Help / Reference

Troubleshooting and FAQ

#The capture shortcut does nothing

• Another app has the key. Cropped shows "Another app already uses this key" in Preferences › Capture. Pick a different key.
• macOS still uses the key. If you turned on Use the Mac screenshot keys, turn off the Mac's own screenshot shortcuts in System Settings › Keyboard › Keyboard Shortcuts › Screenshots. See Take over the Mac screenshot keys.
• Cropped isn't running. Shortcuts only work while Cropped is open. Closing its windows keeps it running, but quitting (⌘ Command + Q) stops it. Turn on Launch at login in Preferences › App.

#Screenshots are black or only show the desktop (Mac)

Cropped needs Screen Recording permission. Open System Settings › Privacy & Security › Screen & System Audio Recording, turn on Cropped, then quit and reopen Cropped.

#Where did my file go?

Optimized files go to Downloads/Cropped unless you picked another folder. Click Show in Finder on the result, or check Preferences › Studio › Saving and Preferences › Drop Zone. Screenshots and recordings are also in the capture history: click All captures in the Drop Zone.

#My original file changed

It didn't. Cropped never changes or overwrites originals. It always writes a new file, with -cropped (or your chosen ending) in the name.

#The optimized file is bigger than the original

That can happen with files that are already heavily compressed. Try a lower quality, a smaller max width, or a different format such as WebP or AVIF.

#Pasting into an AI chat uses too many tokens

Use the Agent / LLM preset. It makes images 1280 px wide and then halves them, which keeps text readable at a fraction of the size. It's the default for the Drop Zone.

#A video looks washed out

iPhone and other HDR videos are converted to normal colors so they look right on every screen. If they still look wrong, try Keep HDR (HEVC) under Advanced in the video settings.

#A video won't preview

Click Create compatible preview. You can trim, crop and export even when the preview can't play.

#Can I get the Drop Zone back?

Click Cropped in the Dock (Windows: the taskbar), choose Window › Show or Hide Drop Zone, press ⇧ Shift + ⌘ Command + D while the Studio is in front, or click Show Drop Zone in Preferences.

#Does Cropped upload my files?

No. Everything is processed on your computer. Cropped only goes online to check for updates, check your license, and send feedback or diagnostics if you choose to.

#I still need help

Click the ? button at the bottom left of the Studio to ask a question, or send us a message. We reply by email.

To ask for a feature or report a bug, use Request a feature. You can also see what's planned and tap I have this too on a bug someone already reported.

Still stuck? Click the ? button at the bottom left of the Cropped Studio to ask, send us a message, or request a feature.