How to take screenshot on Android phone: Complete guide

Screenshots are saviors. They come in handy when I want to share a piece of information, capture a meme, inform the IT department about a bug, or gossip with my gang. Thankfully, taking a screenshot on Android is super easy. A few taps here and there, and I am good to go.

In this article, I will explain all the possible methods to capture a screenshot on Android phone. In addition, I’ll show how you can view, edit, share, or lock the captured screenshots. So, without much ado, let’s get into it.

How to take screenshot on Android

There are various ways to capture screenshots on Android. I have explained many of them below, and you can pick one based on your preference.

Please note that the following steps/images were captured and verified on Google Pixel 7a. Some of the steps may vary depending on the Android skin you are using.

Method 1: Using buttons 

1. Open the window or page you want to capture.  
2. Press and release the Power and Volume down buttons simultaneously.  
   • If the above feature doesn’t work, press and hold the Power button for a few seconds → Choose Screenshot.
     
     
3. Once captured, you will get a small preview pop-up of your screenshot. It also gives options to share and edit your captures.
   Some phones even send notifications of a Screenshot capture.  

Remember, all screenshots are saved in the Screenshots folder of your default Photos app. You can also use your Android clipboard to quickly copy-paste screenshots.

Method 2: Ask Google Assistant to take a screenshot 

If you love summoning an assistant for work, this screenshot workaround is perfect for you. You can ask the Google Assistant to take screenshots for you.

But first, ensure you have enabled Hey Google on your Android phone. To do that, go to Settings → Type Hey Google in the search bar → Select Hey Google & Voice Match from the results → Toggle on Hey Google, and you should be ready.

1. Summon the Google Assistant using one of these two ways:
   • Tap the microphone icon in the Google search bar. If you don’t have it on your home screen already, check our guide on how to get the Google Search Bar widget.
   • Just say, “Hey Google“.
2. When the Google Assistant’s search bar pops up at the bottom of your screen, say, “Take a screenshot.”
   Alternatively, you can tap the keyboard and give a written command to take a screenshot. 
3. Next, you’ll see a pop-up on the top stating your screenshot is saved. It also gives you the option to share, edit, or delete your screenshot.  
   
   

Method 3: Take screenshot using Gestures on Android

Like Apple’s Back Tap, Android also allows you to take screenshots using specific gestures or hand movements. These gestures vary based on the smartphone brand.

Here, I’ll show how you can take screenshots using backtaps on Pixel phones.

1. Launch the Settings app. 
2. Navigate to System → Choose Gestures.
   
   
3. Tap Quick Tap to start actions. 
4. Toggle on Use Quick Tap.
5. Ensure you have selected Take screenshot.
   
   
6. Now, every time you need to take a screenshot, all you have to do is double-tap the back of your phone. 

In my experience, this feature doesn’t work as accurately as the others mentioned above. I’d recommend using thin cases for your Android device to use this gesture optimally.

Method 4: Use Accessibility Menu 

The Accessibility Menu on Pixel gives you a floating toolbox for easy access to various controls and features. You can enable it on your device and use it to take screenshots. Just follow the steps below:

1. To get the Accessibility Menu, open the Settings app. 
2. Go to Accessibility → Tap Accessibility Menu.
   
   
3. Toggle on Accessibility Menu shortcut.  
4. When using it for the first time, tap Allow in the pop-up menu → Got it.
   
   

You will see the Accessibility menu appearing as a tiny band on the bottom-right corner of the screen. Now, to take a screenshot:

1. Open the screen you want to screenshot.  
2. Tap the Accessibility Menu (three-dot icon in green).  
3. Swipe left or choose the forward arrow.  
4. Select the Screenshot option. The moment you tap this option here, the device will capture a screenshot. Further, you get options to edit, share, and capture a scrolling screenshot.
   
      

How to take scrolling screenshot on Android 

Scrolling shots are available on devices running Android 12 and later. The feature helps you capture the content that doesn’t fit your phone display in one go.

For instance, if you are reading a long article, you can take one scrolling screenshot instead of taking multiple short ones. Below are the steps to do so:  

1. Take a regular screenshot.
2. Tap Capture more at the bottom right. 
   You’ll see this option only if capturing a scrolling screenshot on that page or window is possible.
3. Now, you’ll see a zoomed-out view of your entire screen and a crop tool. 
4. Drag the bottom bar of the crop tool down till the point you want to capture.  
5. Hit Save.
   
