How to take a screenshot on Mac
El operating system Mac offers its users numerous features, among which the ability to capture the screen quickly and easily stands out. Whether it's documenting a technical issue, sharing an image, or saving important information, knowing how to take a screenshot on Mac is an essential skill for any user. In this article, we will explore in detail the different methods you can use to take screenshots on your Mac device, from basic to more advanced options, as well as some tips and tricks to optimize this function. Get ready to become an expert at capturing screenshots on your Mac!
1. Methods to take screenshot on Mac
Take screenshots on a mac It is very simple and there are different methods you can use to do it. Here are some options:
- Capture of fullscreen: You can take a screenshot of your Mac's entire screen by simultaneously pressing the Command + Shift + 3 keys. The capture will automatically save to your desktop as an image file.
- Screenshot of a window: If you want to capture only a specific window on your Mac, press Command + Shift + 4 and then press the Space bar. The cursor will turn into a camera and you can click on the window you want to capture. The capture will automatically save to your desktop.
- Screenshot of a selection: If you need to capture only part of the screen, you can press Command + Shift + 4 and then drag the cursor to select the desired area. When you release the cursor, the screenshot will be saved as an image file on your desktop.
These are just some of the basic methods to take screenshots on Mac. However, if you need more options or advanced functionality, you can explore different third-party applications available on the mac App Store. Some of these apps allow you to edit your screenshots, add annotations, and easily share them with others.
Remember that taking screenshots can be very useful for various situations, such as documenting an error, sharing information visually, or simply capturing important moments on your screen. So, don't hesitate to take advantage of these tools to get the most out of your Mac!
2. Using the default key combination on Mac to capture the screen
The default key combination on Mac for capturing screen is a very useful feature for taking quick and easy screenshots. Next, we will explain how to use this combination and some tips to get the most out of this tool.
To capture the full screen on your Mac, simply press the keys Command + Shift + 3 at the same time. You will see that the screenshot is automatically saved to your desktop in PNG format. If you prefer to capture only part of the screen, you can use the key combination Command + Shift + 4. By pressing these keys, your cursor will turn into a crosshair and you can select the area you want to capture by dragging the cursor across the screen.
If you want to take a screenshot of a specific window, you can use the key combination Command + Shift + 4 + space bar. By pressing these keys, the cursor will turn into a camera and you can click on the window you want to capture. The screenshot will automatically be saved to your desktop in PNG format. Also, if you want to copy the screenshot to the clipboard instead of saving it to your desktop, you can add the key Control to these key combinations. For example, Command + Shift + Control + 3 will allow you to save the entire capture to the clipboard.
3. Capturing the active screen on Mac using keyboard shortcuts
Screenshot is an essential feature in any operating system that allows you to capture and save an image of what appears on the screen at that moment. On Mac computers, you can do this quickly using keyboard shortcuts. Here's how to do it.
To capture the active screen on a Mac, you simply have to press the keys Shift + Command + 3. This will capture the entire screen and automatically save the image to your desktop. If you want to select a specific area of the screen, you must use the keys Shift + Command + 4. This will change the cursor to a crosshair, and you can then drag the cursor to select the area you want to capture. Releasing the mouse button will save the image of that selected area to your desktop.
Also, if you want to capture a specific window instead of the entire screen, you can use the shortcut Shift + Command + 4 + space bar. This will change the cursor to a camera and you can then click on the window you want to capture. The window image will automatically be saved to your desktop.
4. Take a screenshot of a specific window on Mac
Step 1: Open the specific window on your Mac that you want to take a screenshot of. Make sure the window is in the foreground and is the currently active window.
Step 2: To take a screenshot of the active window, press the "Shift + Command + 4" keys simultaneously. You will see the mouse cursor turn into a cross + in the form of a small grid.
Step 3: Click and hold the mouse button, then drag the crosshair so that it completely covers the specific window you want to capture. As you drag the crosshair, you'll notice that the coordinates of the selection are displayed on the screen.
5. How to Select and Capture a Specific Part of the Screen on Mac
To select and capture a specific part of the screen on Mac, there are different methods available that can be useful in different situations. The steps to follow to carry out this task will be detailed below. efficiently:
1. Use the crop tool Shift+Command+4: This key combination allows you to enable the snipping tool on Mac. Pressing these keys simultaneously will turn the mouse cursor into a crosshair. By holding down the mouse button, you can drag to select the part of the screen you want to capture. When you release the mouse button, the capture will be saved automatically on the desk as a PNG file.
