Modern smartphones allow you to take pictures of the entire screen by pressing a couple of buttons, but often we only need a specific part of the image or a long correspondence. The function of capturing a selected area, or screenshot of a fragment, has become a standard for mobile operating systems in recent years. It saves memory space and eliminates the need to crop the image in third-party editors.
The implementation of this function varies depending on the device manufacturer and operating system version Android. In some places this is a built-in menu option, and in others it requires the installation of additional utilities. In this guide, we will analyze in detail all the available methods for creating partial screenshots on various device models.
Standard operating system tools
Starting with Android 11 (and in some shells earlier), the system has native support for editing screenshots immediately after they are created. The user is offered a toolbar where he can select a mode area capture. Typically, this process looks intuitive: after capturing the full screen, a thumbnail appears, clicking on which opens the editor.
In pure Android, which is used on Google Pixel smartphones and many Motorola devices, the algorithm of actions is unified. After pressing the lock and volume down buttons, a floating window pops up in the lower left corner. If you want to capture only a part, you need to click the button with the scissors or dotted frame icon.
Then the system will offer to select the desired area. You can drag the corners of the frame or change its size, capturing only the text or image you need. This is especially convenient when you need to send someone a fragment of a map or an excerpt from an article without showing unnecessary information around it.
On some devices, the screenshot thumbnail disappears after 3-5 seconds. If you did not have time to click on it, the entire image will be saved and you will have to crop it manually in the gallery.
It is worth noting that this function may not be available on older versions of the OS. In such cases, the system immediately saves the full image to a folder DCIM/Screenshots without the possibility of quick cropping. You can check the presence of the function in the gesture settings or in the notifications section.
Features of the Samsung One UI shell
Samsung has introduced advanced image processing tools into its shell One UI much earlier than its competitors. Galaxy device owners can use the Smart Capture feature or the standard editor. After taking a screenshot, an icon in the form of a pen or scissors appears on the toolbar.
By clicking on it, you will switch to selection mode. Here you can select the shape of the area: rectangle, oval or freeform (Lasso). The mode Lasso allows you to trace an object with your finger with maximum precision, which is indispensable for highlighting complex shapes or objects against a colorful background.
In addition, Samsung offers a function for creating long screenshots, which automatically scrolls the page down, capturing all the content. However, if you just need a static fragment, it is better to use manual selection. The finished fragment can be immediately sent to the messenger or saved as a separate file.
⚠️ Attention: On Samsung A and M series models, some editor functions may be reduced compared to the flagship S and Note series due to differences in the amount of RAM memory.
Creating screenshots on Xiaomi and MIUI
The shell MIUI (and its new version HyperOS) offers one of the most flexible tools for working with the screen. The standard way to create a photo is to press the buttons simultaneously, but for fragments it is better to use the Troika menu. It is called up by swiping three fingers down the screen.
In the menu that appears, you can select the “Screenshot” option, and then immediately proceed to editing. The built-in Xiaomi editor allows you not only to crop the image, but also to add arrows, text and stickers before saving the file. This makes the process of preparing illustrations for instructions or reports very fast.
Also in the gesture settings, you can activate the “Three-finger screenshot” function, which immediately opens the selection area, bypassing the full screenshot stage. To do this, go to Settings → Additional settings → Gestures and make sure that the switch is active.
☑️ Setting up gestures on Xiaomi
If standard methods do not work, check the permissions for the “Screenshot” application. Sometimes, after a system update, access to the clipboard or storage may be reset, blocking the saving of edited fragments.
Third-party applications for advanced capture
When the built-in tools do not meet your needs, applications from Google Play come to the rescue. apps like Screen Master or Screenshot Easy offer features that are not available in the stock system. They allow you to create screenshots by shaking the device or using a floating button on the screen.
The main advantage of such utilities is the ability to customize the cutout shape and automatically remove the background. Some apps use artificial intelligence algorithms to detect the boundaries of objects, allowing you to cut them with one touch. This is especially useful for creating stickers or memes.
