macOS normally saves screenshots as PNG files, often on the desktop. When you only need to paste the image into Mail, Messages, a document, or a support chat, you can send the screenshot straight to the clipboard instead.
These shortcuts work on recent versions of macOS.
Does This Affect You?
Use this when you want a screenshot without leaving extra image files behind, or when the next step is simply Command + V into another app.
Add Control to Screenshot Shortcuts
- Copy the entire screen with Command + Control + Shift + 3.
- Copy a selected area with Command + Control + Shift + 4, then drag over the area.
- Copy one window with Command + Control + Shift + 4, press Space, then click the window.
- Open the app where the screenshot belongs.
- Paste with Command + V.
When the screenshot goes to the clipboard, macOS does not place a new file on the desktop. You may also notice that the usual corner thumbnail does not appear.
Use the Screenshot Toolbar
- Press Command + Shift + 5.
- Click Options.
- Under Save to, choose Clipboard.
- Select full screen, selected window, or selected portion.
- Capture the screenshot and paste it where needed.
Clipboard Screenshot Notes
The Toolbar Setting Sticks
If you choose Clipboard in the Screenshot toolbar, future toolbar captures keep using the clipboard until you choose Desktop, Documents, or another save location again.
Switch Back to Files
Press Command + Shift + 5, open Options, and choose a location under Save to. After that, screenshots from the toolbar save as files again.
Get Both a File and a Copy
Take the screenshot normally, click the corner thumbnail before it disappears, and copy it from the markup window. That gives you a saved file plus a clipboard copy.
Paste a Clipboard Screenshot into Finder
If you copied a screenshot but later decide you want a file, open a Finder folder and press Command + V. macOS can paste the image into that folder as a PNG.
Sources
- Apple Support: Take a screenshot on your Mac
- Apple Support: Keyboard shortcuts for your Mac
- Apple Support: Change screenshot preferences on Mac