A Simple Guide for Asensio
Welcome Asensio! As a Mac user, you might wonder how to take a screenshot on your device. Well, you’ve come to the right place! In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with various methods to capture what’s on your screen with ease. Whether it’s a single window, a selected area, or the entire screen, we’ve got you covered. Let’s get started!
Introduction
Before diving into the different ways of taking a screenshot, let’s define what a screenshot is. A screenshot is an image that captures what’s displayed on your device’s screen. This feature is useful when you want to save something that cannot be copied or downloaded, such as an error message, a webpage, or a picture. Screenshots are also helpful for making tutorials, sharing information, or reporting a problem. In Macs, there are different methods to take screenshots, including keyboard shortcuts, built-in apps, and third-party tools. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on your preferences and needs. In this article, we will explore seven techniques to capture screenshots on a Mac.
Method 1: Capture the Entire Screen
The simplest way to take a screenshot is to capture the entire screen. To do that, follow these steps:
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Press | Command + Shift + 3 |
| The screenshot will save in | Desktop |
When you press the keys, you will hear a camera sound, and the image will be saved automatically on your desktop. The file name will be “Screenshot” followed by the date and time of the capture. You can also see a thumbnail of the screenshot on the bottom-right of your screen. If you click on it, you will open the image in the Preview app, where you can edit, crop, or share it. If you want to cancel the screenshot or change the save location, press the Escape key before releasing the keys.
Method 2: Capture a Window
If you want to capture only a specific window, follow these steps:
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Press | Command + Shift + 4 |
| Click on the window you want to capture | |
| The cursor will change to a camera icon | |
| Click on the window again | |
| The screenshot will save in | Desktop |
When you press the keys, the cursor will become a crosshair pointer that you can drag to select the window you want to capture. Click on the top-left corner of the window and drag the cursor to the bottom-right corner. When you release the mouse, you will hear a camera sound and the image will be saved automatically on your desktop. The file name will be “Screenshot” followed by the date and time of the capture. You can also edit, crop, or share the screenshot in the Preview app. If you want to cancel the screenshot or change the save location, press the Escape key before releasing the keys.
Method 3: Capture a Menu
If you want to capture a menu, follow these steps:
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Click on the menu you want to capture | |
| Press | Command + Shift + 4 |
| The cursor will change to a camera icon | |
| Press the Spacebar | |
| The cursor will change to a small camera icon | |
| Click on the menu to capture it | |
| The screenshot will save in | Desktop |
When you click on the menu, it will expand, and you will see its options. When you press the keys, the cursor will become a crosshair pointer that you can drag to select the menu. However, when you press the Spacebar, the cursor will switch to a small camera icon that will enable you to capture the menu as it is, with the shadows and highlights. Click on the menu, and you will see a camera sound, and the image will be saved automatically on your desktop. The file name will be “Screenshot” followed by the date and time of the capture. You can also edit, crop, or share the screenshot in the Preview app. If you want to cancel the screenshot or change the save location, press the Escape key before releasing the keys.
Method 4: Capture a Selected Area
If you want to capture a specific area, follow these steps:
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Press | Command + Shift + 4 |
| The cursor will change to a crosshair pointer | |
| Drag the cursor to select the area you want to capture | |
| Release the mouse or trackpad | |
| The screenshot will save in | Desktop |
When you press the keys, the cursor will become a crosshair pointer that you can drag to select the area you want to capture. Click on the top-left corner of the area and drag the cursor to the bottom-right corner. When you release the mouse or trackpad, you will hear a camera sound, and the image will be saved automatically on your desktop. The file name will be “Screenshot” followed by the date and time of the capture. You can also edit, crop, or share the screenshot in the Preview app. If you want to cancel the screenshot or change the save location, press the Escape key before releasing the keys.
Method 5: Capture a Touch Bar
If you have a Mac with a touch bar, you can also capture it. Here’s how:
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Press | Command + Shift + 6 |
| The screenshot will save in | Desktop |
When you press the keys, the touch bar will be captured, and the image will be saved automatically on your desktop. The file name will be “Screenshot” followed by the date and time of the capture. You can also edit, crop, or share the screenshot in the Preview app. If you want to cancel the screenshot or change the save location, press the Escape key before releasing the keys.
Method 6: Capture a Timed Screen
If you want to capture a timed screen, follow these steps:
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Press | Command + Shift + 5 |
| The capture toolbar will appear at the bottom of your screen | |
| Click on the Timer option | |
| Select how many seconds you want to wait before capturing | |
| Click on the Capture button | |
| The screenshot will save in | Desktop |
When you press the keys, the capture toolbar will appear at the bottom of your screen, where you can choose to capture the entire screen, a window, or a selected area. Click on the Timer option, and you will see a drop-down menu where you can select the number of seconds to wait before capturing. Click on the Capture button, and the timer will start counting down. When the time is up, you will hear a camera sound, and the image will be saved automatically on your desktop. The file name will be “Screenshot” followed by the date and time of the capture. You can also edit, crop, or share the screenshot in the Preview app. If you want to cancel the screenshot or change the save location, press the Escape key before releasing the keys.
