Image: Jason Cipriani/ZDNET.
Screenshot is a handy way to keep track of a recipe, show someone the problem you’re having with an app, or just keep a memory of what you’ve seen in your camera roll on your phone screen.
We won’t cover all the ways to take a screenshot on an Android smartphone – we just don’t have access to enough templates to do so.
Instead, here are the basics of screen capture, and even an extra tip or two.
How to take a screenshot on Android?
The next time you want to save what you have on your screen, you can use the universal screen capture method for Android devices, by pressing the volume down button along with the sleep button.
Typically, the method is to hold both buttons for a brief moment, after which you’ll see the screen flash like a camera flash, letting you know the screenshot was successful. However, on newer Samsung Galaxy phones, holding these buttons brings up the power menu, so press both buttons really briefly.
Once you’ve taken the screenshot, you’ll see a thumbnail preview of the screenshot displayed in the lower left corner of your screen, along with a toolbar containing options to edit the screenshot , share it or even delete it.
Hand holding android device with two arrows pointing to sleep and volume buttons.
Image: Jason Cipriani/ZDNET.
How to take a scrolling screenshot
Instead of taking multiple screenshots of an item, such as a conversation or a long web page, you can use the screenshot tool to extend its size. To get started, take a screenshot as you normally would, then watch the toolbar that appears next to the thumbnail.
On Samsung Galaxy phones, you can take a scrolling screenshot by tapping the double arrow icon. Each time you tap this button, the screen scrolls down a bit and a new screenshot is taken, then paused. The longer you press this button, the longer the screenshot takes. And so on. Motorola smartphones have a button similar to Samsung’s. But the difference here is that the system continues to scroll and capture the screen until you press the stop button.
On Google’s Pixel line, there is no button with arrows. Instead, there is a button labeled Capture more. When you select it, you get a magnified view of what’s on your screen, along with a cropping tool. Drag this tool down to adjust the size of the scrolling screenshot. When the screenshot includes everything you wanted, press the button Save.
Image: Jason Cipriani/ZDNET.
FAQs
Are there other ways to take a screenshot?
Yes, there are several. If your Samsung Galaxy phone supports the S Pen, you can use it to take screenshots. In fact, if the stylus is built into the phone (like on any Note series device or the Galaxy S22 Ultra), the menu that appears when you remove the stylus directly gives you the option to capture part or your entire screen.
Samsung and Motorola phones have gestures that trigger screenshots. On a Motorola smartphone, you can place three fingers on the screen and swipe down, but you’ll need to enable the feature in Settings (just search for “screenshot” and you’ll find it). On Samsung mobiles, you can use the edge of your palm on the screen to take a screenshot, but we had a lot of trouble doing that with this method. You can find the button to turn it on or off by searching for “screenshot” in Settings.
Where can I find screenshots after taking them?
It depends. On smartphones equipped with Google Photos, which is the only application to find and display your photos and videos, it is with it that you will be able to see your screenshots. However, it’s not obvious where they are in the Photos app. Unless you do the following: open the app Picturesthen select Library at the end of the page. Search the album screenshots (not Screenshots) and tap on it to open.
If you want to sync your screenshot album with your Google Photos account, you can enable it while viewing the album. Subsequently, your screenshots will appear in the tab Pictures.
For other smartphones, like Samsung’s Galaxy range, you’ll use the Gallery app that comes pre-installed on the phone. Open the app, tap Albums, then select your screenshot album to see them all in one place. Otherwise, they will be mixed in with the rest of your photos and videos in the Pictures tab.
How can I share a screenshot?
You have two options. You can use the toolbar that appears next to the thumbnail to share it immediately after taking it, or you can share the screenshot from the app Gallery Where Picturesdepending on the phone you are using.
Source: ZDNet.com