Taking screenshots on a MacBook is easy but finding them afterwards can sometimes be a little confusing. Whether you are capturing images for work saving important information or simply collecting memories knowing where those screenshots go is essential. This article will walk you through how to locate your screenshots quickly and how to change the default location if needed.
Default Screenshot Location
By default macOS saves all screenshots directly to the desktop. When you press the screenshot shortcut keys such as Command + Shift + 3 or Command + Shift + 4 the image is automatically saved as a .png file on your desktop. The file name usually starts with “Screenshot” followed by the date and time it was taken.
If your desktop is cluttered it might be harder to spot these files. In that case you can use Finder or Spotlight to search for them.
Using Finder to Locate Screenshots
Finder is the best tool for browsing your files and folders. Open a new Finder window then click on Desktop in the left-hand sidebar. If you have not changed your screenshot location this is where they will be.
You can also type screenshot into the Finder search bar. This will display a list of all screenshot files on your Mac regardless of where they are saved. Make sure you select This Mac in the search options to include results from the whole system.
If you want to be more specific you can search by file type. Type kind:png or kind:image into the search bar to narrow your results to images only.
Using Spotlight to Search for Screenshots
Another quick way to find screenshots is through Spotlight Search. Press Command + Spacebar to bring up the Spotlight Search bar and then type screenshot.
Spotlight will show the most recent screenshots in the results. You can open them directly or right-click to reveal their location in Finder. This method is ideal if you have renamed the screenshot or moved it to a different folder.
Checking the Screenshot Folder in macOS Ventura and Later
If your Mac is running macOS Ventura or a newer version screenshots might not be saved to the desktop by default. Apple introduced a screen capture control bar that allows users to change where screenshots are saved.
To access this tool press Command + Shift + 5 and click on Options. Under Save to you will see the current save location and the option to choose a different folder. You can set it to Desktop Documents Clipboard or any custom folder you prefer.
If you previously changed the save location and forgot where it was set this is where you can check and reset it if needed.
Using the Recents Folder
The Recents folder in Finder is another way to find screenshots quickly. This folder shows files you have accessed or saved recently regardless of their location. Open Finder and click Recents on the left-hand menu to view your latest screenshots.
This method is helpful if you have moved screenshots into another folder but still need to find them again.
Organising Screenshots for Easy Access
If you take screenshots regularly it might be worth creating a dedicated folder. You can do this by creating a new folder on your desktop or in your Documents folder then selecting that folder as the save location through the screenshot tool (Command + Shift + 5 > Options > Other Location).
This keeps your desktop clean and makes it easier to locate screenshots in the future.
Final Thoughts
Finding screenshots on a MacBook is easy once you know where to look. Whether they are saved on your desktop in Finder or in a custom folder macOS gives you several tools to track them down. Using Spotlight Search or setting a dedicated save location can make your workflow smoother and your files easier to manage.