Taking screenshots has now become the easiest way to capture anything whether it’s on your computer or phone. If you know exactly how to screenshot, you not only save your time but are also able to collect a lot of information through this process. However, the method for taking a screenshot varies depending on the type of device you are using, but once you know how, it’s a breeze.
Luckily Windows, Android, IOS, macOS, and every other operating system have their built-in method to capture the screen. Some of them even provide some extra features to make a perfect screenshot. There are even a lot of productivity software or chrome extensions available which can help you capture anything you want.
In this article, we will discuss in-depth about taking proper screenshots and you’ll be able to know How to take that – On an iPhone or iPad, an android or a tablet, a Windows or a MacBook, or a Chromebook. And by the end of this guide, you will have a clear understanding of how to take a screenshot on any device you may come across.
How to screenshot on any device
There are several effective ways to screenshot on any device; such as –
For any kind of mobile device (android, IOS, or iPad) –
- just press the volume up or down button together with the power button;
And for most Operating Systems (Windows, macOS, or ChromeOS) offer a common way to screenshots –
- By pressing the home key (depending on your device) together with the print key.
That was a small introduction because, in this guide, we will cover the different ways to take a screenshot on various devices, including Windows and Mac computers, iPhones and iPads, and Android devices. So, whether you’re a tech-savvy user or new to the game, read on to learn how to take a screenshot on any device.
How to screenshot on Mac
The best MacBook always gives you the best performance whether you’re a professional video editor or a continent creator for different social media platforms.
Mac even offers a lot of captions to capture anything, anywhere from your Mac. And we are going to show you all of those methods in the how to screenshot on MacBook guide.
Method 1
Press “Shift + Command + 3” to take a screenshot of the entire screen. The screenshot will be saved to the desktop by default.
Method 2
Press “Shift + Command + 4” to take a screenshot of a specific area of the screen. You will be able to select the area you want to capture by dragging your cursor over it. The screenshot will be saved to the desktop by default.
Method 3
Press “Shift + Command + 4” then press the “Spacebar“, this will change the cursor to a camera icon, and with this, you can select a specific window to take the screenshot.
Method 4
Press “Shift + Command + 6” to take a screenshot of the Touch Bar. This only works on MacBook Pro models that have a Touch Bar.
By following those methods you can easily learn how to screenshot on mac. You can also use third-party apps to take screenshots on a MacBook. Some popular apps include Lightshot and Skitch. These apps typically offer additional features such as editing and annotation tools.
Please note that some devices have different key combinations. You can check the mac support page for more information on how to screenshot on MacBook properly.
How to screenshot on Windows PC or laptop
There are several ways to take screenshots on Windows PC. Especially if you’re using Edge, one of the best web browsers you might be familiar with their stunning Web capture tool (check out the best chrome extension).
However, we’re going to look at how to screenshot simply by using your keyboard. But we highly recommend you use the Web Capture tool to take a screenshot or capture a full web page from the Edge browser. And here is how to screenshot on Windows PC or Laptop:
Method 1
Press the “PrtScn” button on your keyboard. This will capture an image of the entire screen and save it to your clipboard. You can then paste the image into an image editing program like Paint, or into a document or message to share it.
Method 2
Press the “Windows + PrtScn” keys. This will capture the entire screen and automatically save it as a file in the “Screenshots” folder located in the “Pictures” folder.
Method 3
Press the “Alt + PrtScn” button. This will capture an image of the active window and save it to your clipboard. You can then paste the image into an image editing program like Paint, or into a document or message to share it.
Method 4
Press the “Windows + Shift + S” keys. This will open the Snipping Tool, which allows you to select the area of the screen that you want to capture. The captured image will be saved to your clipboard.
Method 5
On Windows 8 and 10, you can also use the built-in Snipping Tool to take screenshots. You can find it by searching for “Snipping Tool” in the Start menu or by typing “snippingtool.exe” in the Run box (Windows key + R).
Method 6
On Windows 10, you can also press the “Windows + Shift + S” keys to take a screenshot using the new snipping tool called “Snip & Sketch” which allows you to edit and annotate the screenshot before saving it.
How to screenshot on iPhone or iPad
If you’re an iPhone or iPad user, there are some of the best apps available that can boost your overall activity. From increasing productivity, and note-taking to finding the best Wallpaper and some apps will help you create stunning GIFs and icons for your social media.
Although you’re here to learn how to screenshot on iPhone or iPad, so we’ll show you exactly how with built-in features available on your iPhone. You can also use Siri to take a screenshot on iPhone 8 or later by saying “Take a screenshot” and Siri will take a screenshot for you.
Method I
Taking a screenshot on an iPhone is a simple process. To take a screenshot on any iPhone or iPad –
- Press the Sleep/Wake button together with the Volume Up button.
- You will see the screen flash white and hear a camera shutter sound, indicating that a screenshot has been taken.
