How to Take a Screenshot on Your Mac, PC, Phone, or Tablet

February 6, 2025

A crucial tool for gathering and disseminating information is a screenshot. Whether you’re troubleshooting an issue, saving a conversation, or creating content, knowing how to take a screenshot on different devices is useful. This guide will walk you through the steps for taking screenshots on Mac, Windows, Chromebook, and mobile devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Android phones.

How to Screenshot on Mac?

Taking a screenshot on a Mac is simple and can be done in multiple ways depending on what you need to capture. Here are the most common methods:

• Capture the Entire Screen

1) To take a full-screen capture, use Command + Shift + 3.

2) By default, the snapshot will be saved to your desktop.

• Capture a Selected Portion of the Screen

1) Press Command + Shift + 4.

2) Your cursor will turn into a crosshair. To choose the region you wish to capture, click and drag.

3) To capture the screenshot, let go of the mouse button.

• Capture a Specific Window

1) Press the Spacebar after pressing Command + Shift + 4.

2) Your cursor will turn into a camera icon. To capture a window, click on it.

3) On your desktop, the snapshot will be saved as a file.

• Use the Screenshot Toolbar

1) Press Command + Shift + 5 to bring up the toolbar for screenshots.

2) Choose between capturing the entire screen, a selected portion, or recording your screen.

• Copy the Screenshot to the Clipboard

1) Press Command + Control + Shift + 4 to capture and copy the screenshot to the clipboard.

2) You can then paste it into an application using Command + V.

How to Screenshot on Windows?

Windows offers several ways to take a screenshot, whether you are using Windows 10 or Windows 11.

• Capture the Entire Screen

1) Press the PrtScn (Print Screen) key. The screenshot gets copied to your clipboard as a result.

2) Open an image editing program (such as Paint) and press Ctrl + V to paste and save the image.

• Save Screenshot Automatically

1) Press Windows + PrtScn.

2) The screenshot is automatically saved in the screenshots folder inside Pictures.

• Capture an Active Window

1) To capture the window that is now open, press Alt + PrtScn.

2) Paste it into an image editor using Ctrl + V.

• Use the Snipping Tool

1) Look for the Snipping Tool in the Start menu to launch it.

2) Click New, select the area, and save the screenshot.

• Use Snip & Sketch (Windows 10 and 11)

1) To launch the Snip & Sketch tool, press Windows + Shift + S.

2) Choose the area of the screen that you wish to record.

3) The screenshot is copied to the clipboard and can be saved manually.

• How to Take a Screenshot on Windows 11?

1) Windows 11 includes the Snipping Tool as the primary method for screenshots.

2) Press Windows + Shift + S, choose a snip type, and save or paste the image.

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How to Take a Screenshot on Chromebook?

Taking a screenshot on a Chromebook is slightly different from other computers.

• Capture the Entire Screen

1) Press Ctrl + Show Windows (the rectangle with two vertical lines key).

2) The Downloads folder is where the screenshot will be stored.

• Capture a Specific Area

1) Press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows.

2) To choose the region to capture, click and drag.

• Use the Screenshot Toolbar (Chromebook 89 and Later)

1) Press Shift + Ctrl + Show Windows.

2) Choose between a full-screen, partial, or window screenshot.

• How to Take a Screenshot on a Chromebook with a Keyboard Shortcut?

1) Use Ctrl + Show Windows for full screen.

2) Use Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows for partial screenshots.

How to Take a Screenshot on iPhone and iPad?

• How to take a Screenshot on iPhone with Face ID?

1) Hold down the Side and Volume Up keys simultaneously.

2) The screenshot will appear in the bottom-left corner.

• How to Take a Screenshot on iPhone with the Home Button?

1) At the same moment, press the Home + Power buttons.

2) The Photos app will store the screenshot.

• How to Take a Screenshot on iPad?

1) If your iPad has a Home button: Press Home + Power.

2) If your iPad does not have a Home button: Press Top Button + Volume Up.

How to Take a Screenshot on Android?

• Capture the Entire Screen

1) At the same time, hold down the Power and Volume Down buttons.

2) The Gallery or Photos app will store the screenshot.

• Use Palm Swipe (Samsung Devices)

1) Navigate to Motions & Gestures under Settings > Advanced Features.

2) Enable Palm Swipe to Capture.

3) To take a screenshot, move the edge of your hand across the screen.

• Use Google Assistant

1) Activate Google Assistant and say, “Take a screenshot.”

2) The screenshot will be taken and saved.

How to Take a Screenshot on a Computer or Laptop?

For Windows, Mac, and Chromebook users, taking screenshots follows similar steps:

1) Windows: Use PrtScn, Windows + Shift + S, or Snipping Tool.

2) Mac: Use Command + Shift + 3/4/5.

3) Chromebook: Use Ctrl + Show Windows or Screenshot Toolbar.

Final Thoughts

Taking screenshots is an essential feature that varies slightly across devices. Whether you’re using a MacBook, Windows laptop, Chromebook, iPhone, iPad, or Android device, mastering these shortcuts will make capturing and sharing images effortless. Bookmark this guide for quick reference the next time you need to take a screenshot!