Ever wanted to make a copy of the screen on your iPhone or iPad? If you use these devices and want a copy of an open application, a copy of an image on a web page, or a screenshot of a browser page, this article will help you.
Table of Contents
Here are five methods to take a screenshot with your iPhone or iPad.
1. With the AssistiveTouch mobile button
The on-screen enabled AssistiveTouch mobile button can be used for a variety of tasks, including taking a screenshot. Tapping the mobile button opens a series of dark screens, which can be toggled between with a single tap, eventually taking a screenshot. (The following images are a demonstration of using my iPhone 4S).
STEP 1: Tap the phone button to open this first dark screen. If you want to take a screenshot, tap the Device icon.
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2. “Right Side+Volume Buttons” or “Home+Sleep”
An easy way to take a screenshot of your iPhone or iPad is to hold the “Home” button and press the “Sleep/Wake” button at the same time. A screenshot is saved to the camera roll.
From the camera roll, you can email the photo or upload it to your computer. Other options are described at the end of the article.
3. Alternative to a button
A guest commenter, Ele, found an alternative to the “Home+Sleep” option for taking a screenshot. In her iPad case with a keyboard, the sleep button was locked so it was inaccessible for taking a screenshot.
Enabling an accessibility option in the general settings creates a floating button on the screen that can be used to take a screenshot without having to use the “Home” or “Sleep” buttons.
The moveable button can be placed anywhere on the screen. When not in use, it fades but never completely disappears. If it’s somewhere else on the screen that you want to touch, you can move it by touching and dragging the mobile button.
This mobile button can be activated on your iPhone or iPad. The first set of images shows the steps required to activate the mobile button. (The images below are from my iPhone 4S. On my wife’s iPad, the views are similar, but not entirely identical).
4. App screenshot
WebCapture is a free application that is available for your iPhone but can also be used on your iPad. It is used to create a screenshot of a website.
It’s a fairly simple application. When you open it, it works like a browser. (Remember to put “http://” in front of all URLs). This app serves to take a picture of the website (without statuses or toolbars). Usually, there is no need to crop or edit the image. The photo is saved to the camera roll.
Note: This app only takes a screenshot of the screen view and not an image of the entire webpage. (Similar to how your printer gives you the option to print the “current view” rather than the “current page”).
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5. Touching an image
See an image you like on an open webpage in your Safari browser. You can tap and hold the picture to save it to your camera roll or make a copy and attach it to an email.
After opening the Safari browser on my iPhone, I went to the Grand Canyon website. By tapping and holding the panorama image on the webpage, the phone brought up a menu with three options: “Save Image”, “Copy” and “Undo”. (See screenshots of these results below).
Assuming I don’t want to undo this operation, I have the option of saving the image to the camera roll or making a “copy” of the image which I can then paste into an email.
Below is a copy of the Grand Canyon panoramic photo I emailed from my iPhone.
You’re right. Technically, it’s not a screenshot. It is just a copy of an image on a web page. But often we only want an image and not the whole website.
Use an image from the camera roll
Now, what can you do with the image you captured on your camera roll? You have several options. You can:
- Send it via email, SMS, or, tweet.
- Print it out if you have an AirPrint-enabled printer.
- You can download it to your computer the next time you sync.
- Automatically send it wirelessly to all your connected devices if you use iCloud.
- Assign the picture to a contact or use it as wallpaper.
This article is correct to the best of the author’s knowledge and belief. The content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for personal or professional advice on any business, financial, legal, or technical matter.
Questions & Answers
How do I capture a screenshot on an iPad?
On an iPad with a Home button: Press and release the top button and the Home button at the same time. For other iPad models: Press and release the top button and one of the volume buttons at the same time.
Can you screenshot on iPad without the Home button?
The way you take a screenshot on your iPad is similar to that on the iPhone. For the new iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini models that don’t have a Home button, press the top button and the volume up or down button at the same time.
What is the fastest way to take a screenshot?
Print screen button
The easiest way to take a screenshot of the entire screen in Windows 10 or Windows 11 is to press the Print Screen (PrtScn) key on your keyboard. The screenshot is then copied to the clipboard.
How many types of screenshots are there?
There are four types of screenshots you can take with the Capture tool: Freeform Capture: Take a freeform screenshot around an object. Rectangular Capture: Capture a rectangular screenshot around an object. Window Capture: Captures a browser window or dialog box.
How do you take a screenshot?
In most cases, a quick press of the power button and the volume down button at the same time will suffice. Similar to iOS, your Android device will typically hear a shutter sound confirming the capture, and then see a thumbnail preview that you can edit, share, or delete.
How do I take a screenshot without clicking?
On almost all Android phones and tablets, you can take a screenshot by quickly turning down the volume and pressing the power button.
How do I take a screenshot without touching it?
If you want to take a screenshot really quickly, you can also use a keyboard shortcut to avoid touching the menus. From the AssistiveTouch main menu, choose Double-tap or Long-press options and set one of them to Screenshot. Then quickly double-tap or press and hold the AssistiveTouch button to take a screenshot.
How do you take an alternative screenshot on iPhone?
Simultaneously press the side button and the volume up button. Quickly release both buttons.
How do you screenshot on iPhone without clicking?
Many Android devices now let you use gestures to take screenshots without having to press any buttons. For example, on Samsung phones, you can turn on Palm Swipe to capture in Settings > Advanced Features > Gestures and Gestures.
What is the shortcut key for screenshots for iPad?
Command-Mouse-3: Take a screenshot. Command-Mouse-4: Take a screenshot and immediately open Markup for viewing or editing. Command-D option: Show or hide the dock.
Is there a shortcut for screenshots?
Depending on your hardware, you can use the Windows logo key + the PrtScn key as the screenshot shortcut. If your device doesn’t have the PrtScn key, you can use Fn + Windows logo key + Spacebar to take a screenshot that can then be printed out.
Which tool is used for screenshots?
To use the screenshot tool if you have a mouse and keyboard: Press the WINDOWS key + SHIFT + S. The desktop will dim while you select an area for the screenshot. Rectangular mode is selected by default.
How do I take a screenshot other than the power button?
On some devices, you can use the palm of your hand to take a screenshot without pressing a key. In Settings, look for Palm Swipe to Capture and select that option. Then tap the toggle next to “Palm swipe to capture.” Now you can take a screenshot just by swiping the edge of your hand across the phone screen.
Is there a way to screenshot without the Home button?
Screenshot Gesture: Just drag your finger from the corner of the screen to the center and the app will automatically take the screenshot for you. Screenshot on the go: With this feature enabled, just shake your Android device to activate the in-app screenshot command.
Can I screenshot by tapping on my iPhone?
You can double or triple-tap the back of your iPhone to perform actions such as For example, take a screenshot, enable an accessibility feature, run a shortcut, and more. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Tap > Tap Back. Choose “Double tap” or “Triple tap” and then choose an action.
Where are screenshots saved?
Where are screenshots saved on Android? Most Android devices save screenshots in a folder called “Screenshots”. This also applies to the Samsung Galaxy. Open your favorite gallery or file management app and locate the “Screenshots” folder.
What is the easiest screenshot tool?
The Snipping Tool is the fastest and easiest way to take screenshots on a Windows computer. Every computer has two built-in screenshot options: Press the Windows + PrtScn keys to take a screenshot of the entire screen.
