This article shows you how to save an image or photo received via e-mail or present in a document or web page on a Mac. In most cases the procedure to follow is very simple and requires you to select the image with the mouse button while holding down the "Control" key on the keyboard and choose the option Save from the context menu that will appear.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Using the Context Menu
Step 1. Go to where you can see the image you want to save on your computer
Open the email, document, or web page that displays the photo you want to download locally to your Mac.
It should be noted that not all images published on the web can be saved or downloaded to your computer. This depends on the management policy adopted by the owner of the digital content. For example, it is not possible to download a copy of an image published on the Instagram site
Step 2. If necessary, view the image or photo in full screen
If the latter is displayed in the form of a preview (as is the case with a Google search), you will first have to select the item you want to save, so that it is displayed in full screen.
Some images, such as those that are included with articles or text documents, are used as hypertext links to other content. By selecting these elements you will simply be redirected to another site or web page. In this case, press the "Back" button to return to the original image
Step 3. Place the mouse pointer on the image of your interest
In order to have access to the context menu of the latter, the mouse pointer must be positioned on any point of the chosen image.
Step 4. Open the context menu
Hold down the Control key on your keyboard while selecting the image with a mouse click, then release it. You will see a small menu appear on the screen, next to the mouse pointer.
- To make the context menu appear on the screen, before clicking the image with the mouse you must hold down the Control key on the keyboard and release it only when the operation is finished.
- Using some MacBooks, to access the context menu of an item you simply have to hold down the mouse button while the pointer is positioned over it.
- Alternatively, you can use the Mac trackpad to simulate pressing the right mouse button. Place the mouse cursor on the chosen image, then press the trackpad with two fingers at the same time or press the right side of the trackpad button.
Step 5. Choose the Save Image to Download option
It is one of the items in the context menu that appeared. In this way the chosen image will be automatically saved on the Mac in the system "Downloads" folder.
- If you are using an internet browser other than Safari, you will need to choose the option Save image as. This will give you the option to rename the file and choose the download destination folder.
- You can access the "Download" folder using a Finder window (to open the latter click the blue icon in the shape of a stylized human face) and choosing the item Download from the left sidebar.
- If you have changed the default folder for "Downloads" (for example by choosing the "Desktop" directory), the image will be automatically saved in that directory.
Method 2 of 2: Drag the Image
Step 1. Go to where you can see the image you want to save on your computer
Open the email message, document, or web page that contains the photo you want to download locally on your Mac
It should be noted that not all images published on the web can be saved or downloaded to your computer. This depends on the management policy adopted by the owner of the digital content. For example, it is not possible to download a copy of an image published on the Instagram site
Step 2. If necessary, view the image or photo in full screen
If the latter is displayed in the form of a preview (as is the case with a Google search), you will first have to select the item you want to save, so that it is displayed in full screen.
Some images, such as those that are included with articles or text documents, are used as hypertext links to other content. By selecting these elements you will simply be redirected to another site or web page. In this case, press the "Back" button to return to the original image
Step 3. Reduce the size of your browser window
Click the round yellow icon visible in the upper left corner of the window that contains the image of your interest. This will make the browser window smaller, giving you the ability to see part of the Mac desktop.
Step 4. Select the chosen image and drag it directly to the desktop
Move the mouse pointer over the image you want to save locally, hold down the pointing device button and drag the image from the browser window onto the desktop.
You will see a small preview of the semi-transparent image appear as you drag it to the desktop
Step 5. Release the mouse button
When you see a green circular icon appear with a symbol inside + white on the thumbnail of the chosen image, you can release the mouse button. This will automatically save the selected photo file to your desktop.
Advice
- If you've found an online image that can't be saved locally, you can always get a copy by creating a screenshot of the photo.
- Creating a folder structure is a good way to better organize your collection of images and photographs and to be able to locate them easily when needed.
- When saving images to your computer, rename them. This way, when you need to find them later on your Mac, the search will be easier and faster.
Warnings
- Never use photographs taken or created by other people in your content without first asking and obtaining their permission.
- Remember that some images cannot be downloaded from the web pages or online sources where they are published.
