Safari comes as the default browser on Mac computers. It is a perfectly capable browser and if you prefer using native software instead of downloading third-party browsers, we get it. However, unlike Edge, there is no straightforward built-in tool for capturing full page screenshots in Safari.
We’re not sure if Apple ever plans to introduce the feature in an easier manner, but don’t worry, if capturing full page screenshots is something you’re interested in, there are ways around this problem which we will cover in the guide below, so read on to find out.
Saving Websites As PDFs
What’s interesting about this method is that if you try to take a scrolling screenshot on an iPhone, it actually saves as a PDF, so this method is pretty similar.
- Open Safari
- Go to the website you want to capture
- Click on Show Reader View
- From the menu, select File > Export as PDF
- Choose the location and name and click Save
Note that because you’re saving it as a PDF file, it is actually not an image file. The upside to this method is that if you have a PDF editor, you can actually make some edits to the file like adding notes. The downside is that it is equally easy for someone else to make the same edits if they have the file, versus images which might be slightly trickier to manipulate seamlessly.
Using Safari’s Developer Tools
Similar to how Google approaches full page screenshots with Chrome, it appears that Apple has also hidden its full page screenshot tool for Safari behind its developer tools.
- Open Safari
- Go to the website you want to capture
- Click on Develop > Show Web Inspector
- In the newly opened window, right click the very first line that reads “html”
- Select Capture Screenshot
- Save the file
The upside to this method is that if you don’t need to capture the entire page, you can just highlight portions of the code that you want to capture, but that’s assuming you know what you’re looking at. Also, Apple already built-in screen capture tools into macOS that will work in Safari (except it doesn’t do full page captures), so that would be an easier method than this.
Using Awesome Screenshot Extension For Safari
If neither of the options above sound appealing to you, then you might be interested to learn that you can use a browser extension for Safari called Awesome Screenshot that makes the entire process a lot simpler.
- Download and install the Awesome Screenshot extension
- Once the extension is installed, go to the website you want to capture
- Click the extension’s icon and select Capture entire page
- You can now make edits to the screenshot if you want
- When you’re ready to save it, click the download icon and it’ll save it to your computer
Using TechSmith’s Snagit Desktop Tool
If you don’t mind paying for software, then perhaps TechSmith’s Snagit could be the end-all to all your screenshot needs. This is because Snagit won’t just work with Safari, but it will work across your Mac so in addition to capturing websites, you can use the Snagit tool to capture other screenshots like from applications, games, and so on.
- Download and install Snagit
- Launch Snagit and click the “All-In-One” tab to the left
- Click the Capture button
- Select the area of the website you want to capture and click the “Launch a Panoramic Capture” button
- Click start and start scrolling down the website and click Stop when you’re done
Keep in mind that Snagit is not free. There is a free trial that you can check out to see if this is what you want, but once the trial is up, you’ll have to pay $50 for a single-user license. It is expensive, but if you think you can get your money’s worth, why not?