How To Take A Screen Capture On iPhone | Complete Guide

In the digital age, where sharing content and information has become worldwide, knowing how to take a screenshot on iPhone is essential.

Whether saving a recipe, capturing a memorable message, or reporting an issue, screen capture is a quick way to preserve what’s displayed on your screen.

This guide will walk you through the simple steps to take a screen capture on various iPhone models, explain how to edit and share your screenshots, and provide tips to enhance your screen-capturing experience.

Let’s dive into the world of the iPhone and discover how to make the most of this handy feature.

Understanding Your iPhone

iPhone 8 and Earlier Models

The iPhone 8 and earlier models, which include the home button, employ a traditional method for screen capturing.

Users can take screenshots by pressing the home and power/lock buttons simultaneously.

A camera shutter sound signifies that the screenshot has been taken. This operation is straightforward and remains consistent from the original iPhone through the iPhone 8 and SE (1st generation).

iPhone X and Later Models

Apple removed the home button starting with the iPhone X, necessitating a change in the screen capture process.

On the iPhone X and later models, including the iPhone XS, XR, iPhone 11, and iPhone 12 series, users can capture their screen by quickly pressing the side and Volume Up buttons together.

The screen will flash, and, just like earlier models, a shutter sound confirms the action.

iPhone Models with Touch ID and Side Button

Few iPhone models, like the iPhone SE (2nd generation), combine a physical home button with Touch ID and a side button.

For these, capturing the screen combines the two previous methods. Users simultaneously press the home button with Touch ID and the side button to take a screenshot, ensuring the feature’s accessibility while retaining the physical home button’s familiarity. 

Additional Software Features in iOS

It’s also important to note that with iOS 11 and later, all iPhone models gained additional screenshot editing and markup features.

Irrespective of the iPhone model, once a screenshot is taken, a thumbnail appears temporarily in the bottom left corner of the screen, which users can tap on to access instant editing and sharing tools.

This advancement enhances the utility of screen capturing across all iPhone models post-iOS 11.

How To Take A Screen Capture On iPhone: Using Button Combinations

Using the Side Button and Home Button on iPhones with Touch ID

For those with an iPhone SE (2nd generation) or other models that maintain the Home button with Touch ID and the side button, taking a screenshot is a fusion of old and new operation styles.

Follow these simple steps for a successful screen capture:

1. Position your fingers on the buttons: Place your left finger on the side button on the right side of your iPhone and your right finger on the Home button.
2. Press both buttons simultaneously: Make sure to press both buttons simultaneously. Perfecting the timing may take practice.
3. Release immediately: As soon as you press the buttons, quickly release them. Holding the buttons too long can trigger other actions, like activating Siri or the Emergency SOS feature.
4. Look for the confirmation: Once done correctly, the screen will flash white, and you’ll hear the familiar camera shutter sound, indicating that the screenshot has been taken.

Remember, getting used to pressing the two buttons simultaneously may take a few attempts. With a little practice, however, this method of taking a screenshot will become second nature.

Using the Side Button and Volume Up Button on Newer iPhone Models Without a Home Button

To take a screenshot of models such as the iPhone X and newer, which do not have a Home button, follow these steps:

1. Prepare your iPhone: Navigate to the content you want to capture on your screen.
2. Position your fingers on the buttons: Place your right finger on the Side button (previously known as the power/lock button) on the right of your device and your left finger on the Volume Up button on the left side.
3. Press both buttons simultaneously: Quickly press and release both buttons simultaneously. Be careful not to hold the buttons too long, as this can lead to other operations such as the “Slide to Power Off” or the Medical ID screen.
4. Confirm the screenshot: A flash on the screen and a shutter sound (if your sound is on) will signal that the screenshot was successfully captured.

Screenshots taken using this method can be viewed, edited, or shared immediately by tapping the thumbnail in the bottom left corner of your screen before it disappears.

If you miss the thumbnail, your screenshots are always accessible in the Photos app under the ‘Screenshots’ album.

How to take bigger screenshots on an iPhone 

Taking larger screenshots on an iPhone can capture more content in a single image, which is particularly useful for web pages or documents spanning several screens.

Although the iPhone does not natively support taking “long” screenshots, there are workarounds, such as using the built-in Screen Recording feature or third-party apps.

