How to Change Where Screenshots Are Saved on Mac

You can manage the default screenshot location via the following:

1. Open the screenshot tool with the Shift + Command + 5 combination.
2. Choose Options ➙ Other location.
3. Click Choose to pick the folder for your screenshots.
4. Click Ok.

Why change screenshot save location on Mac

If you want to improve your Mac’s file organization, declutter the desktop, and help your device run smoothly, change the screenshot location on Mac. Doing this allows you to directly store screenshots in designated folders, making file management more straightforward, and freeing you from manual sorting and relocating.

Where are screenshots saved by default on Mac

By default, screenshots are saved to your Mac’s desktop, making them more visible and accessible. These files have distinctive names “Screen Shot [date] at [time].png”. You can change the save location via the Screenshot app or Terminal commands.

A note from our experts: 

 

You definitely need to know how to take screenshots on Mac, as it’s an extremely useful function for your workflow and daily routine. However, there’s also a flip side: over time, your laptop accumulates hundreds of screenshots, leading to cluttered storage and reduced productivity. Fortunately, MacKeeper’s Duplicates Finder suggests an efficient solution by finding and removing identical screenshots or other files.

 

Do the following to get rid of identical screenshots on your Mac:

1. Download and launch the MacKeeper app.
2. Choose the Duplicates Finder tool from the left sidebar.
3. Click the Start Scan option to find your device’s duplicates.
4. When the scan is completed, choose Remove Selected to remove useless duplicates, and confirm their deletion.

Methods to change screenshot save location on Mac

There are several different ways to change the screenshot save location on your Mac, so you can choose one according to your personal preferences and proficiency:

1. With the help of Finder.
2. Using macOS built-in screenshot tool.
3. Via Terminal for advanced customization.
4. Using third-party apps and tools.

If you face the issue of your Mac screenshot not working, look through our solutions to solve this.

1. Changing screenshot save location via Finder

Let's start with the manual way to move screenshot files and set a new save location via Finder. Technically, Finder can’t directly set a new default save location for screenshots. However,  it allows you to create a new folder, then set it as the new save place for screenshots with clear Terminal commands. This method is also available for older macOS versions.

We have prepared some step-by-step instructions on how to change the screenshot save location on Mac via Finder:

1. Open Finder on your Mac.
2. Create a new folder by right-clicking on the Finder window ➙ name the new folder.
3. Launch Terminal (Applications ➙ Utilities or press the Command + Space combination ➙ type Terminal in the appeared icon).
4. Insert the following command in the Terminal: defaults write com.apple.screencapture location.
5. Drag your folder on top of the Terminal window to insert the path ➙ click Enter.
6. Insert the following command in the Terminal: killall SystemUIServer to apply the new screenshot save location.

2. Using macOS built-in screenshot tool

You don’t need third-party apps to find screenshots on your Mac, as well as to change its save location. MacOS contains a built-in Screenshot tool that has a user-friendly interface and can be used for various manipulations with screenshots, including changing the default save location.

Do the following to change the default screenshot save location via the built-in Screenshot tool on your Mac:

1. Press the Shift + Command + 5 combination to launch the Screenshot tool.
2. Choose Options at the bottom of the on-screen control panel.
3. Select the Other Location option from the drop-down menu with alternative screenshot locations.
4. Click Choose to select the specific location and confirm the changes.

3. Via Terminal for advanced customization

If you’re an advanced Mac user and prefer deeper customization, use Terminal to change the default screenshot save place. This tool provides more precise control and flexibility during such activity. Actually, Terminal lets you redirect screenshots to any destination, including external drives, hidden folders, or iCloud Drive.

Take these steps to change where macOS saves your screenshots via Terminal:

1. Create a new folder for your screenshots or choose the existing one via Finder.
2. Open Terminal ➙ type the defaults write com.apple.screencapture location command.
3. Drag the created folder (or existing one) into the Terminal window ➙ click Return.
4. Type killall SystemUIServer in the same Terminal window ➙ click Return to apply new settings.

If you want to return the default screenshot save location to the desktop, repeat steps 2 and 3 with the command “defaults write com.apple.screencapture location” ➙ run “killall SystemUIServer”.

4. Using third-party apps to manage screenshot locations on Mac

If you’d like more customization for screenshot management that goes beyond the native options, there are third-party apps that can offer you more advanced opportunities.

Here are some popular third-party apps to manage the default screenshot save location:

• Snagit
• Monosnar
• CleanShot X
• Shottr

Conclusion

Changing the default save location of your screenshots is a simple way to organize your workspace and make your Mac run smoothly. When the save location is managed, use MacKeeper’s Duplicates Finder to remove unnecessary duplicates, which tend to pile up quickly, cluttering your storage and impacting your device’s performance.