In this guide, we will discuss the different methods to take a screenshot on an Android device in 2023. There are several ways to take a screenshot on an Android phone, including gestures, voice commands, and button combinations. Taking a screenshot is a useful feature that can help troubleshoot issues or capture important information. Most new Android devices come with a built-in screenshot feature, and some even have unique ways of taking them. If your device doesn’t have this feature, or if it’s not working, you can also use a third-party screen capture tool. In this article, we will explore various ways to take screenshots on different Android devices. Additionally, if you’re interested, you can also check out our other article on how to forward calls on Android phones.
Why Take a Screenshot on Android?
Screenshots may seem like a basic feature, but they can be incredibly useful in various situations. You can use them to guide others, capture important information, save images, share news and memes, and help you remember things. Screenshots can even serve as proof for important bank transactions, and many apps require them for troubleshooting on Android devices.
Luckily, taking a screenshot on an Android device is simple and there are many methods available. You can take a screenshot with a simple swipe, use your voice, touch, gesture, and more. With so many options available, you can select your preferred method for taking screenshots on your Android phone.
Different Methods to Take Screenshot on Android
Taking a screenshot on an Android device is no longer limited to pressing the power or volume buttons. There are now several ways to do so, including using gestures or even your voice. Moreover, if your device supports it, you can take long scrolling screenshots that capture an entire webpage or chat conversation. Some Android devices even allow you to customize the gesture used to take a screenshot, making the process more personalized and enjoyable. In this guide, we will cover different methods for taking screenshots on various Android devices, so you can choose the one that suits you best.
Method 1: Take a Screenshot on Android using a Shortcut
Starting from the Android 4.0 version, you can capture a screenshot on most devices using a universal shortcut method. This involves pressing and holding the Power and Volume down buttons simultaneously. Although it may take a few attempts to get it right, so don’t get discouraged.
It is essential to note that on some Android devices, such as Samsung S21 and S22 Ultra, you need to be fast when pressing the Power and Volume buttons; otherwise, you’ll only see the Restart and Power Off options.
Some older Android phones may require you to press the Power and home button simultaneously to capture a screenshot. On the other hand, Sony devices allow you to press the Power button and select “Screenshot” to capture the screen.
Most Android devices running Android 4.0 or later use the standard Power + Volume down shortcut to take screenshots. Once you’ve taken a screenshot, you’ll hear a click sound and see a preview of the screenshot immediately. You can locate the screenshot in your Gallery.
However, if you experience difficulty using this shortcut or your device isn’t functioning correctly, you can use other methods to capture screenshots.
Method 2: Use Google Assistant to Capture a Screenshot
Another method to take a screenshot on your Android device is by using Google Assistant. If you have enabled the microphone access, you can say “Hey, Google – Take a screenshot,” and your device will capture the screen.
To enable this feature, you can long-press the home button on your screen and grant the necessary permission.
Once you take a screenshot using Google Assistant, it will show various sharing options. However, it won’t automatically save the screenshots to your device.
After taking a screenshot, you can select “Upload to Photos” to save it to your device. You can also choose to share it on different platforms.
If you have a Samsung Galaxy phone, you can use Bixby instead of Google Assistant to capture a screenshot. With Bixby, you can save the screenshots directly to your phone.
Method 3: Use Gestures to Take a Screenshot
Using buttons to take a screenshot is becoming outdated, as most modern smartphones offer gesture-based options that don’t require using the power button. For instance, Samsung S20, S21, S22, S22 Ultra, etc., allow you to use a Palm Swipe Gesture to capture a screenshot.
To activate this feature, navigate to the Settings app on your Samsung device, choose Advanced Features, then Motions and Gestures, and enable the “Palm Swipe to Capture” option. Once you’ve enabled it, you can take a screenshot by swiping your palm from right to left on your screen while holding your palm at a 90-degree angle.
Other Android devices such as Xiaomi (Mi), Redmi, Poco, OPPO, Oneplus, Realme, Huawei, Vivo, etc., running on MIUI OS also offer a three-finger swipe-down gesture to take a screenshot. To enable this feature, go to your Settings, then Additional Settings, then Gesture Shortcuts, and turn on the three-finger gesture option on your Android device.
