Many beginners and not only users of mobile devices sooner or later face the question: how to take a screenshot of the screen of a smartphone or tablet on Android? Or: how to take a picture of the smartphone / tablet screen? Etc. etc.
It is this post that should clearly answer the reader's questions of this type. First of all, it should be noted that the methods of "photographing" the screen on different versions of the Android operating system are different. Let's start in order, namely, we will answer the question: how to take a screenshot on Android 2.3 and earlier?
The search giant - Google, unfortunately, did not bother itself with such questions. So the function of "taking pictures" of screens on devices with Android 2.3 and older, in short, is simply not implemented. It will be possible to get out of this situation only if the manufacturer of the device itself foresaw such functionality.
Simply put, go to Google or Yandex and type in "How to take a screenshot of the screen on ..." in the search. Instead of three dots, write a model of your device. If you can't find the answer you want, try searching for the software you want on Google Play.
Making a screenshot of the screen on smartphones and tablets with Android OS 4.0 and higher
The answer to this question will be the easiest and most unexpected for an inexperienced user. It's just that in this case, Google took into account the wishes of its users and implemented this function by simply pressing just two hardware buttons on a smartphone or tablet. Namely, to take a screenshot of the screen on Android 4.0 and higher, you need to simultaneously press the power / lock button of the device and the volume down button.
The duration of pressing should be only about a second of time. Then, after typical rendering, your screen will be automatically saved in the Gallery or "Screenshots" folder on the device or memory card. That's all.
How to take a screenshot on Samsung Galaxy devices
In this case, the manufacturer (Samsung) themselves came up with their own combination of hardware keys regardless of the operating system itself. Thus, in order to "take a picture" of the screen on Samsung devices of the Galaxy line, the user will need to simultaneously press the "Home" keys and the power / lock button ("Power"). Alternatively, press the Back "Back" buttons and the "Home" button at the same time. Here's a Samsung exclusive.
Screenshot the screen of a smartphone or tablet with root rights
This case also does not require special skills and only requires installing the appropriate application from Google Play or downloading it from a specific resource. In short, we prescribe the term "screenshot" in the Google app store, in the search bar, and in the search results select an app that is similar in spirit.
For those who do not know how to get root-rights on a smartphone / tablet, but the program requires it, we advise you to look through the instructions.
How to take a screenshot of a device screen without root rights
This option involves looking for software for Android that will allow you to take screenshots without getting root rights and unnecessary troubles. Although, there is one "BUT" - the list of such programs is not very large.
We can recommend "No Root Screenshot it" to the reader. This tool provides software installation on a smartphone / tablet and PC. You can download the Android version of the program from here. Video instruction in English lies on Youtube , in principle, everything is intuitive.
This concludes our instructions for creating a screenshot on Android smartphones and tablets. It would be nice to read in the comments your ways of solving this issue and answer the questions posed.
Android 4.0 and up
Owners of gadgets with the fourth or more recent versions of Android can take a screenshot by simultaneously pressing the power and volume down buttons. We hold this combination for a fraction of a second, after which we observe a characteristic picture on the screen.
You can find the screenshot you have taken in the system application, which functions as a photo gallery on your device. For example, on Nexus, Pixel, Google Play Edition and other onboard series devices, screenshots are displayed in the Screenshots folder in the Google Photos program.
Older Android versions
Unfortunately, the Android system prior to version 4.0 did not have a standard screen capture function. The problem was solved by smartphone manufacturers. For example, in some even older Samsung devices, screenshots can be taken by simultaneously pressing the power and Home buttons.
If this combination does not work in your case, then you should turn to Google: perhaps your device can also take screenshots out of the box, but with its own clever combination.
If your search doesn't return any results, try third-party programs like Screenshot (for Android 2.3 and newer) or No Root Screenshot It (for Android 1.5 and newer OS versions).
In addition, if you have, you can install any modified Android firmware (for example, LineageOS) with the implemented screenshot function.
iOS
To take a screenshot on any iPhone or iPad, hold down the power key for a second and with it - "Home". The screenshot created in this way can be found in the standard "Photos" application.
How to take a screenshot on a computer
Windows and Linux
There is . One of the simplest is to press the PrtSc key, then open the Paint program and use the Ctrl + V combination. The screenshot will appear in the editor window. It will be possible to save the image on the hard disk through the "File" menu.
The PrtSc key will work on Linux as well. Immediately after clicking, a dialog box will appear that asks for the path to save the screenshot.
The listed methods are suitable for both desktop computers and laptops.
macOS
To take a screenshot on any Apple computer, use the key combination Cmd + Shift + 3. The finished screenshot will be saved on your desktop.
And today I will teach you how to do it - after reading the instructions, you will learn how to take screenshots on Android devices.
