Taking a screenshot should be simple. But every device does it differently — and some make it surprisingly hard to find where the screenshot actually saved. This guide covers every major device and operating system so you never have to Google it again.
How to Screenshot on Windows
Method 1: Print Screen (The Classic)
Press PrtScn (usually top-right of your keyboard). This copies your entire screen to the clipboard. Open Paint, Word, or any image editor and press Ctrl + V to paste it.
Method 2: Win + Shift + S (Snipping Tool)
Press Windows Key + Shift + S. Your screen dims and a small toolbar appears at the top. Choose from:
- Rectangular Snip — drag a box around what you want
- Freeform Snip — draw any shape
- Window Snip — click a specific window
- Fullscreen Snip — grab everything
The screenshot copies to your clipboard and shows a notification. Click the notification to open the Snipping Tool where you can annotate and save.
Method 3: Win + PrtScn (Auto-Save)
Press Windows Key + PrtScn. Your screen briefly dims, and the screenshot automatically saves to Pictures > Screenshots as a PNG file. This is the easiest method if you just want the file saved without extra steps.
How to Screenshot on Mac
Full Screen
Press Command + Shift + 3. The screenshot saves to your desktop as a PNG file with the date and time in the filename.
Selected Area
Press Command + Shift + 4. Your cursor turns into a crosshair. Click and drag to select the area you want. Release the mouse button to capture. The file saves to your desktop.
Specific Window
Press Command + Shift + 4, then press Spacebar. Your cursor turns into a camera icon. Click any window to capture it (with a nice shadow effect). Saves to your desktop.
Copy to Clipboard Instead
Add Ctrl to any of the above shortcuts to copy to clipboard instead of saving a file. For example: Command + Ctrl + Shift + 4 copies your selection to the clipboard.
How to Screenshot on iPhone
iPhone with Face ID (iPhone X and newer)
Press the Side Button (right side) and the Volume Up button at the same time. Quick press and release — do not hold them down. The screen flashes white and the screenshot appears as a thumbnail in the bottom-left corner.
Tap the thumbnail to edit, crop, or annotate before saving. Swipe it away to save automatically to Photos > Screenshots.
iPhone with Home Button
Press the Side Button (or Top Button on older models) and the Home Button at the same time. Same flash and thumbnail behavior as above.
How to Screenshot on Android
Standard Method (Most Androids)
Press Power + Volume Down at the same time. Hold for about a second. You will see the screen flash or an animation confirming the capture. Screenshots save to your gallery in a Screenshots album.
Samsung-Specific
On Samsung Galaxy phones, you also have Palm Swipe. Go to Settings > Advanced Features > Motions and Gestures > Palm Swipe to Capture. Once enabled, swipe the edge of your hand across the screen from left to right (or vice versa).
Samsung also offers a Scroll Capture button after taking a screenshot — tap it to capture content below the visible area (great for long web pages or chats).
Google Pixel
On Pixel phones, you can also use the Recent Apps screen. Swipe up from the bottom and hold, then tap Screenshot at the bottom of each app card. Or use the standard Power + Volume Down method.
How to Screenshot on iPad
iPad works just like iPhone. For iPads without a Home button: press Top Button + Volume Up. For iPads with a Home button: press Top Button + Home. Screenshots save to Photos.
With an Apple Pencil, you can also swipe up from the bottom-left corner of the screen to instantly take a screenshot and open the markup editor.
How to Screenshot on Chromebook
Press Ctrl + Show Windows (the key that looks like two rectangles stacked, usually on the top row). For a partial screenshot, press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows then drag to select. Screenshots save to your Downloads folder.
Where Do Screenshots Save?
- Windows: Pictures > Screenshots (Win+PrtScn) or clipboard (PrtScn)
- Mac: Desktop (default) or clipboard with Ctrl modifier
- iPhone: Photos app > Screenshots album
- Android: Gallery > Screenshots album
- Chromebook: Downloads folder
Screenshot Not Working? Quick Fixes
- Make sure you are pressing both keys at the same time, not one after the other
- On Windows, check if your keyboard has an Fn lock that might disable the PrtScn key
- On Mac, go to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Screenshots to verify shortcuts are enabled
- Some streaming apps (Netflix, Disney+) block screenshots for copyright reasons — this is normal
- Restart your device if screenshots suddenly stopped working