Method 7: Use Third-Party Tools
If you want more advanced features or customization options, you can also use third-party tools to take screenshots. Here are some examples:
- Snagit: a powerful screen capture and screen recording software with annotation and sharing tools.
- CloudApp: a cloud-based visual communication tool for capturing and sharing screenshots, GIFs, and videos.
- Sketch: a design tool for creating screen mockups and prototypes with vector graphics and artboards.
Each tool has its features, pricing, and compatibility with Macs. You can choose the one that suits your needs and preferences. Make sure to read reviews, compare prices, and check the compatibility before downloading or purchasing any software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How do I change the default save location of screenshots?
A1: You can change the default save location of screenshots by using the Terminal app. Open the Terminal app and type the following command:
defaults write com.apple.screencapture location /path/to/folder
Replace “/path/to/folder” with the path of the folder where you want to save the screenshots. Press Return, and the command will be executed. From now on, all your screenshots will be saved in that folder instead of the desktop.
Q2: How do I take a screenshot of a scrolling window?
A2: You can take a screenshot of a scrolling window by using third-party tools such as Snagit or CloudApp. These tools have the feature of capturing long web pages or documents by stitching multiple screenshots together. Alternatively, you can use the built-in app called Screenshot Plus, which is available for free on the Mac App Store. Screenshot Plus allows you to capture scrolling windows, annotations, and sharing options.
Q3: How do I capture a screenshot of the Touch ID dialog?
A3: You can capture a screenshot of the Touch ID dialog by pressing Command + Shift + 4 and then Spacebar. This method will enable you to capture the Touch ID dialog interface, including the fingerprint sensor and the text prompt.
Q4: How do I take a screenshot of a video in full-screen mode?
A4: You can take a screenshot of a video in full-screen mode by using the keyboard shortcut Command + Shift + 3 or Command + Shift + 4. However, if you want to capture a still from a video, you can use the built-in app called QuickTime Player. Open QuickTime Player, and play the video in full-screen mode. Pause the video at the frame you want to capture and press Command + Shift + 4. The cursor will become a crosshair pointer that you can drag to select the area you want to capture. Release the mouse or trackpad, and the image will be saved on your desktop.
Q5: How do I take a screenshot of the Touch Bar without capturing the screen?
A5: You can take a screenshot of the Touch Bar without capturing the screen by pressing Command + Shift + 6. This method will save a picture of the Touch Bar only, without including the screen or any windows. The image will be saved on your desktop.
Q6: How do I take a screenshot of the cursor?
A6: You can take a screenshot of the cursor by using the built-in app called Grab. Open Grab from your Applications/Utilities folder. Click on Capture on the menu bar, and select the type of screenshot you want to take. Click on Capture, and then move your cursor to the spot where you want to capture it. The cursor will be highlighted, and you will see a camera sound. The image will be saved, and you can edit or share it in Grab or Preview.
Q7: How do I take a screenshot with keyboard shortcuts if I have a Touch Bar?
A7: You can take a screenshot with keyboard shortcuts if you have a Touch Bar by pressing Command + Shift + 4 and then Spacebar. This method will enable you to capture the entire Touch Bar, including the virtual buttons and sliders. You can also use the on-screen keyboard if your physical keyboard is not working or is disconnected.
A8: No, you cannot take a screenshot of a hidden or minimized window if it is not visible on your screen. You need to unhide or restore the window first before taking the screenshot. However, you can use some third-party tools such as Skitch, which allow you to capture hidden windows by using hotkeys or menus.
Q9: How do I take a screenshot without the shadow effect?
A9: You can take a screenshot without the shadow effect by using the Terminal app. Open the Terminal app and type the following command:
defaults write com.apple.screencapture disable-shadow -bool true
Press Return, and the command will be executed. From now on, all your screenshots will be saved without the shadow effect.
Q10: Can I take a screenshot in Safe Mode?
A10: Yes, you can take a screenshot in Safe Mode, but some features or apps might be disabled or not available. Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode that limits the startup processes to essential services and drivers, and disables some features and extensions. If you encounter issues with your Mac, you can try to boot it in Safe Mode by pressing and holding the Shift key while restarting it. Once in Safe Mode, you can try to take a screenshot and see if it works. If not, you might need to repair your disk or reinstall your system.