How to Take Screenshots

When you're experiencing an issue with a webpage, it can be helpful to take a screenshot. A screenshot is a picture of the webpage that you can send to someone else to show them what you see. A good screenshot should include as much of your screen as possible. That way someone looking at it can ascertain what if you're on a Windows or Mac machine, what browser you're using, what URL you're on, etc.

There are multiple methods for taking a screenshot. After the screenshot is taken, the .png or .jpeg image is usually automatically saved to your Desktop or to a designated Screenshots folder on your computer.

Below we will go over how to take a screenshot on a computer, mobile phone, and iPad.

Taking a Screenshot on Windows/PC

When you're using a Windows or PC computer, take a screenshot by using the designated button on your keyboard. It's labeled PrtScn. You'll find it on the upper-right side of most keyboards or sometimes next to the space bar. Simply tap it and a photo of your entire screen will be taken and saved.

Now you can hit control+V to paste the image into a message, document, or email. Or go to your Desktop and find the image there as the most newly added one.

Taking a Screenshot on an Apple/Mac Computer

When you're using an Apple or Mac computer, take a screenshot by holding three keys at once. They are command+shift+4. Once you tap those three together, you'll find your mouse cursor turns into a crosshair icon. You can now take one of two types of screenshots.

1. A full-screen screenshot: After selecting command+shift+4, hit space, then click anywhere on the screen. This will take and save a full screen screenshot to your Desktop.
2. A partial screenshot: After selecting command+shift+4, you can select any rectangular area of your screen. For example, if you only want to take a screenshot of a few lines of text on a page, hold down your mouse in one corner of your potential screenshot, hold down the mouse, then drag to the opposite corner. You'll see slightly grayed out frame, containing the content you want. Once you release the mouse, the screenshot will be taken and saved to your Desktop.

Chrome Extensions

If you find that you need to take a lot of screenshots often and you use Google Chrome as your primary browser, you may want to consider a Chrome Extension. There are many out there that provide more features than just using your computer's native screenshot function.

Screenshot Capture: This extension let's you crop before saving or after, let's you configure you're own keyboard shortcut, preserve or downscale screenshot size on HDPI displays like Retina, and give the screenshot a unique screenshot date/time file name.

Awesome Screenshot: This extension let's you record your screen as well as take a screenshot, and it can take a screenshot of your entire webpage, not just the visible area.

How to Take a Screenshot on a Phone

If you're using a mobile device like a cell phone, you can also take screenshots that you can share with others. The phone you're using may have a different configuration, but most phones take screenshots in similar ways. No matter which phone you have, check your Photos app or Camera Roll for the final image.

Android

To take a screenshot on an Android phone, hold the Power and Volume down buttons at the same time. Or press and holding the Power button for a few seconds, then tap Screenshot. 

If neither of those options work, you might have a model phone that requires a more specific process. Try one of these methods instead.

• Go to Settings > Additional settings > Button shortcuts > Take a screenshot and set a specific gesture.
• Use scroll capture onSamsung Galaxy A phones. With this feature you can take a screenshot, scroll down the page, and then take another screenshot.
• Use your voice assistant. On some phones you can use your voice assistant. Simply activate it and then say “Take a screenshot”

iPhone

You can take a screenshot on an iPhone in a few ways, depending on the model phone you have.

1. For newer model phones with a home button: Press and release the side button and volume up button at the same time.
2. For a model with a home button: Press and release the side button and the Home button at the same time. 

How to Take a Screenshot on an iPad

If you're using an iPad tablet, you can take a screenshot in a similar way to a phone.

1. Simultaneously press the top button and either volume button. Do not hold them down, but press and release quickly.
2. A thumbnail of your screenshot will temporarily appear in the lower-left corner of your screen. You can either tap the thumbnail to open it or open your Camera Roll to find the image.
3. From your Camera Roll you can attach the image to a message like any other.