Here we will explain how you can take screenshots on Android phones. Since not all Android phone manufacturers run the same skin, there are different ways to take a screenshot on each device. Some utilize only the conventional button combination method whereas others integrate some sort of software functionality. In each case, we will explain how to take a screenshots on your Android phone through the detailed steps ahead.
Screenshots is a fundamental Android feature and one that has been integrated within the OS since the start. However, each brand has its own interpretation as to how it allows its user to execute it. This is exactly why when users jump from one brand to the other, they find that they can no longer apply the same screenshot procedure which they used before. In our tutorial ahead, we will be covering all the various methods through which users can take screenshots on Android phones.
How to Take Screenshots on Android
Right ahead we have listed all the methods you can use on your phone to grab screenshots. In addition to the universal button method that applies to almost every Android device, there are other ways as well.
Divided under each brand for easier referencing, here are all the different procedures involved in taking a screenshot.
Universal Button Method
Each Android device has a button combination that lets users take a screenshot. It consists of pressing certain physical buttons simultaneously. Here is how:
Phones without Home Button
- Press and hold Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously for at least 3 seconds.
- Your phone should display a screenshot animation to report it has grabbed the screen successfully.
- Open up Gallery and browse to the Screenshots folder to view the screenshot.
Phones with Home Button
- Press and hold Home and Power buttons simultaneously for at least 3 seconds.
- Your phone should display a screenshot animation to report it has grabbed the screen successfully.
- Open up Gallery and browse to the Screenshots folder to view the screenshot.
Samsung Devices
For convenience, Samsung provides additional methods through which users can take screenshots on Galaxy phones and tablets.
How to Capture Screenshot with Palm Swipe Gesture:
This feature has been included in almost all of the latest Samsung TouchWiz phones (i.e. Android phones from Samsung that are not more than 2 years old). This feature is usually enabled by default, but in case it does not work — here is how to enable the feature and use it:
Step 1 – You need to activate the gesture itself before you can actually use it. In order to do so, go into the Settings app and select the Motion menu.
Step 2 – From the Motion menu, find out Hand Motions and then check the Palm Swipe to capture check-box.
Step 3 – Close the settings app, head to the screen which you want to capture.
Step 4 – Here is the fun part — now shape your hand like a knife (your thumb facing up) and swipe across the screen horizontally from either side, edge to edge. If you do it correctly, a swipe animation will trigger and it will save the screenshot.
How to Capture Long Screenshots with Scroll Capture:
Trying to save a messaging conversation that is longer than a single screenshot? The process ahead will allow you to utilize Samsung Experience’s built-in Scroll Capture feature to save longer screenshots.
Step 1 – Capture a screenshot from the starting point through either Method 1 or 2.
Step 2 – Once captured, there would be further options displayed on screen along with the preview of the screenshot on the bottom-right. From these options, select Scroll Capture.
Step 3 – Once you tap on Scroll Capture, the device would automatically scroll down till it fills with new content. A new screenshot would be taken and it would be stitched to the older one taken in Step 1.
Step 4 – You can continue repeating Step 3 till all your information is captured. The final image would look similar to this, height will vary depending on how many times you Scroll Capture.
Google Devices
If you own Google’s very own Pixel phone or tablet, the ahead mentioned process should let you take screenshots with your voice.
Use Voice with Google Assistant
You can also take screenshots using Google Assistant:
Step 1 – Open the screen you want to capture then long press the home button to activate Google Assistant
Step 2 – When Google Assistant appears, just say ‘Take a Screenshot“
Step 3 – You will get a pop showing that the screenshot has been captured!
Xiaomi Mi / Redmi / POCO Devices
For Xiaomi owners, the ahead mentioned process is another way to easily take a screenshot on your Mi, Redmi or POCO device.
How To Take Screenshots Using the Drop-down Menu
Step 1 – Open the application/screen which you want to take a screenshot of.
Step 2 – Pull down the drop down menu (notification bar) from the top.
Step 3 – Locate the screenshot icon and tap on it. (It is usually a square shape with scissors in the center.)
Step 4 – You will see a quick animation and hear a feedback sound that will show that a screenshot was just taken.
Nokia Phones:
Following stock Android UI, HMD Global’s Nokia phones come with a quick settings toggle that lets you take screenshots on a Nokia phone.
Capture Screenshots from Quick Settings Panel
You can take screenshots from a tile in the quick settings panel on your Nokia device. Several third-party apps let you add a similar tile for the same purpose, but Nokia has included it out-the-box.
Step 1 – Swipe down the notifications panel on your Nokia phone.
Step 2 – Swipe it once again to see all the tiles in your quick settings panel.
Step 3 – You may have to swipe left to see more tiles.
