How to find recent screenshots on Mac

Mac screenshots are saved to the Desktop by default. If yours are missing, press Shift–Command–5, choose Options, and check the Save to setting. Screenshots copied only to the clipboard do not create a file in that folder.

1. Check where screenshots are saved

Press Shift–Command–5 to open the macOS screenshot toolbar. Under Options, look at Save to. Open that folder in Finder. If Desktop is selected, your screenshot files should be on your desktop.

You can use Apple’s screenshot instructions to check the system shortcuts and capture options.

2. Sort the folder to find the latest shot

In Finder, switch to List view and sort by Date Created, newest first. Select a screenshot and press Space for Quick Look. This is useful when several files have similar names.

3. Choose a dedicated screenshot folder

If screenshots clutter your desktop, create a folder in Finder. Open Shift–Command–5 → Options → Other Location and choose it. Future screenshots saved as files will go there; existing screenshots stay where they are.

Keep recent screenshots on a desktop shelf

Flowsill Shot is a screenshot shelf for macOS 13 or later. Allow access to the folder where your screenshots are saved. New screenshots appear automatically, and you can click the desktop thumbnail to browse, preview, copy, or drag a shot into an app that accepts image files.

The free version lets you expand the shelf and browse your latest 5 screenshots. The one-time Full History unlock lets you browse all screenshots still in the selected folder, with up to 10 visible at once depending on screen space and scrolling for more.

Which screenshots appear in Flowsill Shot?

Flowsill Shot shows screenshots saved in the folder you’ve authorized. A screenshot copied only to the clipboard, sent directly to another app, or saved to a different folder that hasn’t been authorized won’t appear in Flowsill Shot.

If you change where macOS saves screenshots, select the new folder in Flowsill Shot so it can find them.

This depends on where the screenshot file is saved, not which macOS capture method you use.

What a screenshot shelf does and does not do

The macOS screenshot tool captures the image; Flowsill Shot helps you find and use the saved file afterward. It does not move, rename, delete, or upload screenshot files. It is not a backup, and screenshots saved only to the clipboard do not appear.

Screenshot contents stay local. Anonymous usage analytics are enabled by default and can be disabled in Settings. See the privacy information for details.

Availability

Flowsill Shot is coming soon to the Mac App Store. It is not available to download yet. The planned US Full History price is $9.99, paid once. Final price and availability will be shown in the App Store.