There are times when you really need to share to others what’s on your Android device’s screen. At such moments, you’ll need to capture screenshots, which are nothing more than snapshots of whatever is currently showing on your screen. App developers take lots of screenshots to document their apps. Writers take screenshots to complement their online posts. Some gamers take screenshots of their game sessions. There are varied reasons for needing screenshots.
The good news is that taking screenshots on Android is a very easy task. You can do it blindfolded. Do you know how?
In this guide, learn how to take screenshots on Android. (You may also watch our video tutorial at the end of this post.)
General Procedure
Capturing a screenshot usually involves pressing two buttons on your Android device — either the Volume Down key and the Power button, or the Home button and the Power key.
When the right button combo is pressed, your device’s screen will flash, usually accompanied with a camera shutter sound. Sometimes, a pop-up message or notification alert appears, suggesting that the screenshot has been made.
At other times, you can find a screenshot option on the Power menu. Just long press the Power button, wait for the Power menu to appear, and select Take screenshot to capture a screenshot of the current screen. This can be a useful method, especially when pressing combos of physical buttons is difficult, such as on the Sony Xperia V.
Android device manufacturers even include extra and unique ways of taking screenshots on your device. For instance, you can take a screenshot on the Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note 2 using the S Pen. In most high-end Samsung phones, you can take a screenshot by swiping the screen with the side of your palm. There are alternate ways to capture screenshots, and those may or may not be mentioned in this guide.
Important Note: The procedures described in this post are for stock software. Procedures for capturing screenshots under custom ROMs may be different.
Screenshots on Samsung devices
Devices with physical Home button
For many high-end Samsung phones with a physical Home button, you can use the Home + Power button combo to take screenshots.
Just press the two buttons simultaneously until the sides of the screen flash and you hear the camera shutter sound.
You will also get a notification confirming that the screenshot has been captured.
Devices without physical Home button
Some Samsung devices (e.g., Galaxy Note 10.1 and Galaxy Camera), however, don’t have a physical Home button. In this case, the button combo is Volume Down and Power. Hold down both buttons until your device takes a screenshot.
Certain devices, such as the Galaxy Note 10.1, also have a quick launch button that can be set to capture screenshots. On the the Galaxy Note 10.1, this quick launch button sits right beside the Multitasking virtual button on the virtual navigation bar.
Devices with S Pen
On Samsung devices that come with the S Pen (e.g., the Galaxy Note series), you can use the stylus itself to take a screenshot. Just hold down the S Pen button and touch the pen tip on the device’s screen until the screen flashes. Usually, after the screenshot is captured, the image will be immediately opened for editing. Just remember to save the edited screenshot afterwards.
Devices with hand motions support
Most high-end Samsung phones also let you capture screenshots by swiping the screen with the side of your hand. For this method to work, go to Settings > Motion and activate the “Palm swipe to capture” option.
Screenshots on HTC devices
On HTC devices, capturing a screenshot still involves the Home and Power buttons. But, instead of simultaneously holding them down, you hold down the Power button first, then tap the capacitive Home button quickly. The screen flashes, and you’ll hear audible feedback. You will also see a popup message confirming that your screenshot has been saved.
Screenshots on Sony Xperia devices
On Sony Xperia phones, the screenshot combo is Volume Down + Power. Hold down both buttons at the same time until the screen flashes and the screenshot thumbnail appears on the screen. A notification also appears on the notification menu once the screenshot has been captured.
There’s an alternate method, too. You can also capture a screenshot through the Power menu. Hold down the Power button until the Power dialog appears. Tap on Take Screenshot to capture the screen underneath the dialog.
Screenshots on LG devices
On LG devices, the button combination is still Volume Down + Power. Long-press these buttons at the same time until the screen flashes and you hear the capture tone. A notification also appears on the notification menu once the screenshot is captured.
You can also take a screenshot with Quick Memo, which can instantly capture and let you create doodles on your screenshots. You can toggle Quick Memo from the notification shade. Once enabled, the editing page will then appear. You can now write notes and doodles on the current screen. Tap the floppy disk icon to save your work.
Screenshots on Nexus devices
Capturing screenshots on the Google Nexus devices (i.e., Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10) remains uniform — hold down both Volume Down and Power keys until you hear audio feedback. The screenshot thumbnail will flash briefly on the screen, and you will get a notification about your screenshot.
