How to iphone screenshot

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Last updated: April 4, 2026

Quick Answer: To take a screenshot on an iPhone, the method depends on whether your iPhone has a Home button. For iPhones with a Home button, simultaneously press and release the Home button and the Side button. For iPhones without a Home button, simultaneously press and release the Side button and either the Volume Up or Volume Down button.

Key Facts

Screenshots are saved automatically to your Photos app.
After taking a screenshot, a thumbnail appears in the bottom-left corner for immediate editing.
Long-pressing the thumbnail allows you to share the screenshot directly.
Scrolling screenshots are possible on some apps, capturing more than what's visible on screen.
AssistiveTouch can be configured to take screenshots with a single tap.

Overview

Taking a screenshot on an iPhone is a fundamental feature that allows you to capture exactly what is displayed on your screen. This can be incredibly useful for saving information, sharing visual content, troubleshooting issues, or simply remembering something important. The method for capturing your screen varies slightly depending on the iPhone model you are using, primarily distinguished by the presence or absence of a physical Home button.

Taking Screenshots on iPhones with a Home Button

If your iPhone model features a physical Home button (e.g., iPhone 8, iPhone 7, iPhone SE 2nd generation), the process is straightforward:

Locate the Home button (the circular button at the bottom center of the screen) and the Side button (the button on the right side of the iPhone).
Simultaneously press and quickly release both the Home button and the Side button.
You will hear a camera shutter sound, and the screen will flash white, indicating that a screenshot has been taken.

Taking Screenshots on iPhones without a Home Button

For iPhones that do not have a physical Home button (e.g., iPhone X, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15 series), the method involves using the Side button and a volume button:

Locate the Side button (on the right side) and one of the Volume buttons (on the left side).
Simultaneously press and quickly release both the Side button and the Volume Up button. Alternatively, you can use the Side button and the Volume Down button.
Similar to the Home button models, you will hear a shutter sound and see a white flash on the screen, confirming the screenshot.

What Happens After Taking a Screenshot?

Once a screenshot is successfully captured, a few things happen:

Thumbnail Preview: A small thumbnail of the screenshot will briefly appear in the bottom-left corner of your screen. Tapping this thumbnail opens it for immediate editing, markup, or sharing. You can draw on it, add text, crop it, or use a magnifying glass tool.
Saving: If you don't tap the thumbnail, it will disappear after a few seconds. The screenshot is automatically saved to your Photos app in a dedicated album called 'Screenshots'.
Sharing: Tapping the thumbnail also reveals sharing options. You can quickly send the screenshot via Messages, Mail, AirDrop, or other apps directly from the preview screen.
Markup and Editing: The Markup tools available after tapping the thumbnail are extensive. You can use various pens, highlighters, shapes, and text boxes to annotate your screenshot. You can also crop the image to remove unwanted parts.

Advanced Screenshot Features

Beyond the basic capture, iPhones offer some advanced functionalities:

Scrolling Screenshots (Page Capture): In apps that support scrolling content (like Safari web pages or long Notes), after taking a screenshot, tap the thumbnail. At the top of the editing screen, you'll see options for 'Screen' and 'Full Page'. Select 'Full Page' to capture the entire scrollable content as a single PDF document. This is incredibly useful for saving entire articles or long lists.
AssistiveTouch: For users who find it difficult to press physical buttons, AssistiveTouch provides an alternative. You can enable AssistiveTouch in Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch. Once enabled, you can customize the top-level menu or assign a custom action to a single-tap, double-tap, or long-press of the on-screen AssistiveTouch button to take a screenshot.
Back Tap: On iPhone 8 and later models running iOS 14 or later, you can configure 'Back Tap' to take a screenshot. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap and choose either 'Double Tap' or 'Triple Tap' to assign the 'Take Screenshot' action. This allows you to trigger a screenshot by tapping the back of your iPhone.

Troubleshooting and Tips

Button Timing: The key is to press and release the buttons simultaneously and quickly. Holding them down for too long might activate Siri or the power off/SOS screen.
Storage: Screenshots take up storage space on your iPhone, so it's a good idea to periodically review and delete unnecessary ones.
Privacy: Be mindful of what you are capturing. Screenshots can inadvertently include sensitive personal information.

Mastering the screenshot function on your iPhone can significantly enhance your productivity and convenience in daily digital interactions.