How to Screenshot on MacBook: The Ultimate Guide

Whether you're sharing a funny meme, saving important info, or creating a tutorial, knowing how to take a screenshot on your MacBook is a must-have skill.

Luckily, macOS offers several built-in screenshot tools — no need to download anything extra. In this guide, I’ll walk you through all the ways to take screenshots on a MacBook, including full screen, a specific window, or a custom portion.

🖥️ 1. Take a Screenshot of the Entire Screen

🔧 Shortcut:

Command (⌘) + Shift + 3

This captures the entire screen instantly. If you have multiple displays, it will screenshot each display separately.

• 📍 The screenshot is automatically saved to your desktop.
• 📸 If you just want to copy it (not save), add Control:

Command (⌘) + Control + Shift + 3

🪟 2. Take a Screenshot of a Selected Area

🔧 Shortcut:

scss

Command (⌘) + Shift + 4

Your cursor will turn into a crosshair. Click and drag to select the area you want to capture.

• Release the mouse to take the screenshot.
• The file will appear on your desktop.
• Want to copy it instead? Use:scss

Command (⌘) + Control + Shift + 4

🧩 3. Take a Screenshot of a Specific Window

🔧 Shortcut:

scss

Command (⌘) + Shift + 4, then tap Spacebar

1. Press Command + Shift + 4
2. Tap the Spacebar — your cursor becomes a camera icon
3. Click the window you want to capture

💡 You can even screenshot menus, dialog boxes, or the Dock!

🖱️ 4. Use the Screenshot Toolbar (macOS Mojave or Later)

🔧 Shortcut:

Command (⌘) + Shift + 5

This opens the screenshot toolbar at the bottom of your screen with options to:

• Capture entire screen
• Capture selected window
• Capture custom portion
• Record screen (yes, video too!)
• Choose where to save screenshots

🧰 Great for beginners or when you want more control.

🎥 5. Record Your Screen (Bonus Tip!)

The screenshot toolbar (⌘ + Shift + 5) also allows you to:

• Record entire screen
• Record a selected portion

You can even show clicks and choose where to save the file. Perfect for tutorials or presentations.

🔧 Where Are My Screenshots Saved?

By default, screenshots are saved to your desktop and named like this:

Screen Shot 2025-08-06 at 2.30.15 PM.png

Want to change the save location?

1. Press Command + Shift + 5
2. Click Options
3. Choose a new save location (e.g., Documents or Clipboard)

🧠 Pro Tips

• Use Preview to annotate screenshots with text, arrows, or highlights.
• Hold Control while taking the screenshot to copy it to clipboard.
• Use Quick Look (press Spacebar on the file) to view without opening an app.

✅ Conclusion

Taking screenshots on a MacBook is fast, flexible, and built into macOS. Whether you’re a student, designer, developer, or casual user — mastering these shortcuts will make your daily workflow smoother.

Have a favorite screenshot tip or use case? Share it in the comments!