1. [Clacky](https://clacky.app/) 2. › 3. [A–Z](https://clacky.app/features/#a-z) 4. › 5. [Answers](https://clacky.app/answers/) 6. › 7. Blur part of a screenshot on a Mac Answer # How do I blur part of a screenshot on a Mac? macOS has no blur tool: Preview’s Markup can’t blur, so the built-in way is to draw a rectangle over the private part and give it a solid **Fill Color**, which hides it completely once you save the image. For a real blur or pixelate, use a screenshot editor that has one. Clacky’s editor (macOS 14 or later) has Blur, Pixelate and a solid Redact bar, and a button that finds emails, card numbers and keys for you. [Try free for 3 days](https://clacky.app/try/)[Pricing](https://clacky.app/#pricing) ![A screenshot in Clacky’s editor with an email address covered by a solid black bar and a red arrow](https://clacky.app/features27/shot-redact-light.webp)![A screenshot in Clacky’s editor with an email address covered by a solid black bar and a red arrow](https://clacky.app/features27/shot-redact-dark.webp) ## Cover it in Preview 1. Open the screenshot in **Preview** (or click the floating thumbnail right after you take it). 2. Click the **Show Markup Toolbar** button. 3. Click **Shapes** and choose a rectangle. Drag it over the private part. 4. With the shape selected, set **Fill Color** to black or another solid colour, and the **Border Color** to match. 5. Choose **File → Save**. Saved annotations on an image can’t be moved or removed later, so keep a copy if you might need the original. ## Blur, pixelate or a solid bar? A light blur over a short code or number can sometimes be guessed. For secrets, use a solid bar. And send the saved image (PNG or JPEG), not a PDF with a shape on top, where the text underneath can still be there. Cover Hides Best for Blur Most of it, and long text well Names, faces, a busy background Pixelate Most of it, with a clear “hidden” look The same as blur Solid bar Everything under it Passwords, API keys, card and account numbers ## With Clacky’s screenshot editor Take a shot with **⌥⇧⌘4** (area) or **⌥⇧⌘5** (window), or open any image in the editor. Then: - **Blur (B)**: drag over something to blur it. - **Pixelate (X)**: drag to turn it into blocks. - **Redact (D)**: a solid bar, nothing under it survives. Best for passwords and keys. - **Blur private info**: one click puts an editable blur box over every email, phone number, card number, key, order ID and IP address it finds. Your Mac reads the shot, nothing is uploaded. - **Auto-blur private info on every screenshot**: an option in the Screenshots window, with **Blur faces too**. The unblurred shot is never kept. ## Where these facts come from Checked on 5 November 2026. - [Apple: Annotate an image in Preview on Mac](https://support.apple.com/guide/preview/prvw1501/mac) (Markup tools, Fill Color, annotations fixed after saving, no blur tool listed) - [Apple: How to take a screenshot on your Mac](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102646) (the floating thumbnail) ## Questions ### Can the Photos app blur part of a picture? Photos has no blur brush for part of an image. Use Preview’s filled shape or a screenshot editor. ### Can someone un-blur my screenshot? A solid bar can’t be undone once the image is saved. A light blur over short text can sometimes be guessed, so use a bar for secrets. ### How do I blur something in a screen recording? You need an editor with a blur box that lasts over time. See [how to blur an email or password in a recording](https://clacky.app/answers/blur-private-info-screen-recording/). Facts checked on 5 November 2026. ## Related - [Blur an email or password in a screen recordingQuickTime and iMovie have no blur box. Hide it before you record, or use an editor with redaction. Clacky finds emails and keys and blurs them on your Mac.](https://clacky.app/answers/blur-private-info-screen-recording/) - [Add arrows and numbered steps to a screenshotPreview’s Markup has arrows, shapes and text, but no numbered steps. Clacky’s editor drops 1, 2, 3 in order with one tool, after an arrow with A.](https://clacky.app/answers/arrows-numbered-steps-screenshot/) - [Redact screenshotsDrag a solid bar over a password, key or email. Nothing under the bar survives.](https://clacky.app/features/shot-redact/) - [Screenshot editorGrab an area, a window or the whole screen. Mark it up with arrows, steps, text and blur, then copy or save.](https://clacky.app/features/screenshot-editor/) - [Take a screenshot without saving a fileAdd Control to the shortcut: Control-Shift-Command-4 copies the shot to the clipboard and saves nothing. Then paste it with Command-V.](https://clacky.app/answers/screenshot-clipboard-only-mac/) [A–Z](https://clacky.app/features/#a-z)[Pricing](https://clacky.app/#pricing)[Every feature](https://clacky.app/features/) ## Make something on your Mac today. 3 days free, every feature. Then $4.99 once. [Try free for 3 days](https://clacky.app/try/)