A screenshot captures what’s on your screen in a single image, which is great for saving useful info or showing someone exactly what you’re seeing. On your MacBook, you can take full-screen screenshots, capture specific areas or windows, or even record your screen as a video. All of this is possible using keyboard shortcuts or the built-in screenshot app. Here's how it works.
There are 3 main types of screenshots you can take with keyboard shortcuts: full screen, part of the screen, or a single window. You can also make a screen recording using the screenshot app, either of the full screen or a portion of it. Press Shift + Command (⌘) + 5 to open the screenshot app. Then choose whether to capture a still image or a recording. Below, we explain how to do each one.
To capture everything currently visible on your screen, press Shift + Command (⌘) + 3. You’ll hear a camera sound, and the screenshot will appear as a PNG file on your desktop. From there, you then copy and paste it into a file. You can also use the screenshot app – choose the first icon on the left and click Capture.
If you only want to capture a section of your screen, press Shift + Command (⌘) + 4. Your mouse pointer will turn into a crosshair. Click and drag to select the area, then release the mouse. The screenshot is saved to your desktop. In the screenshot app, use the third icon from the left to do the same.
To capture a specific window, press Shift + Command (⌘) + 4, then hit the spacebar. The cursor changes to a camera. Hover over the window you want to capture and click it. In the screenshot app, this is the second icon from the left.
To record your screen as a video, use the screenshot app (Shift + Command + 5). Choose the second icon from the right, then click Record. Everything on your screen will be recorded. To stop, reopen the screenshot app and click Stop Screen Recording.
To record only part of your screen, open the screenshot app and choose the rightmost icon. Drag to select the area you want, then click Record. Stop the recording by clicking Stop Screen Recording in the app.
The screenshot app offers handy extras. Click Options before capturing to add a timer, keep the mouse pointer visible, or choose where to save the file; not just the desktop. These features make capturing or recording much easier and more flexible.
The same shortcuts and screenshot app are available on most other Macs, including MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac Mini, and Mac Studio. If you use an official Apple keyboard, you’ll get the same experience. Only Macs running versions earlier than macOS Mojave (2018) don’t have the screenshot app, so on those you’ll need to use shortcuts.
Whether you’re snapping a full screen, part of it, or recording a video, your MacBook makes it easy. Use Shift + Command + 3 or 4 for quick screenshots, or Shift + Command + 5 to open the screenshot app. It’s simple, fast, and built into every modern Mac.