Rather than relying on button-pressing, newer smartphones provide users with more advanced methods of taking screenshots, including gesture controls. For example, the Samsung S20, S21, S22, and S22 Ultra offer users the Palm Swipe Gesture, which can be enabled by navigating to the Settings app, then to Advanced Features >> Motions and Gestures, and turning on the “Palm Swipe to Capture” option. Once enabled, a screenshot can be taken by swiping your palm from right to left while holding the device at a 90-degree angle.
Some Android devices, such as Xiaomi (Mi), Redmi, Poco, and OPPO, Oneplus, Relame, Huawei, and Vivo, allow users to take a screenshot by swiping down with three fingers. To enable this feature, navigate to your device’s Settings >> Additional Settings >> Gesture Shortcuts and turn on the three-finger gesture feature.
Other models, such as Google Pixel 7, offer a Quick Tap feature that allows users to take a screenshot by double-tapping on the back of the phone. It’s recommended to search for the specific screenshot gesture for your Android model and utilize the one that you feel most comfortable with.
Method 4: Take a Screenshot from the Quick Settings Panel
Android devices offer an alternative way of taking screenshots, which is through the Quick Settings menu. Most Android devices have a hidden shortcut menu above the notification panel.
To access this menu, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings menu. Depending on your device model, you may need to swipe down twice.
From the Quick Settings menu, you can select the “Screenshot” or “Screen Capture” option to capture the current screen of your Android device.
To take a screenshot on an Android device, you can use the Quick Settings menu. However, if you cannot find the Screenshot option in the menu, you need to edit it to add the option.
To do so, swipe down twice from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings menu. If you don’t see the Screenshot option, click the “Edit” button (or “Pencil” icon) in the lower-right corner of the menu.
Then, find the Screenshot option and drag it to the Quick Settings menu. After that, you can tap the Screenshot button in the Quick Settings menu to take a screenshot of your current screen.
Method 5: Take a Screenshot on Android using a Third-party App
If your Android device is running an older version of the operating system (4.0 or earlier) or if the built-in screenshot features don’t work for you, you can still take screenshots by downloading a third-party app.
These apps typically work in a similar way to the built-in screenshot feature and may even offer additional features. There are many third-party apps available on the Google Play Store that make it easy to take screenshots.
Here are two recommended apps that you can try, along with instructions on how to use them:
- Screenshot Easy: This app offers several options for capturing screenshots, including a floating button, shake to capture, and button mapping. To use the app, simply download it from the Google Play Store, launch it, and follow the instructions.
- Super Screenshot: This app allows you to take screenshots by shaking your phone, pressing a button, or using a widget. It also includes a photo editor and a screen recorder. To use the app, download it from the Google Play Store, launch it, and follow the instructions.
It’s important to note that third-party screenshot apps may require sensitive permissions like media access, file manager access, and app overlay permission. Be sure to only download apps that you trust.
1. Screenshot Easy
One of the suggestions for a third-party app to take a screenshot on your Android device is Screenshot Easy.
Download it on your device and give the required permission like display over other apps, file manager, notification, etc.
You can tap the “Start Capture” button at the top of the app home screen and select the “Start now” option from the prompt.
You will now see a small Camera icon over the screen on your Android device. Now, go over the page that you want to screenshot and press this Camera icon to take a screenshot.
This app will automatically print or capture your screen and save it on your Android phone. You need to go to your Gallery to find your screenshots.
You can also use the Shake feature to take a screenshot using this app. Toggle on the “Shake” option in the app, and whenever you want to capture your screen, shake your Mobile Phone.
Note: We suggest you stop this app when you are not using it. Open the application and select the “Stop Capture” option to stop it on your device.
2. Screenshot Touch
Screenshot touch is another app that you can use to take screenshots on your Android device. This app makes it easy to take a screenshot.
First, download and install this app on your device, then grant the required permissions. Then, press the “Start capture monitoring service” option from the top.
A tiny camera icon will now appear on your screen. Simply navigate to the page you want to capture and press this icon.
The application will now save a screenshot of your current screen to your Gallery. You can stop the app from running after taking a screenshot.
Conclusion
Capturing screenshots on an Android device is easy and there are several ways to do it. With Android version 4.0 or higher, you can use the built-in feature. If that doesn’t work, you can download a third-party app to capture the screen. There are various methods available such as using gestures, sounds, or quick settings. So, you can choose a method that suits you the best. With so many options, you won’t have to worry about not being able to take a screenshot.
