Did you just find something useful on a website and wish to take its screenshot? If yes, here’s everything you must know regarding how to take a screenshot on an Android phone.
From third-party screenshot applications to hand gestures, how you take a screenshot on your Android has certainly been streamlined. With several screenshot methods being directly baked into the OS, it’s now overwhelming to decide which one to use.
Whether you’re looking for a single-page shot or a scrolling screenshot, here’s your complete guide on how to take a screenshot on an Android phone. Don’t worry as we’ve covered up almost all Android brands here.
What is the Standard Way how to take a screenshot on android phone?
The first and probably the oldest way to take a screenshot on any Android phone is with the help of its “Power” button and “Volume Down” button.
If you’re using this method, all you need to do is long-press the volume down and power button simultaneously for the screenshot.
But in some Android models, you might need to use the Home button and the Power button for the aforementioned process.
These were the two most standard ways to capture your Android screen in older models. And works for the majority of Android phones.
If you’ve got a modern Android device, you can just long-press the “Power” button and a few options will pop up on the screen. Among these options, you’ll find an option of “Screenshot”. Just select that and it’s done.
Not only this but with the introduction of Google Assistant on Android, the process of taking screenshots has been further streamlined. All you need to do is use the voice command – “Okay Google, take a screenshot.”
In a nutshell, these were all basic and standard ways of taking screenshots on Android devices. But there are always some exceptions. Android receives regular updates and each of these introduces additional features on the devices, including taking screenshots.
For example, you can also take a screenshot with the help of a pen on your Samsung device if it has one!
Similarly, other manufacturers have introduced additional ways of taking screenshots to replace these standard ways to do so. All of these ways are discussed below, along with the specific devices they work on.
How to Take A Screenshot On Xiaomi Devices?
Following are all the ways by which you can take a screenshot on your Xiaomi device.
1. Notification Shade
Xiaomi provides a single-tap screenshot option in its notification shade for taking screenshots on the fly. For this, follow these steps.
- Swipe down the screen.
- Search for the Screenshot icon. It should be something like a scissor.
- Tap on it.
- Post this, and in a second or two, you get the screenshot.
2. Three-Finger Slide Down
This is another common and easiest way to take a screenshot on an Android phone. You just need to swipe down on the screen with three fingers at the same time, and you’ll get your screenshot in no time.
Just make sure all of the fingers are touching the screen simultaneously unless it won’t work.
Note: The above three-finger swipe-down feature to take a screenshot is disabled by default. Thus, make sure to enable the option from the settings to use it.
To do so, follow this path – Settings > Additional settings > Button shortcuts > Take a screenshot and set the Slide 3 fingers down option.
3. Built-In Quick Ball
You can trigger the screenshot feature on your Xiaomi Device using the built-in Quick Ball. But for this, make sure that Quick Ball is activated on your device. This can be done with the steps mentioned below.
- Open the Settings on your phone.
- Click on the Additional Settings option.
- Go to Quick Ball.
- Toggle on the Quick Ball to activate it.
How to Take Screenshots On Motorola Devices?
Motorola manufactures some of the most straightforward devices. Their smartphones don’t receive many updates either. Hence, you can’t use any fancy or new advanced methods to take a screenshot on this device.
But you can always go for the good old-fashioned way. Press the Power button along with the volume down button to take a screenshot.
You’ll get the screenshot in a second. Don’t hold the buttons for a long time, only for a second.
How to Take Screenshots On LG Devices?
Though LG devices aren’t in production anymore, that does not mean they are not used. Some of you might still have an old LG phone, so you can always try the old-fashioned way as it works on 99% of Android devices.
And along with that, LG throws some other cool ways to grab your Android screen.
1. Notification Area Button
You can take a screenshot on your LG device with the help of the Notification area button. follow the steps mentioned below.
- Swipe down the home screen to access the notification area.
- Find the Screenshot button; it’s a square icon.
- Tap on it to take the screenshot.
2. Air Motion
The 2nd way to take the screenshot is via Air Motion. However, this feature only works on the following models.
- LG G8 ThinQ
- LG V60 ThinQ
- LG Velvet, etc.
This method takes the screenshot with the help of a built-in time-of-flight camera to pick the air gesture. Follow the steps mentioned below to use this option.
- Wave your hand over your device.
- Keep doing this until you see the icon or notification that identifies your gesture.
- Pinch air with the help of your fingertips.
- Then, pull them apart.
It will take the screenshot.
3. Capture+
This is the method for the older devices of LG such as the LG G8. This is an easy way; just follow the steps mentioned below.
- Swipe down the screen to open the notification bar.
- Tap on the Capture+ icon.
- You’ll get the screenshot.
Note: Capture+ not only takes the regular screenshot but also scrolling screenshots as well.
These were the ways to take a screenshot on LG devices.
How to Take Screenshots On OnePlus Devices?
Besides the standard way to take a screenshot, there is another option to take a screenshot on any OnePlus device. This makes use of your three-finger swipe gesture, similar to Xiaomi devices.
Before using this feature, you must enable this on your device. Follow these steps to do so.
- Open the Setting application on your device.
- Tap on the Buttons & Gestures option.
- Select the Quick Gestures option.
- Toggle on the Three-finger screenshot feature.
Now, you can grab your OnePlus screen using three fingers.
How To Take Screenshots On HTC Devices?
Again, the usual Power + Volume Down button is the easiest way to take screenshots on your HTC mobile. But in case your device supports Edge Sense, you can also use that as well.
However, you have to tweak your device settings and set what long or short squeezing the phone does. To do so, follow these steps.
- Open the Setting application on your device.
- Tap on the Edge Sense option.
- Set short squeeze or Set squeeze & hold action.
