How to Screenshot on an Android

Capturing what’s on your Android phone screen-whether it’s a recipe, a high score, or important information-requires understanding your device’s screenshot capabilities. Screenshots give you a helpful strategy for preserving on-screen content for future reference. However, the screenshot process changes across Android devices, as each manufacturer implements different methods within the Android operating system. Every phone running Android is a little different, and each device has its own idiosyncrasies for taking screenshots.

Key Takeaways

• Universal Method: Most Android devices use the Power + Volume Down button combination, held for 1 to 2 seconds.
• Manufacturer Shortcuts: Brands like Samsung, Motorola, and OnePlus offer unique gestures like palm swipes or three-finger taps.
• S Pen Support: Samsung devices compatible with an S Pen allow screenshots through the Screen Write feature.
• Voice Commands: You can use Google Assistant (“Hey Google”) or Samsung’s Bixby (“Hi Bixby”) to take hands-free screenshots.
• Scrolling Screenshots: Android 12 and newer support “Capture More” to save long pages or lists.
• Storage: Screenshots are automatically saved in a dedicated “Screenshots” folder within your Photos or Gallery app.

Knowing the different Android screenshot methods helps you capture what you need. Find out how to screenshot on Android phones and learn each phone manufacturer’s shortcuts in this guide.

Why you might take a screenshot

Taking an Android screenshot on your phone lets you record nearly any on-screen moment that matters. You might want to know how to take a screenshot on Android in the following situations:

1. Save an idea for later

If you’re in a rush and come across a great idea, taking a screenshot could be the fastest way to save it. Instead of tracking down a link online or sending yourself a webpage, simply take a screenshot to save the idea in your Android phone’s photos. A screenshot helps you remember ideas for:

• Gifts
• Crafts
• Recipes
• Products
• Landscaping
• Home decorations

2. Share a post with someone

If you have a friend who doesn’t have an account on a particular social media platform, you can still share posts with them. Take a screenshot of a hilarious, outrageous or interesting post you see on your feed. Then share it with your friend through text message or email so they can enjoy it with you.

3. Display your new high score

Capturing achievement milestones in mobile games lets users document and share their progress with others. Once you finally reach a new level or high score in a great phone game, you’ll want to share it with others. Taking a screenshot lets you capture the moment and send it to friends so you can celebrate - or brag.

4. Remember a date or event

Worried about remembering when or where that party or event is? Take a screenshot of the email, post or text with the details. Then you can find it later without searching through your inbox or feed. Simply save the screenshot to your photos and open it when you need a reminder.

5. Save coupon or ticket barcodes

If you find coupons or buy a ticket online, you can sometimes take a screenshot of the bar code and use it later. Whether you’re going to a live event or just taking a trip to the grocery store, a screenshot of a bar code helps you save money.

6. Demonstrate a process

Maybe your friend is trying to log into an account. Perhaps a family member is trying to figure out another feature or app on their Android. Taking a screenshot of the process can be a big help.

7. Explain a system issue

Sometimes problems come up with your phone, from issues signing in to an account to glitches in the system. When these happen, it’s helpful to show the problem to a person who helps you troubleshoot. Instead of describing what’s going on, take screenshots at every step. Then send them to whoever is helping you solve the issue, giving them a helpful visual of the problem. Taking screenshots might help you solve the problem faster than you usually would.

Steps to take a screenshot on Android

Many phone manufacturers use the Android OS - like Google, Samsung and others. You can use a standard strategy to screenshot Android screens, whatever your phone’s model. The most universal strategy means pressing a combination of phone buttons simultaneously. Here are the steps for how to screenshot an Android:

1. Check your Android version

Before you use your Android to take a screenshot, it helps to know what version of Android you’re running. Your phone’s OS version determines the methods you can use to screenshot. To find your Android OS version, follow these steps:

• Navigate to your phone’s Settings app.
• Tap About Phone.
• Click Android Version.
• Locate the Android version and security update.

2. Take a screenshot

Now that you know which Android version your phone uses, you can find the screenshot strategy that works for your device.

Method	How To Do It
Button Combo (Most Android Devices)	Press and hold Power + Volume Down simultaneously for 1-2 seconds.
Power Menu (Android 10+)	Hold the Power button and select Screenshot from the pop-up menu.
Samsung S Pen (Compatible Devices)	Use the Screen Write feature via the S Pen Air Command menu.
Voice Command	Say “Hey Google, take a screenshot” or “Hi Bixby, take a screenshot” on supported Samsung devices.
Older Versions	Try Power + Home (older Samsung) or Power + Volume Down.

These steps cover the basic screenshot process on most Android devices.

3. Edit and share your screenshot

Once you have a screenshot of that moment or idea for later, you can save, edit or share it as you’d like. After you take a screenshot, a preview of your picture with a floating toolbar will appear in the lower left of your screen. Tap on the preview immediately to edit or share it. You can also find your screenshot by:

• Navigating to your phone’s Photos app.
• Choose Library.
• Select Screenshots.
• Locate your screenshot.

If you have an older Android version, your screenshot could be in Gallery instead of Photos. Find it by taking these steps:

• Open your phone’s Gallery.
• Select Album View.
• Tap on Screenshots Folder.
• Find your screenshot in the folder.

