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Take a Delayed Screenshot on macOS (screencapture -T)

Set a countdown timer so you can open the menu or hover state before the shot fires.

macOSmacosScreenshotFilescliLow risk
Run `screencapture -T 5 -x ~/Desktop/timed-shot.png` for a silent shot taken 5 seconds later.

01Command

Command
$ screencapture -T 5 -x ~/Desktop/timed-shot.png

02What it does

-T <seconds> waits before capturing, which is the terminal equivalent of the old Grab app's timer: start the command, then open the dropdown menu, tooltip or window arrangement you want on screen. -x keeps it silent for shared spaces and scripts. Combine with other screencapture flags — e.g. -T 5 -c sends the delayed shot straight to the clipboard instead of writing a file.

03Risk

RiskLow risk
RequirementsScreen Recording permission for the calling Terminal app (macOS 10.15+).

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

  • screencapture - Create a screenshot of the display
    SS64 · technical · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Documents `-T <seconds>` (timer) with the usage example `-T 10 -C ~/screencap1.png`, and `-x Do not play sounds.`
  • screencapture(1) man page
    Xcode Man Pages (keith.github.io) · technical · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Man page for screencapture listing `-T <seconds>` among its options: take the screenshot after the given delay.

Last verified: 2026-09-19 · Category: Media

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