Note: You can always add the screenshot option in your HTC’s notification area. With this, you can easily scroll down the notification bar and tap on the Screenshot button to take the screenshot.
How To Take Screenshots On Sony Devices?
On Sony devices, you just need to follow these steps to grab the screen.
- Press and hold the Power button of your device for a few seconds.
- Multiple options will pop up on the screen.
- Select the Screenshot option.
- The screenshot will be clicked within a second.
How To Take Screenshots On Samsung Devices?
As discussed above, most of the devices support standard ways of taking screenshots. But sometimes, few manufacturers add some advanced ways for everyone’s convenience.
This is the case with Samsung. It provides you with plenty of ways to take screenshots on your device. They are:
1. With Bixby Digital Assistant
If you own a newer Samsung model, such as Samsung Galaxy S22, you get a digital assistant pre-installed on your device. It’s called Bixby. This is helpful if you want to take a screenshot with the help of voice commands. This works in two ways:
If your device is configured correctly, follow these steps.
- Go to the screen on which you want to take the screenshot.
- Give the voice command by saying, Hey Bixby.
- If it responds correctly, continue giving a voice command, and say, Take a screenshot.
Hence, the screenshot will be saved to your phone’s gallery app.
If your device isn’t configured correctly, follow these steps.
- Press the side button that’s dedicated specifically to Bixby.
- Give a voice command, by saying, Take a screenshot.
- The process is finished.
2. S Pen
If you’re wondering how to take a screenshot on an Android phone with the S Pen, read on.
Despite the Galaxy Note series being phased out, the S pen is continued to be used with other models of Samsung. For example, Galaxy S22 Ultra. Interestingly, you can also take a screenshot with the help of the S pen if your phone has one. Just follow the instructions given below to do so.
- Take out your S pen.
- Launch the Air command. This should be done if it is not done automatically.
- Select the Screen to write.
Once the screenshot is captured successfully, you can edit it and save the changes.
3. Palm Swipe
You can also take a screenshot with the help of a Palm Swipe. For this, you need to enable the settings to allow this way of taking a screenshot. This can be done by following the steps mentioned below.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on the Additional Settings option.
- Select the Motion & Gestures option.
- Toggle on the Palm Swipe to Capture option. It’ll be somewhere at the end of the screen.
Once enabled, follow these steps to use this feature.
- Put your hand vertically in front of the phone. It can be on either the right or left edge of the device.
- There’ll be a flash on the screen.
- A notification will be displayed on the screen stating that a screenshot has been taken.
4. Smart Capture
It won’t be wrong to say that, in terms of taking screenshots, Samsung has a few best ways. And among these is the Smart Capture. With help of this feature, you won’t take a normal screenshot only but also extend the length of that screenshot as much as you want.
Just take the screenshot using any of the above ways, and then click on the Scroll Capture option on the screenshot. Now, you can scroll down the screen/page.
Note: This feature also stitches several screenshots altogether.
5. Smart Select
So far, we’ve learned how to take a single screenshot and extended/scrolling screenshots. What if you could capture a specific part of the screen? Yes, you heard this right.
The Smart Select feature of Samsung lets you edit the screenshot for specific regions. Not only this, it provides you an option of creating GIFs/short movies from the videos.
But you need to enable this feature beforehand. Follow the instructions mentioned below to do so.
- Open the Settings on your phone.
- Tap on the Display option.
- Tap on the Edge Panel option.
- Select Panel.
- Select the Smart Select option.
You can control the feature by sliding the edge panel.
How to Take Screenshots On Huawei Devices?
Generally, you can use the standard ways of taking screenshots on Huawei devices. But the following are some other ways by which you can take screenshots.
1. With Your knuckle
Yes, you can take screenshots with the help of your knuckles. But it requires you to enable the feature on your phone. This can be done by following the steps mentioned below.
- Open the Settings.
- Tap on the Accessibility Features option.
- Select the Shortcut and Gestures and then Take A Screenshot.
All you need to do next is knock on the screen with your knuckle twice. Moreover, you can edit the screenshot as well.
2. Notification Bar Shortcut
This is another method of taking a screenshot on a Huawei device. You can drag the Notification bar and tap on the Screenshot icon (scissors cutting paper). As soon as you tap on it, it’ll take the screenshot.
3. Air Gestures
You can also take a screenshot with the help of your hand gestures. However, it’s possible only if your device has the Air Gesture feature. If your device has it, activate it by following the below steps.
- Open the Settings on your device.
- Tap on the Accessibility Features option.
- Select the Shortcut and Gestures.
- Tap on the Air Gestures option.
- Enable the Grabshot option.
After this is enabled, place your hand away from the camera (preferably 8-16 inches). A hand icon will appear in a few seconds. Then, close your hand, make a fist, and take the screenshot.
How to Take Screenshots On Google Pixel Devices?
Google Pixel also supports the standard way of taking a screenshot. It can be done by pressing the “Power” and “Volume Down” buttons together for a second.
If you find this way difficult, other ways of taking a screenshot on your Google Pixel device are:
- Open the recent apps on your screen and press the Overview button (square-shaped icon).
- Select the Screenshot option on the screen to grab the screenshot.
So, that’s how to take a screenshot on an Android phone.
Conclusion
So, here you go. We’ve tried to cover most of the Android phones in this article. By now, you must have understood how to take a screenshot on an Android phone. If you cannot take a screenshot by any of the above methods, you can always try installing third-party apps.
But this might not be required unless you have disabled the screenshot option. Also, some of the third-party apps provide you with a chance to set up your way of taking screenshots.
Lastly, if you want to take a screenshot of multiple things on screens or extended screens, you can go for a screen recording rather than a screenshot.
