Chicago
Track Your Order
0
The 6 Best Ways to Take Screenshots on Android Phones
- Pressing the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously is the fastest way to take screenshots on an Android device.
- Some manufacturers include additional methods to take screenshots, like using gestures or simultaneously pressing Power and Home buttons.
- You can also ask Google Assistant (or Bixby on Samsung devices) to take screenshots or download a third-party screenshot app for additional features.
There are many ways to take screenshots on your Android device. If, for some reason, the way you normally take screenshots isn't working, you can consider using other ways that might be even more convenient. So, let's look at your options.
Use the Android Screenshot Shortcut
First up, there's a quick and simple way to take screenshots on most Android phones. Press and hold the Power + Volume Down buttons simultaneously, and you'll see a brief onscreen animation followed by a confirmation in the notification bar that the action was successful.
You need to get the timing right, though. Pressing the power button too soon will lock your device's screen, whereas pressing the volume button too soon will adjust the media or ringtone volume instead.
Use Your Phone Maker's Shortcuts
Not all phones use the standard Android method. For example, older Samsung devices require you to press the Power + Home buttons to take a screenshot instead, though newer models have changed to the Power + Volume Down method.
Thereafter, the process is the same. You'll see an on-screen confirmation and the image becomes viewable in your gallery app. Some phones use the standard method but also have additional options.
: 10 Important Android Settings You Should Know! (Viral Tech)
For example, on some Sony phones, you can press the Power button to access the Options menu. From there, you can take screenshots and record your Android device's screen. Phones from Motorola and Google use the standard method, though.
Use Gestures
Many Android devices now let you use gestures to take screenshots, thus removing the need to press buttons. For example, if you have a Samsung phone, you can go to Settings > Advanced Features > Motions and Gestures and enable Palm Swipe to Capture.
Now, you just need to swipe your hand over the screen at a 90-degree angle to trigger a screenshot.
Motorola offers something similar; when activated, tap the screen with three fingers to take a screenshot. Check the user manual to see whether there is an equivalent option for your phone model.
Use the Quick Settings Menu
Some manufacturers have added a screenshot button to Android's Quick Settings menu. To access the menu, swipe down from the top of the screen. You might see an option labeled Screen Capture, Screenshot, or something similar.
If you don't see the option, it might be hidden. In that case, you have to customize the Quick Settings panel by tapping the pencil icon. Here, you can alter which shortcut buttons are displayed on the menu.
Ask Google Assistant to Take a Screenshot
You can take a screenshot on your Android device hands-free by simply asking Google Assistant to take a screenshot for you. Just say "Hey Google" to trigger the assistant to wake up, and then say "Take a screenshot" to snap. This is helpful when you're cooking or eating while watching YouTube.
If you're trying to take a screenshot on a Samsung phone, you might prefer using Bixby over Google Assistant. Some users complain that Google Assistant fails to save screenshots in the gallery on Samsung phones and instead only allows sharing them instantly; this is not a problem with Bixby.
Use a Third-Party App
If none of the methods seem to work on your device, your last resort is to download a third-party app via the Play Store. Their basic functionality will be the same as the stock method, but third-party apps sometimes offer some cool additional features that aren't available natively.
One such app is Screenshot Easy, which lets you take screenshots using a screen overlay button, a button in the notification bar, by shaking your device, or via a widget.
There are also some great post-shot options. You can crop your screenshots, convert them to a ZIP file, edit the colors, and include time and date stamps. You can save images in either PNG or JPG format. The app also has screen recording capabilities, including support for scrolling screenshots.
Download: Screenshot Easy (Free)
As long as you're using a fairly recent version of Android, your device can take screenshots without needing a third-party app, but you can still consider installing one if you're on an older version. For most, however, the quickest way to take a screenshot on Android is by using the device's physical buttons.
