Most Mac users know Cmd+Shift+4 for screenshots, but fewer know about Cmd+Shift+5—Apple's full screenshot toolkit that includes instant markup, screen recording, and more options. Even fewer know you can click the screenshot thumbnail to annotate without opening Preview.
These built-in tools eliminate the need for third-party screenshot apps for most use cases.
Screenshot Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Cmd+Shift+3 | Capture entire screen |
Cmd+Shift+4 | Capture selected area (drag to select) |
Cmd+Shift+4 then Space | Capture specific window |
Cmd+Shift+5 | Open screenshot toolbar (all options) |
Cmd+Shift+6 | Capture Touch Bar (if applicable) |
The Screenshot Toolbar (Cmd+Shift+5)
Press Cmd+Shift+5 to open the screenshot toolbar with these options:
- Capture Entire Screen
- Capture Selected Window
- Capture Selected Portion
- Record Entire Screen
- Record Selected Portion
- Options menu: Timer, save location, show cursor, etc.
Useful Options
- Save to: Desktop, Documents, Clipboard, Mail, Messages, or custom folder
- Timer: 5 or 10 second delay before capture
- Show Floating Thumbnail: Enable for quick markup access
- Remember Last Selection: Keep the same area selected
- Show Mouse Pointer: Include cursor in screenshots
💡 Pro Tip: Copy to Clipboard
Hold Control while taking any screenshot to copy it to clipboard instead of saving a file. Perfect for quick pastes into Slack, email, or documents.
Instant Markup
The real power move: click the thumbnail that appears after a screenshot to instantly open markup tools.
-
Take a Screenshot
Use any shortcut. A thumbnail appears in the corner for ~5 seconds.
-
Click the Thumbnail
Opens the screenshot in a markup editor immediately.
-
Annotate
Use the toolbar to add shapes, arrows, text, highlights, signatures, and more.
-
Share or Save
Click Done to save, or use the share button to send directly.
Markup Tools Available
- Sketch: Freehand drawing
- Shapes: Rectangles, circles, arrows, lines, speech bubbles
- Text: Add text labels
- Highlight: Highlight areas
- Magnifier: Zoom into a specific area
- Signature: Add saved signatures
- Crop: Trim the image
Screen Recording
Cmd+Shift+5 also handles screen recording:
-
Open Toolbar
Press
Cmd+Shift+5 -
Choose Recording Mode
Select "Record Entire Screen" or "Record Selected Portion"
-
Configure Options
In Options, choose microphone input and show/hide mouse clicks
-
Start Recording
Click "Record." A stop button appears in the menu bar.
-
Stop and Save
Click the stop button in the menu bar or press
Cmd+Control+Esc
Advanced Tips
Change Default Save Location
Open Cmd+Shift+5 > Options > Save to > Other Location. Choose any folder.
Remove Window Shadow
Hold Option while clicking a window to capture it without the drop shadow.
Screenshot Touch Bar
If you have a MacBook with Touch Bar, Cmd+Shift+6 captures it.
Timed Screenshots
Use the 5 or 10-second timer for capturing dropdown menus, tooltips, or other elements that disappear when you press keyboard shortcuts.
⚠️ Markup Time Limit
The thumbnail disappears after about 5 seconds. If you miss it, find the screenshot in your save location and right-click > Open With > Preview, then use Tools > Annotate.
Alternatives for Power Users
- CleanShot X: More annotation tools, scrolling capture, cloud hosting
- Snagit: Professional-grade with video editing
- Shottr: Free, fast, with OCR and measurements
- Monosnap: Free with cloud upload
Conclusion
Mac's built-in screenshot tools are more powerful than most users realize. Cmd+Shift+5 gives you a complete toolkit, and clicking the thumbnail for instant markup eliminates the Preview round-trip for most annotation needs.
Master these shortcuts and you'll communicate visually much faster—annotated screenshots are worth a thousand words.