The default location and how to change it

By default, macOS saves screenshots to your Desktop. When you press Shift+Command+3 (full screen) or Shift+Command+4 (selection), the file lands on your Desktop with a timestamp in the filename. If you take dozens of screenshots, your Desktop gets cluttered fast.

You can point macOS to save screenshots anywhere else on your Mac — a dedicated folder, your Documents, a cloud folder, or even an external drive. The change takes effect immediately and applies to all future screenshots you take.

The process uses the Terminal app and a single command. You do not need to be technical; you just copy the command, paste it, and press Enter. Once it runs, you can close Terminal and forget about it.

Key Takeaways

  • macOS saves screenshots to your Desktop by default, but you can change this to any folder on your Mac using the Terminal app.
  • The command to change the location is defaults write com.apple.screencapture location /path/to/folder, where you replace /path/to/folder with the actual folder path.
  • You can find a folder's path by dragging it into Terminal, which automatically fills in the correct path without typing it manually.
  • After running the command, restart the Dock or log out and back in for the change to take effect on all screenshot methods.
  • You can revert to the Desktop at any time by running the same command with ~/Desktop as the path.

Finding or creating the folder where you want screenshots saved

Before you run the command, decide where you want screenshots to go. Common choices are a folder called Screenshots in your Documents, a folder on an external drive, or a cloud folder like iCloud Drive or Dropbox.

If the folder does not exist yet, create it. Open Finder, navigate to where you want it (Documents, for example), right-click in the empty space, and select New Folder. Name it Screenshots or whatever you prefer. You will use this folder's path in the Terminal command.

If you want to use an existing folder, just note where it is. You will need to tell Terminal the exact path to that folder.

Getting the folder path using drag and drop

The easiest way to get a folder's path without typing is to use drag and drop in Terminal. Open Terminal (find it in Applications > Utilities, or press Command+Space and type Terminal). You will see a blank window with a blinking cursor.

In Finder, locate the folder where you want screenshots saved. Drag that folder into the Terminal window. Terminal automatically types the full path to that folder. You do not have to type anything yourself — just drag and drop.

Once the path appears in Terminal, do not press Enter yet. You still need to add it to the full command.

Running the command to change the screenshot location

In Terminal, type the following command exactly as shown, but replace the path part with the one you dragged in:

defaults write com.apple.screencapture location /path/to/folder

For example, if you dragged a Screenshots folder from your Documents, the command might look like this:

defaults write com.apple.screencapture location /Users/yourname/Documents/Screenshots

Once you have typed or pasted the full command with your folder path, press Enter. Terminal will run the command silently — you will not see a confirmation message, and that is normal. The command has worked if Terminal returns you to the prompt without an error.

Close Terminal. You can now take a screenshot, and it will save to your new location instead of the Desktop.

Restarting the Dock to apply the change immediately

In most cases, the change takes effect right away. If you take a screenshot and it still saves to the Desktop, restart the Dock to force macOS to recognize the new setting.

Open Terminal again and run this command:

killall Dock

Press Enter. The Dock will briefly disappear and reappear. After that, new screenshots will save to your chosen folder. If you prefer not to use Terminal twice, you can simply log out and log back in, which also refreshes the system settings.

Reverting to the Desktop if you change your mind

If you want screenshots to go back to your Desktop, open Terminal and run this command:

defaults write com.apple.screencapture location ~/Desktop

Press Enter, then restart the Dock using the killall Dock command above. Screenshots will return to saving on your Desktop.

You can change the location as many times as you want. Each time you run the command with a new path, future screenshots use that path instead.

What this setting affects and what it does not

This Terminal command changes where all standard screenshot methods save their files: Shift+Command+3 (full screen), Shift+Command+4 (selection), and Shift+Command+5 (which opens the screenshot menu). It also affects screenshots you copy to the clipboard and then save manually.

It does not affect screenshots taken inside apps like Messages or Mail, which have their own save locations. It also does not change where screenshots go if you use third-party screenshot tools like Snagit or CleanMyMac's screenshot feature — those apps have their own settings.

The change applies to your user account only. If other people use the same Mac with different accounts, they each have their own screenshot location setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I save screenshots to iCloud Drive or Dropbox?

Yes. Drag your iCloud Drive or Dropbox folder into Terminal the same way you would any other folder. The path will be something like /Users/yourname/Library/Mobile Documents/com~apple~CloudDocs or /Users/yourname/Dropbox. Screenshots will sync to the cloud just like any other file in those folders.

What if I get an error message when I run the command?

The most common error is a typo in the folder path. Check that the path matches exactly what you dragged into Terminal, including capital letters and spaces. If the folder path has spaces in it, Terminal should handle it correctly when you drag and drop. Try running the command again with the correct path.

Do I need to do this every time I restart my Mac?

No. The setting is permanent once you run the command. It stays in place even after you restart your Mac, update macOS, or create new screenshots. You only need to run the command once unless you want to change the location again later.

Can I set up different locations for different types of screenshots?

No. The Terminal command sets one location for all standard macOS screenshots. If you need different locations for different purposes, you would need to manually move screenshots after taking them, or use a third-party screenshot app that offers that feature.

Will changing the screenshot location affect my existing screenshots on the Desktop?

No. Screenshots already on your Desktop stay there. The command only affects new screenshots you take after running it. You can manually move old screenshots to your new location if you want to organize them.