How to delete old screenshots on a Mac
Updated 2026-10-15
macOS saves screenshots to your Desktop by default, so they pile up quickly. Collect them in one list, sort by date, and move the old ones to the Trash.
Find them in Finder
- Choose File, then New Smart Folder.
- Click the plus button and set Kind to Image.
- Add a second rule: Name begins with Screenshot.
- Sort by Date Created and select the ones you no longer need.
Newer versions of macOS name files Screenshot; older ones used Screen Shot, so try both if the list looks short.
Stop them piling up on the Desktop
Press Shift, Command and 5, click Options, and choose another folder under Save to. A dedicated Screenshots folder is easier to clear later.
Let FileSift list the old ones
FileSift's Clean Up screen lists old screenshots together with the space they use, so you can review them and send them to the Trash in one step. It confirms the count and size first.
Common questions
Where does macOS save screenshots?
On the Desktop by default. You can change the folder in the Shift, Command and 5 options.
Can I get a deleted screenshot back?
Yes, until you empty the Trash. Open the Trash, right-click the file and choose Put Back.