How to Take a Screenshot on Android

Taking a screenshot of your Android phone’s screen can be a bit confusing, since the process isn’t the same on every device. Here are the different ways to take a screenshot on Android.

Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) and Above

Just press the Volume Down and Power buttons at the same time, hold them for a second, and your phone will take a screenshot. It’ll show up in your Gallery app for you to share with whomever you wish!

Galaxy S4, S3, or Note 2 using a hand swipe:

1) Open Settings > Motion.

2) Scroll down and find Hand Motion, then Palm Swipe to Capture, and tick the box.

3) Close the menu and shape your hand like you are “chopping” the screen, set your hand on either side of the screen, then horizontally swipe across it – it doesn’t matter which way. If you’ve done it correctly, you should hear the camera shutter and receive a notification that a picture has been saved to the gallery.

Another way to take a screenshot on the Galaxy S4, S3 or Note:

Pressing the Power and Home buttons at the same time will also grab an image of the screen. This can be awkward to get right, so it’s important to remember to press both buttons at the same time, and hold them until the shutter sound is heard.

Both these methods also work on the Samsung Galaxy Notes as well, and the second method is also applicable to the Galaxy S2.

Android 2.3 and Below

Unfortunately, Android 2.3 and below doesn’t have screenshotting built-in. However, some devices (like many Samsung phones) do have these features, but it varies from phone to phone. for example, on many Samsung phones, you can press the Home and Power buttons at the same time to take a screenshot. Google around to see if your own phone has a built-in shortcut.

If your phone doesn’t have a shortcut built-in, you’ll need to use an app like No Root Screenshot It ($4.99).

You’ll need to install it on your phone and install its free companion app on your computer, which will enable screenshots. You’ll have to plug your phone back into your computer every time you reboot it, but you’ll be able to take screenshots directly from your phone.

There are more screenshot methods than we could possibly list here.