- The screenshot will be saved to your camera roll and can be found in the Photos app.
Method II
If you’re using an older version of an iPhone or an iPad, the screenshot-taking process is easy too.
- Simultaneously press the home button and the Volume Up button.
- After clicking both buttons together, you’ll see a preview of your current screenshot at the bottom left of your device along with a sweet sound.
- You can easily view, edit, and share the screenshots you captured by clicking on them.
- If you want to take a document or a full webpage as screenshots, tap on the preview button, at the top right of your device, and select full page.
Note: On iPhone X or later models, the “Side/Home/Sleep/Wake” button is the button on the right side of the device, while the “Volume Up” button is on the left side. In earlier models, the “Side/Home/Sleep/Wake” button is the top button on the right side of the device, and the “Volume Up” button is the button on the left side.
Method III
Additionally, you can also take a screenshot by using assistive touch (learn how to use Assistive Touch). This is a feature that makes it easy to use your iPhone if you have difficulty touching the screen or pressing buttons. To use Assistive Touch,
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch and turn on the switch.
- Once the Assistive Touch button appears on the screen, tap it and then tap Device > More > Screenshot.
How to Screenshot on Android or Tablet
Smartphones are known for providing stunning features, especially for activities, and taking screenshots are one of them. However, smartphone companies like Samsung, One plus, Howai, etc. offer several options to take screenshots.
It doesn’t matter which brand you’re using; we are going to show you how to screenshot on Android or Tablet. You can apply this to any of your Tablets or Android smartphones.
Method I
To take screenshots on your android phone or tablet,
- Press the “Power button” together with the “Volume Down button“.
- After clicking both buttons simultaneously first you’ll hear a sound along with a preview mode of your current screenshot.
- You can view, edit, and share your captured screenshot by clicking on the preview mode of your screenshot.
Method II
If the above method doesn’t work, you can try the following alternatives:
- Press and hold the “Power” button, then tap “Screenshot” in the menu that appears.
- On Samsung devices running Android 9 or later, press and hold the “Power” button, then tap “Palm swipe to capture” in the menu that appears. Then, swipe the side of your hand across the screen to take a screenshot.
- On some devices, you can use Google Assistant to take a screenshot by saying “Take a screenshot” or “Screenshot.”
Many phone or tablet companies have their name and feature to take a screenshot of not only the visible portion of your device but also a full webpage and scrolling screenshot.
If you don’t like the way your phone or tablet takes screenshots, you can use an app called Screen Master to experience a different way of taking screenshots.
If none of the above methods works, you can check the device manual or consult the android support page for specific instructions on how to screenshot. Some devices may have unique key combinations or gestures that can be used to take a screenshot.
How to screenshot on Chromebook
Taking a screenshot on a Chromebook is a straightforward process. The method for capturing anything on a Chromebook is similar to most other devices, you can use the following keyboard shortcuts to learn how to screenshot on Chromebook:
Method 1
Press the “Ctrl” and “Window Switcher” keys at the same time to take a screenshot of the entire screen. The screenshot will be saved to your “Downloads” folder by default.
Method 2
Press the “Ctrl” and “Shift” keys and then press the “Window Switcher” key to take a screenshot of a specific area of the screen. Your cursor will change to a crosshair, allowing you to select the area you want to capture. The screenshot will be saved to your “Downloads” folder by default.
Method 3
Press the “Ctrl” and “Shift” keys and then press the “Show all open windows” keys to take a screenshot of the active window. The screenshot will be saved to your “Downloads” folder by default.
You can also use the built-in image editor to take screenshots, Once you take the screenshot, a notification will appear showing the screenshot preview, you can click on it to open the image editor.
Please note that some devices have different key combinations. You can visit the Chromebook support page for more information on how to screenshot.
You can also use third-party apps to take screenshots on a Chromebook. Some popular apps include Lightshot and Nimbus Screenshot. These apps typically offer additional features such as editing and annotation tools.
Final Thoughts
Taking a screenshot can be a useful tool for capturing information on your screen. The method for taking a screenshot varies depending on the type of device you are using, whether it be a Windows PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
On a Mac, you can press “Shift + Command + 3” to take a screenshot of the entire screen, or “Shift + Command + 4” to select a specific area to capture.
On a Windows PC, you can press the “PrtScn” button on your keyboard to take a screenshot, which will be saved to your clipboard. You can also press “Windows + Shift + S” to take a screenshot of recent versions of Windows.
On an iPhone or iPad, you can press the “Side” button and the “Volume Up” button at the same time to take a screenshot.
On an Android device, the method varies depending on the model and operating system version. Typically, you can press the “Power” and “Volume Down” buttons at the same time to take a screenshot.
By following the instructions in this guide, you should now have a clear understanding of how to screenshot on any device. If you are still unsure about how to take a screenshot on your specific device, you can check the device manual or consult the device’s support page for more information.
