A ​​screenshot on a smartphone is like a photo of the screen that helps save important information, share successes in a game, or show an error in an application. But if on iPhone it is enough to press two buttons, then on Android there are many more options. And this is both a plus and a minus: on the one hand, you can choose a convenient method, on the other hand, it’s easy to get confused in the settings.

In this article we will analyze all the current methods for creating screenshots on Android, from classic keyboard shortcuts to hidden functions of manufacturers. You'll learn how to take a screenshot on Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi Redmi, Honor or any other device - even if it has a broken power button. We'll also tell you where screenshots are saved and how to quickly find them.

Important: some methods may differ depending on the version Android (from Android 10 to Android 14) and the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, One UI, EMUI). If your smartphone was released earlier than 2018, check that the instructions in the settings are up to date.

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1. Classic method: power and volume buttons

This is the most universal method that works on 99% of Android smartphones, regardless of brand and firmware version. It does not require additional settings and takes less than a second. Here's how to do it:

  1. Open on the screen what you want to capture (message, map, page in the browser).
  2. Press and hold at the same time power button (power/lock) and volume down button.
  3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the sound of the camera shutter or see a screenshot animation.

On some models (for example, Samsung Galaxy S23 or Google Pixel 7) instead of sound, a screenshot thumbnail appears in the lower right corner. You can immediately click on it to edit or share the photo.

Make sure there is no confidential data on the screen

Check the battery level (below 5% the screenshot may not be saved)

Close unnecessary notifications in the curtain

Turn off Do Not Disturb mode if you are waiting for the confirmation sound-->

⚠️ Attention: on older smartphones (pre-2016), the combination Power + Volume Upis sometimes used. If the standard method does not work, try this combination.
Smartphone brand Button combination Features
Samsung Power + Volume down On Galaxy S22 and newer, the editing toolbar appears
Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco Power + Volume down In MIUI 14 you can set up a long screenshot by swiping down
Honor/Huawei Power + Volume up (on some models) B EMUI 13 scrolling screenshots supported
Google Pixel Power + Volume down Automatically saves to Google Photos when synchronizing

2. Gestures and swipes: screenshot without buttons

If your smartphone's power button is broken or you just want to simplify the process, you can take a screenshot using gestures. This method is available on most modern devices, but you must first enable it in the settings.

Here's how it works on different firmware:

  • 📱 MIUI (Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco): Swipe three fingers across the screen from top to bottom. To activate, go to Settings → Advanced → Screenshot → Three-finger gesture.
  • 🤖 Stock Android (Pixel, Motorola): Hold the power button until the menu appears, then select “Screenshot.”
  • 🌐 One UI (Samsung): Swipe the edge of your palm across the screen from left to right or right to left. Enabled in Settings → Additional functions → Movements and gestures → Palm screenshot.
  • 🔄 EMUI (Huawei/Honor): Tap the screen twice with your knuckles. The setting is located in Settings → Smart controls → Movements → Screenshot.

The advantage of gestures is that they work even if one of the physical buttons is faulty. However, on some smartphones (for example Samsung Galaxy A-series), gesture screenshots may conflict with other functions, such as calling Google Assistant.

Why does the screenshot gesture not work?

If swiping or tapping does not work, check:

1. Is the “For left-handed” mode enabled in the gesture settings (it can change the direction of the swipe).

2. Does the function conflict with other applications (for example, with launching the camera by double pressing the power).

3. Is the firmware updated? In older versions Android 9 and lower, gestures could work unstable.

⚠️ Attention: on smartphones with AMOLED screens (for example Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra), pressing too hard during a gesture can cause image artifacts. Use light touches.

3. Voice commands: “Okay, Google, take a screenshot”

If you have Google Assistantenabled, you can take screenshots by voice. This is convenient when your hands are busy or you want to capture something quickly without being distracted from the process. Here's how it works: Google Assistant data-i="116">" or "

  1. Activate the voice assistant with the command “Okay Google» or holding down the home button.
  2. Tell: "Take a screenshot" or "Take a photo of the screen».
  3. Confirm the action if the assistant asks for permission.

Voice screenshots are saved to a standard folder, as with other methods. However, this method has limitations:

  • ❌ Does not work in some applications (for example, in banking or with a high level of security).
  • ❌ Requires an Internet connection to process the command.
  • ❌ On Chinese firmware (for example, on some models Xiaomi for the domestic market) Google Assistant can be disabled.

Alternative: if you have Yandex Aliceinstalled, it can also take screenshots using the command "Alice, screenshot" But to do this, you must first give her permission to control the screen in the accessibility settings.

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For the voice screenshot to work the first time, say the command clearly and without pauses. If the room is noisy, use headphones with a microphone.

4. Scrolling screenshot: how to save a long page

A regular screenshot captures only that part of the screen that is currently visible. But what to do if you need to save an entire web page, a correspondence in WhatsApp or a list in Google Maps? There is a function for this scrolling screenshot (it is also called “long screenshot” or “scrolling screenshot”).

