Every operating system needs to have some way for users to document their experiences, share them with others and troubleshoot any problems they may experience. Screenshots are a simple way for you to take pictures of what’s on your screen. These photos can be used for a variety of purposes, all of which are more relevant as you use your Android device more frequently. You may want to show friends something cool that you discovered or share an error message with someone who can help you solve it. There are many different ways to take screenshots on an Android phone, tablet, or Google Chromebox — but each device has its own unique screenshot methods. Read on to learn how and when you should take screenshots in the world of Android devices!
Why You Should Take Screenshots on Android
Screenshots are a great way to document what’s on your device’s screen — or share something funny or interesting with friends or family. You might want to show someone what you’re playing on your device or a funny message you saw online. Other reasons to take Android screenshots include:
- Taking visual notes — If you’re taking notes with Google Keep, you can screenshot any note for future reference. This works for any app that allows you to take a screenshot by swiping your finger across the screen and holding it there for a second.
- Sharing funny moments — You may want to send a screenshot to a friend to show them something funny that happened on your device. This could be anything from an amusing error message to a meme you found online.
- Saving articles and web pages — If you come across an article or web page that you want to read later, but don’t have time for it right now, you can take a screenshot to save it for later.
- Troubleshooting issues — If you’re having issues with your device, you can take a screenshot of the problem to show it to a friend, family member, or tech support.
- Documenting your device — If you’re trying to sell or give away your device, you can take screenshots of it to show it in its current state.
How to take a screenshot on Android
There are several different methods for taking a screenshot on Android devices, so you can pick whichever one is easiest and most convenient for you. You can find even more methods if you use a different type of Android device.
When you should take a screenshot on Android
You can take a screenshot at any time — however, there are some situations in which it’s more appropriate than others. Here are some examples of when you should take screenshots on an Android device:
- When you see an error message — If you’re trying to troubleshoot a problem on your device, you can take a screenshot of any error messages you see. This can be helpful if you’re trying to talk to someone who can help you solve the problem.
- When you discover something interesting — If you come across something interesting, funny, or useful on your device, you can take a screenshot of it to share with others.
- When you’re playing a game — If you’re playing an Android game and want to show a friend what the gameplay is like, you can take a screenshot of your device while you’re playing.
- When you want to document your device — If you’re trying to sell or give away your Android device, or just want to document its current state, you can take a screenshot of its home screen.
Types of Screenshots You Can Take in Android
There are several different types of screenshots you can take on Android devices, depending on what you want to document. Here are some common screenshot types for Android devices:
- Full screenshot — A full screenshot shows your device’s entire screen, and you can take it by pressing and holding the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously. This is great for showing your device in its entirety as it is right now.
- Partial screenshot — A partial screenshot only shows a portion of your device’s screen. You can take a partial screenshot by pressing and holding the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously, then swiping your finger across the portion of the screen you want to screenshot. This is great for sharing only a portion of what’s on your device.
- Scrolling screenshot — A scrolling screenshot includes multiple pages and lets you scroll through them to see more. You can take a scrolling screenshot by pressing and holding the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously, then press the Volume Up button once.
Built-in Android Screenshot Techniques
If you’re using a device that has Android 8.0 or later, you can take a screenshot by squeezing the sides of your device. This works by turning on the “Squeeze” gesture. You can also take a screenshot by pressing and holding the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously. The screen will flash white and you’ll hear a sound that indicates that you’ve successfully taken a screenshot. If your device has Android 7.1 or later, you can use the “Shake” gesture to take a screenshot. You can turn this feature on by going to “Settings” and tapping “Accessibility.” You’ll then find a menu called “Shake” that lets you enable the feature. Once you’ve enabled it, you can take a screenshot by shaking your device as if you’re trying to dislodge something from it.
A Short Guide to Screen Capture Apps
If you want more control over your screenshots, or would like to take screenshots on a device running Android 5.0 or below, you can use a screen capture app. These apps let you screenshot specific apps, take timed screenshots, and include features like editing, annotation, and sharing options. Some of the most popular screen capture apps for Android include:
- Screenshot – This app is designed to be simple, straightforward, and easy to use. It has a few extra options, like the ability to take timed screenshots.
- Screeny – If you want more control over your screenshots, this app lets you edit and annotate them after you take them. – Screenshot UX – This app has helpful features such as a color picker and a QR code scanner.
- Screenshot – This app makes it easy to take timed screenshots and includes some helpful editing tools.
Troubleshooting: Common Issues with Taking Screenshots
While taking a screenshot will likely be smooth sailing on your Android device, there are some common issues that you may run into. Here are some troubleshooting tips you can try if you’re having trouble taking screenshots on your Android device:
- Make sure your device has Android 8.0 or later – Earlier versions of Android don’t have the “Squeeze” or “Shake” gestures for taking screenshots. If you’re using one of these devices, you can use one of the other methods for taking a screenshot.
- Be sure your device is unlocked. – If you’re trying to take a screenshot of the home screen, make sure your device is unlocked first.
- Make sure your device is charged – You don’t want a dead battery to interfere with you taking screenshots while you’re out and about!
Conclusion
The screenshot feature is available on every Android device, so take advantage of it. You can use it to capture important information, save funny images, and even troubleshoot problems on your device. You can take a screenshot in a variety of ways depending on what device you have and which features it has. No matter which way you choose, screenshots are a great and easy way to save images from your device that you can revisit later.
