mac in 4 simple steps.
Related: How to create a text txt file on Mac
How To Take Screenshot on Mac
How to take the screenshot of the entire Macbook screen
Like any other computer, Macbook allows you to take a grab of the screen you are viewing by just pressing and holding three keys together.
- Step 1: Tap command(or Cmd) ⌘ + shift + 3
- Step 2: View the thumbnail in the corner of your screen
- Step 3: Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the screengrab of the display
- Step 4: Edit it as per your need using the toolbar
- Step 5: Once you’ve edited it, simply click on ‘Done’ to save it to your device, and voila!
How to take a screenshot of a selected area on a MacBook
Taking the grab of the entire screen is rarely for sharing or work purposes.
In most cases, we take a screenshot of a particular area of the screen – say while forwarding just one part of a text to a friend, a specific image, or showing the actual battery percentage to someone who doesn’t take your word for it.
Rather than taking the screengrab of the entire display and then cropping it to your desired level, why not capture only what’s needed and save on all the editing.
- Step 1: Press and hold command(or Cmd) ⌘ + shift + 4 together
- Step 2: Check if a marker appears
- Step 3: Select the area you desire to screenshot using the marker
- Step 4: Leave it for a few microseconds
- Step 5: Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the screengrab of the display
- Step 6: Edit using the toolbar if required
- Step 7: Click on ‘Done’ and you are, as the name suggests, done.
How to take screenshots using the Touch Bar on Macbook
The clock is ticking, you promised your friend you would meet them this Friday night after avoiding them for multiple weeks, but your boss won’t let you go without seeing those screenshots.
You don’t have the time or patience to even select a specific area or tap a few keys together again and again.
Well, if your Macbook has a touch bar you don’t have to.
Create a dedicated button for taking screenshots in just 3 simple steps:
- Step 1: Go to System Preferences > Keyboard
- Step 2: Click on “Customize Control Strip”
- Step 3: Select where you want the screenshot button on the Touch Bar, drag and drop it there, and save it
By clicking the screenshot button a screen capture menu will pop up.
Click “Save To” if you want to change the location of the screenshots on your device.
Choose what you want to capture: the entire screen, selected area, or window.
Then just move your cursor to take a screenshot and enjoy your Friday night.
What’s the Screenshot Menu on Macbook?
If you have a newly purchased Macbook or one that runs on Mojave, Monterey, Catalina, or Big Sur, the screenshot menu can be the go-to for your screenshot troubles.
Simply press and hold Command(or Cmd) ⌘ + shift + 5 together and see the magic unfold!
As soon as you practice this action, a horizontal menu will pop up containing five different frames, ‘Options’ and ‘Capture’ tabs. The five frame symbols stand for:
- Capture Selected Portion
- Capture Entire Screen
- Capture Selected Window
- Record Entire Screen
- Record Selected Portion
The first three tabs as the names suggest will carry out the said commands.
But among other things, now your mac can help you record your screen or a particular area for several purposes. So, you can use it for reference later or proof, depending on your situation.
The ‘Options’ tab will help you select where you want the screenshot(s) saved i.e. Downloads, Desktop, or any particular folder. It also helps you set a timer for the recording among other things.
The ‘Capture’ tab, well you know what it will do. If not, just try tapping on it once.
Third Party Apps To Take Screenshots on Macbook
However, if you just wish to take an advanced screenshot, these above ways may not help.
That’s where third-party apps step in.
Regarded quite highly among Windows to Mac switchers, their-party apps not only allow you to take advanced screenshots but also provide detailed editing options and make your output optimum.
#1 — Yac – In the age of virtual meetings, Yac has moved up like anything in the game of screenshot applications.
Not because it aids video calling, but stands out with the help of sending quick voice notes.
- Send team members voice messages
- Search the missing items with search transcripts
- Share your work updates with short, quick audio messages
This audio-first messenger helps you say goodbye to video lags and unnecessary video meetings.
#2 — Capto – Feel weird about voice from time to time and are quite conscious when you speak in meetings? Well, Capto’s got you!
This app adds emphasis on on-screen recording and sharing and can help you forward video tutorials, virtual recordings, and more with a rich interface.
- Share video recording at the click of a button
- High-definition interface
- Helps you save lengthy voice messages
#3 — CleanShotX – CleanShotX is hands-down one of the best screen-grabbing tools for Macbook users.
- 50+ screenshot variants
- Capture full screen, portion, videos, GIFS, etc.
- Quality editing toolbar
- Self-timer to help find the perfect moment for a screenshot
- Internal cloud for added storage
Now that you’re all set to become a pro in the screenshotting industry, forward this to the beginners you know who are about to sacrifice their Friday night and maybe even the entire weekend.
In Conclusion
Taking screenshots on Mac is like getting work on a Friday night when your appraisals are around the corner. You can like it or hate it, but you can’t ignore it.
Well, on a serious note, it was always quite easy and now even easier, thanks to the addition of a dedicated MacBook screenshot and video capture menu in the macOS.
Apple is seriously taking in the feedback from previous Windows owners who have switched to them and making excellent improvements to retain the existing consumers and attract new ones.
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