2. Use the snipping tool with advanced options: If you want to capture a specific part of the screen with additional options, you can use the key combination Shift+Command+5. This combination will activate the snipping tool with advanced options. Once activated, a toolbar at the bottom of the screen that will allow you to select options such as capturing the entire screen, a specific window or a selected part. In addition, options such as the capture delay or the capture save location can be defined.
3. Use third-party applications: In case the native Mac options are not enough, there are third-party applications that offer additional functionality to select and capture specific parts of the screen. Some of these popular applications are Skitch, Snagit or CloudApp. These apps offer features like highlighting areas, annotating the screenshot, or even the ability to share the screenshot directly from the app.
6. Take a screenshot of the entire screen on Mac
For , there are several options available. Here we present two simple methods:
Method 1: Using the hotkey
1. Press the keys Command + Shift + 3 simultaneously. This will automatically capture the entire screen and save the image to the desktop.
2. If you want to copy the screenshot to the clipboard instead of saving it to the desktop, press the keys Command + Control + Shift + 3 simultaneously.
Method 2: Using the “Capture” application
1. Open the “Capture” app on your Mac. You can find it in the “Utilities” folder within the “Applications” folder.
2. Click “File” in the menu bar and select “Capture Screen” from the drop-down menu.
3. A dialog box will appear with options to capture the entire screen or a specific part. To capture the entire screen, select the “Full Screen” option. To capture a specific part, select the “Selection Capture” option.
4. Click “Save” or “Copy” to save the screenshot or copy it to the clipboard, respectively.
7. Capture screen with delay on a Mac to prepare the perfect image
If you own a Mac, you may at some point need to capture the screen with delay to get the perfect image. This can be useful for capturing a dropdown menu, an animation, or any other action that requires precise timing. Luckily, the macOS operating system offers a built-in solution to accomplish this task.
To capture the screen with delay on a Mac, simply follow these steps:
- Open the "Capture" application on your Mac. You can do this through the Launchpad or by searching for it in the "Utilities" folder.
- In the “Capture” window, choose the “Capture Screen with Delay” option from the drop-down menu.
- Select the delay time you want for the capture. You can choose 5, 10 or 15 seconds.
- Press the “Capture” button and get ready to perform the action you want to capture on the screen.
Once the delay time has elapsed, the screenshot will be taken automatically. You can find the captured image on your Mac desktop or in the default screenshot location. And that's it! Now you have the perfect image you were looking for, without having to worry about capturing the content at the exact moment.
8. Save and manage your screenshots on Mac: options and functions
Saving and managing screenshots on Mac is a simple task with several options and features available. Here are some of the best ways to save and manage your screenshots on your Mac.
1. Use the keyboard shortcut: The quickest and easiest way to capture an image of your screen with Mac is to use the keyboard shortcut Shift + Command + 3. Pressing these keys simultaneously will take a screenshot of your entire screen and automatically save it to your desktop .
2. Use the crop tool: If you only want to capture a specific part of your screen, you can use the Mac snipping tool. To do this, simply press Shift + Command + 4. You will see the cursor transform into a crosshair. Select the part of the screen you want to capture and release it when you're done. The capture will automatically save to your desktop.
3. Use the Capture app: Another option is to use the Capture app, located in the Utilities folder on your Mac. This app allows you to capture images of the entire screen, a specific window, or a custom selection. Once you've taken the screenshot, you can save it as a separate file or edit it directly from the app.
9. How to Customize Keyboard Shortcuts for Screenshots on Mac
Customizing keyboard shortcuts for taking screenshots on Mac can be a convenient way to streamline your workflow and tailor it to your specific needs. Fortunately, the macOS operating system offers several options to customize these shortcuts easily and quickly. Here we will show you how to do it Step by Step:
1. Open the “System Preferences” app from the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen.
- 2. Click on “Keyboard” and then on the “Shortcuts” tab.
- 3. In the left panel, select “Screenshots.” Here you will find different options, such as “Capture the entire screen”, “Capture a window” and “Capture a specific selection”.
- 4. Select the action for which you want to customize the keyboard shortcut.
- 5. Click the “+” button to add a new custom shortcut.
- 6. Enter your preferred shortcut key combination and click “Add.”
You can customize multiple keyboard shortcuts for different actions screenshot. Additionally, if you want to restore the keyboard shortcuts to default values at any time, simply click the “Restore Defaults” button. Remember that custom keyboard shortcuts will only work if they do not conflict with other shortcuts or system functions.