Step 4 – Tap on Screen capture tile to capture a screenshot and save it to your phone.
OnePlus Phones:
OnePlus owners can utilize the following procedures to grab screenshots on their phones.
How To Take Screenshots Using Power Menu
Like the first method, this is also one of the fastest methods of taking a screenshot from your smartphone.
Step 1 – Open Power window by going to settings app in your phone and tapping Power Menu. Settings > Power Menu.
Step 2 – Now go to the Application/ Window you want to screenshot.
Step 3 – long press the power button your phone and tap screenshot.
Huawei Phones and Tablets:
Huawei has integrated various methods through which users can take screenshots on its Android devices. All of them have been listed ahead.
How To Take Screenshots Using Notification Center Pull Down:
This method makes it quite easy to grab what’s being displayed on the screen. The complete details for taking screenshots through the notification center is as follows:
Step 1 – Open the application/screen which you want to take a screenshot of.
Step 2 – Access the notification center by swiping down from the status bar on your Huawei device. You might have to swipe down twice to see the Screenshot button.
Step 3 – Just tap on the Screenshot button and the phone will automatically close the notification pull-down and grab what’s being displayed.
This might seem easy but we have a more convenient method given right ahead.
How to Capture Screenshot with Three Finger Gesture:
Thanks to EMUI, there is gesture support build into the operating system. Once enabled, you can take all your screenshots through the following steps.
Step 1 – You need to activate the gesture itself before you can actually use it. In order to do so, go into the Settings app and select the Smart Assistance menu.
Step 2 – From the Smart Assistance menu, find out Motion Control and then select Three-fingerScreenshot capture and enable it.
Step 3 – Close the settings app, head to the screen which you want to capture.
Step 4 – Now to take a screenshot, just hold out three fingers packed closely and swipe downwards on the display. Ideally, you should start swiping down from the middle of the display.
How to Capture Screenshot with Knuckle Tap:
This is a new method being introduced from EMUI 9.1. Users can now take screenshots using a tap of the knuckle. This seems to replace the three-finger gesture of old. To activate, follow the ahead steps.
Step 1 – You need to activate the gesture itself before you can actually use it. In order to do so, go into the Settings app and select the Smart Assistance menu.
Step 2 – From the Smart Assistance menu, find out Shortcuts & Gestures and then select Knuckle screenshot and enable it.
Step 3 – Close the settings app, head to the screen which you want to capture.
Step 4 – Now to take a screenshot, just tap with any knuckle on the screen.
HTC Devices:
For HTC phone owners, these are the steps that will let you take screenshots on your device.
Setting Up Quick Settings To Take A Screenshot
Step 1 – Pull down the Status bar to access Notification center. Pull down once again to access Quick Settings.
Step 2 – Click on the Tablet with Pencil button (Edit). This will show you all the existing buttons as well as hidden ones which you can manually add.
Step 3 – Find the “Screenshot” button and drag it alongside the existing buttons. Click “Done” to save your changes. Now whenever you double drag your status bar, the screenshot button will be shown.
Step 4 – Go to the screen you want to capture. Double drag from the status bar, click the “Screenshot” button and voila!
OPPO Devices:
Thanks to ColorOS, there is gesture support build into the operating system. Once enabled, you can take all your screenshots through the following steps.
How to Take Screenshots Using Gestures
Step 1 – You need to activate the gesture itself before you can actually use it. In order to do so, go into the Settings app and select the Smart & Convenient menu.
Step 2 – From the Smart & Convenient menu, find out Gesture & Motion and then select 3-finger Screenshot capture and enable it.
Step 3 – Close the settings app, head to the screen which you want to capture.
Step 4 – Now to take a screenshot, just hold out three fingers packed closely and swipe downwards on the display. Ideally, you should start swiping down from the middle of the display.
Vivo Devices:
Vivo provides additional methods through which users can grab whats being displayed on the screen.
How to Take Screenshots Using Swipe gesture
Step 1 – Open up Settings app.
Step 2 – Browse or search for “Screenshot”
Step 3 – Enable Three fingers swipe screenshot.
How to Take Screenshots Using S-capture
Step 1 – Swipe up from bottom to bring up the Quick Settings menu.
Step 2 – From here, tap on S-capture.
Step 3 – Couple of options will be displayed that will let you either record your screen, take a simple screenshot or even a long-screenshot.
Sony Xperia Phones:
Here is another process that Xperia owners can use to take screenshots on their phone.
Capture Screenshots Using Power Menu
Step 1 – Long press power button until the power menu shows up.
Step 2 – From the power menu, choose Take Screenshot.
This has been our detailed insight into how users can take screenshots on Android phones from various different brands.
