Grab is a built-in macOS screenshot tool offering precise control for capturing selections, windows, full screens, or timed screenshots. 2. Open Grab via Finder > Applications > Utilities or use Spotlight (Cmd Space) to search "Grab." 3. Use the Capture menu to choose Selection, Window, Screen, or Timed Screen (10-second delay). 4. After capturing, the image opens in Preview within Grab and must be manually saved via File > Save or copied for use elsewhere. 5. Unlike the modern Screenshot tool (Cmd Shift 5), Grab does not auto-save and lacks screen recording, but remains useful on older Macs or for timed captures of menus and tooltips. 6. On macOS Mojave and later, the enhanced Screenshot app is preferred for its ease of access, auto-save, timer, and recording features, though Grab may still be available for compatibility.
If you're looking to take screenshots on your Mac using a tool called "Grab," you're on the right track — Grab is a built-in macOS utility designed specifically for capturing screenshots with more control than the standard keyboard shortcuts.

Here’s how to use Grab for screenshots on Mac:
? What is Grab?
Grab is a legacy screenshot utility included with macOS (especially useful on older Macs or for advanced capture options). It allows you to take timed or manual screenshots of the entire screen, a window, or a selected portion — and it gives you more precise control over when the screenshot is taken.

? How to Open Grab
- Open Finder
- Go to the Applications folder
- Open the Utilities folder
- Find and double-click Grab
? Tip: You can also use Spotlight Search (press
Cmd Space
) and type "Grab" to open it quickly.
? How to Take Screenshots Using Grab
Once Grab is open, follow these steps:

1. Choose Your Capture Mode
Go to the Capture menu at the top of the screen. You have four options:
- Selection – Capture a rectangular area you select
- Window – Capture a specific window (e.g., a dialog box)
- Screen – Capture the entire screen
- Timed Screen – Set a 10-second timer before capturing the full screen (great for capturing dropdown menus or tooltips)
2. Take the Screenshot
- For Selection, Window, or Screen: Click the option, then immediately click and drag (if needed) to capture.
- For Timed Screen: Click it, then prepare what you want to capture — the screen will snap after 10 seconds.
3. View and Save the Screenshot
- After capture, the screenshot opens in a Preview window within Grab.
- Go to File > Save to save it to your desired location.
- You can also copy it (
Cmd C
) and paste it into another app (like email or Pages).
?? Note: Unlike the modern macOS screenshot tool (activated with
Cmd Shift 5
), Grab does not save screenshots to the desktop automatically — you must manually save them.
? Tips for Using Grab Effectively
- Use Timed Screen to capture context menus, right-click options, or pop-up windows that disappear when you click elsewhere.
- If Grab doesn’t open or is missing, ensure you're using a macOS version that includes it (it's been removed in some newer versions for the enhanced Screenshot app).
- On macOS Mojave and later, Apple introduced an upgraded Screenshot app (accessible via
Cmd Shift 5
), which includes timer, recording, and editing features. But Grab is still available on many systems for compatibility.
? Grab vs. Modern Screenshot Tools
Feature | Grab App | macOS Screenshot (Cmd Shift 5 ) |
---|---|---|
Timer | ? (10 sec only) | ? (5 or 10 sec) |
Save automatically | ? (must save manually) | ? (to desktop or chosen folder) |
Record screen | ? | ? |
Easy access | ? (buried in Utilities) | ? (keyboard shortcut) |
So while Grab works, most users now prefer the newer Screenshot tool (
Cmd Shift 5
) for convenience.
Basically, Grab is a reliable, no-frills tool if you need precise screenshot timing or are working on an older Mac. Just remember to save your screenshots manually — that’s the most common pitfall.
If you're on a newer macOS and can't find Grab, don’t worry — Apple has mostly replaced it with more user-friendly tools. But if it's there, it's still useful for specific tasks.
The above is the detailed content of How to use Grab for screenshots on Mac. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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