General order
Usually, in order to take a screenshot, we just need to simultaneously press a certain combination of hardware buttons. Most often this is the volume down key and the power button, or the home button and the power button.
After you press these two buttons at the same time, you will see a confirmation in the notification bar that the screenshot has been saved. Occasionally, the sound of the camera shutter is heard and pop-up notifications appear.
In some cases, you can find the option to take a screenshot in the menu that appears when you press the power button for a long time, next to the items to turn off and restart the device. This can be useful when you have difficulty pressing hardware buttons, such as Sony Xperia V.
Several manufacturers of Android tablets and phones add their own methods of taking screenshots to the Android interface. For example, on Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note 2 screenshots can be taken with the digital S Pen. Some Samsung phones allow you to take screenshots with a single Home button, and for some of them you can enable the option to take a snapshot in the settings menu after you swipe the side of your hand across the smartphone screen.
On Samsung tablets, you can find a virtual button for taking screenshots in the navigation bar:
On Htc devices, in order to take a screenshot, you will need to simultaneously press the power button and then the touch button "Home".
On devices Sony Xperia screenshots can be taken using a combination of the power and volume down buttons, or using the menu that appears when you press the power button for a long time.
On devices Lg, in addition to using a combination of the power and volume down buttons, to capture an image from the screen, you can use the application to instantly create notes Quick Memo.
On Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 screenshots are taken in the traditional way - by simultaneously pressing the power button and the volume down key.
How to take a screenshot using ADB
If the Android SDK is installed on your computer, then by connecting your tablet or phone to it using a USB cable, you can take screenshots directly on your computer.
To do this, in the folder where you have installed the Android SDK, find and run the ddms.bat file, in the window that opens, select your device, go to the Device menu and select Screen Capture, or just press the Ctrl and s key combination.
Quite often there is a need to take a screenshot of the smartphone display. On ordinary stationary computers, a separate key is created for this - PrtSc. Android devices do not have such a separate button, but there are other options. So now let's take a look at how to make a screen on Android.
Algorithm of actions for Android versions starting from 4.0
The most remarkable thing is that there are many releases of this operating system, there are even more firmwares, so there are a lot of methods for creating a screenshot. The standard option for a large number of gadgets is to press a specific combination of buttons on the body of the device. This is usually the ON key and the Volume Down key. Clamp them together and hold for a few seconds. As soon as the characteristic click of the camera sounds, the image will be taken. After that, the system immediately sends it to the internal memory of the device along the path:
Pictures / Screenshots
Pictures / ScreenCapture
The method is universal and suitable for almost all brands - Motorola, Fly, Huawei, ZTE and others. The only condition is that the smartphone must have a not very old version of the operating system.
Individual models
Developers of mobile gadgets, being in conditions of fierce competition, try to make as many different options as possible so that users are comfortable using their products. So many companies have developed additional methods that allow you to quickly make a screen on Android.
Htc
In the phones of this company, it is easy to take a photo of the display like this:
- firstly, press "Power on" and "Volume -";
- secondly, by pressing "Switch on" and "Home". This option does not work on all smartphones, if nothing worked, use the first one.
On older Samsung models, such as Samsung Galaxy S with Android 2.3, you need to hold "Back" and "Home" for a couple of seconds.
Finally, in more "recent" devices, for example, on the Samsung Galaxy s2 phone and on the Galaxy Tab 2 tablet, you need to use the universal method - "ON" and volume reduction.
On more modern devices (Samsung Galaxy a3, j3 and others), which entered the market about a year or two ago, you should simultaneously press the combination "Switch on" and "Home".
Samsung's state-of-the-art smartphones offer another option that allows you to quickly make a screen with a gesture. You slide the edge of your palm across the monitor from right to left, or vice versa. This option is usually disabled. To activate it, follow this path:
Settings / Controls / Palm Control / Screenshot
You will find the result in the Pictures / ScreenCapture folder.
Lg
The software shell of Android devices of this brand has its own proprietary application called Quick Memo (QMemo +). It helps to create a screen of the display, as well as process it in a pre-installed editor (write something, crop the edges, etc.).
The application is launched by opening the top notification bar, just click on the icon.
The traditional method also works on LG phones.
Xiaomi
On Xiaomi gadgets, to get a screenshot, you should immediately press Volume–, the key with three stripes (menu) and the "Screenshot" icon located behind the curtain of the top panel.
Lenovo VIBE UI also has a function for creating screenshots. It is activated like this:
- first, from the top menu;
- secondly, from the menu of the power and lock keys of the device.
The standard method also works.
Asus Zenfone
Asus Zenfon and Zenfon 2 developed their own chips presented by the ZenUI shell. You can make a screen with one gesture after you slightly change the settings:
- find the subsection "Asus Individual Settings" in the settings;
- select "Recent Apps Button";
- check the appropriate action.
