# Mac screenshot settings: location, format, and file names

Canonical: https://www.lazyscreenshots.com/blog/mac-screenshot-settings-location-format/
Author: Ali Abouelatta (https://www.lazyscreenshots.com/authors/ali-abouelatta/)
Published: 2026-03-24
Updated: 2026-09-21
Research type: Sourced settings guide
Method: Apple screenshot documentation and the saved local macOS screencapture manual, retrieved September 20, 2026. No settings or commands were changed; current Capture Format behavior is scoped to supported Macs and command syntax is not presented as tested.

Most Screenshot settings live in the built-in Screenshot toolbar. Start there before changing a system preference from Terminal.

## Change the save location

1. Press Shift-Command-5.
2. Click Options.
3. Under Save to, choose one of the locations offered by your Mac, or choose Other Location.
4. Select the folder where new captures should go.

The default shortcut destination is the Desktop. If a screenshot seems to disappear, check this menu before searching the disk.

The floating thumbnail is a separate part of the workflow. When it is enabled, you can drag the thumbnail into a Finder window or document. You can also turn it off in Options when you want captures to go straight to the configured destination.

## Choose the current capture format

On supported Macs using macOS Tahoe 26 or later, Apple’s current Screenshot documentation exposes Capture Format:

- SDR (Most Compatible) saves a standard-dynamic-range capture in PNG.
- HDR saves a high-dynamic-range capture in HEIF.

The available choice

[Mac screenshot settings: location, format, and file names](<https://www.lazyscreenshots.com/blog/mac-screenshot-settings-location-format/>)

Source observed: 2026-09-21T09:23:22.399Z. Last checked: 2026-10-08T01:32:24.374+00:00.

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