How to Change Default Screenshot Location on Mac

How to Change Default Screenshot Location on Mac

By default, macOS saves screenshots to your desktop, which can quickly clutter your workspace. Fortunately, you can easily change where screenshots are saved to keep your desktop organized and store captures in a more convenient location.

Before changing storage locations, make sure you know how to take screenshots on Mac and understand where screenshots are saved by default.

Method 1: Using Screenshot App (macOS Mojave 10.14+)

The easiest way to change screenshot location using the built-in Screenshot app.

Steps:

1. Press Command (?) + Shift + 5 to open the Screenshot app
2. Click "Options" in the toolbar that appears
3. Under "Save to" section, choose your preferred location:
4. � Desktop (default)
5. � Documents
6. � Clipboard
7. � Mail
8. � Messages
9. � Preview
10. � Other Location (browse to any folder)
11. Select "Other Location" to choose a custom folder
12. Navigate to your desired folder and click "Choose"

?? Pro Tip: You can create a dedicated "Screenshots" folder in your Documents or Pictures folder for better organization.

Method 2: Using Terminal Commands

Change the default screenshot location using command line for more control.

Steps:

1. Open Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal)
2. Type: defaults write com.apple.screencapture location ~/Pictures/Screenshots
3. Press Enter to execute the command
4. Type: killall SystemUIServer
5. Press Enter to restart the screenshot service
6. Create the folder if it doesn't exist: mkdir -p ~/Pictures/Screenshots

?? Pro Tip: Replace '~/Pictures/Screenshots' with any path you prefer. Use quotes around paths with spaces.

Method 3: Using System Preferences (Older macOS)

For older macOS versions that don't have the Screenshot app.

Steps:

1. Open System Preferences
2. Click on "Keyboard"
3. Go to the "Shortcuts" tab
4. Select "Screenshots" from the left sidebar
5. Look for screenshot-related shortcuts
6. Note: This method has limited options compared to newer methods

?? Pro Tip: If you're on an older macOS version, consider using the Terminal method for more flexibility.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Screenshots still saving to desktop after changing location

Solution: Make sure you restarted SystemUIServer with 'killall SystemUIServer' command, or restart your Mac. Also verify the folder path exists.

Can't find the Screenshots folder I created

Solution: Check if you used the correct path. Use Finder's Go menu > Go to Folder and enter the path you specified to verify it exists.

Terminal command not working

Solution: Make sure you typed the command exactly as shown, including proper spacing and capitalization. The folder path should exist or be created first. For additional organization tips, check our guide on organizing and naming screenshots automatically.

Conclusion

Changing your Mac's default screenshot location helps keep your desktop organized and creates a more efficient workflow. Whether using the Screenshot app, Terminal commands, or System Preferences, you can customize where your captures are saved.

For further organization, learn about organizing and naming screenshots automatically or try our screenshot editor for post-capture enhancements.