Taking screenshots on a MacBook Pro can be done in various ways. Depending on your preference, you can use built-in applications and shortcuts, as well as third-party tools. Whether you want to capture the entire screen or a specific area, there are several ways to do so. In this article, we will discuss 15 different methods to take screenshots on a Mac 2023. From using the built-in shortcuts to recording the screen with QuickTime, we will cover all the options available.
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
One of the quickest and easiest ways to take a screenshot on a MacBook Pro is by using keyboard shortcuts. The basic shortcut for taking a screenshot of your entire screen is to press Shift + Command + 3. This will capture the entire screen and save it to your desktop as a .png file. If you want to capture a specific area of the screen, you can use the shortcut Shift + Command + 4. This will allow you to select the area of the screen that you want to capture by dragging your cursor. Once you release the cursor, the screenshot will be taken and saved to your desktop.
Capturing a Specific Window
Another way to take a screenshot on a MacBook Pro is to capture a specific window. To do this, press Shift + Command + 4, then press the Spacebar. This will turn your cursor into a camera icon. You can then move the camera icon over the window that you want to capture, and click on it. The screenshot will be taken and saved to your desktop as a .png file.
Grabbing the Entire Screen
To capture the entire screen on your MacBook Pro, you can use the Grab utility. Open Grab by searching for it in Spotlight or by navigating to Applications > Utilities. Once open, choose Capture and then select Screen. This will capture the entire screen, and the image will be saved to your desktop.
Screenshots with Preview
Preview is a built-in application on Macs that can also be used to take screenshots. Open Preview, go to File > Take Screenshot. Select the option of your choice and it will take a screenshot and open it in a new window in Preview.
Using the Touch Bar
If your MacBook Pro has a Touch Bar, you can use it to take screenshots. Press Command + Shift + 6 to capture the entire Touch Bar, or press Command + Shift + 4, then press the Spacebar, and then tap on the Touch Bar to capture a specific area.
Timed Screenshots with Grab
The Grab utility also allows you to take timed screenshots. Open Grab and choose Capture and then select Timed Screen. This will give you a 10-second countdown before the screenshot is taken, giving you time to set up the screen as you want it to be captured.
Screenshots with Third-Party Apps
There are also many third-party apps available that can be used to take screenshots on a MacBook Pro. Some popular options include Lightshot, Skitch, and Nimbus. These apps offer additional features and editing options beyond the built-in screenshot tools.
Capturing a Selection of the Screen
You can also take a screenshot of a specific selection of the screen. Press Shift + Command + 4, then drag your cursor to select the area of the screen that you want to capture. The screenshot will be taken and saved to your desktop as a .png file.
Saving Screenshots to the Clipboard
You can also take a screenshot and save it to the clipboard instead of a file on your desktop. To do this, press Control + Shift + Command + 3 to capture the entire screen, or press Control + Shift + Command + 4 to capture a specific selection. You can then paste the screenshot into another application.
Screen recording with QuickTime
QuickTime is a built-in application on Macs that allows you to record your screen. To use QuickTime to record your screen, open the application and go to File > New Screen Recording. A small window will appear with options for microphone audio and recording the entire screen or a selected area. Once you have made your selections, click the red button to begin recording. Once you’re finished recording, you can stop the recording by clicking on the stop button in the menu bar or by pressing Command + Control + Esc. The recording will be saved to your desktop.
Screenshots with Spotlight
Spotlight is a built-in search feature on Macs that can also be used to take screenshots. Press Command + Shift + 4, then press the Spacebar. This will turn your cursor into a camera icon. You can then move the camera icon over the window that you want to capture, and click on it. The screenshot will be taken and saved to your desktop as a .png file.
Screenshot with Terminal Command
You can also take a screenshot using a Terminal command. Open Terminal and type in the command screencapture followed by the location and file name where you want to save the screenshot. You can also add options such as -c to copy the screenshot to the clipboard or -t to specify the file type.
Screenshots with Accessibility Shortcuts
Macs also have built-in accessibility shortcuts that can be used to take screenshots. Press Command + Shift + 6 to capture the entire screen, or press Command + Shift + 4, then press the Spacebar, and then tap on the screen to capture a specific area.
Screenshots with Stylus or Apple Pencil
If you have an Apple Pencil or a stylus, you can use it to take screenshots on your MacBook Pro. Press and hold the side button on your Apple Pencil, then tap on the screen. This will take a screenshot and save it to your desktop. With the stylus you can use the button on the stylus to take the screenshot.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, there are several ways to take screenshots on a MacBook Pro. Whether you want to use the built-in shortcuts, third-party tools, or even a stylus, there is a method for everyone. By familiarizing yourself with the different methods, you can quickly and easily capture whatever you need on your screen. Whether it’s for work or personal use, screenshots can be a valuable tool for capturing and sharing information.