On a Mac, screen capture is the general term for saving what appears on your display, either as a still image (a screenshot) or as a video (a screen recording). macOS includes tools for both. The right method depends on whether you need one moment or a sequence of on-screen activity.
What does screen capture mean on a Mac?
Apple uses “screenshot” for a picture of the screen and treats screen recording as a separate capture mode. Its Mac user guide puts both under the same umbrella: “You can take pictures (called screenshots) or recordings of the screen on your Mac using Screenshot or keyboard shortcuts.” Apple Support’s Mac user guide documents the built-in Screenshot tools.
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- Screenshot: a still image of the whole display, a selected area, or a window or menu.
- Screen recording: a video that captures on-screen activity over time.
Which kind of capture should you use?
| What you need | Capture type | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| One moment on screen | Screenshot | Save or share a visible message, setting, or image. |
| Movement or a sequence of steps | Screen recording | Show how something works or document an on-screen process. |
How to take a screenshot on a Mac
Apple’s screenshot instructions describe these keyboard shortcuts; screenshots save to the desktop by default unless you change the destination. See Apple’s screenshot guide for the full steps.
- Entire screen: Press Shift-Command-3.
- Selected area: Press Shift-Command-4, then drag across the area to capture.
- Window or menu: Press Shift-Command-4, then press Space to change the pointer to a camera. Select the window or menu.
To copy a screenshot to the clipboard rather than save it as a file, hold Control while using the relevant screenshot shortcut. You can then paste the image into another app.
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How to record the screen
Use the Screenshot toolbar
Press Shift-Command-5 to open the Screenshot controls. The toolbar includes still-image and screen-recording options, along with settings such as a timer and save location. Choose a recording option to capture the entire screen or a selected portion where available. The toolbar’s controls can vary by macOS version.
Use QuickTime Player
QuickTime Player is another Apple-documented way to make a screen recording; it supports recording the entire screen or a selected portion. Apple’s guide says Screenshot requires macOS Mojave 10.14 or later. Apple’s screen-recording guide covers Screenshot and QuickTime Player. It identifies selected-window recording as available in macOS Tahoe 26 or later.
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Why might a screen or window not capture?
Capture is not guaranteed for every app. Apple warns that some apps, including Apple TV, may prevent screenshots or recordings of their windows. If a capture is unavailable, try a different view or consult the app’s support information rather than assuming the Mac’s capture tools are broken.
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