Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
On a Mac, “Print Screen” means taking a screenshot. There is no dedicated Print Screen key; macOS uses built-in Shift-Command key combinations instead. Press Shift-Command-3 to capture the whole screen, Shift-Command-4 to select an area, or Shift-Command-5 to open the Screenshot controls.
What “Print Screen” means on a Mac
Windows keyboards have a Print Screen (PrtScn) key that copies or saves the display. Mac keyboards do not have that key, and macOS does not need one. Apple’s support article “Take a screenshot on Mac” describes the screenshot shortcuts as part of macOS itself, so no extra software or accessory is required. Any search for “Mac Print Screen” is really asking for the Mac screenshot shortcut.
Mac screenshot shortcuts
The three core shortcuts all start with Shift and Command. The table shows what each one captures.
| What you want to capture | Shortcut | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Entire screen | Shift-Command-3 | Captures the full screen immediately. |
| Part of the screen | Shift-Command-4 | The pointer becomes a crosshair. Drag to select an area and release to capture it. Press Esc to cancel. Hold Space while dragging to move the selection without changing its size. |
| A window or menu | Shift-Command-4, then Space | The pointer becomes a camera. Click a window or menu to capture it. Hold Option while clicking to leave out the window’s shadow. |
| Screenshot and screen-recording controls | Shift-Command-5 | Opens a control bar with capture and recording options. Apple lists this shortcut as available in macOS Mojave 10.14 or later. |
| Touch Bar (Macs that have one) | Shift-Command-6 | Captures the Touch Bar only. This applies to Mac models with a Touch Bar. |
Where screenshots go and how to copy them
By default, screenshots are saved to the desktop. After a capture, a floating thumbnail usually appears in the corner of the screen. Click it to open the markup tools before the file is saved; if you ignore it, the file is saved to the desktop when the thumbnail disappears.
#1 Best Overall
- WIRELESS, RECHARGEABLE CONVENIENCE — Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad connects wirelessly to your Mac, iPad, or iPhone via Bluetooth. And the rechargeable internal battery means no loose batteries to replace.
- WORKS WITH MAC, IPAD, OR IPHONE — It pairs quickly with your device so you can get to work right away.
- ENHANCED TYPING EXPERIENCE — Magic Keyboard delivers a remarkably comfortable and precise typing experience. Its extended layout features document navigation controls for quick scrolling and full-size arrow keys. The numeric keypad is ideal for spreadsheets and finance applications.
- GO WEEKS WITHOUT CHARGING — The incredibly long-lasting internal battery will power your keyboard for about a month or more between charges. (Battery life varies by use.) Comes with a Lightning to USB Cable that lets you pair and charge by connecting to a USB port on your Mac.
- SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS — Requires a Bluetooth-enabled Mac with macOS 10.12.4 or later, an iPad with iPadOS 13.4 or later, or an iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 10.3 or later.
To copy a screenshot to the Clipboard instead of saving a file, hold Control while pressing the shortcut. For example, Control-Shift-Command-3 copies a full-screen capture, and you can paste it into a document or message with Command-V.
Customizing the shortcuts and options
Open the Screenshot app with Shift-Command-5 and choose Options to change the save location, set a timer, or decide whether the pointer appears in the capture. To change the key combinations themselves, open System Settings, go to Keyboard, then Keyboard Shortcuts, and select Screenshots.
Rank #2
- Magic Keyboard delivers a remarkably comfortable and precise typing experience.
- It’s also wireless and rechargeable, with an incredibly long-lasting internal battery that’ll power your keyboard for about a month or more between charges.
- It pairs automatically with your Mac, so you can get to work straightaway.
- It features a USB-C port and includes a woven USB-C Charge Cable that lets you pair and charge by connecting to a USB-C port on your Mac.
When a screenshot is blocked
Apple notes that some apps do not allow their windows to be captured. In that case, a window may appear blank or missing from the image even when the shortcut works. Capturing the full screen or a selected region with Shift-Command-3 or Shift-Command-4 is a workable alternative for most of these cases, though protected content may still be excluded depending on the app.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Common phrasings for the same task
Readers search for this in several ways: “How do I print screen on a Mac?”, “What is the Mac equivalent of Print Screen?”, and “What keys take a screenshot on Mac?” Each one leads to the same answer: the Shift-Command shortcuts above.
Rank #3
- Magic Keyboard is available with Touch ID, providing fast, easy and secure authentication for logins and to unlock your Mac.
- Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad delivers a remarkably comfortable and precise typing experience.
- It features an extended layout, with document navigation controls for quick scrolling and full-size arrow keys, which are great for gaming.
- The numeric keypad is also ideal for spreadsheets and finance applications.
- It’s wireless and features a rechargeable battery that will power your keyboard for about a month or more between charges.
Which shortcut to use
- Use Shift-Command-3 when you need the whole display in one step.
- Use Shift-Command-4 when you only need part of the screen.
- Use Shift-Command-4, then Space for one window or menu.
- Use Shift-Command-5 when you want timers, save-location choices, or screen recording.
- Use Shift-Command-6 only on a Mac with a Touch Bar.
Source for the shortcuts and options: Apple Support, “Take a screenshot on Mac.”
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Magic Keyboard is available with Touch ID, providing fast, easy and secure authentication for logins and to unlock your Mac.
- Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad delivers a remarkably comfortable and precise typing experience.
- It features an extended layout, with document navigation controls for quick scrolling and full-size arrow keys, which are great for gaming.
- The numeric keypad is also ideal for spreadsheets and finance applications.
- It’s wireless and features a rechargeable battery that will power your keyboard for about a month or more between charges.
Rank #4
- Ultra Thin Wired Keyboard: Constructed with aluminum backing, the slim keyboard's height is less than that of a penny.
- Broad Compatibility: Able to work with Apple and compatible with Windows PC operating systems
- Full Sized Extended Keyboard: Easy access to media with 20 Apple shortcut keys (cut/copy/paste, iTunes control, Volume up/down, etc.) and multimedia shortcuts for Windows PC. Also, contains a ten-key numeric keypad for easy data entry.
- Plug and Play (No Drivers Required): No need to continually change or recharge batteries of wireless keyboards
- Long Cord: 4'7" (140 cm) USB cable to connect your external keyboard to the computer
“
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