However, using third-party software requires broad access rights, including the right to display on top of other windows and access to all data on the screen. This creates potential risks for privacyespecially if you enter passwords or banking information.
Risks of using third-party screenshots
Many free apps contain aggressive advertising or may transmit data about your screen activities to third parties. Before installation, carefully read reviews and requested permissions.
For maximum security, it is recommended to use open source applications or time-tested utilities from reputable developers. Always check that the application does not require Internet access for the basic function of saving an image.
Customizing hot keys and the power menu
Many users do not know that the power button can be reconfigured to quickly access the necessary functions. In modern versions of Android, long pressing the lock button brings up the voice assistant, but this behavior can be changed. In accessibility settings, there is often an “Accessibility Menu” item.
By activating it, you will get a floating button on the screen, to which you can add a “Take Screenshot” shortcut. While this won't create a snippet right away, it will speed up the process if your hands are full or the physical buttons are faulty. Next, you simply use a standard editor for cropping.
Some manufacturers allow you to assign a double tap on the back of the smartphone (Back Tap) to create a screenshot. This feature is popular on Xiaomi devices and some Realme models. You can find it in the section: Settings → Accessibility → Touch settings screenshot Settings → Accessibility → Touch settings.
| Action | Standard combination | Alternative method |
|---|---|---|
| Full screenshot | Volume down + Power | Swipe with three fingers |
| Select a fragment | Editor after the photo | Smart capture menu |
| Long screenshot | Scroll button in the menu | Swipe down with two fingers |
| Quick menu | Notification curtain | Floating button |
Setting up gestures and the accessibility menu allows you to take screenshots even with broken physical buttons, extending the life of the device.
Solving problems and common errors
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where a screenshot is taken, but the edit or highlight button does not appear. This is often associated with protected content. Banking applications, streaming services (Netflix, Kinopoisk) and browsers in incognito mode block the creation of screenshots for security reasons.
In such cases, the screen may turn black when attempting to capture, or the system will display a message about the prohibition. It is impossible to bypass this limitation using standard means, since this works at the level of display drivers and Android security policy. Attempts to do this through root access may lead to blocking of banking applications.
Another common problem is the low quality of the saved fragment. Make sure that the camera or screenshot settings are not set to memory saving mode, which compresses images. The format PNG is always preferable JPG for texts and diagrams, since it does not have quality loss during compression.
⚠️ Attention: If you use the "One-handed" or reduced screen mode, the capture area may shift. Before taking an important screenshot, it is better to exit this mode to display coordinates correctly.
It is also worth checking the amount of free memory. If the storage is critically full, the system may save only the thumbnail or cancel the save operation altogether. Clearing the gallery cache sometimes helps restore the correct operation of the preview function.
To save text from a screenshot, use the Google Lens or “Text from Image” feature built into the gallery of many smartphones. This will allow you to copy data without manual input.
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to take a screenshot of a fragment in incognito mode?
No, in incognito mode and in protected applications (banks, DRM content) the system blocks the creation of any screenshots at the kernel level. The screen will be black or a prohibition notice will appear. This is done to protect your personal data.
Why is the screenshot saved in low quality?
Check the saving format settings. If you select a JPG with a compression ratio, the quality may decrease. Select PNG format in the screenshot or gallery settings. Also make sure that the screen is not in power saving mode, which affects rendering.
How to take a screenshot without using buttons?
Use the voice command “Hey Google, take a screenshot” or activate the accessibility menu with a floating button. Also on many smartphones, the “swipe down with three fingers” gesture works, which can be configured in the gesture menu.
Where are the cut fragments saved?
By default, all screenshots, including processed fragments, are saved in the folder DCIM/Screenshots or Pictures/Screenshots in the internal memory. If you select the "Share" option after cutting, the file may not be saved to disk, but will be sent directly to the selected application.
Is it possible to record video of a portion of the screen?
The standard Screen Recorder function usually records the entire contents of the display. You can select a fragment for recording only in advanced third-party streaming applications, but this requires high device resources and can cause delays.