Install and update
Download and install PixPin on Windows or macOS, enable the permissions needed on your Mac, and keep PixPin up to date with automatic or manual updates.
PixPin supports Windows and macOS. You can download it for free from the official website without creating an account. This page covers installation on both platforms, permissions for first use on macOS, and updating PixPin.
Download: PixPin website
System requirements
| System | Requirements | Installer |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | 64-bit Windows | PixPin_win_版本号.exe |
| macOS | macOS 10.15 or later; supports both Apple silicon and Intel chips | PixPin_mac_版本号_uni.dmg |
Install on Windows
Setup completeLaunch PixPin2Drag to the taskbarDownload the Windows installer and double-click it to run it.
Follow the setup wizard. By default, PixPin installs in the current user's programs folder without administrator privileges. Select “Create a desktop shortcut” if you need one.
When installation finishes, leave “Launch PixPin” selected and click “Finish.”
When PixPin starts, its tray icon appears in the notification area on the right of the taskbar. The first launch also opens the onboarding guide. After that, press Ctrl+1⌃ Control+1 to take a screenshot.
Can't find the tray icon?
Windows may place a new app's tray icon among the hidden icons. Click the up arrow on the right of the taskbar, find PixPin, and drag its icon onto the taskbar to keep it visible.
Install on macOS
The macOS installer is a dmg file. Unlike Windows, opening the dmg does not install PixPin automatically. Drag PixPin to the Applications folder, then open it from there.
Drag PixPin to Applications
PixPinApplicationsDrag to ApplicationsDownload the macOS installer and double-click the dmg file in Downloads. After a moment, a window appears with the PixPin icon on the left and the Applications folder on the right.
Hold the PixPin icon, drag it onto the Applications folder on the right, and release the mouse button. Installation is complete when copying finishes.
Don't open PixPin directly from the installer window
The PixPin app in the dmg window is a copy inside the installer. If you double-click it there, it will no longer be available after you eject the disk image, and it cannot update properly. Drag it to Applications first, then open it from Applications.
Open PixPin
PixPin“PixPin” is an app downloaded from the internet. Are you sure you want to open it?2Confirm first launchOpen Finder, click Applications in the sidebar, and double-click PixPin. You can also press Command + Space to open Spotlight, type PixPin, and press Return.
The first time you open PixPin, macOS says it is an app downloaded from the internet and asks whether you want to open it. Click “Open.” This prompt will not appear on subsequent launches.
Once PixPin is open, eject the disk image by clicking the eject button next to PixPin in the Finder sidebar. You can delete the downloaded dmg file, as it is no longer needed.
PixPin does not appear in the Dock at the bottom of the screen. Its menu bar icon appears at the top right; click it to open the PixPin menu. The first launch also opens the onboarding guide.
Allow screen recording and accessibility
PixPinmacOS protects your screen content, so PixPin needs your permission to take screenshots. Follow these steps when taking your first screenshot:
Press the screenshot shortcut Ctrl+1⌃ Control+1. macOS requests screen recording permission, and PixPin opens a permissions window listing “Screen & System Audio Recording” and “Accessibility,” which are needed for screenshots.
Select a permission that is not enabled and click “Open System Settings.” Find PixPin on the privacy settings page that opens and turn on its switch. macOS may ask for your computer password or Touch ID.
Return to PixPin after enabling access. Permissions are checked automatically, or you can click “Check again.” The window closes automatically when both permissions are enabled. If macOS asks you to quit and reopen PixPin, follow the prompt, then press the screenshot shortcut again.
What these permissions are used for:
- Screen & System Audio Recording: taking screenshots, recording the screen, and capturing audio played by your computer. The name in System Settings varies slightly between macOS versions, but includes screen recording.
- Accessibility: detecting the bounds of interface elements such as buttons and text fields, and precisely controlling the mouse position.
If you want to record your voice during a screen recording, PixPin separately requests microphone permission.
Permissions are enabled, but screenshots still don't work?
macOS sometimes fails to recognize an updated app's permissions, especially after a PixPin update. Open the relevant permission page in System Settings, select PixPin, and click “−” below the list to remove it. Click “+” to add PixPin again, then reopen PixPin.
Update PixPin
Automatic updates
By default, PixPin checks for and downloads updates automatically. Once downloaded, the update installs the next time you start PixPin. To update immediately, click the tray icon, or the menu bar icon on macOS, and choose “Restart to update.” PixPin briefly closes during the update and reopens when it finishes.
To change how updates work, click the tray icon or menu bar icon, choose “Configuration” to open settings, and select an option under “Update” on the “System” page:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Auto Upgrade | The default. Downloads updates in the background and installs them automatically on the next launch. |
| Update Popups | Shows a notification when an update is available, so you can decide whether to download it. |
| No Check | Does not check automatically. Check manually when needed. |
The adjacent version selector offers the stable version and the beta version. Beta versions let you try new features earlier, but may be less stable.
Check for updates manually
Click “Check for updates” on the “About” page in settings to check for a new version immediately.
You can also download the latest installer from the website and reinstall using the steps above:
- Windows: run the new installer directly. PixPin updates while keeping your existing settings and data.
- macOS: quit PixPin first, drag the new version to Applications, and choose “Replace” when prompted.