Screenshots

What is a Screenshot?

A screenshot also named screen capture (screencap) or screengrab, is a digital image of the data displayed on the screen of a computer or mobile device. A screenshot simply captures the contents of a computer or mobile device display at a specific moment. It allows for computer or mobile device users to save and share what is seen on the screen, whether it be a web page, an error message, a funny conversation, or anything else. Screenshots represent the content of a screen in pixels from a brief moment in time. Keep in account that to take a screenshot on a computer or mobile device depends on the operating system.

How to take a Screenshot: Windows

Full screen Screenshot on Windows

On Windows, press the "Print Screen" key on the keyboard to capture the entire screen or use "Alt + Print Screen" to capture only the active window.

1. Click ‘Start’.
2. Open ‘Paint’. Do a search for ‘Paint’ if you can’t find it.
3. Click ‘File’.
4. Click ‘New’ to open a new page.
5. Click on ‘Paste’ in the new page.
6. Click on ‘File’.
7. Click on ‘Save As’.
8. Name the new file, choose where you want it to save on your computer, and click ‘Save’.

Part of the screen Screenshot on Windows

1.    Click ‘Start’.
2.    Click ‘Snipping Tool’. Do a search for ‘Snipping Tool’ if you can’t find it.
3.    In the ‘Snipping Tool’ select ‘New’.
4.    The cursor will then change to a crosshair pointer.
5.    Move the crosshair to where you want to capture.
6.    Click and drag to select an area.
7.    When you have selected the area you need, release your Mouse or Trackpad.
8.    Click on ‘File’.
9.    Click on ‘Save As’.
10.    Name the new file, choose where you want it to save on your computer, and click ‘Save’.

Users running Windows 10

Use the ‘Print Screen’ button (PrtSc). You'll find it on the upper-right side of most keyboards (or next to the Space Bar on some). It will copy an image of your entire screen to the clipboard. You can then hit ‘Ctrl + V’ to paste it into a document.

How to take a Screenshot: Apple Mac

Full screen on a Mac

1. Pressing the ‘Command’, ‘Shift’ and ‘3’ keys (all at the same time) will capture the entire screen.
2. You should see the screen flash or change before it goes back to normal.
3. The screenshot usually gets saved to the Mac desktop.

Part of the screen on a Mac

1. Pressing the ‘Command’, ‘Shift’ and ‘4’ keys (all at the same time), will bring up the screen-capture window which allows you to capture different parts of the screen or a particular window.
2. The cursor will then change to a crosshair pointer.
3. Move the crosshair to where you want to capture.
4. Click and drag to select an area.
5. To adjust an area, hold ‘Shift’, ‘Option’, or the ‘Space bar’ while you drag.
6. When you have selected the area you need, release your Mouse or Trackpad.
7. You should see the screen flash or change before it goes back to normal.
8. The screenshot usually gets saved to the Mac desktop.

How to take a Screenshot: Android

The screenshot is usually saved in the same place as all other photos you take. Many different devices use Google’s Android operating system, so there are different ways screenshots can be taken. You should be able to take screenshots on most Android devices by holding down the ‘Power’ and ‘Volume down’ buttons. Some devices also have a screenshot button in the pull-down menu.

How to screenshot on Samsung

1. Press and hold the ‘Power’ button and the ‘Volume down’ button (at the same time) for 1 to 2 seconds to take the screenshot.
2. You should see the screen flash or change before it goes back to normal.
3. The screenshot is usually saved in the same place as all other photos you take.

Samsung phones also support hand gestures to take screenshots. To do this you can:

1. Position your hand like you plan to karate chop the phone, then swipe the entire side of your hand along the screen from left to right.
2. You may need to set this up by going to ‘Settings’, ‘Advanced features’, ‘Motion and gestures’ and ‘Palm swipe’ to capture.
3. The screenshot is usually saved in the same place as all other photos you take.

If your phone has Bixby, you can use voice command to ask the voice assistant to take a screenshot for you.

How to screenshot on Google Pixel

1. Open the screen that you want to capture.
2. Press the 'Power’ and ‘Volume down’ buttons at the same time.
3. Your phone will take a picture of the screen and save it.
4. At the bottom left, you will find a preview of your screenshot.

If your phone has Google Assistant, you can use voice command to ask the voice assistant to take a screenshot for you.

How to screenshot on Chromebook

1. A screenshot is a photo of what is on your device’s screen.
2. The ‘Window Switcher’ button (or Show Windows key) is needed to take a screenshot. This button is located at the top of the keyboard and has an image of a box with lines next to it.
3. Press ‘Shift, ‘Ctrl’ and ‘Show Windows’, then select ‘Screenshot’ to capture your full screen, part of the screen, or a specific window.
4. Screenshots are automatically copied to your clipboard.

How to take a Screenshot: iPad or iPhone

The screenshot is usually saved in the same place as all other photos you take.

Taking a screenshot with an iPad or iPhone

On devices with a Home button:

1. Hold down the ‘Power’ button and press the ‘Home’ button (at the exact same time).  
2. If your sound is on, you will hear a camera shutter and see a ‘flash’ on the screen when you take a screenshot.
3. Tap on the screenshot preview that appears in the bottom left corner of your screen, then tap ‘Done’.
4. Select where you would like to save your screenshot:
   • ‘Save to Photos’ – the screenshot will appear in your camera roll and in the Screenshots album of your Photos app.
   • ‘Save to Files’ – the screenshot can be saved to your iCloud account.

On devices without a Home button:

1. Hold down the ‘Power’ button on the right of the device (top button on an iPad) and the ‘Volume up’ button at the same time.
2. Follow steps 2, 3 and 4 for devices that have a Home button.

If you have an Apple Watch:

1. You must first enable the screenshot function. Open the Watch app on your iPhone, and choose ‘My Watch’, ‘General’, ‘Enable Screenshots’ and toggle it ‘On’.
2. To take a screenshot on an Apple Watch hold the ‘Side’ button and click the ‘Digital Crown’ simultaneously. The screenshot will then appear on your iPhone, not the watch itself.

Remember to check your settings and make sure that your Screenshots folder is being backed up to your iCloud account. This can give you extra reassurance that the screenshot is saved.

What is Screen Recording?

A screen recording is the process that records what is on the screen of a computer or mobile device, including audio and video, and saves to the computer. You can use screen recording to create tutorials, record online meetings, or give feedback on a project.