1. [Clacky](https://clacky.app/) 2. › 3. [A–Z](https://clacky.app/features/#a-z) 4. › 5. [Answers](https://clacky.app/answers/) 6. › 7. Change where screenshots are saved on a Mac Answer # How do I change where screenshots are saved on a Mac? Press **Shift-Command-5**, click **Options**, and choose a place under **Save to**: Desktop, Documents, Clipboard, Mail, Messages, Preview, or **Other Location** to pick any folder. The choice sticks: every later screenshot and screen recording goes there, from the toolbar and from Shift-Command-3 and Shift-Command-4 too, until you change it again. [Try free for 3 days](https://clacky.app/try/)[Pricing](https://clacky.app/#pricing) ## Pick a new folder 1. In Finder, make the folder you want, for example **Screenshots** inside Pictures. 2. Press **Shift-Command-5** to open the Screenshot toolbar. 3. Click **Options**, then **Other Location** under **Save to**. 4. Choose your folder and click **Choose**. 5. Press **Esc** to close the toolbar. Take a test shot with Shift-Command-4 to check it lands in the new folder. ## The same with Terminal If the Options menu won’t take a folder, for example on a managed Mac, run this in Terminal (Applications → Utilities). Make the folder first. - `defaults write com.apple.screencapture location ~/Pictures/Screenshots && killall SystemUIServer` - To go back to the desktop: `defaults delete com.apple.screencapture location && killall SystemUIServer` ## Tips - **Desktop stays clean**, and a folder in the Dock opens your shots in one click. - **Clipboard** under Save to copies instead of saving a file, see [how to take a screenshot without saving a file](https://clacky.app/answers/screenshot-clipboard-only-mac/). - **Recordings go to the same place.** A screen recording made from the toolbar is saved wherever Save to points. - **File names** start with “Screenshot” or “Screen Recording”, followed by the date and time. ## Where Clacky saves (macOS 14 or later) Clacky’s screenshots have their own folder, **Pictures › Clacky Screenshots**, whatever macOS’s Save to says. To change it, open Clacky’s **Screenshots** window, find **Saved to** at the bottom and click **Change…**. The arrow button next to it shows the folder in Finder. Clacky’s recordings (macOS 15 or later) are saved to **Movies › Clacky**. Nothing is uploaded. Both are listed in [where Clacky saves your files](https://clacky.app/answers/where-clacky-saves-files/). ## Where these facts come from Checked on 5 November 2026. - [Apple: Take screenshots or screen recordings on Mac](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/take-a-screenshot-or-screen-recording-mh26782/mac) (Options, Save to, Other Location, file names) - [Apple: How to take a screenshot on your Mac](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102646) (saved to the desktop by default) ## Questions ### Where do Mac screenshots go by default? To the desktop, as PNG files named Screenshot with the date and time. ### Why do my screenshots not appear on the desktop? Save to points somewhere else, or Clipboard is chosen. Check Shift-Command-5 → Options. ### Can I save screenshots as JPEG instead of PNG? Yes, with Terminal: `defaults write com.apple.screencapture type jpg && killall SystemUIServer`. Facts checked on 5 November 2026. ## Related - [Where does Clacky save my screen recordings and screenshots?Recordings go to Movies › Clacky (~/Movies/Clacky) and screenshots to Pictures › Clacky Screenshots. You can change both folders. Nothing is uploaded.](https://clacky.app/answers/where-clacky-saves-files/) - [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/) - [Screenshot a window without the shadowPress Shift-Command-4, then Space, then hold Option as you click the window. The shot has no shadow. A Terminal setting makes it the default.](https://clacky.app/answers/screenshot-window-no-shadow/) - [ShelfEvery shot slides onto the Shelf beside the editor. Drop in any image, or drag one out to Finder or any app.](https://clacky.app/features/shelf/) - [Is the built-in Mac screenshot tool enough?For everyday shots, yes. It has no blur or redact bar, numbered steps, backgrounds or scrolling capture. Here is what it does and when you need more.](https://clacky.app/answers/mac-screenshot-tool-enough/) [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/)