When you take a screenshot on your Mac – using the Shift-Command-3 shortcut to capture the whole screen, or Shift-Command-4 to capture a portion of it – the image files are saved straight to your desktop. This can result in this:

no screenshots
If you'd like to change that default save location to somewhere different, simply follow the steps below.

If you're running macOS Mojave or later, you can press Shift-Command-5 to invoke the screen capture panel, click on Options and choose "Other Location" to choose a destination.

options

For versions of macOS prior to Mojave, you'll have to follow these instructions:

How to Change Where Screenshots Get Saved on Mac (Prior to Mojave)

  1. Open a Finder window and press Shift-Command-N to create a new folder where you want your screenshots to be saved, and give the folder a recognizable name.
    screenshot save location 1

  2. Launch the Terminal app (found in Applications/Utilities).
    terminal

  3. Type in the following command and then press the spacebar, but don't hit Enter just yet: defaults write com.apple.screencapture location
    terminal

  4. Now drag the folder you just created into the Terminal window. The folder's path should appear after the command you typed in. Press Enter.
    screenshot save location 2

Your captured images will now be saved in the designated folder whenever you use the screenshot shortcuts.

Important note: Do not delete this folder until you've changed the save location to somewhere else using the same Terminal command, or you'll run into issues. If you want to switch things back in future so that images are saved on your desktop again, simply input the Terminal command as above, but change the path to ~/Desktop.

Top Rated Comments

Darth-Kylie Avatar
62 months ago
In Catalina, Shift-Cmd-5, click Options, choose Other Location. Sticky setting.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
darkpaw Avatar
62 months ago
Couple of issues with this. If you're writing out steps, they really need to be correct, or you end up confusing the user, someone who may never have used Terminal before.

Step 1: You don't need to click the folder's name, because when you press Shift + Command + N, the folder's name is already highlighted for editing. Also, you can always just press Enter to rename a file.

Step 3: Be sure to tell the user to add a space at the end, or their Terminal command will be "defaults write com.apple.screencapture locationFOLDER". I realise that the text on the article does have the space at the end, but a non-expert won't know that it's meant to be there unless you point it out to them.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arn Avatar
62 months ago
article's been updated. Though the real trick is getting a screenshot of the screenshot options. ;)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MauiPa Avatar
38 months ago

Don't work for Monterey.
a quick search should help you answer your question. I think you will find this works:

Change where screenshots are saved Mac
[LIST=1]
* Press Command-Shift-5 to open the Screenshot app.
* Select Options.
* From the Save to section, select your preferred location.
* If you select Other Location, you can choose a different folder of choice or create a new folder.

Select the one you like, and it persists, I never use the screen shot app myself, just the keyboard shortcuts. Most times I use the copy to clipboard option and paste it immediately.

Despite what some have said in this thread, you can deflect the show floating thumbnail option and the thumbnail does not show with the screenshot being immediately saved.



Attachment Image
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arn Avatar
62 months ago

More importantly though, is it possible to save screenshots immediately? I HATE when I take a screenshot and must wait for it to disappear from the bottom right and appear onto the desktop. Yes I know I can drag it but sometimes that ends up opening it by mistake due to double clicking the thumbnail on the bottom right. Can't you make it instant "like in the old days?"


In the same Command-Shift-5 Options pop up. Uncheck "Show Floating Thumbnail" -- but I still feel like it takes too long to appear.

arn
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Hieveryone Avatar
62 months ago
Hey now this is a good article. Thanks MR :)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple iPhone 16e Feature

Apple Announces iPhone 16e With A18 Chip and Apple Intelligence, Pricing Starts at $599

Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:02 am PST by
Apple today introduced the iPhone 16e, its newest entry-level smartphone. The device succeeds the third-generation iPhone SE, which has now been discontinued. The iPhone 16e features a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, up from a 4.7-inch LCD on the iPhone SE. The display has a notch for Face ID, and this means that Apple no longer sells any iPhones with a Touch ID fingerprint button, marking the ...
iphone 17 pro asherdipps

iPhone 17 Pro Models Rumored to Feature Aluminum Frame Instead of Titanium Frame

Tuesday February 18, 2025 12:02 pm PST by
Over the years, Apple has switched from an aluminum frame to a stainless steel frame to a titanium frame for its highest-end iPhones. And now, it has been rumored that Apple will go back to using aluminum for three out of four iPhone 17 models. In an investor note with research firm GF Securities, obtained by MacRumors this week, Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu said the iPhone 17, iPhone...
apple launch feb 2025 alt

Here Are the New Apple Products We're Still Expecting This Spring

Thursday February 20, 2025 5:06 am PST by
Now that Apple has announced its new more affordable iPhone 16e, our thoughts turn to what else we are expecting from the company this spring. There are three product categories that we are definitely expecting to get upgraded before spring has ended. Keep reading to learn what they are. If we're lucky, Apple might make a surprise announcement about a completely new product category. M4...
Generic iOS 18

Here's When Apple Will Release iOS 18.4

Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:38 am PST by
Following the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple updated its iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia pages to give a narrower timeline on when the next updates are set to launch. All three pages now state that new Apple Intelligence features and languages will launch in early April, an update from the more broader April timeframe that Apple provided before. The next major point updates will be iOS ...
apple launch feb 2025

Tim Cook Teases an 'Apple Launch' Next Wednesday

Thursday February 13, 2025 8:07 am PST by
In a social media post today, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased an upcoming "launch" of some kind scheduled for Wednesday, February 19. "Get ready to meet the newest member of the family," he said, with an #AppleLaunch hashtag. The post includes a short video with an animated Apple logo inside a circle. Cook did not provide an exact time for the launch, or share any other specific details, so...
apple c1

Apple Unveils 'C1' as First Custom Cellular Modem

Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:08 am PST by
Apple today announced its first custom cellular modem with the name "C1," debuting in the all-new iPhone 16e. The new modem contributes to the iPhone 16e's power efficiency, giving it the longest battery life of any iPhone with a 6.1-inch display, such as the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16. Expanding the benefits of Apple silicon, C1 is the first modem designed by Apple and the most...
Apple Northbrook

Apple Store Permanently Closing at Struggling Mall in Chicago Area

Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:46 pm PST by
Apple is permanently closing its retail store at the Northbrook Court shopping mall in the Chicago area. The company confirmed the upcoming closure today in a statement, but it has yet to provide a closing date for the location. Apple Northbrook opened in 2005, and the store moved to a larger space in the mall in 2017. Apple confirmed that affected employees will continue to work for the...