How to take a screenshot on any device
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Taking a screenshot is a feature on nearly every device with a screen, but the method varies across them, even on similar products like Android phones. We show you how to take screenshots on Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Microsoft Windows, Chromebook, Linux, Galaxy Watch, and WatchOS. We also show you how to record your screen on some of these devices and operating systems.
If you’ve just picked up a new device, like one of thebest new Android phones, and don’t find it specified on this list, follow the instructions for the device family.
How to take a screenshot on your iPhone and iPad (iOS, iPadOS)
If your iPhone or iPad doesn’t have a Home button (for example, iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, 14, or the latest iPad Pro and Air models), press theSideandVolume upbuttons simultaneously to take a screenshot.
If your iPhone or iPad has a Home button, press theHomebutton andSidebutton at the same time to take a screenshot.
Upon successfully taking a screenshot, your screen flashes and ascreenshot previewappears in the lower-left corner of your screen. Whether you edit your screenshot or not, iOS saves your screenshot to the Screenshots folder in Camera Roll.
How to edit your screenshots on iOS/iPadOS
To annotate your screenshot, tap thescreenshot preview. Here you can crop, rotate, and add text to your screenshot. To capture an entire web page instead of just what’s on your screen, tap theFull pageoption in the upper-right corner of your screen after taking a screenshot.
How to record your screen on an iPhone or iPad
These steps apply to devices with iOS 14 and later. You may need to add the screen recording feature to the Control Center first (steps 1 through 3).
This is also a handy way to take a screenshot, as you could review the video and screenshot frames.
How to take a screenshot on your Android phone or tablet
For most Android phones, press thePowerandVolume downbuttons simultaneously. Your screenshots are saved to your phone or to a photo app (such as Google Photos). This button combination also works on most Android devices like tablets, but it’s not universal. If it doesn’t work for you, try one of the following methods:
Left: Screenshot buttons on a Google Pixel 6.Right: Screenshot buttons on a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Once you’ve taken a screenshot, tap the preview in the lower-left corner of your screen to mark up or share your screenshot. Depending on what apps you installed, your phone saves your screenshot in one of these places:
For a more detailed walkthrough, read our guide onhow to take a screenshot on Android. Most Android manufacturers also have alternative methods for taking screenshots. For example, If you have a Samsung Galaxy phone with an S Pen, tap and hold on the screen with the pen for a few seconds to take a screenshot.
If you plan to edit your screenshots, try one of thebest Android photo editing apps.
How to take a screenshot on Android Auto
While taking a screenshot with Android Auto is possible, it’s a fairly involved process that involves fiddling with developer settings. We have a guide to walk you throughhow to take a screenshot on Android Auto.
How to take a screenshot on Windows 10 and Windows 11
If your keyboard has one, tap thePrint Screenkey (this may be labeledprtscn.) This screenshot is saved to your clipboard to be copied into a program of your choice using theCtrl+Vkey combination. However, if you have multiple displays, it captures all of them as one screen. To avoid this problem or to have greater flexibility with your screenshots, try one of the following key combinations:
After taking a screenshot, click the screenshot preview in the lower-right corner of your screen. Then, make light edits, share the screenshot, choose a save location, or open it with a photo editing app like paint. You can also open the Photos app to edit and view past screenshots.
How to take a screenshot with Snipping Tool
If the print screen button isn’t flexible for your needs, try Microsoft’s Snipping Tool. This allows you to take screenshots of your whole screen, a single window, a rectangular selection, or a free-form area with your cursor. You can also set a delay timer for three, five, or ten seconds. This screenshot tool saves images to your Downloads folder as a JPG file with the name “Screenshot [date] [time].”
Here’s how to take a screenshot with Windows' Snipping Tool:
How to take a screenshot and record your screen with the Windows Game Bar
PressingWindows key+Gopens the Windows Game Bar. This tool includes several additional screenshot features like screen recording. You can use these features without the Game Bar open. However, you may need to open Game Bar once to enable these shortcuts.
Click thePinbutton in the upper-right corner of the Capture window to show it even when the Game Bar is closed.
How to take a screenshot on a Mac
Apple offers three ways to take screenshots via keyboard shortcuts on macOS: full-screen, rectangular selection, and a single window. Screenshots automatically save to your desktop as a PNG file with the name “Screen Shot [date] at [time].png.”
To save a screenshot to your clipboard, pressCtrlalong with the rest of the keys (for example,Ctrl+Shift+Command+3).
How to record your screen on macOS
To record your screen, pressShift+Command+5to open the Screenshot app. Here you can adjust how screenshots are taken and record your screen. You can record your entire screen or a rectangular portion. Click one of the recordbuttons, then clickCapture. Click theStop Recordingbutton in the menu bar when you’re done.
macOS’s Screenshot bar’s buttons from left to right:Capture entire screen, capture portion, capture window, record entire screen, record portion.
How to take a screenshot on a Chromebook
To take a screenshot on a Chromebook, pressCtrl+F5to take a full screenshot orCtrl+Shift+F5to capture a custom rectangular selection. Alternatively, you can follow this method:
ChromeOS’s Screenshot bar’s buttons from left to right:Screenshot, screen record, capture full screen, capture selection, capture window.
Some Chromebooks have a dedicated screenshot key. Press this instead of the keyboard shortcut to open the screenshot menu.
How to record your Chromebook’s screen
Chromebooks allow you to record the entire screen, a partial screen, or a window.
When using your Chromebook in tablet mode, press thePowerandVolume downbuttons simultaneously to take a screenshot.
How to take a screenshot in the Google Chrome web browser
As a Chromebook user, you’ll use Chrome a lot. Many screenshot extensions offer better functionality than the Chromebook’s screen capture tool. We recommendAwesome Screenshot, which provides tools for capturing your web page. However, check thecomplete list of Chrome’s screenshot extensionsfor more options.
How to take a screenshot on Linux
Depending on which Linux OS you use, you may have access to a dedicated screenshot app. However, if not, the same keyboard shortcuts as Windows should work if you have a Print Screen key.
How to record your screen on Linux
Like taking a screenshot, recording capability depends on your OS version (for example, Ubuntu users can pressCtrl+Alt+Shift+Rto start recording their screen). If not, try a third-party recorder.
How to take a screenshot on a Galaxy Watch
To take a screenshot with your Galaxy Watch, swipe the screen to the right while pressing theHomebutton. It saves your screenshots to the Gallery app. You can also take screenshots by pressing theHomeandBackbuttons simultaneously.
Take care not to hold the buttons too long, as this activates Samsung Pay.
How to take a screenshot on an Apple Watch (WatchOS)
Before you take screenshots, you’ll need to allow your watch to take them first.
Take a screenshot
Take screenshots until you run out of space
While screenshots don’t take up much storage, video recordings will. If you run out of space, you may need toupgrade to one of the best MicroSD cards for Android.
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