A screenshot is a photo of the screen or a part of it. Taking a screenshot of an Instagram photo or WhatsApp conversation, for example, can be the quick and easy alternative to saving the content and sharing it.
Knowing how to take a screenshot is very useful in all those cases where you need a file or an image that cannot be saved, copied or has a format that cannot be read by our device. Once the screenshot has been made, you can send it by chat or email, post on social media, crop and retouch to your liking.
If you don't know how to screenshot from your computer or smartphone, don't worry: below you will find the useful guide to take screenshots on Mac, Windows PC, Chromebook, iPhone, iPad and the most famous Android phones such as Huawei, Samsung and Xiaomi.
How to take screenshots
How to screenshot Windows PC
If you use a Windows PC and you need to take screenshots, know that there are different methods, which also change depending on the version of the operating system used. To make the screen on a computer with Windows 8.x and later versions, press Win + Stamp or the Prt Scr (or Print Screen) key. The key combination Alt + Stamp or Alt + Fn + Stamp allows you to take a screenshot of the single window that is in the foreground.
The screenshots taken are automatically saved in PNG format and you can then edit them by transforming them into JPEG or other.
On Windows 10 there is also the Capture and Annotate tool with which to take screenshots. It can be found by going to Start and typing “capture and annotate” in the search bar. Alternatively, the keyboard shortcut for Snap and Annotate is Win + Shift + S.
On Windows 7 and earlier versions, the desktop screenshot is done by pressing the Print key, or Prt Scr or Print Screen. Then you have to open Paint (or another graphics software like Photoshop) and paste it by pressing Paste or Ctrl + V and save it by going to File> Save As.
Windows 7 PCs also have the Snipping Tool for taking screenshots.
Here is an example screenshot of the tool used to make screenshots on PC
It is a small application installed by default that allows you to take a screenshot in a single gesture. We find it by going to Start> Windows Accessories> Snipping Tool.
At this point, 4 options open up:
Once you have taken the screenshot with the Snipping Tool, you can perform various operations such as taking a new screenshot, saving it, copying it to the clipboard, editing it, highlighting some parts or sending it by email.
How to take screenshots on Mac
To take a screenshot of the entire screen using an Apple PC, press the Cmd (⌘) + Shift + 3 keys at the same time.
To take a picture of only one part of the screen, the steps to follow are as follows:
For more details on the screenshot with Mac visit the Apple website in the appropriate section.
How to take screenshots on Google Chromebook
If you are using a Chromebook laptop, to take a screenshot you will need to press the following keys at the same time: Ctrl + Screen Switcher (the rectangle with two vertical lines on the right)
The first combination is used to capture the whole screen, the second to photograph a part of the screen. If your keyboard does not have the Screen Switcher key you can take the screenshot by pressing Ctrl + F5.
How to take screenshots on iPhone and iPad
Taking a screenshot on iPhone is very simple: just press the right button (the power / lock one) and the volume + button on the left at the same time.
Then: right key + top left volume key.
At this point the screenshot can be cut out and modified with drawings and writings. To save it, press Finish and choose whether to keep it in Photo or File. To send it you will have to press the square button with the arrow located at the top right, and from here select the social app or the contact to share it with.
You can also use voice commands. Just say "Hey Siri, take a screenshot" and you will see that it works: the snapshot taken by Siri will be saved in the camera roll.
The procedures listed for taking screenshots on iPhone also work on iPad.
How to take screenshots on Huawei
Do you use a Huawei phone? The key combination to press to take a screenshot is as follows: Power key + Volume Down key. In general, just remember this shortcut which is valid for taking screenshots on Android regardless of the brand.
Some higher-end Huawei models allow you to take screenshots via gestures. To activate screen capture via gestures, you need to go to Settings in the Smart section and put the lever on ON to the option relating to the gesture for the screenshot. Doing so, just tap twice on the screen to take the screenshot. But that's not all, because Huawei's most recent models allow you to also screenshot pages and documents that span multiple pages. Just take a screenshot and then click on Scrolling Screen that appears at the bottom right of the screen. To stop capturing before the end of the page, just click anywhere on the display.
How to take screenshots on Samsung
Press Power + Volume Down key at the same time. Generally the Power button on Samsung smartphones and Android devices is located on the right (to understand, it is the one used to turn the device on and off). On older models the method consists of the Home key + Power key.
The screenshot will be saved in the phone gallery.
Another method to take screenshots on Samsung Galaxy is to use gestures, thus avoiding the key combination. Just go to Settings> Advanced Features> ON to Scan with Palm Drag. Once this is done, every time we want to take a screenshot, just swipe the edge of the hand over the display.
The last method to take a snapshot of the Samsung display is by activating the “Smart Capture” function from the Settings. Just press the Home key + the power key as usual and select, from the small menu that appears in the lower part of the display, the item "Capture more". In this way we can select the amount of content we want to save, but keep in mind that the maximum size of this JPEG file cannot be greater than 6MB.
An even smarter alternative? Ask the voice assistant to take the screenshot for you if you can't use your hands or don't remember how to screenshot. Just say "Hey Bixby, take a screenshot", or "Ok Google, take a screenshot".
However, we always recommend that you consult the instruction manual with the complete methods for taking screenshots and screenshots (which can also be easily found online).
How to take screenshot on Xiaomi
The most intuitive way to take a screenshot on a Xiaomi smartphone is the combination of Power (Power key) + Volume Down keys. You will hear the shutter sound and see the snapshot thumbnail float at the bottom left. Just press it to open, edit or share it on WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook or other apps.
Another way to take screenshots on Xiaomi is through quick toggle, a special function located in the notification area. To use it you have to swipe from the top to the center of the screen and press on Screenshot (scissors icon on the screen).
With the most recent models you can also enable the screenshot by gesture. Go to Settings (gear icon), select Additional Settings on System and Device and choose Shortcut Keys and Gestures. At this point on the item Take a screenshot choose Drag down with 3 fingers. From now on, to take a screenshot on your smartphone, simply drag 3 fingers quickly from the top to the center of the screen.
These are the simplest methods to take screenshots, but there are also several apps that can be downloaded for free from the Play Store that allow us to take snapshots of the screen. Useful for all Android devices - from Huawei to Samsung - these apps are the ideal solution in case of malfunction of the physical buttons. In general, however, we recommend using the combination of keys to take screenshots from smartphones and tablets so as not to weigh down or slow down the device.