So the button with a long press will be able to take a photo of the phone monitor.
For Zenfone 2: on the home screen, open the quick settings menu, go to "Advanced settings" and select "Screenshot". Confirm saving. A screenshot icon will appear in the shortcut settings.
How to take a screenshot on older Android versions
To take a screenshot on an Android 3.2 device, you will have to press and hold Recent Apps. Therefore, there is no need to change the parameters in advance. On very old versions of the OS, there is no function of creating a screenshot at all; you will need to install third-party software, which is good news.
6 and 7 versions of the operating system
The most remarkable thing is that screenshots created by this new option, unlike those made by the universal method, do not have a notification panel or navigation. So there is no need to cut or remove anything.
Third Party Applications
There are many products you can find on Google Play to help you get the job done. If for some reason it is not possible to use the usual methods, therefore, use others.
Name programs speaks for itself. He has a small selection of functions: first, activation of the screenshot button on the home screen. Secondly, a modest editor that allows you to add inscriptions to the image, slightly adjust it.
it attachment can take a photo using the keys and by shaking the device. It also has photo editing tools. At the same time, it is not required to use root access, but if you have it, your possibilities increase significantly.
In terms of functionality, this software is similar to the previous two: a soft button and a built-in small editor with cropping and drawing options. Suitable only for those who have root rights.
How to make a screenshot on an Android phone? If you wish, you can use one of the proposed options and choose the most convenient one for yourself.
Given the large number of different versions, assemblies and skins of Android, it is difficult to name a universal way to take a screenshot of the screen. If you do not find the desired combination of buttons on your phone, you can download applications that can take a screenshot.
By default, to take a screenshot on Android, you need to hold down the power button and the volume down key. This is the most common method and works for almost all manufacturers.
But making a screen on a Samsung Galaxy using this combination is unlikely to succeed: phones and tablets from the South Korean company use other combinations:
- Home + power key.
- Home + Back button.
On the Samsung Galaxy, you can also take a picture of the screen by sliding the edge of your hand from one edge of the display to the other. To take screenshots using this gesture, you need to activate the corresponding function in the Samsung Galaxy settings under Control - Palm control - Screen capture. 
In custom firmwares and skins from different manufacturers, you can make a screen screen from the shutdown menu. Press the "Power" button until the window for turning off the mobile device appears. It will contain an item with a name like “Take screenshot”, “Take screenshot”, etc. 
Screenshots are saved in a separate folder in the gallery. Through the file manager, they can be found in the Pictures / ScreenCapture or Pictures / Screenshots directory.
If you can't take a screenshot on your Android phone or tablet, because it's not clear which combination you need to use to take a screenshot, install an application on your device that prompts you to take a picture from the desktop. It's easy to download programs that allow you to take screenshots on your smartphone: go to the Play Market or Google Play and write the query "Screenshots" in the search bar. Such applications work on all devices in the same way, be it a Samsung Galaxy a Chinese phone. Restrictions can only be on the Android version. 
If you take a screenshot with the built-in tools, then it will immediately be saved as a simple photo in the Android gallery, even if you have the latest fancy Samsung Galaxy. In the search results, you will see a huge number of applications that allow you not only to take a picture of the screen on your tablet or phone, but also to quickly edit the picture.
- Crop excess in the photo;
- Blur the parts of the image that you want to hide;
- Add text;
- Draw with a brush, add lines, arrows and other objects.
You really realize the convenience of the editing function when you need to screen a moment on the screen, and then select individual elements for another user in the photo. 
In addition, Android applications have settings that simplify the process of creating and sending a screen. In particular, in the Screenshot Easy application you can:
- Choose a path for the photo to be saved in memory on your phone or tablet;
- Set the type of file name;
- Specify the desired image format (PNG, JPG);
- Enable date and time display, automatic rotation to the desired number of degrees, color switching, etc.
Many apps that allow you to take screenshots on Android have another useful feature - the ability to choose how you want to take screenshots. For example, you can make an Android screen by shaking the device or pressing the hardware camera button. It is important that most applications for taking screenshots on an Android smartphone can be downloaded for free.
Using Adb Run
If you need to take screenshots of the Android screen and immediately move them to your computer, you can use the Adb Run program to complete this task. You will need:
- Computer with Android drivers installed. Manufacturers have different drivers. If you have a Samsung phone, look for Samsung software;
- Smartphone with USB debugging enabled;
- Cable for connecting a computer and a mobile device;
- Adb Run program.
You can take screenshots via Adb Run in manual or automatic mode on any device (the method also works on Samsung Galaxy). Start with automatic mode, it's easier.
