How to take a screenshot on Android smartphones? Beginners may find themselves in trouble when they are asked to take a screenshot of the displayed screens, to capture / photograph the screen, on their smartphone. In reality it is a very simple operation to perform, the important thing is to know the method and / or the right key combination.
Screenshots can generally be captured using the power + volume down key combination or with Google Assistant, but also in other ways, different depending on the manufacturer of the smartphone. Precisely for this reason, below we explain how to take a screenshot on smartphones with Android stock (Google Pixel, Android One or semi-stock), One UI (Samsung), EMUI and HarmonyOS (Huawei), LG UX, MIUI (Xiaomi) , OxygenOS (OnePlus), ColorOS (OPPO), Magic UI (HONOR), Sony Xperia UI, ZenUI (ASUS), Funtouch OS (Vivo), Realme UI, Flyme OS (Meizu) and on Nokia, Lenovo, Motorola and HTC devices .
How to screenshot on:
How to take screenshots on stock Android, Google Pixel and Android One
The most immediate method to take a screenshot on stock Android (Android One, but also custom ROM) and on the version of the operating system on the Google Pixel is the combination of power + volume down keys.
It is not the only method, because you can also use (as on other compatible models) Google Assistant: simply call up the virtual assistant and ask it to take a screenshot (after providing the necessary permissions and enabling "Use the context of the screen "in the general settings of Assistant)
How to take screenshots on Samsung (One UI)
On Samsung's One UI, there are multiple methods to take a screenshot. The simplest and most immediate is the classic power + volume down button, but it is not the only one.
On some devices of the South Korean brand, by going to “Settings> Advanced functions> Movements and gestures” you should notice the “Acquire with palm drag“ feature, which allows you to get a screenshot by dragging the side of the palm of your hand on the screen. Less immediate? Maybe, but in some cases it could be quite useful.
Note that Samsung's customization allows you to use a “Screen Toolbar” to take extended screenshots, draw on the screen, crop it and share it quickly.
In some models it is possible to take advantage of the Smart Selection, reachable through a swipe and the Tag edge panels. This way you can capture a specific area of the screen, turn it into a GIF or block it as an overlay on the display. With a Samsung Galaxy Note it is also possible to use the S-Pen to take screenshots, resize them or write on them.
How to take screenshots on Huawei (EMUI and HarmonyOS)
There are several methods to take a screenshot on Huawei, be it devices with the EMUI or HarmonyOS. Without prejudice to the usual possibility of using the power + volume down buttons, you can take screenshots in other ways (useful in certain situations or perhaps in case of malfunctions of the physical keys).
You can take screenshots with a flick of the knuckle ("Settings> Accessibility features> Shortcuts and gestures> Take a screenshot> Screenshots with a flick of the knuckle"), swiping down with three fingers ("Settings> Accessibility features> Shortcuts and gestures> Screen with three fingers ") or even using the" Gesture in the air "function, available only on some models (" Settings> Accessibility functions> Shortcuts and gestures> Gestures in the air ").
You can also take scrolling screenshots, which are useful for sharing chats or pages that would not fit into a single screenshot. To do this, you can tap a knuckle on the screen and hold it down by drawing an "S" or use the quick toggle "Screen". By tapping and holding a knuckle on the screen, you can finally draw an outline around the portion of the screen you want to capture.
How to screenshot on HONOR (Magic UI)
Screenshots on HONOR smartphones with Magic UI or EMUI can be captured using the classic combination of power and volume down keys. Some models of the manufacturer could integrate other features for capturing screenshots, also similar to those seen above for Huawei since it was part of the group until 2020.
How to take screenshots on Xiaomi (MIUI)
Even on Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI customization it is possible to take a screenshot via the combination of power and volume down keys. Alternatively, you can use the quick toggle in the notification drop-down (see screenshot below) or one of the available gestures (such as dragging three fingers down), which can be selected in the "Additional settings> Key shortcuts> Take a screenshot" menu .
