Is There a Print Screen Key for Macs and How to Create Your Own Shortcut

If you’ve recently switched from Windows to Mac, one of the first things you may notice is that there’s no familiar “Print Screen” key on the keyboard. On Windows machines, tapping that single key instantly captures your screen or active window, making screenshots quick and effortless. But Macs don’t come with a dedicated print screen button. Instead, Apple offers a set of keyboard shortcuts and customization options that let you take control of your screenshot needs. The good news is that once you learn the shortcuts—or even create your own—it can be just as fast, if not faster, than the Windows method.

Why Macs Don’t Have a Print Screen Button

Apple’s philosophy with Mac keyboards has always been about minimalism. Instead of adding extra dedicated keys for single tasks, Apple leans on key combinations to perform actions. For screenshots, this means pressing a series of keys rather than one labeled “PrtSc.”

For long-time Mac users, this is second nature, but if you’re coming from a PC background, it can feel unintuitive at first. Fortunately, the system is flexible enough to adapt to your habits.

Built-In Screenshot Shortcuts on Mac

Before you jump into creating your own shortcut, it’s worth knowing the existing Mac screenshot options. They’re surprisingly powerful:

• Command (⌘) + Shift + 3: Capture the entire screen.
• Command (⌘) + Shift + 4: Capture a selected portion of the screen by dragging the cursor.
• Command (⌘) + Shift + 4, then Spacebar: Capture a specific window.
• Command (⌘) + Shift + 5: Open the screenshot toolbar, where you can choose to record video, capture specific areas, or change settings like where the file saves.
• Command (⌘) + Shift + 6: On MacBooks with a Touch Bar, this takes a screenshot of the Touch Bar itself.

These shortcuts make the missing “Print Screen” key less of an issue. In fact, they offer more versatility than Windows’ single key, since you can immediately target what kind of screenshot you want.

Creating Your Own “Print Screen” Key on a Mac

Still, some users miss the simplicity of pressing just one key. The good news is that macOS allows you to create your own shortcuts to replicate this behavior. With a little setup, you can designate a key or combination of keys as your personal “Print Screen” button.

Using System Preferences

1. Go to Apple Menu > System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS).
2. Navigate to Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts.
3. Choose “Screenshots” from the sidebar.
4. You’ll see the default combinations for different screenshot actions. Click on one and press the single key (or key combination) you want to assign instead.

For example, you could set F13 or another unused function key as your custom print screen button.

Using Automator or Shortcuts

If you want even more flexibility, you can create a small Automator workflow or use the Shortcuts app in macOS Monterey and later. Here’s the idea:

1. Open Automator and create a new Quick Action.
2. Add the “Run Shell Script” action.
3. Use a simple command like screencapture ~/Desktop/screenshot.png.
4. Save it, and then assign it a keyboard shortcut in System Settings.

This gives you a custom, one-key screenshot tool that saves the file exactly where you want it.

Adding External Tools for Extra Power

If you want more control—like annotation tools, instant cloud uploads, or clipboard-only saves—you can also install third-party apps such as Snagit, CleanShot X, or LightShot for Mac. These let you assign custom hotkeys and even replicate Windows-style print screen behavior with one press.

Making the Transition Smoother

The absence of a dedicated print screen key can be jarring if you’ve just switched to Mac, but once you learn the built-in shortcuts or create your own, it becomes second nature. Some tips for adjusting:

• Memorize one or two shortcuts you’ll use the most, like Command + Shift + 4 for selective captures.
• Customize your shortcuts to reduce finger gymnastics.
• Consider remapping an unused key to act as your Mac’s version of “Print Screen.”

The Bottom Line

Macs don’t have a print screen button because Apple prefers keyboard shortcuts over extra keys. But this isn’t a limitation—it’s an opportunity. The built-in screenshot tools are more powerful than a simple “PrtSc,” and with a few tweaks in System Settings or Automator, you can create your own one-button solution. Whether you stick with Apple’s shortcuts or craft your own print screen key, you’ll quickly find that capturing your screen on a Mac can be just as simple as it is on Windows—if not better.