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Change where screenshots are saved on Mac

Point macOS screen captures at any folder you choose instead of the desktop.

macOSScreenshotTerminaldefaultsMedium risk
Run the command below, replacing the path with your target folder. New screenshots land there immediately; no logout needed.

01Command

Command
$ defaults write com.apple.screencapture location ~/Pictures/Screenshots && killall SystemUIServer

02What it does

macOS reads the default screenshot folder from the com.apple.screencapture location preference. Writing the key changes the destination, and killing SystemUIServer makes it take effect at once. The folder must already exist — create it with mkdir -p first. To go back to the original desktop destination, delete the key instead of overwriting it.

03Risk

RiskMedium risk
RequirementsNone; ~/Pictures/Screenshots must exist (mkdir -p ~/Pictures/Screenshots first if needed).
CompatibilitymacOS 10.11 El Capitan – 15 Sequoia
!Warning: If the folder is later moved or deleted, screenshots can fail silently until the preference is reset.

04Undo

Undo
$ defaults delete com.apple.screencapture location && killall SystemUIServer

05Sources

  • macOS screencapture command reference
    SS64 · technical · 2026-09-16
    Evidence: Screenshot preferences live under com.apple.screencapture; the location key sets the default save folder and SystemUIServer picks it up.
  • macOS defaults command reference
    SS64 · technical · 2026-09-16
    Evidence: defaults write stores a user preference key; defaults delete removes it to restore the default value.

Last verified: 2026-09-16 · Category: System & Settings

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