By default, macOS saves screenshots to the Desktop. If you take many screenshots, moving them to a dedicated folder keeps the Desktop clear and makes captures easier to manage.
This guide applies to recent macOS versions.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if screenshots keep piling up on the Desktop or if you want them sent to Documents, Clipboard, Mail, Messages, Preview, or a custom folder.
Change Location from the Screenshot Toolbar
- Press Command + Shift + 5.
- Click Options.
- Under Save to, choose Desktop, Documents, Clipboard, Mail, Messages, Preview, or Other Location.
- If choosing Other Location, select an existing folder and click Choose.
- Close the toolbar. Future screenshots use that location until you change it again.
The same Options menu includes Timer settings for delayed screenshots.
Set a Custom Folder with Terminal
- Create the folder first, such as a Screenshots folder inside Pictures.
- Open Terminal.
- Run
defaults write com.apple.screencapture location ~/Pictures/Screenshots/, changing the path to your folder. - Run
killall SystemUIServerto apply the change. - Take a test screenshot and confirm it lands in the folder.
Related Screenshot Commands
Change File Type
Use defaults write com.apple.screencapture type jpg, then killall SystemUIServer, to switch future screenshots from PNG to JPG or another supported format.
Change the Name Prefix
Use defaults write com.apple.screencapture name "MyCapture" to change the beginning of screenshot filenames.
Return to Defaults
Run defaults delete com.apple.screencapture location and defaults delete com.apple.screencapture type, then killall SystemUIServer, to return to Desktop and default format behavior.
Check the Folder Path
If screenshots still appear on the Desktop after a Terminal change, the folder path may not exist or may have been typed incorrectly.
Sources
- Apple Support: Take a screenshot on your Mac
- Apple Support: Use Terminal on Mac
- Apple Support: Change screenshot preferences on Mac