Mac storage basics · Finding big files, Downloads and the Trash
Where do screenshots and screen recordings go, and can I change it?
Short answer: They go to the Desktop by default. Press Shift-Command-5, choose Options, and pick another location such as a folder on an external drive.
By default they're saved to the Desktop. Screen recordings in particular can be several gigabytes each.
To change where they go, press Shift-Command-5, click Options and choose a different location, such as a folder on an external drive or a cloud folder. Then clear out old recordings from the Desktop.