After you find your screenshot, click on it to edit and share it with others:

• Tap on the screenshot you want to edit and share.
• Select Edit to crop your screenshot, rotate it, or draw on it.
• Save your screenshot to Photos or your Screenshots Folder.
• Click on your screenshot again to share it.
• Choose the Share button.

• Select a contact to share your screenshot with.

  

Screenshot shortcuts by manufacturer

While you can use the standard strategy with most Android phones, taking a screenshot this way can be tough. If you aren’t careful with the buttons, you might accidentally shut off or restart your phone. The standard strategy for taking screenshots can also be hard to time correctly. If you’re trying to take a screenshot of a moving image like in a video or game, you might find yourself pressing the buttons and watching as the perfect screenshot passes by.

Pressing multiple buttons to take a screenshot can be frustrating. Fortunately, Android phone manufacturers have recognized this issue and developed different methods for taking screenshots. Depending on your phone model, you can use a different strategy to bypass the standard process.

1. Samsung phones

The standard strategy works on all modern Samsung Galaxy phones - press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously for 1 to 2 seconds. You also have extra options for capturing a screenshot on your Samsung phone. Here are a few tips for how to take a screenshot on an Android phone made by Samsung:

• Swipe to capture: Swiping is an excellent solution for those who struggle with the standard method’s timing. To use this process, you have to enable the feature in your phone’s settings. Navigate to Settings, Advanced Features and Motions and Gestures. Then slide the toggle next to Palm Swipe to Capture into the on position. Now you can take a screenshot on your Samsung phone by sliding your palm from left to right across your device’s screen.
• Use your voice: If you enable Google Assistant or Bixby, you can take a screenshot using your voice. Simply say “Hey Google, take a screenshot” or “Hi Bixby, take a screenshot” to save your screen without using your hands at all.
• Use the S Pen: If your Samsung phone is compatible with an S Pen stylus, you can use it to take a screenshot. Open the screen you want to save and click the Air Command icon. Then select Screen Write, and your phone will take a screenshot. Use the S Pen to write or draw on the screenshot before saving it.

2. Google phones

On Google Pixel phones, the standard Power and Volume Down strategy works reliably. You also have extra options for taking a screenshot. Follow these steps for how to screenshot on Android cell phones made by Google:

• Use a swiping gesture: You can use a swiping gesture on Pixel phones running Android 9 and later. To capture a screenshot, open the screen you want to save. Use one finger to swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold it for a moment to open the recent apps view. Locate the Screenshot button and tap it.
• Use Google Assistant: Google Assistant will also take screenshots on Google phones. Say “Hey Google, take a screenshot” to complete the action. You can also use Google Assistant to share your screenshot. Say something like, “Take a screenshot and send it to Dad,” to perform several actions with one voice command.

3. Motorola phones

Motorola phones have lots of gestures for performing standard functions. Use three fingers to take a screenshot without buttons or a swiping motion. To take a screenshot on a Motorola phone, follow these steps:

• Navigate to your app drawer.
• Open the Moto App.
• Tap on Moto Actions.
• Select Three-Finger Screenshot.
• Place and hold three fingers on the screen you want to capture.

4. OnePlus phones

OnePlus phones allow you to take screenshots using gestures. Let’s look at how to take screenshots on Android phones made by OnePlus:

• Enable screenshot gestures by navigating to your phone’s Settings.
• Tap on Buttons and Gestures.
• Select Quick Gestures.
• Swipe to turn the toggle for Three-Finger Screenshot to the on position.
• Return to the screen you want to save.
• Swipe down from the top of your display using three fingers.

5. HTC phones

HTC has largely stepped out of the consumer phone market, with new releases usually limited to select markets. On most HTC phones, press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons at the same time for 1 to 2 seconds to take a screenshot. Some older HTC models also offered extra methods like Edge Sense squeeze gestures and a dedicated Screenshot button in the Navigation Bar, though availability of these features changes by model.

6. ASUS and Acer phones

If you have an ASUS or Acer phone, take a screenshot by:

• Pulling down the notification panel.

• Tapping the Screenshot icon.

  

How to capture a scrolling screenshot on Android

A screenshot only lets you capture whatever fits on your phone’s screen. As you might imagine, it’s sometimes helpful to be able to save more content in one screenshot. Whether you want to capture an entire recipe in one shot or a longer list, a scrolling or long screenshot is a great choice. Scrolling screenshots allow you to save a longer screenshot with more content.

This extended screenshot functionality is available on Android 12 and later versions and might not work in all apps. You can take a scrolling screenshot on your Google, OnePlus, and Samsung phones, among a few others. Here are the steps for capturing a scrolling screenshot on different Android phones:

1. Google phones

If your Google phone can take scrolling screenshots, follow these steps:

• Navigate to the screen you want to save.
• Press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously for 1 to 2 seconds.
• Click Capture More to start your scrolling screenshot.
• Use the outlines to crop your screenshot to your preferred size.
• Save your screenshot.

2. OnePlus phones

Take a scrolling screenshot on your OnePlus phone with these actions:

• Open the screen you want to save.
• Press the Power and Volume Down buttons together for 1 to 2 seconds.
• Tap the button with two arrows once you see your screenshot preview.
• Click the Scroll Capture button until you reach your preferred screenshot length.
• Save your screenshot.

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