Conclusion
Capturing a screenshot on your Android device is easy. With screenshots, you can easily share what’s on your Android device to everyone. What Android device do you own? How do you capture screenshots on it? Share your screenshotting tales in the comments.
This will definitely help some noobs new users.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Great guide.
Related
hello, could anyone link me to an app that lets you modify the use of your hardware buttons? like long press to launch camera etc
use to use one on my touch hd,but cant remember what it was called
many thanks
samuelson said:
hello, could anyone link me to an app that lets you modify the use of your hardware buttons? like long press to launch camera etc
use to use one on my touch hd,but cant remember what it was called
many thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try AE Button Plus It works perfect on TG01.
AE Buttons Plus
Pere said:
Try AE Button Plus It works perfect on TG01.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Can you clarify 'works perfect' on the TG01 - I am using the (registered) Buttons Plus, but have only been able to get it to support a single alternative button press on the Camera, bottom 'Zoom' bar and right-hand 'OK' button.
Could you please share your settings which allow you to get it to work with multi-settings per button, and also specify buttons are you able to get it to work with ?
Would be really appreciated
Many thanks,
kevinpwhite said:
Hi,
Can you clarify 'works perfect' on the TG01 - I am using the (registered) Buttons Plus, but have only been able to get it to support a single alternative button press on the Camera, bottom 'Zoom' bar and right-hand 'OK' button.
Could you please share your settings which allow you to get it to work with multi-settings per button, and also specify buttons are you able to get it to work with ?
Would be really appreciated
Many thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As known, TG01 don't have hardware buttons....so when I say "perfect" I mean as perfect as possible....
I don´t use camera button (I'm afraid camera could fail)
I'm using only volume buttons and the zoom bar.
Volume UP:
1. Single press: PageDn
2. Double press: PageUp
3. Triple press: Switch Display Off/On
Volume DOWN:
1. Single press: "Resco Audio Recorder -rec"
2. Double press: "Resco Audio Recorder -exit"
3. Triple press: Switch Display Off/On
Zoom bar: (Button #405C)
Alt+Tab (Change between opened apps)
How to map zoom bar:
a) Open AEBPlus (I have v2.6)
b) Tap Left softkey: File
c) Add button
d) Add Key (Touch the zoom bar: The program detects Key code 405C as Win Key)
e)Tap Add Key
You'll have a new button called Button #405C
Tap & Hold over the new line (Button #405C) and assign Alt+Tab to it
The program ask to self reset, say Yes and .... here you are!
some doubts
You seem knoweleagble: I would like to receive your suggestions
I onw two units of HD2, I am trying to understand how to use AE buttons, then I will surely buy it, but I have many doubts…
Questions:
1. Where can I find a complete tutorial?
2. Where can I find a help, to understand each functions? I mean, not FAQ, just a help file.
3. from AEBPlus Settings > add button > ONLY 2 hardware buttons can be captured (the one with white backspace arrow on it and the home with a home depicted on it)
the other 5 buttons cannot be sensed: I mean
- phone button: if pressed the phone canvas appear, the ADD KEY screen disappears and no key code appears
- same story for the phone-OFF button and for the volume up and volume down buttons.
4.
Since at least one button is recognized (the white backspace) I have set it to work as follows:
1st short press > open contacts
2nd key press > open excel
3rd key press > open opera
4th key press > calculator
But ONLY short press and long press do work! The other 2 cannot work (Therefore I cannot open excel and opera…)
Additionally: if I want to open CONTACTS, I just need to press short and CONTACTS application appears on my screen
If I want to use CALCULATOR > I need to press AND HOLD! If so CALCULATOR shows up. If I pull off my finger from the hardware button > calculator disappears and the home page comes back…
Please can you explain what I am doing wrong?
Thanks and waiting for any help and suggestions
Saulo
saulo866 said:
You seem knoweleagble: I would like to receive your suggestions
I onw two units of HD2, I am trying to understand how to use AE buttons, then I will surely buy it, but I have many doubts…
Questions:
1. Where can I find a complete tutorial?
2. Where can I find a help, to understand each functions? I mean, not FAQ, just a help file.
3. from AEBPlus Settings > add button > ONLY 2 hardware buttons can be captured (the one with white backspace arrow on it and the home with a home depicted on it)
the other 5 buttons cannot be sensed: I mean
- phone button: if pressed the phone canvas appear, the ADD KEY screen disappears and no key code appears
- same story for the phone-OFF button and for the volume up and volume down buttons.
