How to remove a background from a screenshot on Mac
The short answer: macOS can already remove backgrounds — Preview, Photos and the Finder Quick Actions all have a "Remove Background" option. ShotScreen brings it into the capture flow so you never leave the screenshot, and adds a fine-hair BiRefNet model for cleaner edges. Capture, click Remove Background, and you get a transparent PNG — all on-device.
Step by step with ShotScreen
- 1
Capture or open the image
Take a screenshot (⌘⇧4 for an area, ⌘⇧W for a window) or drag an existing image onto ShotScreen. It shows up as a live preview thumbnail.
- 2
Click Remove Background
Hit Remove Background in the action bar under the thumbnail. ShotScreen cuts out the subject and leaves a transparent background behind it.
- 3
Pick the model for tricky edges
Two engines are available: a fast Apple Vision cutout, or BiRefNet Core ML for higher quality on fine hair and soft edges. Both run entirely on your Mac.
- 4
Save or drag the cutout out
Export a transparent PNG, drag the result straight into another app, or keep editing — annotate, add a new background or upscale before you share.
Preview vs. ShotScreen
Apple's built-in cutout is quick and free, and it is perfect when you just need a fast subject lift. ShotScreen is aimed at two things it does not cover: doing the cutout without leaving your capture, and getting clean edges on hard subjects. The BiRefNet model is trained for fine hair and soft edges, where the simpler system matte tends to leave a halo or clip strands.
Everything stays on your Mac
Both cutout engines run locally through Core ML and Apple Vision — no upload, no account, works offline. After the background is gone you can drop in a new one, annotate, or upscale the result before sharing.
FAQ
Can macOS remove a background without extra apps?
Yes. Preview and the Finder Quick Actions can lift the subject out of an image, and the same "Remove Background" trick works in Photos. ShotScreen adds it directly to the capture flow and offers a fine-hair BiRefNet model for cleaner edges.
What makes the ShotScreen cutout cleaner?
Besides a fast Apple Vision cutout, ShotScreen ships the BiRefNet Core ML model, which is trained for fine hair and soft, wispy edges that simpler tools tend to clip.
Is background removal done on-device?
Yes. Both engines run locally on your Mac through Core ML and Apple Vision. Nothing is uploaded, so it works offline and your images stay private.
Cut out backgrounds on your Mac
ShotScreen is free to use, with 5 popup-free screenshots a day. Background removal and every other tool are included from the start.
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