How to take a screenshot on your Android phone or tablet

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.

The basic way to take a screenshot on any Android phone

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.

1. Take a regular screenshot using your method of choice.
2. Check the screenshot preview at the bottom. Tap the Capture more button.
3. Use the window that appears to select the content you want to capture. When you use the window to expand a screenshot, the system shows a magnifier for better precision. Tap Save, and you are good to go.

   

   

How to take a screenshot using Google Assistant

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 Assistant and 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.

Take a screenshot using Google Gemini

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.

1. Swipe up from any bottom corner to launch Gemini.
2. Say, “Take a screenshot.” Confirm a green checkmark beside your command.

   

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.

How to take a screenshot on a Google Pixel phone

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.

1. Open the page you’d like to screencap and drag your finger up from the bottom of the screen.
2. When the Recent Apps menu appears, tap the Screenshot icon.

   

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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.”

How to take a screenshot on a Samsung Galaxy phone

Apart from using Google Assistant (or Gemini) and a side button trick, Samsung offers several other ways to take screenshots.

Use Bixby

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.

Use gestures to a screenshot on a Samsung phone

You can activate a palm swipe gesture in Samsung phone settings and take a screenshot with a simple gesture.

1. Open Samsung Settings and scroll to Advanced features. Tap Motions and gestures.
2. Turn on the Palm swipe to capture toggle.
3. You can now swipe the edge of your hand across the screen to take a screenshot.

   

   

Use the Edge panel to a screenshot on Galaxy phones

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.

1. Open the Edge panel from the sides and select Rectangle in one of the toolbars.
2. Position the rectangle box on a specific part and tap Done.
3. Pin, copy, annotate, or save it in the Gallery app.

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.

How to take a screenshot on a Xiaomi or Poco device

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.

1. Go to Settings and open Additional settings.
2. Tap Button shortcuts and select Take a screenshot.
3. This section allows you to assign it to a long press of the Home, Menu, or Back button.

   

   

How to take a screenshot on a Motorola phone

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.

1. Open Settings and scroll to Display.
2. Select Advanced.
3. Turn on the Three-finger screenshot option.

   

   

When this is on, swipe down from the top of your screen with three fingers to take a screenshot.

How to take a screenshot on a OnePlus phone

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.

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Third-party apps to take screenshots on Android

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.

Tip: How to record your Android phone screen

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.

1. To access this feature, swipe down from the top of the screen twice to access your notification menu and expand the quick access tiles at the top.
2. In the quick access tiles, find one called something similar to Screen record and tap it. A menu appears with options for your recording.
3. After selecting the appropriate options, tap Start. Your screen recording begins with a notification saying that you’re recording your screen. To stop the recording, go to the notification and tap Stop.

Show me your best screenshot

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.