4.
Since at least one button is recognized (the white backspace) I have set it to work as follows:
1st short press > open contacts
2nd key press > open excel
3rd key press > open opera
4th key press > calculator
But ONLY short press and long press do work! The other 2 cannot work (Therefore I cannot open excel and opera…)
Additionally: if I want to open CONTACTS, I just need to press short and CONTACTS application appears on my screen
If I want to use CALCULATOR > I need to press AND HOLD! If so CALCULATOR shows up. If I pull off my finger from the hardware button > calculator disappears and the home page comes back…
Please can you explain what I am doing wrong?
Thanks and waiting for any help and suggestions
Saulo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry Saulo, I have a TG01 , I don' know how this program works on HTC devices.....
So why dont we make an app like that on the iphones. On the iphone you hit the power button and the home button on the same time and it takes a screenshot.
So why not Power button and the trackball to take a screenshot on our nexus one?
This would be a nice feature.. id be willing to test it but I have no programming skills right now..
hansmrtn said:
So why dont we make an app like that on the iphones. On the iphone you hit the power button and the home button on the same time and it takes a screenshot.
So why not Power button and the trackball to take a screenshot on our nexus one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're rooted (and going by your signature you probably are), you can use ShootMe http://www.cyrket.com/p/android/com.bw.picme.local/
hansmrtn said:
So why dont we make an app like that on the iphones. On the iphone you hit the power button and the home button on the same time and it takes a screenshot.
So why not Power button and the trackball to take a screenshot on our nexus one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure you could do that with just a standard "app". I would think this would require changes to the framework/rom itself as I don't believe there is anyway currently to "trap" for the event of power button being pressed.
I find using "drocap2" (root required) with the notification trigger enabled to be a super quick and easy way to get a screenshot. When drocap2 is running with this trigger, it adds an entry to your notification (pull down) menu that takes a pic when you click it. Now, that doesn't help with full screen apps, but there is also a timer based and shake based (shake phone to take pic) trigger option with this app.
Back button on the far left? Second from the right?
Power button on the top? On the side?
Softkeys or real buttons? On-screen (a la Honeycomb) or off-screen?
Do we need a search button at all?
A lot of sweat, blood, and saliva has been spilled over it. [citation needed]
Now it's *your* turn to join the fray!
If you were to design *the* perfect Android phone, what buttons would you give it? And where? And what would it be like?
Or maybe you don't even care about how the buttons are placed, as long as the manufacturers could just agree and they all make devices with similarly-placed buttons?
Me? I'd personally place the buttons sorted by their frequency of use, starting from the leftmost to the rightmost (from the most natural to the most awkward for my thumb to press). Back button - Home - Menu - Search, from left to right.
But I see how this would be an issue to left-handed people, so I'd settle for Back and Home button in the center, and Menu and Search flanking them. That's fair enough I think.
I would love to experiment with placing the back button on the top of the left side of the phone (indexable for right-handed people, and thumbable for left-handed), but I can see how this is not for everyone I'm not even sure I'd like it.
However, if manufacturers could just agree on the placement of the buttons, that would be good enough for me.
Whether it's hardware buttons or touchscreen buttons ain't an issue to me.
I'd place the power button top center (index-fingerable).
I find volume buttons useful only during calls, so I'd like to have them function as volume buttons only during calls. During idle/homescreen/any other scenario, they would become two (customizable!) shortcut buttons (a la Blackberry). <-- if only one thing from my dream phone is manifested, I hope it's this one. Two wasted (and often pressed by accident) buttons, turned into something more useful.
If I wanna be detailed about it, I guess the volume buttons should be on the center of the right side of the phone, so one of them can be customized as shutter/camera button (although I wont use it as such, preferring to tap the screen instead).
How's yours?
I think power button on top right side, lock button under, or like you mentioned having them function as volume buttons during call. Do completely away with search button, add in maybe a camera button where my search is, but make it where you have to hold it for a second so you do not enable it accidently. Have a designated capture button for the camera, that also functions as a silent/vibrate setting out of the camera.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
Different people, different preference. Perhaps a default Home key, + 2 customizable keys where the user can choose their preferred key to be assigned.
