Where Are Screenshots Saved?
Find screenshots on Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, Chromebook and Linux, and understand when a capture exists only on the clipboard.
A screenshot can be saved as a normal image file, placed in a Photos or Gallery library, or copied only to the clipboard. The shortcut you used is often the fastest clue to where the screenshot went.
Screenshot locations at a glance
| Device | Common location | Important exception |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Pictures › Screenshots for WindowsPrtScn | PrtScn and AltPrtScn can be clipboard only |
| Mac | Desktop by default | ShiftCommand5 can change the save location |
| Android | Screenshots collection or album in Photos/Gallery | Manufacturer gallery and folder names vary |
| iPhone / iPad | Photos › Screenshots | Full page captures can be saved to Files/PDF depending on the workflow |
| Chromebook | Downloads by default | Screen Capture can use another folder |
| GNOME Linux | Pictures/Screenshots on current GNOME | Other Linux desktops and apps can use different locations |
Where are screenshots saved on Windows?
WindowsPrint Screen normally creates a file in Pictures › Screenshots. Print Screen and AltPrint Screen traditionally copy the image to the clipboard, which means there may be no file until you paste and save it. Snipping Tool can save to a chosen location and its behavior can vary by version and settings.
Where are screenshots saved on Mac?
macOS saves screenshots to the Desktop by default. Open the Screenshot app with ShiftCommand5 and use Options to choose another destination. Holding Control with a screenshot shortcut can send the capture to the clipboard instead of saving a normal file.
Where are screenshots saved on Android?
Android screenshots are usually grouped in a Screenshots collection or album inside Google Photos or the manufacturer Gallery app. File manager paths vary by brand, but Pictures/Screenshots is common. If you cannot find the image, search for the capture time or open the screenshot notification immediately after taking it.
Where are screenshots saved on iPhone and iPad?
Normal screenshots are saved to Photos. Open Collections and look under Media Types for Screenshots. A full page capture can use a document workflow, including saving a PDF to Files, so check the destination you chose during the save step.
Where are Chromebook screenshots saved?
ChromeOS normally saves screenshots and screen recordings to Downloads. The Screen Capture interface can be configured to use another location, so check the capture settings if Downloads is empty.
Where are Linux screenshots saved?
There is no single Linux location because the desktop environment and capture app matter. Current GNOME commonly saves to Pictures/Screenshots. KDE Spectacle lets you configure its save location. Third party tools such as Flameshot can use their own settings.
What does “copied to clipboard” mean?
A clipboard screenshot is held temporarily so you can paste it into another app. If you restart the computer, replace the clipboard contents or never paste the capture, you may not have a saved image file. When the screenshot matters, paste or save it immediately.
What should you do if the screenshot is missing?
- Repeat the capture and watch for a notification or preview.
- Check whether the method saves a file or only copies to the clipboard.
- Sort the likely folder by newest files.
- Check cloud sync folders if OneDrive, iCloud Drive or another service manages the screenshot destination.
- Confirm that the device has free storage.
- Search for Screenshots inside Photos, Gallery, Files or Finder.