How to Annotate Screenshots on Mac

Add arrows, text, blur, and step numbers to a Mac screenshot, then copy or save the marked-up image.

Annotating a screenshot means marking the part someone should look at before you send the picture. On a Mac, Shoverlay takes the shot and opens those marks on the image. You do not need a separate drawing app.

Take the screenshot, then open the marks

Click the menu bar icon or press your shortcut.
Drag an Area, click a Window, or take the Fullscreen shot.
On Quick Access, choose annotate. In Settings you can make annotate the default, so the editor opens by itself.

Grant Screen Recording first. If the picker never appears, allow it, quit Shoverlay, and open it again.

What you can put on the screenshot

Arrows, shapes, text, highlighter, pixelate, spotlight, blur, and step counters. Crop the frame, change the background, or insert another image when the shot needs context. Blur or pixelate hides a name, a balance, or a message you do not want in the picture. Step counters are for a sequence: one, two, three, on the clicks you want the reader to follow.

Copy it or save it

When the marks are right, copy the image or save it. History keeps the capture. Still images export as PNG, JPEG, TIFF, or WebP. You can also pin the annotated screenshot above your other windows if you are using it as a reference rather than sending it. The file stays on your Mac.

Install Shoverlay on the Mac App Store.