How to Take a Screenshot on Android

we have to show you what's on the screens of those devices—a lot. Capturing these images—interchangeably called screenshots, screen captures, or screen grabs—is just an everyday part of what we do.

But taking screenshots isn't the norm for everyone. In fact, there may be some of you out there who aren't even aware you can do it. But it's easy.

If you need to take a screenshot (or 20), this is the tutorial you need. We run down everything you need to know about capturing screenshots, no matter the platform—Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, iOS, Android, and other mobile operating systems.

Most of the tips require nothing more than the operating system itself—they've all got built-in methods of capturing a screen. However, there are a wealth of third-party software tools that will take your screen-grab game up a notch. We'll even show you some of the tools that make it simple to take an image within the Web browser, which is arguably the most used software on any PC anyway.

Screenshots on Smartphones

You probably take a lot of pictures with your smartphone, but you can also take a picture of what's already on the screen. The tools to do so are built right in.

How to Take a Screenshot on Android

Google's smartphone operating system, Android, has built-in screenshot options if you have Android 4.0 or later. Hold the power button and volume down for one or two seconds. The screen will flash white, and the image is saved to your photo gallery.

The problem is, that doesn't always work. Since Google doesn't have strict control over Android like Apple does over iOS, things can get weird. Try the Home and power buttons at the same time. If that doesn't work, you've got to find another option, or go with an app.

If you've got a Samsung Galaxy S8$720.00 at Verizon Wireless you have other options. The first is to use a gesture. Navigate to the screen image you like, then open your hand, and swipe the entire side of your palm and pinkie finger along the screen from right to left. You set this up (or turn it off) in Settings > Advanced Features > Palm swipe to capture.

Galaxy S8 users can also do a scrolling "smart capture," so the grab shows more than what's on the screen. Do the palm swipe above, but when you get the preview of the image, tap "scroll capture" and hold it as it goes down the page you're on. This is under Settings > Advanced Features > Smart Capture.

All Android users have third-party apps as an option. Google Play has way too many screenshot apps to count; some free, some paid. The top-rated one, with over 403,000 reviews, is Screenshot Easy (above) from Ice Cold Apps; it comes in a free and paid edition for $1.99. It uses the same basic triggers as Android itself, or customize it and take a screenshot just by (for example) shaking your phone.

If you'd like to take screens on a PC of what transpires on your Android device, check out Apowersoft's Android Recorder. It lets you cast what happens on a phone or tablet wirelessly to Windows or macOS for easy capture of not only stills but also video. It requires Android 5.0 or newer.