How to take screenshots on LG UX
The "classic" method (power key + volume down) also works on LG smartphones with LG UX. Alternatively, it is possible to take advantage of the Capture + function: it can usually be selected from the quick settings of the notification panel, from a dedicated key on the home screen appropriately configured or even by pressing the volume up key twice with the screen off.
Once you have accessed Capture + you can edit screenshots with cropping, text insertion or drawing tools.
How to take screenshots on OnePlus (OxygenOS)
On OnePlus smartphones with OxygenOS you can get a screenshot with the usual power + volume down key combination, or through a gesture very similar to the one present on other devices: just swipe down with three fingers, nothing so complicated. On older models, this can be done from the shutdown menu after activating the function from the system settings.
How to take screenshot on OPPO (ColorOS)
On OPPO smartphones with ColorOS you can capture screenshots with the power key + volume down combination, just like in other devices. In addition, however, you can swipe down with three fingers, or touch and hold with three fingers on the screen and then scroll down, in order to make a partial acquisition.
How to take screenshots on Sony
Sony smartphones allow you to take screenshots through the power + volume down key combination typical of Android. On some models it is possible to take advantage of the command on the multitasking screen. For more advanced features, you can contact the Google Play Store (find a short paragraph at the bottom).
How to take screenshots on Nokia
Nokia uses Android One or in any case a not particularly remodeled version of the operating system, which is why there are no major differences compared to the paragraph dedicated to stock Android. You can get screenshots with the power button and volume down or by dragging down the status and notification bar and tapping "Screen capture".
How to take screenshots on Lenovo / Motorola
Lenovo smartphones can take screenshots by pressing and holding the power and volume down keys for a few moments. Same thing for Motorola devices, which have a very similar customization to stock Android. In addition, some models of the winged house allow you to take screenshots using the gestures with three fingers on the screen (after activating the appropriate function in the settings) or with the Screenshot key present in the display of recent apps. The screenshot can be edited, shared or analyzed with Google Lens.
How to take screenshots on ASUS (ZenUI)
In general, all ASUS smartphone models allow you to take a screenshot by holding down the power + volume down keys for a while, but there are other methods.
In fact, you can also use the quick toggle available after pulling down the notification curtain. It can be added by changing the composition of the various tiles.
On some models with "old" versions of Android you can use the button for recent apps: to do this you need to go to settings, ASUS custom settings, press the recent applications button and select hold down to capture the snapshot from the pop-up menu. To take a screenshot at this point, just hold down the button for recent apps.
How to take screenshots on Realme UI
Also on Realme smartphones it is possible to take screenshots with the power and volume down keys, but there are other methods. Within the settings of the Realme UI it is in fact possible to activate the gesture with the swipe down of three fingers, but also the one that allows you to capture only a part of the screen by holding down (always with three fingers).
How to take screenshot on Vivo (Funtouch OS)
Taking a screenshot on Vivo devices with Funtouch OS is as simple as on those of other brands. You can use the classic button method (hold down the power + volume keys for a few moments) or take advantage of the special quick toggle available by pulling down the notification curtain.
How to take screenshots on HTC
Even on HTC smartphones, you can take a screenshot by simply holding down the physical power and volume down buttons at the same time. On models with a few years on their shoulders, still with a physical home button, the combination of power button and home button can be used. On some devices the quick toggle is also available by lowering the notification curtain, or the command in the shutdown menu
How to take screenshots on Meizu (Flyme)
To take a screenshot on Meizu smartphones, equipped with Flyme OS, the main method available is that of the usual combination of power key + volume down. Some models allow you to take screenshots even with a quick toggle in the notification curtain (the one with the scissors icon).
Screenshot app on the Google Play Store
There are also several applications on the Google Play Store that allow you to easily take screenshots. If there is no need to have particular functions, our advice is in any case to stick to the methods already provided and integrated by the various producers (sometimes even more advanced). To browse the various apps you can follow this link.
Where to find the captured screenshots
The captured screenshots can be easily consulted in the pre-installed gallery app or in the one used on the smartphone (Google Photos or others). The folder name may vary, but “Screenshots” or “Screenshots” is typically used.
It may interest you: How to take screenshots of apps that prohibit it on Android