Introduction:

Mac users are often capturing screenshots to share or remember essential information. However, by default, all screenshots are saved on the desktop, which can quickly clutter your workspace and file organization. Luckily, Apple has integrated a method to determine where your screenshots will be saved so you can easily stay organized. In this article, we will discuss step-by-step how to change where your screenshots are saved on your Mac.

Step 1: Create a dedicated folder for screenshots

Before changing the default location for saving screenshots, it is recommended to create a dedicated folder to keep them organized. You can create this folder anywhere you prefer – in your Documents, Pictures, or any other directory on your computer.

1. Open ‘Finder’ and navigate to the location where you want to create the screenshot folder.

2. Click ‘File’ from the menu bar and select ‘New Folder.’

3. Name the folder (e.g., “Screenshots”) and press ‘Enter.’

Step 2: Open Terminal

Now that you’ve created a dedicated folder for your screenshots let’s change the default save location.

1. Open ‘Spotlight Search’ by pressing ‘Command (⌘) + Spacebar.’

2. Type ‘Terminal’ in the search bar and press ‘Enter’ to open Terminal.

Step 3: Change save location using command

The default save location can be updated using commands in Terminal. Follow these steps:

1. Type the following command in Terminal:

defaults write com.apple.screencapture location

Do not press ‘Enter’ yet.

2. With Finder open, click and drag your newly created “Screenshots” folder directly onto the Terminal window. This will automatically insert the path of that directory into the Terminal.

3. The entire command in Terminal should now look like this (with your unique path):

defaults write com.apple.screencapture location /path/to/your/Screenshots

4. Press ‘Enter’ to execute the command.

Step 4: Restart SystemUIServer

In order for the changes to take effect, you need to restart the SystemUIServer. This can be done directly in Terminal.

1. Type the following command in Terminal:

killall SystemUIServer

2. Press ‘Enter’ to execute the command.

Conclusion:

You’ve now successfully changed where your screenshots are saved on your Mac! The next time you take a screenshot, it will automatically save to your new folder instead of cluttering your desktop. Remember, you can always modify this location as needed by repeating these steps and designating a new folder for your screenshots. Keep your Mac organized and clutter-free!