Capturing screenshots is the easiest way to save information like concert tickets, flight details, messages, and error codes. We are long past the days of using third-party apps to take screenshots on Android. The built-in tools should be good enough for most. Whether you use a Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi, or a top Samsung Galaxy phone, here are the best ways to take a screenshot on Android.
With Android 12, Google introduced an option to capture scrolling screenshots and enhanced the built-in editor to tweak screenshots like a pro. Many Android manufacturers offer unique shortcuts to simplify the process further. This guide helps you take screenshots on most Android phones and tablets updated to recent OS versions.
Like the Apple iPhone, you can take a screenshot by pressing the Volume down and Power buttons simultaneously for a second or two on Android. If the volume is on, you hear a shutter sound and see a visual confirmation that you took a screenshot. Often, a floating toolbar appears at the bottom of the screen where you can edit, share, or delete the screenshot. Older Android devices may require you to hold the Home button and Volume down button to take a screenshot.
After taking a screenshot, you can view it in your phone’s photos app. Whether your device uses Google Photos or a manufacturer-specific gallery app, go to the app to find your screenshot at the top.
Do you want to capture a web page or a long WhatsApp conversation on Android? Instead of taking a bunch of screenshots, take a scrolling screenshot to capture all the information in a single picture. Android 12 introduced a built-in way to capture scrolling screenshots. Let’s check it in action.
Google Assistant is a useful tool available on all modern Android devices. Google Assistant can do many things, and taking a screenshot is one of them. To take a screenshot, activate Google Assistantand say, “Hey Google, take a screenshot.” Alternatively, you can activate Assistant and type your command.
After you take the screenshot, a notification lets you know your screenshot was taken successfully. The notification also has buttons to share, edit, or delete the screenshot. Google Assistant may take some time to think before it takes the screenshot, so use another method for taking a time-sensitive screenshot.
Google Gemini is a generative AI tool that aims to replace Google Assistant on Android. The AI chatbot is appearing for some Android users. If you are among the ones with early access to Gemini, use the steps below to take a screenshot.
Unlike Google Assistant, Gemini doesn’t show a notification or thumbnail when it captures screenshots. Look for a green checkmark and find the image in your phone’s gallery app.
Even though Google makes Android, it gives its Google Pixel users, such as owners of the Pixel 8 Pro, a unique option to grab a screenshot.
You don’t need to change any settings for this to work since it’s a Google Pixel Android skin feature.
This method doesn’t work for all apps, such as apps with sensitive data like a password manager. If you attempt to use it, you’ll see a message that says, “Disabled by your admin.”
Apart from using Google Assistant (or Gemini) and a side button trick, Samsung offers several other ways to take screenshots.
You can use Samsung’s digital voice assistant to take screenshots. Use the phrase “Hi, Bixby (or Bixby), take a screenshot” to capture and save the picture in Samsung Gallery. Bixby is capable of more than performing basic tasks. Check our dedicated guide to learn everything about Bixby.
You can activate a palm swipe gesture in Samsung phone settings and take a screenshot with a simple gesture.
It is another handy trick to take a quick screenshot on Galaxy devices. One UI supports a handy Edge panel that lets you perform several actions with a simple swipe. You can place your favorite apps, contacts, weather, and other tools on the Edge panel.
If you have a Samsung phone with an S Pen, such as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, use that to take a screenshot, among other tricks. When you remove the S Pen from its silo, the menu that appears includes an option to take a screenshot. Tap it, and you’ve taken a screenshot.
If you own a modern Xiaomi phone, such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro, your phone includes a handy three-finger gesture to take a screenshot in MIUI. The same gesture is available on Poco phones, like the Poco F5 Pro, since they run on MIUI.
To take a screenshot, swipe down on your phone’s screen using three fingers. This gesture is turned on by default. You can customize it using the steps below.
Motorola phones, including the 2023 Moto Edge+, come with a couple of ways to take screenshots, combining the methodologies used by Pixel and Xiaomi phones. Like the Pixel, when you go to the app overview screen by swiping up and holding with gesture navigation or pressing the square button using button navigation, you’ll see a Screenshot button at the bottom of the screen. Tap the icon, and your phone takes a screenshot.
You can also use the Xiaomi/Poco method and a three-finger swipe. Use the steps below to activate this feature.
When this is on, swipe down from the top of your screen with three fingers to take a screenshot.
OnePlus phones, like the OnePlus 12R, continue the trend of using a three-finger swipe gesture to take screenshots. To activate it, swipe down from the top of your screen with three fingers, and your device takes a screenshot. After that, you can edit or share the screenshot or take a scrolling screenshot.
If the gesture doesn’t work when you try it, make sure it’s activated by going to Settings > Buttons & gestures > Quick gestures.
While the built-in methods should be sufficient for most to take screenshots, power users can check out third-party Android apps to explore more features. There isn’t a shortage of screenshot apps on the Google Play Store. You can check apps like ScreenMaster to take a screenshot with a floating button or by shaking your phone. These apps also offer markup and editing tools.
Sometimes, the best way to explain something or share information with someone isn’t through a static screenshot. It’s with a video of your screen. Android includes a screen recording feature to make taking a video of your screen easy.
Capturing a screenshot on an Android device has never been easier. With several options at your fingertips, it’s straightforward to screen capture on Android and Samsung devices. Taking Chromebook screenshots is as easy as taking Android screenshots using the ChromeOS screenshot tool.
Maybe if we start telling people the brain is an app they will start using it!
