How to annotate screenshots on Mac: arrows, blur, numbers, highlighter
A screenshot exists to make a point: click here, change that, ignore this. The arrows, numbers and blur you add afterwards often matter more than the capture itself. There are two ways to do it on a Mac.
Option 1: system screenshot + Preview markup
- After ⇧⌘4, click the thumbnail in the corner, or open the image in Preview.
- Use the markup toolbar for shapes, text and arrows.
Good enough for basics, but there is no blur or mosaic, no numbered badges, colors and widths reset every time, and you still have to save and copy manually.
Option 2: annotate right after capture with Shotora
Shotora shows the toolbar the moment your selection ends. Annotate, press ⌘C to copy or Return to save — without leaving the window you are in.
- Arrow / line / rectangle / ellipse: drag to draw; the property bar sets color, width, dashed style, corner radius and opacity.
- Numbered badges: one click per auto-incrementing number, with optional labels — ideal for step-by-step guides.
- Mosaic / Gaussian blur: drag a box over passwords, phone numbers or faces; switch between the two styles any time.
- Highlighter / pen / text: circle what matters and write notes; text supports size, weight and a background block.
- Style memory: color, width and font size persist across sessions, so the next screenshot looks like the last one.
After annotating
⌘C copies to the clipboard for a quick share; Return saves to your default folder; “Pin” keeps it floating on screen for reference; “Beautify” adds rounded corners, a shadow and a gradient background for social posts. Everything lives in the same toolbar.
FAQ
Is annotation free?
Yes. Capture and the full annotation set (arrows, numbers, blur, text and more) are free forever with no limits.
Can I annotate an existing image?
Yes. Right-click an item in History and choose “Re-edit”, or pin the image and capture it again to open the toolbar.
Are my annotation styles saved?
Automatically. The last used color, width and font size are reused on the next capture.
Capture & annotate free forever · Pro $3.99/yr or $9.99 lifetime · macOS 14+