Here's how to do it on popular brands:

  • 📱 Samsung: Take a regular screenshot, then Click on the thumbnail that appears and select “Scrolling”. The screen will automatically scroll down and you can select the end point.
  • 🤖 Xiaomi: After taking the screenshot, click on the save notification and select "Long screenshot". In MIUI 14 you can set up automatic scrolling to the end of the page.
  • 🌐 Huawei/Honor: In the screenshot editing menu (appears immediately after creation) click on the "Scrolling" icon (two arrows down).
  • 🔄 Stock Android: On pure Android (for example, on Google Pixel) this function is not available by default. You need third-party software, for example LongShot.

Scrolling screenshots are saved as one long image in the format PNG or JPEG. They are convenient to send via instant messengers or print. However, please note that on some sites (for example, with dynamically loaded content), some of the information may not be included in the final screenshot.

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Long screenshots take up more memory space (up to 10 MB versus 1-2 MB for regular ones). If you do them often, clear the folder Screenshots from unnecessary files.

5. Special applications: when standard methods are not enough

If the built-in functions Android do not suit you, you can install third-party applications for screenshots. They offer advanced features: screen video recording, editing, cloud saving and even text recognition (OCR). Here are the top 3 proven utilities:

Application Features Cons
Screenshot Easy Gestures, timer, editor, saving to PDF Advertising in free version
Super Screenshot Scrolling screenshots, screen recording, cloud backup Requires root access for some functions
Screen Master Text recognition, collages, quick sending Closed source code (risks security)

Before installation, check the permissions that the application requests. If a utility requires access to SMS, geolocation or contacts for no obvious reason, this is a reason to be wary. Give preference to open source apps (for example, Screenshot Tile on GitHub).

For screen recordings (if you need to save not a static image, but a video) suitable AZ Screen Recorder or Mobizen. They allow you to select the resolution, bitrate and even overlay a webcam on top of the screen.

⚠️ Attention: some banking applications (for example, SberBank Online or Tinkoff) block the ability to take a screenshot for security reasons. In this case, only a second smartphone or a photo of the screen will help.

6. Where are screenshots saved and how to find them

By default, all. screenshots on Android are saved in the folder Pictures/Screenshots (or DCIM/Screenshots on some devices). You can access it through:

  • 📁 File manager (for example, Files by Google or built-in explorer).
  • 🖼️ Gallery: usually screenshots are displayed in a separate album.
  • 🔍 Search: enter the query "screenshot».
  • ☁️ Cloud services: if synchronization with Google Photosis enabled, screenshots are automatically uploaded to the folder "Screenshots».

On some smartphones (for example, Samsung), after taking a screenshot, a thumbnail appears at the bottom of the screen with quick access buttons:

  • ✏️ Edit — crop, add text or a picture.
  • 📤 Share —send to messenger or social network.
  • 🗑️ Delete —immediately clear an unnecessary picture.

If screenshotsSuddenly disappeared, check:

  1. Folder "Trash" in the gallery (sometimes files are moved there automatically).
  2. Cloud synchronization settings (the files may have only been uploaded to Google Drive).
  3. Permissions for the application "Gallery" (sometimes they are reset after an update).

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

Sometimes screenshots cannot be taken due to software or hardware limitations. Here are the most common situations and ways to fix them:

Problem Possible cause Solution
Buttons do not respond System hangs or mechanical failure Restart your smartphone or use a gesture method
Black screenshot DRM restrictions (for example, in Netflix or banking applications) Take a photo of the screen with another device
No confirmation sound System sound is muted or Do Not Disturb mode Check your volume and notification settings
Screenshots are not saved The device has run out of space or the gallery has crashed Clear the memory or reinstall the Gallery application

If none of the methods work, try:

  1. Update the firmware via Settings → System → Software update.
  2. Reset settings to factory settings (make a data backup first!).
  3. Install custom software (for example, LineageOS), if you are an experienced user.

On smartphones with root access you can use commands ADB to create screenshots via a computer. For example:

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png

This. the command will save the screenshot to the root folder of the device under the name screen.png.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to take a screenshot on the locked screen?

No, for security reasons Android does not allow you to take screenshots of the lock screen. An exception is if you have. There is root access or special software to bypass protection (but this violates policy Google and may be unsafe).

How to take a screenshot on Android without the power button?

Use gestures commands (swipe with three fingers) or a voice assistant (Google Assistant or AliceIf these methods do not work, connect your smartphone to the PC and take a photo via ADB or a app like Vysor.

Why are screenshots saved in low quality?

It depends on the screen resolution of your smartphone. On devices with Full HD+ (for example, Redmi Note 12) the screenshots will be clearer than on screens HD+ (for example, Samsung Galaxy A04). To improve quality, you can:

  • Use post-processing applications (for example, Snapseed).
  • Save screenshots in PNG instead of JPEG.
  • Disable compression in the gallery settings (if there is such an option).
Is it possible to take a screenshot in the game?

Yes, but in some games (for example, with anti-cheat protection) screenshots may be blocked or saved black In this case:

  • Use the built-in screen recording feature (if available).
  • Take a photo of the screen with another device.
  • Some smartphones (for example ASUS ROG Phone) have a special game mode with its own screenshot tools.
How edit the screenshot immediately after creation?

On most smartphones, after creating a screenshot, a thumbnail appears with a button “Edit". data-i="284">Edit PicsArt or Canva.