I'd have the Search Key and Back Key always on the screen.
Menu key shouldn't even be on the phone. That should force app developer to design and create user interface with menu function incorporated in their app for consistency purpose.
I would love to have buttons on the back of the device
Now that I'm getting used to honeycomb (and apps developed for it), i can assure you that the search and menu buttons are not really necessary. i'd want a device with a back button on the left, the home button in the middle and a end call / power button on the right. that's it. oh i actually forgot a volume rocker at the usual spot at the side of the device.
Dustin.Dwayne said:
I think power button on top right side, lock button under, or like you mentioned having them function as volume buttons during call. Do completely away with search button, add in maybe a camera button where my search is, but make it where you have to hold it for a second so you do not enable it accidently. Have a designated capture button for the camera, that also functions as a silent/vibrate setting out of the camera.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm.. No search button.. Interesting.
I find it useful to search things from the homescreen without having to open a particular app first (be it Market, Springpad, Contacts, Evernote, etc.), but I can surely live without it
albling said:
Different people, different preference. Perhaps a default Home key, + 2 customizable keys where the user can choose their preferred key to be assigned.
I'd have the Search Key and Back Key always on the screen.
Menu key shouldn't even be on the phone. That should force app developer to design and create user interface with menu function incorporated in their app for consistency purpose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Customizable keys FTW!!
JuanDeaux said:
I would love to have buttons on the back of the device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wouldn't that be awkward, Mr. Doe?
fabsn said:
Now that I'm getting used to honeycomb (and apps developed for it), i can assure you that the search and menu buttons are not really necessary. i'd want a device with a back button on the left, the home button in the middle and a end call / power button on the right. that's it. oh i actually forgot a volume rocker at the usual spot at the side of the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, you even made the pic!
Your opinion is interesting. I can easily see why the search button isn't really necessary, but the menu button? Substituted by long-press, I presume? (I never tried Honeycomb for any longer than 2 minutes )
I'm beginning to get glimpses of what ICS is gonna be like Keep it coming, guys! Let's crowdsource this!
Thanks to the moderator who moved my thread. I was hesitant on where to put my thread, but finally decided on the "General" forum, even though my OP contains questions, because I thought it was more of a "discussion" thread instead of a particular question trying to uncover a particular answer (which is what Q&A usually is)
Taking screenshots on this phone is tedious. You either 1) have to swipe with your palm or 2) press and hold the home button and power button, which has proven to be highly prone to error. If you mis-time it, you'll trigger the Home button.
On my Nexus 5, it's easy, you just do volume down + power.
How can I make this happen on the Galaxy S6?
hi all
I have this chinese MTK smartphone running android 7.
I would like to add a fast way to make screenshot, better without app.
I know it is possible in android doing that pressing vol down+power button, but it is not confortable because all buttons are in one side of the phone.........and that phone is used by a pretty old person
For example, in the Huawei P9 you can find "take screenshot" in the quick bar options.......
That would be perfect......
Or in some phones when you press power button in that menu, among power off, reboot, ecc.....choice you have take screenshoot.
Or for example, would be nice to do it by long pressing home button......instead of launching gogle......
I know you understand what I mean.......
The phone is rooted by the way......
thanks a lot
zeratul75 said:
hi all
I have this chinese MTK smartphone running android 7.
I would like to add a fast way to make screenshot, better without app.
I know it is possible in android doing that pressing vol down+power button, but it is not confortable because all buttons are in one side of the phone.........and that phone is used by a pretty old person
For example, in the Huawei P9 you can find "take screenshot" in the quick bar options.......
That would be perfect......
Or in some phones when you press power button in that menu, among power off, reboot, ecc.....choice you have take screenshoot.
Or for example, would be nice to do it by long pressing home button......instead of launching gogle......
I know you understand what I mean.......
The phone is rooted by the way......
thanks a lot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is possible to do, but not easy. I added it in the power menu of my Samsung Tab 3. You would have to decompile the framework-res.apk and baksmali framework.jar and framework2.jar... then you'd have to try to understand and manipulate the smali. There is an older thread on this for the S3 that might help some, but the smali would be a little different.
Sent from my KYOCERA-C6745 using Tapatalk
How can I screenshot on my leago kiicaa power Android phone