Using Snapper

Everything you need for a clean first run: install, activate Pro, and grant the one permission Snapper needs to capture your screen.

Installing Snapper

Open the downloaded Snapper-x.x.x.dmg.
Drag Snapper onto the Applications folder.
Eject the disk image (drag it to the Trash, or click the eject arrow).
Open Applications and double-click Snapper.
Snapper lives in the menu bar — there is no Dock icon. Click the menu bar icon (top-right) to start.

First launch: macOS shows “Snapper is an app downloaded from the internet. Are you sure you want to open it?” — click Open. This appears once. If instead you see “cannot be opened because Apple could not verify it”, you have an old build — re-download.

Activating Pro

Menu bar icon → Settings → License.
Paste the license key from your purchase email.
Click Activate. Done — it works offline from then on.

One license covers 3 of your own Macs. To move a license, deactivate an old Mac in Settings → License to free a seat.

No purchase yet? Snapper includes a 14-day full-feature trial — no card required. After it ends, the free tier keeps working forever.

Granting permissions (one time)

Snapper needs Screen Recording permission to capture anything:

On your first capture, Snapper opens System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen Recording.
Turn on the switch next to Snapper.
macOS requires a quit and relaunch — click “Quit & Reopen” when Snapper asks. Toggling the switch alone does nothing until the app restarts; this is a macOS rule, not a bug.

Optional, only if you use those features:

Microphone — record your voice in screen recordings. Snapper prompts directly.
Accessibility — show mouse clicks and keystrokes in recordings. Enable via Settings → Permissions → Request Accessibility Access.

Troubleshooting

“App is damaged and can’t be opened”: Almost always a broken or incomplete download. Re-download the .dmg and try again.
Nothing happens when I open it: It’s a menu bar app — look at the top-right of your screen, not the Dock.
Screen Recording is granted but the capture is black: Snapper wasn’t relaunched. Quit it fully (menu bar → Quit) and open it again.
License won’t activate: You were offline during activation (it needs internet once), or all 3 machine slots are used — deactivate an old Mac in Settings → License.

Download Snapper