10. How to Change Screenshot Format and Location on Mac
There are different methods to change the format and location of screenshots on Mac. Below are the steps required to achieve this:
- Open the Capture app on your Mac. You can find it in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder.
- At the top of the Capture window, click Preferences.
- In the "General" tab, you will find the settings to change the format of screenshots. You can select between formats such as PNG, JPEG, TIFF, among others. Select the desired format.
In addition to changing the format, you can also modify the default location where screenshots are saved:
- In the same “Preferences” window as “Capture”, select the “Save” tab.
- Here you will be able to choose a different location to store your screenshots. You can choose to save them to the desktop, to a specific folder, or to any other location of your choice.
Remember that these steps are applicable to the macOS "Capture" application, and may vary slightly depending on the version of the operating system you are using. By following these instructions, you can customize the format and location of screenshots on your Mac according to your needs.
11. Using the Screenshot Feature on Mac to Capture Images and Record Video
The screenshot feature on Mac is a very useful tool for capturing images and record videos from your computer screen. You can use this feature to make tutorials, record gameplays or simply save an image of what is happening on your screen. The steps required to use this feature effectively will be detailed below.
1. Capture an image of the screen: To capture an image of your screen, you simply have to press the Command + Shift + 3 keys at the same time. This will automatically save the image to your desktop. If you want to capture only a specific part of the screen, you can press Command + Shift + 4 and then select the area you want to capture.
2. Record a video Screenshot: If you want to record a video of your screen instead of a still image, you can use the screenshot function to do so. To start recording, simply press Command + Shift + 5. A toolbar will appear at the bottom of the screen allowing you to control the recording. You can select whether you want to record the entire screen or just a specific part. You can also choose whether you want to record with or without audio. Finally, click the record button to start recording and again to stop it.
12. Take screenshots of an entire web page on Mac
If you need to take screenshots of an entire web page on your Mac, there are several ways to do it. Below we will provide you with different options that you can use to get a screenshot of an entire web page on your device.
One option is to use the built-in screenshot feature on your Mac. Simply open the web page you want to capture and simultaneously press the key Command + Shift + 3 on your keyboard. This will automatically save a screenshot of the entire page to your desktop.
Another option is to use a more advanced screenshot tool, such as Snagit. Snagit is a popular tool that allows you to capture and edit images quickly and easily. With Snagit, you can select the option to capture an entire web page and save it in the format you want. Additionally, it also offers screenshot editing, annotation, and sharing options.
13. How to capture an image of an app or drop-down menu on Mac
To capture an image of an app or drop-down menu on Mac, there are several methods you can use. Next, I will explain how to do it step by step:
1. Use the key combination: Shift+Command+4. When you press this combination, your cursor will turn into a crosshair. Then, simply drag the cursor to select the area you want to capture and release the mouse button. The screenshot will automatically be saved as a file on your desktop.
2. Use the “Capture” app: On your Mac, you can find an app called “Capture” in the “Utilities” folder. Open this application and select the “Capture” option in the menu bar. Then, choose whether you want to capture a window, the entire screen, or a custom selection. Click “Capture” and the image will be saved automatically.
14. Fixing Common Problems When Taking Screenshots on Mac
If you're having trouble taking screenshots on your Mac, don't worry, there are several solutions you can try. Here we show you some of the most common solutions:
1. Check the keyboard shortcuts: Make sure you are using the correct keyboard shortcuts to take screenshots on Mac. The default shortcut for capturing the entire screen is Cmd+Shift+3, while to capture a part of the screen it is Cmd+Shift+4. If these shortcuts don't work, you can change them in system preferences.
2. Restart the computer: Sometimes restarting your Mac can fix temporary issues that may affect your screenshot. Close all applications and restart your computer to reset settings and running processes. Then try taking the screenshot again.
3. Update your operating system: Problems taking screenshots may be caused by outdated operating system versions. Go to the App Store and check to see if there are any software updates available for your Mac. Install the appropriate updates, and then try taking the screenshot again.
In conclusion, screenshot on Mac is a technical but easy function to perform. With just a couple of key combinations, Mac users can capture any part of their screen, whether it's a window, the entire screen, or even a custom selection. Additionally, with additional options available in the built-in Capture app on macOS, users have advanced tools to highlight and edit screenshots, meeting their unique needs. By mastering these techniques, Mac users can easily share visual information or troubleshoot technical issues by capturing and saving images of their screen in an instant. In short, taking a screenshot on a Mac is an essential skill to get the most out of your experience on the platform.