Knowing how to take a screenshot is one of those small skills that saves time every single week. Whether you want to save a confirmation page, share an error message with a friend or keep a recipe from a website, a screenshot captures exactly what is on your screen. The buttons differ between devices and can vary slightly by model and software version, so this guide covers the most common methods for Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android.
How to take a screenshot on Windows
On most Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers, the quickest method is Windows key + Shift + S. The screen dims and a toolbar appears at the top, letting you choose a rectangle, freeform shape, a window or the full screen. The image is copied to your clipboard and a notification appears; click it to open the Snipping Tool, where you can crop, draw and save.
For a full-screen capture, press Print Screen (often labelled PrtScn). On many keyboards, Windows key + Print Screen saves the image straight to the Screenshots folder inside Pictures. On some laptops you may need to hold the Fn key as well.
Capturing just one window
Press Alt + Print Screen to copy only the active window, then paste it with Ctrl + V. This keeps your open tabs and notifications out of the picture.
How to take a screenshot on a Mac
Press Shift + Command + 3 to capture the whole screen. Press Shift + Command + 4 and your cursor becomes crosshairs so you can drag over the area you want. Shift + Command + 5 opens a control bar with options to capture the screen, a window or a selection, and to record a video of your screen.
By default, Mac screenshots are saved to the desktop, though you can change that in the Shift + Command + 5 options. Hold the Control key with the shortcuts to copy to the clipboard instead of saving.
How to take a screenshot on an iPhone
It depends on the model. On iPhones with Face ID, press the side button and volume up button together, then release quickly. On iPhones with a Home button, press the side (or top) button and the Home button together. A thumbnail appears in the corner; tap it to mark up, crop or share before it is saved to Photos. Accessibility settings also offer an Assistive Touch menu and a back-tap shortcut if pressing two buttons is awkward.
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How to take a screenshot on Android
On most Android phones, hold the power button and volume down button together for about a second. Many Samsung, Google Pixel and other phones also support a palm swipe or a quick-settings tile, depending on settings. A preview appears with options to edit, share or capture more of the page, and the image is saved in a Screenshots album in your gallery or Google Photos.
Because manufacturers customise Android, the steps can differ a little. If the buttons do not work, check the gestures or advanced features settings, or look up the manual for your model.
How to take a scrolling screenshot
A scrolling screenshot captures a long page, such as a chat or article, in one image. Many Android phones and recent iPhones offer this: after a normal screenshot, look for Capture more, Scroll capture or Full Page on the preview. On iPhone, full-page capture generally works for web pages in Safari and is saved as a PDF. On Windows and Mac, a browser’s built-in full-page capture is often the simplest route, because the Snipping Tool does not always capture scrolling content.
Keeping your screenshots organised
Screenshots pile up quickly and can fill your storage unnoticed. Delete the ones you no longer need and rename important ones so you can find them. If your phone is getting full, our guide on how to free up storage on an Android phone covers other quick wins, and how to back up your phone photos explains how to keep valuable images safe.
A privacy reminder
Before sharing a screenshot, check it for personal details such as email addresses, account numbers, one-time codes or other people’s messages, and crop or blur anything sensitive. If you are unsure whether a message is genuine, read our guide to spotting phishing emails and scam texts.
Frequently asked questions
Where do screenshots go on my computer?
On Windows, Windows key + Print Screen saves to Pictures > Screenshots. On a Mac they go to the desktop by default. Clipboard-only screenshots are not saved until you paste them somewhere.
Why is my screenshot black?
Some apps, especially video streaming and banking apps, block screenshots for security or copyright reasons. This is intentional and usually cannot be changed.
Can I take a screenshot without pressing buttons?
Yes. Many phones support gestures, voice assistants or accessibility shortcuts, and computers have the Snipping Tool or the Mac screenshot toolbar.
How do I take a screenshot on a Chromebook?
Press Ctrl + Shift + the Show windows key to open the screen capture toolbar. Keys can vary by model.
Final thoughts
Once you know the shortcut for your device, a screenshot takes under a second. Practise it a couple of times, learn where images are saved and you will use it every day.
