In this article, we will show you how to screen capture on Mac using built-in tools for screenshots and screen recordings.

If you’re a MacBook user, you know how crucial it is to capture your screen for everything from creating tutorials to saving important information quickly.

Whether you’re working on a project, sharing a funny moment, or trying to explain a process to someone, being able to capture your screen can be incredibly useful.

Fortunately, Apple makes this easy with built-in screen capture tools.

In this guide, we will guide you through how to screen capture for Mac—no third-party apps required!

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Why You Might Need to Screen Capture on Mac

Before diving into the steps, let’s talk about why screen capture is essential:

• Share Information: You can quickly send someone a screenshot or screen recording instead of typing a lengthy explanation.

• Create Tutorials: Whether for work or a personal project, screen captures are ideal for demonstrating how to use software, apps, or even websites.

• Save Important Data: Quickly save important information like messages, charts, or web pages for reference later.

• Record Gameplay: Screen capture is great for gamers who want to record their gameplay and share it with friends or social media followers.

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How to Screen Capture on Mac

MacOS offers multiple methods for screen capturing, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs. Here’s a quick breakdown of the available options:

1. Capture a Screenshot on Mac (Still Image)

MacOS provides a few ways to capture screenshots with keyboard shortcuts. Depending on what you want to capture, you can choose from these options:

• Capture the Entire Screen
  Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 3. This will take a screenshot of your whole screen and save it to your desktop by default.

• Capture a Selected Area of the Screen
  Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 4. Your cursor will turn into a crosshair, and you can click and drag to select the area you want to capture. When you release the mouse button, the screenshot will be taken.

• Capture a Specific Window
  Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 4, then tap the Spacebar. This will turn the cursor into a camera icon. Simply click on the window you want to capture.

All these methods save the screenshot to your desktop by default, but you can change the save location if you prefer.

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2. Use the Screenshot Tool (macOS Mojave and Later)

For users on macOS Mojave or later, Apple added a built-in screenshot tool that makes capturing your screen even easier. To activate it:

• Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 5. This will bring up an on-screen toolbar with options to:

  • Capture the entire screen.

  • Capture a selected window.

  • Capture a selected portion of the screen.

  • Record the screen (either full screen or a selected portion).

This tool also allows you to customize where your screenshots and screen recordings are saved and includes options for screen recording with or without audio.

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3. Record Your Screen on Mac (Screen Recording)

Screen recordings are essential for creating video tutorials, showing how software works, or capturing gaming sessions. Mac makes it easy to record your screen with these options:

• Using the Screenshot Toolbar (macOS Mojave and Later)
  As mentioned earlier, you can press Command (⌘) + Shift + 5 to open the screenshot toolbar. You’ll see options for screen recording:

  • Record Entire Screen: Click on the “Record Entire Screen” button, then click anywhere on the screen to start recording.

  • Record Selected Portion: Click the “Record Selected Portion” button and drag to select the area you want to record. When ready, click “Record” to begin.

Once you’re done recording, click the Stop button in the menu bar, or press Command (⌘) + Control + Esc. The recording will automatically save to your desktop by default.

See Also: 4 Ways to Snip in MacBook

4. Use QuickTime Player for Screen Recording

If you’re on an older version of macOS or prefer using an app, QuickTime Player is an excellent option for screen recording. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open QuickTime Player from your Applications folder.

2. In the menu bar, click File and select New Screen Recording.

3. A small recording window will appear. Click the red Record button.

4. You can choose to record the entire screen or drag to select a specific area.

5. Once you’re finished, click the Stop button in the menu bar. QuickTime will automatically open the recording, and you can choose to save it.

See Also: 4 Steps to Screen Record on Android phones

5. Using Third-Party Apps

While Mac’s built-in options are great for basic screen capture needs, some third-party apps can offer more advanced features. Apps like Snagit, CleanShot X, or Capto come with additional editing options, cloud storage features, and more. These can be helpful if you’re looking for professional-grade tools.

Tips for Better Screen Captures

• Use the Preview Tool: After taking a screenshot, you can open it in Preview to make quick edits, annotate the image, or crop it.

• Organize Your Screenshots: Over time, screenshots can clutter your desktop. Consider creating a dedicated folder for all your screen captures to keep things organized.

• Adjust the Screenshot Timer: In the screenshot tool (macOS Mojave and later), you can set a 5 or 10-second timer for your captures. This is useful if you need time to prepare before the screenshot is taken.

See Aldo: 15 Best Screen Recorder for Mac

Conclusion

Whether you need to capture still images, record your screen, or create professional tutorials, Mac provides an easy and efficient way to do it. The built-in tools like the screenshot toolbar, keyboard shortcuts, and QuickTime Player make it accessible to anyone, from beginners to power users. And with the ability to record your screen or capture specific areas, you’re ready to take on any project or share your content with ease. So, next time you need to capture something on your Mac, just use one of these simple methods to get it done quickly and effectively!

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