Whether you want to record a memorable conversation, share important information, or troubleshoot technical issues, knowing how to take a screenshot can be extremely helpful.
Whether you’ve just purchased your first Android phone or are simply looking to brush up on your skills, this guide will walk you through the different screenshot methods.
How to take a screenshot on Android
There are several different ways. Here are some of the most popular ones, which generally work on most devices.
Power and volume down buttons
On most Android devices, the easiest way to take a screenshot is to press and hold the power button and volume down button at the same time.
The screen will flash and a notification will appear telling you the new image in your gallery.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Some devices allow you to change it immediately, others don’t. However, you can always just dive into your phone’s gallery and process there.
Use the quick settings toggle
On Android devices running Android 11 or later, you can add a screenshot button to the quick settings panel for easy access.
Swipe down from the top of the screen to access the panel. If the screenshot button isn’t already visible (swipe across all screens), check to see if there’s a pencil icon that lets you edit them.
Otherwise, go to Settings and see if you can find it there.
Once added, simply tap on it and a screenshot will be captured.
Use screenshot gestures
Some Android devices offer gesture-based shortcuts for taking screenshots. To see if your device supports this feature, go to the Settings app and search for “gestures” or “screenshot.”
If gesture controls are available on your device, enable them in the settings menu. Follow the on-screen instructions to configure the specific gesture for taking screenshots.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Once gesture controls are enabled, you can use the designated gesture to capture screenshots. This usually involves sliding your hand across the screen in a specific direction or shape.
After using the gesture to capture a screenshot, you can view and share it like any other.
Ask Google Assistant to take a screenshot
If Google Assistant is enabled on your Android device, you can use voice commands to take screenshots.
Just enable it (or say “Hey, Google”), then say “take a screenshot” and it will oblige.
Once the screenshot is taken, you can access it through the notification shade or by asking Google Assistant to show you the screenshot.
As you can see, there are many different ways to take a screenshot on an Android phone. If you’re looking for how to take a screenshot on an iPhone, we’ve covered that separately.
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