macOS defaults

Appearance

Set location ​

Set default screenshot location.

  • Tested on macOS:
    • Ventura
    • Monterey
    • Big Sur
    • Catalina
    • Mojave
  • Parameter type: string

Set to ~/Desktop (default value) ​

bash
defaults write com.apple.screencapture "location" -string "~/Desktop" && killall SystemUIServer
defaults write com.apple.screencapture "location" -string "~/Desktop" && killall SystemUIServer

Set to ~/Pictures ​

bash
defaults write com.apple.screencapture "location" -string "~/Pictures" && killall SystemUIServer
defaults write com.apple.screencapture "location" -string "~/Pictures" && killall SystemUIServer

Read current value ​

bash
defaults read com.apple.screencapture "location"
defaults read com.apple.screencapture "location"

Reset to default value ​

bash
defaults delete com.apple.screencapture "location" && killall SystemUIServer
defaults delete com.apple.screencapture "location" && killall SystemUIServer