How to Take a Screenshot on Android (Buttons, Scrolling and More)

Screenshots are the small habit that saves endless back and forth. Grab the order confirmation, the error message, the review a customer left, the post you want to show your designer. On an Android phone it takes a second once you know the button combination.

The catch is that Android runs on phones from lots of different makers, and Google's own help says the method can depend on your phone. Below is Google's general route, the backup if it doesn't work, how to capture a whole long page, and where the image ends up.

Taking a screenshot on Android with the Power and Volume down buttons

Google's Android Help gives this as the first method to try:

1. Open the screen you want to capture.
2. Press the Power and Volume down buttons at the same time.
3. Let go as soon as the screen flashes or you see the capture.
4. Look at the bottom left for a preview of your screenshot.

Timing is the tricky part. Press both at once rather than one after the other, or you'll lock the screen or turn the volume down instead. Google's help notes that on some phones you'll see Screenshot capture at the top of the screen instead of the bottom-left preview.

Using the Power button menu if the Android button combo fails

If pressing both buttons doesn't work on your phone, Google's help gives a second route: press and hold the Power button for a few seconds, then tap Screenshot from the menu that appears.

And if neither method works? Google says to go to your phone manufacturer's support site for help. That's the honest answer, because some makers change the buttons or add their own gestures, and only their help pages cover those. Google also notes that on Pixel phones some of these steps work only on Android 11 and up.

Capturing a scrolling screenshot of a long Android page

Need a whole web page, a long chat or a full receipt in one image? Google's help says scrolling screenshots work on devices running Android 12 and up, on most screens that let you scroll.

1. Open the screen you want to capture.
2. Press the Power and Volume down buttons at the same time.
3. At the bottom, tap Capture more.
4. Use the crop guidelines to choose how much of the page to include.
5. Save the image.

If you don't see Capture more, the screen you're on may not support it, or your phone may be on an older Android version.

Finding, sharing and editing your Android screenshots

Google's help says screenshots land in the Photos app. Open Photos, then at the bottom tap Collections, then On this device, then Screenshots. From there, tap Share to send one, or tap Edit to crop or mark it up.

No Photos app? Google says you're likely running an older Android version. Open your phone's Gallery app and look in Album view for the Screenshots folder instead.

What you want	Google's route
A quick screenshot	Power and Volume down together
Backup method	Hold Power for a few seconds, then tap Screenshot
A long page in one image	Power and Volume down, then Capture more
Find your screenshots	Photos, Collections, On this device, Screenshots
Older phone with no Photos app	Gallery, Album view, Screenshots folder

Recording a video of your Android screen instead

Sometimes a still image isn't enough, for example when you're showing someone how to do something in an app. Google's help explains that Android has a built-in screen recorder in Quick Settings.

1. Swipe down twice from the top of your screen.
2. Tap Screen record. You might need to swipe right to find it.
3. If it's not there, tap Edit and drag Screen record into your Quick Settings.
4. Choose what you want to record. You can also choose whether to record audio and show touches.
5. Tap Start. The recording begins after the countdown.
6. To stop, swipe down from the top and tap the Screen recorder notification.

Google says recordings are in Photos under Collections, then On this device, then Movies. If you want more control, such as editing or webcam overlays, I've rounded up options in my guide to screen recording software.

Using Android screenshots for your business without oversharing

Screenshots are brilliant for business admin and content, but they capture everything on the screen. A few habits I'd build:

• Crop out the notification bar, names and anything private before you share.
• Ask before posting a screenshot of a customer message or review, even a lovely one.
• Use a scrolling screenshot for a full order confirmation rather than several images.
• Save useful screenshots into an album so they don't get lost among thousands of others.

Never use screenshots to share someone else's private messages without their permission. If a message is abusive, screenshot it as evidence and report it to the platform, and if you're in danger, contact the police.

If you can't take a screenshot on Android

1. Check you're pressing Power and Volume down at exactly the same moment.
2. Try the backup: hold Power for a few seconds and tap Screenshot.
3. Some apps, such as banking or streaming apps, may block screenshots on certain screens.
4. If Capture more is missing, check whether your phone runs Android 12 or later.
5. If nothing works, Google's advice is to visit your phone manufacturer's support site.

And while you're getting your phone set up the way you like, my guide to changing the Instagram icon on Android is a fun one for tidying your home screen.

Frequently asked questions

How do I take a screenshot on Android?

Open the screen and press the Power and Volume down buttons at the same time. If that doesn't work, press and hold Power for a few seconds and tap Screenshot.

Why won't my Android phone take a screenshot?

Google's help says the method depends on your phone. Try both the button combo and the Power menu. If neither works, check your phone manufacturer's support site.

Where do screenshots go on Android?

In the Photos app under Collections, then On this device, then Screenshots. On older phones without Photos, look in the Gallery app's Screenshots folder.

How do I take a scrolling screenshot on Android?

Press Power and Volume down together, then tap Capture more at the bottom and use the crop guidelines. Google says this works on Android 12 and up.

Can I record my screen on Android?

Yes. Swipe down twice from the top, tap Screen record, choose your options and tap Start. Stop it from the Screen recorder notification.