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To change the format used for future Mac screenshots, open Terminal and run defaults write com.apple.screencapture type jpg, replacing jpg with a supported format suffix. If macOS does not apply the change immediately, run killall SystemUIServer, then take a new screenshot. On supported Macs running macOS Tahoe 26 or later, Screenshot also offers a capture-format choice in its Options menu: SDR (Most Compatible) for PNG or HDR for HEIF. To convert just one existing image, use Preview instead; changing the default does not convert files you have already saved.
How do I change the default screenshot format on a Mac?
Use the defaults command in Terminal to set the format for new captures. This changes the screenshot preference; it is not a conversion tool for images already on your Mac.
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Open Terminal from Applications > Utilities, or find it with Spotlight.
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Enter the command below, substituting the suffix for the format you want:
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defaults write com.apple.screencapture type jpg -
If screenshots continue saving in the previous format, refresh the screenshot service:
killall SystemUIServer -
Take a new screenshot and check the new file’s extension. You can use Shift-Command-3, Shift-Command-4, or Shift-Command-5.
The preference applies to captures made after the setting changes. It does not rewrite or rename earlier screenshots, so verify the format with a fresh capture rather than judging from an older file.
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The format values documented for the com.apple.screencapture preference include:
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defaults write com.apple.screencapture type png
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type jpg
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type tiff
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type gif
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type pdf
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type heicA preference reference also lists psd, tga, and bmp. Available values can vary by macOS version, so the list should not be treated as a guarantee that every suffix works on every Mac. For the main formats, use the spelling shown in the examples above, then test with a new screenshot.
Can I change the format in Screenshot instead of using Terminal?
On supported Mac models running macOS Tahoe 26 or later, Apple documents a capture-format control in Screenshot’s Options menu. Press Shift-Command-5, choose Options, and select SDR (Most Compatible) for PNG or HDR for HEIF when that control is available.
This is a version- and model-dependent option, not a universal menu item on every Mac. If you do not see a capture-format choice, use the Terminal preference method for future screenshots. Screenshot’s Options menu also controls the timer, save location, floating thumbnail, and pointer visibility. Apple says the desktop is the default save location; choose another location there if you want new captures saved elsewhere.
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Choose based on where the screenshot will go and what you need to preserve. PNG is the broadly compatible, lossless choice; JPG is often useful when smaller files matter and transparency is unnecessary; and the other options serve more specific editing, print, document, or HDR needs.
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| Format | Useful when | Trade-off or qualification |
|---|---|---|
| PNG | You want Apple’s SDR “Most Compatible” option, lossless image data, or broad support. | It may not be the best choice when reducing file size is the main priority. |
| JPG/JPEG | You want a smaller file and do not need transparency. | It is not the best fit when preserving lossless image data is the priority. |
| TIFF | You need high-quality image data for editing or a print workflow. | It is a more specialized choice than PNG for general sharing. |
| You are delivering the screenshot as a document. | Choose it for document delivery rather than assuming it is the best format for every image workflow. | |
| HEIF/HEIC | You want HDR capture on a supported Mac running macOS Tahoe 26 or later, or are using a compatible Terminal preference value. | Screenshot’s HDR capture option is limited to supported Macs and Tahoe 26 or later. |
| GIF | You specifically need the GIF format. | It can reduce color and image quality. |
For routine screenshots that need to open reliably across common apps, PNG is the straightforward default. If storage or file size is more important and transparency is not needed, try JPG and check the result in the apps that will receive it. Prefer TIFF when the file is headed into an editing or print workflow, and PDF when the recipient needs a document. If you are choosing between SDR and HDR in Screenshot on a supported system, the labels identify the intended capture choice: SDR is the compatible PNG option, while HDR uses HEIF.
How do I convert one screenshot without changing the default?
Open the image in Preview and use File > Save or File > Export to choose another format and save a copy. This is the better route when only one screenshot needs a different format, because it avoids changing the format used for later captures.
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Open the screenshot in Preview.
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Choose File > Save or File > Export.
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Select the format offered in the save or export dialog, then save the new copy.
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Use the exported copy for the new purpose and keep the original if you still need it. Preview’s save/export workflow is for an individual file; the supplied instructions do not establish a batch-conversion method.
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Why did my Mac screenshot format not change?
First check that the preference contains the format value you intended, refresh the screenshot service if needed, and test with a new capture. The setting affects future screenshots only, and the format values that work can depend on macOS version.
Check the saved preference
In Terminal, run:
defaults read com.apple.screencapture typeIf the command returns a value, compare it with the suffix you meant to set. If it reports that the preference cannot be found, there may be no custom format preference set; the system default behavior is then in effect.
Refresh and capture again
After setting the preference, run:
killall SystemUIServerThen take a new screenshot and inspect its extension. Do not use an existing screenshot to test the change, because changing the preference does not convert saved files.
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Return to the system default
If you want to remove your custom format preference, run:
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defaults delete com.apple.screencapture typeThis deletes the custom setting and returns screenshot format behavior to the system default. Capture a new screenshot to check the result.
What is the difference between changing the default and converting a file?
Changing the default controls the format of future screenshots; converting a file creates a new-format version of a screenshot that already exists. Use Terminal or Screenshot’s supported format control for the first task, and Preview for the second.
That distinction also explains a common troubleshooting mistake: after changing the preference, an older PNG remains a PNG. To check the new default, create a fresh capture. To change an older file, open it in Preview and save or export a copy in the required format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Preview batch-convert a folder of screenshots?
The documented Preview steps cover opening an image and saving or exporting a copy; they do not establish a batch-conversion workflow. For a single image, use Preview, and for future captures use the screenshot format setting.
Does changing a screenshot’s filename extension convert its format?
The documented methods change the capture preference or save/export an image in another format; they do not describe renaming an extension as a conversion method. Use Preview’s Save or Export workflow when an existing image needs another format.
Can I pick a different save folder for Mac screenshots?
Yes. Press Shift-Command-5, open Options, and choose a save location. Apple identifies the desktop as the default location.
Do the Shift-Command-3 and Shift-Command-4 shortcuts use the format preference too?
The Terminal instructions apply to future screenshot captures, and the documented test captures include Shift-Command-3, Shift-Command-4, and Shift-Command-5. Use a new capture after changing the preference to verify the behavior on your Mac.
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