macOS defaults

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Choose screenshot format ​

Choose the screenshots image format.

  • Tested on macOS:
    • Ventura
    • Monterey
    • Big Sur
    • Catalina
    • Mojave
  • Parameter type: string
    • png
    • jpg
    • pdf
    • psd
    • gif
    • tga
    • tiff
    • bmp

Set to png (default value) ​

The generated image is a png

bash
defaults write com.apple.screencapture "type" -string "png"
defaults write com.apple.screencapture "type" -string "png"

Set to jpg ​

The generated image is a jpg

bash
defaults write com.apple.screencapture "type" -string "jpg"
defaults write com.apple.screencapture "type" -string "jpg"

Read current value ​

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

Reset to default value ​

bash
defaults delete com.apple.screencapture "type"
defaults delete com.apple.screencapture "type"