How to take a scrolling screenshot on Mac: 3 ways
The built-in macOS screenshot tools (⇧⌘4 / ⇧⌘5) only capture what is visible on screen — there is no scrolling screenshot. To capture a whole web page, a long chat thread or a code file as one image, you have three options, from narrowest to widest.
Option 1: Export the page as PDF from Safari (web pages only)
- Open the page in Safari and choose File › Export as PDF.
- The PDF contains the entire page; convert it to an image in Preview if needed.
Downsides: web pages only, you get a PDF rather than an image, no annotation, and it does not work for infinite-scroll pages.
Option 2: Chrome DevTools (web pages only)
- Press ⌥⌘I in Chrome to open DevTools, then ⇧⌘P for the command menu.
- Type
Capture full size screenshotand press Return. Chrome saves a full-page PNG.
Downsides: several steps, and again web pages only — WeChat, Slack, Discord or a code editor cannot be captured this way.
Option 3: Shotora auto-scroll and stitch (any window)
Shotora is a native macOS screenshot app. Its scrolling capture works on any window that scrolls — web pages, chat threads, terminals and code editors alike.
- Pick “Scrolling capture” from the menu bar icon, or press your shortcut.
- Select the region to capture (the content area — leave out fixed headers and sidebars).
- Click “Auto” to let Shotora scroll and stitch, or scroll yourself while it stitches live.
- Click “Done” at the bottom. The long screenshot opens in the annotation toolbar, ready for arrows, blur, copy or save.
Comparison
| Method | Works with | Output | Annotate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safari › Export as PDF | Safari pages only | No | |
| Chrome DevTools | Chrome pages only | PNG | No |
| Shotora scrolling capture | Any scrollable window | PNG / JPG | Yes, right after capture |
FAQ
Is scrolling capture free?
Scrolling capture is a Shotora Pro feature with a 14-day full trial after install. Capture, annotation, OCR and pinning are free forever.
Will the stitched image have seams or ghosting?
Shotora stitches by content features and most pages come out clean. Avoid fixed headers and floating elements in your selection for best results.
Can I capture WeChat, Slack or Discord threads?
Yes. Any window that scrolls can be stitched, regardless of the app.
Capture & annotate free forever · Pro $3.99/yr or $9.99 lifetime · macOS 14+