Here’s how you can take bigger screenshots:

Using Screen Recording to Capture More Content

1. Enable Screen Recording: Go to ‘Settings’> ‘Control Center’ and add ‘Screen Recording’ to your included controls if it’s not already there.
2. To begin Recording, Open the Control Center and tap the ‘Screen Recording’ button. Then, wait for the three-second countdown.
3. Scroll the Content: With the recording in progress, slowly scroll through the content you wish to capture.
4. Stop Recording: Open Control Center again and tap the red Screen Recording button to stop, or tap the red status bar at the top of your screen and confirm end recording.
5. Edit the Video: Open the ‘Photos app and find your screen recording. Then, you can trim the video to the desired content.

Using Third-Party Apps

Several third-party apps are available on the App Store for taking long screenshots. Apps like ‘LongShot’ or ‘Tailor’ allow you to stitch together multiple screenshots automatically into one image.

1. Download a Long Screenshot App: Search for a long screenshot app on the App Store and download it.
2. Follow the App Instructions: Each app will have specific instructions or methods for capturing and stitching the screenshots.

Please note that third-party apps may have limitations or may add watermarks to your screenshots in their free versions.

Using screen recording or third-party apps to stitch multiple screenshots together, you can create larger images encompassing more information in a single view.

Advanced Method: Back Tap Feature

Recent iterations of iOS have introduced an innovative feature that enhances how users interact with their iPhones the Back Tap feature.

Available on iOS 14 and later, Back Tap allows users to perform various actions by simply double or triple-tapping on the back of their iPhone.

To utilize this feature for taking screenshots, one must first enable it through the settings:

1. Access Accessibility Settings: Go to ‘Settings’> ‘Accessibility.’
2. Set Up Back Tap: Scroll down to ‘Touch’ and then select ‘Back Tap’ at the bottom.
3. Choose Your Shortcut: You can assign the screenshot action to ‘Double Tap’ or ‘Triple Tap.’ Choose your preference and then select ‘Screenshot’ from the list of actions.
4. Test the Back Tap: Exit the settings and try out the Back Tap feature by double- or triple-tapping on the back of your iPhone to take a screenshot.

This feature enables screenshots to be captured more discreetly and with greater ease, especially when the traditional button method may be inconvenient.

Tips and Tricks

While the basic functions of taking a screenshot are straightforward, some additional tips and tricks can help you master this feature on your iPhone:

• Edit and Markup Screenshots Instantly: After taking a screenshot, quickly tap on the preview in the lower-left corner to enter the Markup screen, where you can annotate or crop your screenshot on the fly.
• Share Screenshots Without Saving: If you want to share a screenshot without saving it to your Photos, tap on the preview and then the share icon. After transferring, tap ‘Done’ and choose ‘Delete Screenshot’ to prevent it from cluttering your gallery.
• Use AssistiveTouch for One-Handed Use: If you find pressing buttons with one hand difficult, go to ‘Settings’> ‘Accessibility’> ‘Touch’> ‘AssistiveTouch.’ Enable AssistiveTouch and customize a ‘Screenshot’ action for a single tap or long press.
• Voice Control for Hands-Free Screenshots: Enable Voice Control in your Accessibility settings. Once set up, you can say, “Take a Screenshot,” and your iPhone will capture the screen without using your hands.
• Combining Back Tap with Shortcuts: With iOS Shortcuts, you can create a custom action that takes a screenshot and performs additional actions like sending it to a contact or uploading it to a cloud service, then assign it to a Back Tap action for easy execution.

Integrating these additional functionalities into your screenshot-taking routine allows you to streamline the process to meet your specific needs and enhance your overall user experience.

Conclusion

Taking screenshots on an iPhone is a simple yet powerful tool integral to the modern smartphone experience.

It allows users to quickly save and share what’s on their screen for work, personal annotations, or social sharing.

Whether you prefer the classic button-press method, the convenience of the Back Tap feature, or the need to extend your screenshot capabilities with screen recording or third-party apps, iOS provides a range of options to suit your needs.

Leveraging these methods and the additional tips and tricks on How To Take A Screen Capture On iPhone can greatly enhance your productivity and allow customized usage that adapts to your lifestyle.

As iOS continues to evolve, we can anticipate further enhancements to screenshot capabilities, making it an even more seamless and intuitive feature for iPhone users around the globe.