   

How to find screenshots on Android phone 

As mentioned earlier, the screenshots are saved in the Photos app by default. To view the screenshots you have taken:

1. Launch the Photos app.
2. Visit Library → Pick Screenshots. 
   
   

How to edit screenshots on Android phone

1. Open the Photos app.  
2. Go to Library → Visit Screenshots. 
3. Choose a screenshot → Tap Edit.
   
   
4. You get the following options:  
   • Suggestions: You can choose between four themes, namely dynamic, enhanced, warm, and cool.   
   • Crop: It helps to change the size of your screenshot.   
   • Tools: You get three options- Portrait Blur, Unblur, and Magic Eraser- to transform the opacity level of your picture.   
   • Adjust: Houses multiple tools to adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, warmth, sharpness, etc.  
   • Filters: It helps to add fun filters to your screenshots.  
   • Markup: The feature lets you scribble on your capture. You can opt for Pen, Highlight, or Text options.  
   • More: This allows you to customize your screenshot on editing apps installed on your device.  
5. Once you make changes per your preference, tap Save Copy.
   
    

Note: You cannot select multiple screenshots and edit them separately. If you select multiple screenshots and edit, the changes will be applicable uniformly across all images.

How to share screenshots on Android phone

1. Move to the Photos app.  
2. Open Library → Go to Screenshots.  
3. Open a screenshot.
   Alternately, press and hold a screenshot.
4. Hit Share → Choose the contact or apps you want to share your screenshot with.   
5. You can add text and hit Send.
   
    
6. Alternatively, you can choose Create link to share your picture(s) as a link. You can also enable the tab to allow others to add photos their photos.
   
   

How to delete screenshots on Android phone

1. Open the Photos app → Choose Libraries → Tap Screenshots. 
2. Tap and hold the screenshot you want to delete.  
   You can select multiple pictures, too.  
3. Tap the bin icon. 
4. Choose Move to trash. 
   
   

Add screenshots to a locked folder 

There might be times when your screenshots contain confidential information or visuals you don’t want others to see. In such instances, you can add screenshots to a locked folder.

To do that, you must first create a locked folder on your Android.

1. Launch the Photos app → Move to Libraries → Hit Utilities.  
2. Choose Set up Locked Folder.
   
     
3. In the Set up Locked Folder pop-up, unlock the feature using your device’s current screen lock system.  
4. Pick Move items → Select pictures and hit Move.  
5. Lastly, confirm by tapping Move in the pop-up. 

Now, if you have already created a Locked Folder, you can move your screenshots here using the following steps: 

1. Open the Photos app → Go to Libraries → Choose Screenshots.  
2. Tap the screenshot you want to put in the Locked Folder.  
3. Hit the three-button menu.  
4. Swipe left to see the Move to Locked Folder option.
5. In the confirmation menu, choose Move.
   
    

Bonus: How to record your phone screen on Android

Android smartphones have a built-in screen recorder feature for users. If you have trouble getting a screenshot, you can record your screen as a workaround. To enable the screen recorder on Android, follow the instructions: 

1. Swipe down on your Android screen to summon the Quick Settings menu.
2. Select Screen Record from the available options. 
   You might need to swipe right to find the feature. Or hit the pencil icon and modify available settings.
3. A pop-up menu appears with two options: 
   • Toggle on Record audio to capture sound on your device. You can choose more settings from the drop-down menu.  
   • Toggle on Show touches on screen to record your taps in the screen capture.
4. Tap Start.
   
    
5. Swipe down from the top of the screen to get Device Control settings and tap stop in the Screen recorder notification.
   
    

You’ll find your recordings saved in the Photos app by default.

1. Launch the Photos app.  
2. Choose Library → Tap Movies.
   

Note: If you can’t find the screen recorder in the Quick Settings menu, tap Edit (Pencil icon) > hold and drag Screen record to add it to Quick Settings > select Reset. Then, follow the above-mentioned steps.   

Wrapping up 

As we wrap this article up, I hope you are well-acquainted with the term Android screenshots. Now, you won’t miss that perfect pizza recipe or the easy way to solve that tricky quadratic equation.

Do share your suggestions in the comments section. Also, keep visiting us for more handy Android guides, how-tos, and more.  

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