This guide will take you step by step through the process to change the location where screenshots are saved in macOS, and how to change the default format (PNG) to JPG, GIF, PDF and several other image formats.
There are a couple of ways you can change the screenshot type and save location in macOS, we’re going to go with the safest and easiest one. This involves downloading and installing a completely free (and great) app – Deeper.
Install Deeper
Make sure you download the version of Deeper that’s specific for your version of macOS. The version of Deeper for Mojave (10.14) will not work in Catalina (10.15) and vice versa. Otherwise, the installation process is short and very straight forward.
Change the Screenshot Save Location in macOS
To change where macOS saves screenshots (the default is your Desktop), follow these steps –
- Launch Deeper and select General
- Click the Select… button and then choose the folder you want to save your screenshots in. Click OK when you’re done.
- And now your screenshots will be saved where you want them instead of on the Desktop.
Change the Screenshot Image Type in macOS
By default, macOS saves screenshots as .PNG files. Following the steps outlined below you can change that from PNG to JPG, GIF, PDF, BMP, JPG 2000, Open EXR, TIFF or TGA.
- Select the image format you wish to use for your screenshots from the Screen capture file type: drop-down list
- And now when you take screenshots using Apple Key-Shift-3 and/or Apple Key-Shift-4, they’ll be saved in the format you specified instead of PNG.
If you’re looking for other screenshot related stuff, you may be interested in how to take a timed screenshot in macOS.
