Screenshots save to your Desktop by default, but you can move them anywhere on your computer

When you take a screenshot on a Mac using Command-Shift-3 or Command-Shift-4, the image lands on your Desktop automatically. This default location is convenient for quick captures, but it also means every screenshot you take is visible to anyone with access to your computer — and it clutters your Desktop. You can change where macOS stores screenshots with a single Terminal command, and the change takes effect when ready.

The reason this matters for security is straightforward: screenshots often contain sensitive information. A bank login page, a password reset email, a medical form, a tax document — all of these can end up as image files on your Desktop where they sit unencrypted and visible. Moving screenshots to a private folder, or to an encrypted drive, reduces the window of time that sensitive information is exposed.

Key Takeaways

  • Mac screenshots default to your Desktop, where anyone with computer access can see them.
  • You change the save location using Terminal and a single command that takes less than one minute.
  • Common alternatives are a dedicated Screenshots folder, a private folder, or an encrypted external drive.
  • The change applies to all future screenshots when ready; existing Desktop screenshots do not move automatically.
  • You can also use the Screenshot app (Command-Shift-5) to choose where to save each screenshot individually before you take it.

How to change the screenshot save location using Terminal

Open Terminal (find it in Applications > Utilities, or press Command-Space and type "Terminal"). Copy and paste this command exactly:

defaults write com.apple.screencapture location ~/Pictures/Screenshots

Press Enter. You will not see any confirmation message — that is normal. Now press Command-Q to close Terminal. The next screenshot you take will save to a new Screenshots folder inside your Pictures folder instead of your Desktop.

If you want screenshots to go somewhere else, replace ~/Pictures/Screenshots with a different path. For example, ~/Documents/Screenshots saves them to your Documents folder, or /Volumes/ExternalDrive/Screenshots saves them to an external drive (replace "ExternalDrive" with your actual drive name). The folder does not have to exist yet — macOS will create it automatically.

Where to store screenshots for better security

Your Pictures folder is the most common choice because it keeps screenshots out of sight but still on your main drive. If you take screenshots regularly and they often contain sensitive information, consider a more private location instead.

A dedicated encrypted folder offers better protection. On newer Macs with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3 chips), you can create an encrypted container using Disk Utility. On any Mac, you can use a third-party tool like Veracrypt (free, open-source) to create an encrypted volume, then point screenshots there. The command would be defaults write com.apple.screencapture location /Volumes/EncryptedVolume/Screenshots, replacing "EncryptedVolume" with your actual encrypted folder name.

An external encrypted drive is the most find option if you take screenshots of financial documents, medical records, or other highly sensitive material. Plug in the drive, create a Screenshots folder on it, and use the command defaults write com.apple.screencapture location /Volumes/ExternalDrive/Screenshots. Screenshots will only save when the drive is connected; if you take a screenshot while the drive is unplugged, macOS will save to Desktop instead and warn you.

Using the Screenshot app to choose location per screenshot

If you do not want to change the default location permanently, you can choose where to save each screenshot individually. Press Command-Shift-5 to open the Screenshot app. You will see a toolbar at the bottom of your screen with capture options and an "Options" menu.

Click "Options" and look for "Save to". The default is "Desktop", but you can change it to "Documents", "Pictures", "Mail", "Messages", or "Other Location". If you choose "Other Location", you can navigate to any folder on your computer. This setting persists — the next time you open the Screenshot app, it will remember your choice.

This approach is useful if you want most screenshots on your Desktop but want sensitive ones to go somewhere private. You can also use the Screenshot app to preview the image before saving and to choose between full-screen capture, window capture, or selection capture.

Reverting to the default Desktop location

If you change your mind and want screenshots back on your Desktop, open Terminal again and paste this command:

defaults delete com.apple.screencapture location

Press Enter and close Terminal. The next screenshot will save to your Desktop. This command removes your custom setting and restores macOS to its factory default.

What happens to screenshots already on your Desktop

Changing the save location does not move existing screenshots. Any images already on your Desktop stay there until you delete them or move them manually. If you want to clean up old screenshots, you can select them, press Command-Delete, and move them to Trash, or drag them to your new screenshots folder.

If you had screenshots on your Desktop that contain sensitive information — login credentials, account numbers, personal identification — consider deleting them rather than moving them. Deleted files can sometimes be recovered with forensic tools, so if the information is truly sensitive, emptying your Trash and then securely erasing the space is more thorough. Most users do not need this level of caution, but it is an option if you are concerned about data recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make screenshots save to different folders depending on what I am capturing?

Not automatically. The Terminal command sets one location for all screenshots. However, you can use the Screenshot app (Command-Shift-5) to change the save location before each capture, or you can take the screenshot to your default location and move it manually afterward. Some third-party screenshot tools like Cleanshot X or Snagit offer more granular control, but they cost money.

What if I forget the path to my external drive?

Open Finder, look in the sidebar under "Locations", and find your drive name. Right-click it and select "Get Info". The path appears in the "Where" field. You can also open Terminal and type ls /Volumes to see all connected drives and their exact names.

Do screenshots taken with third-party apps like Snagit or Cleanshot respect this setting?

No. Third-party screenshot tools have their own save locations and do not use the macOS default. Check each app's preferences to change where it saves images.

If I move screenshots to an encrypted drive, can I still access them if the drive is disconnected?

No. If your external drive is unplugged when you take a screenshot, macOS cannot save to it and will save to your Desktop instead, showing a warning. You will need to reconnect the drive to access screenshots stored on it.

Does changing the screenshot location affect other files on my Mac?

No. This command only changes where the Screenshot tool saves images. It does not affect Downloads, Documents, or any other folder, and it does not change how other applications save files.