How to Screenshot on Mac 2023 (Simple & Fast)

Apple has created some incredible devices and software over the years and there are many in-built features you may not be aware of. For example, did you know that there are several ways to take screenshots on your Mac? Some of them make use of a screenshot app, though this requires installation of potential payment for a third-party app.

Others are built into Mac’s operating system, allowing screen capture without payment.

This article shares several ways to get quick and simple Mac screen screenshots.

Screenshot Using Mac Keyboard Shortcuts

There are several Mac screenshot shortcuts you can use for screen captures of your entire screen or part of your screen.

Take a Screen Shot of Your Entire Screen

This is a simple two-step process:

1. Press and hold Shift + Command + 3 simultaneously to take the screenshot.
2. Click the thumbnail that appears at the bottom-right corner of the screen to edit the image. Otherwise, it’ll automatically get saved onto your desktop.

Screenshot a Specific Window or Menu

You’ll follow three steps if you want to get more specific with your screenshot:

1. Open the window you want to screenshot and hold the Shift + Space Bar + 4 + Command keys together.
2. Click the camera icon that appears to take the screenshot.
3. Select the image at the bottom-right corner of the screen to edit or leave it to save automatically to your desktop.

Create a Partial Screenshot

Partial Mac screenshots are easy to create with the right keyboard shortcut:

1. Press and hold the Shift + Command + 4 keys at the same time.
2. When your cursor turns into a crosshair, drag it around to select the part of the screen you want to capture.
3. Click the thumbnail at the bottom-right corner of the screen for editing or leave the image so it saves onto your desktop.

Use the Screenshot Toolbar

Macs running macOS Mojave or later have a special screenshot menu you can access, so you have more control over you how you take screenshots.

Use the following keyboard shortcut to bring up the screenshot toolbar:

Shift + Command + 5

You get the following screen capture options:

• Capture Entire Window
• Capture Selected Portion
• Capture Selected Window(s)

The menu also allows you to take a screen recording, either of the entire screen or a selected portion.

If you want more control over where the image goes after you take a screenshot, select Options and choose a destination folder for the default save location using the drop-down menu.

Use the Touch Bar

If your Mac computer has a Touch Bar, you can use it to create a dedicated button so you can take a screenshot. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Apple Menu and select “System Preferences.”
2. Click on “Keyboard.”
3. Choose “Customize Control Strip.”
4. Select a location for your screenshot button on the Touch Bar and save your changes.

Now, you don’t have to worry about messing around with a mouse cursor or clicking a mouse button. Just tap the Touch Bar in the appropriate place, and your Mac takes a screenshot instantly.

Make Taking Screenshots Easy on Mac

You don’t need a costly third-party app to take high-quality screenshots on your Mac. Apple has built tools into its operating system to make the process quick and simple.

Whether you use keyboard shortcuts, your Touch Bar, or the Screenshot Toolbar, you can use tools you already have at your disposal for quick access to grab screenshots.