How to take screenshots and record your screen on Mac

By Joseph Keller
last updated

Everything you need to know about screenshots

Close up of MacOS with the screenshot interface open.
(Image credit: Future)
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MacOS makes it easy to take screenshots or record videos of your screen. It's a fairly comprehensive process that really takes moments to master. However, if you don't know where to start, it can be tricky to, well, know where to start. 

That's why we've provided everything you need to know about how to take screenshots in macOS Ventura with that advice also applying to older Macs, as well as the best Macs and best MacBooks

If you're wondering why you might need to take a screenshot, there are multiple reasons. You might want to show off something to a friend who's not nearby, or you might need to take screenshots of a transaction for your records. 

Whatever your intentions, read on while we guide you through exactly how to take screenshots and record video to keep for however long you need to.

How to take screenshots on Mac

  1. Press Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard to bring up the screenshot toolbar.
  2. Click on one of the following: Capture Entire Screen, Capture Selected Windows, or Capture Selected Portion. Selecting Capture Entire Screen will take a screenshot immediately unless you set a timer, while Capture Selected Windows and Capture Selected Portions gives you more flexibility on what you snap.
  3. Click on your window or select your screen portion if you chose to capture something other than your whole screen. Your screenshot will be taken as soon as the selection is made.

To take a screenshot on Mac, choose what you want to capture, Click area/window you want to capture (Image credit: Future)
  1. Control-click, right-click, or two-finger-click on the screenshot that appears in the bottom-right corner of your screen.
  2. Use the contextual menu to choose where to save the screenshot, send it, show it in the Finder, delete it, or mark it up.

To take a screenshot on Mac, Control-click screenshot in bottom-right, use contextual menu (Image credit: Future)

How to record your screen on Mac

If you want to record a video of what you're doing on screen, the process is as simple as taking screenshots. There's no need to rely on separate apps like QuickTime with the same toolbar used for screenshots working for recording sessions too.

  1. Press Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard to bring up the screenshot toolbar.
  2. Click either Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion. Your recording will begin immediately if you select Record Entire Screen.
  3. Select the portion of the screen you wish to record if you're only recording a part of it.

To record your screen on Mac, choose what to record, choose recording area if necessary (Image credit: Future)
  1. Click Record on the screenshot/recording control bar.
  2. Press the Stop button in the Menu bar to stop the recording.

To record your screen on Mac, click Record, press Stop button when done (Image credit: Future)
  1. Control-click, right-click, or two-finger-click on the recording that appears in the bottom-right corner of your screen.
  2. Use the contextual menu to choose where to save the screenshot, send it, show it in the Finder, delete it, or mark it up.

To record your screen on Mac, Control-click recording, use contextual menu (Image credit: Future)

How to choose a save location for screenshots and screen recordings on Mac

It's possible to choose from a limited set of locations to save your screenshots and recordings. However, an easier method is to pre-select a destination beforehand.

  1. Press Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard to bring up the screenshot toolbar.
  2. Click Options.
  3. Select Desktop, Documents, Clipboard, Mail, Messages, or Preview under Save to to set a save location.

To choose a save location for screenshots and screen recordings on Mac, press Command + Shift + 5, click Options, select save location (Image credit: Future)

How to set a timer for screenshots and screen recordings on Mac

  1. Press Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard to bring up the screenshot toolbar.
  2. Click Options.
  3. Select None, 5 Seconds, or 10 Seconds under Timer to set a timer that works for your needs.

To set a timer for screenshots and screen recordings on Mac, Command + Shift + 5, click Options, choose Timer setting (Image credit: Future)

How to show the mouse pointer in screenshots on Mac

  1. Press Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard to bring up the screenshot toolbar.
  2. Click Options.
  3. Click Show Mouse Pointer to prevent it from showing on your screenshots.

To show the mouse pointer in screenshots on Mac, Command + Shift + 5, click Options, click Show Mouse Cursor (Image credit: Future)

How to edit a screenshot on Mac

  1. Control-click, right-click, or two-finger-click on the screenshot that appears in the bottom-right corner of your screen after taking a screenshot or screen recording.
  2. Click Markup.

To edit a screenshot on Mac, Control-click screenshot, click Markup (Image credit: Future)
  1. Use the toolbar to draw or write, highlight, add shapes, insert text or a signature, rotate, or select text styles using the toolbar at the top of the Quick Look window.
  2. Click Done when you're finished.

To edit a screenshot on Mac, Use toolbar, click Done (Image credit: Future)

How to edit a screen recording on Mac

  1. Control-click, right-click, or two-finger-click on the recording that appears in the bottom-right corner of your screen after taking a screenshot or screen recording.
  2. Click Markup to begin editing.

To edit a screen recording on Mac, Control-click recording, click Markup (Image credit: Future)
  1. Click the trim button close to the top-right corner of the Quick Look window.
  2. Grab the hold points at either end of the recording's timeline, and adjust their position to change the recording's length.

To edit a screen recording on Mac, click trim button, grab hold points (Image credit: Future)
  1. Click Done.

To edit a screen recording on Mac, click Done (Image credit: Future)
Joseph Keller
Joseph Keller

Joseph Keller is the former Editor in Chief of iMore. An Apple user for almost 20 years, he spends his time learning the ins and outs of iOS and macOS, always finding ways of getting the most out of his iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac.