Updated August 10, 2026
How to find screenshots on a Mac
Open Finder and choose Desktop in the sidebar. By default, screenshot file names start with “Screenshot” and include the date and time. If you changed the save location, open the Screenshot app to check the current folder.
Open Finder
Choose Desktop in the sidebar and look for files whose names start with Screenshot.
Search by file name
Use Finder search and type Screenshot if the desktop has too many files.
Check the current save folder
Press Shift-Command-5, choose Options, and look under Save to.
How to change where screenshots are saved on Mac
Press Shift-Command-5 to open the Screenshot controls. Choose Options. Under Save to, pick a listed folder or choose Other Location and select a folder in Finder. New screenshots will go there.
Apple lists the same steps in its Mac screenshot guide.
Sources: Read Apple’s Mac screenshot guide
Find screenshots by what is inside them
Finder can search file names and folders. Screen Index can also search the contents of a screenshot. Type visible text, an app, a website, a color, a tag, a QR code, or a visual detail. This helps when you remember the image but not its date or file name.
Screen Index can file screenshots into real Finder folders, so your files stay in a normal Mac folder while the app adds a faster way to search them.
FAQ
Questions about Mac screenshot location
Where do screenshots go on Mac by default?
They save to the desktop by default. The file name starts with Screenshot and includes the date and time.
How do I change the screenshot folder on Mac?
Press Shift-Command-5, choose Options, then pick a folder under Save to. Choose Other Location if the folder you want is not listed.
Why can’t I find a screenshot on my desktop?
The save location may have changed, or you may have copied the screenshot to the clipboard instead of saving a file. Press Shift-Command-5 and check Options to see the current save folder.
How do I save a Mac screenshot to the clipboard?
Hold Control with the normal screenshot shortcut. For example, Control-Shift-Command-3 copies the full screen instead of saving it as a file.