How to Take a Screenshot on iPhone and iPad

If you have ever wanted to save something on your screen, you may have wondered how to screenshot on iPhone or iPad. A screenshot is simply a picture of what your device is showing, and it is a handy way to keep a receipt, save directions, or share an error message.

The button combination depends on which iPhone or iPad you have. Once you know which buttons to press, taking a screenshot is quick. This guide walks you through the different models and shows you where to find the picture afterward.

Step 1: Check which buttons your device has

Before taking a screenshot, look at the edges of your device. You need to identify whether your iPhone or iPad has a Home button.

The Home button is the round button on the front of some older devices. Newer models use Face ID or other gestures instead, so they do not have a physical Home button on the front.

1. Look at the front of your iPhone or iPad.
2. If you see a round Home button below the screen, use the Home button instructions in Step 3.
3. If there is no Home button, use the instructions in Step 2.
4. Find the side or top button and the volume buttons along the device’s edge.

Tip: You do not need to know the exact model name. Whether your device has a Home button is usually enough to choose the right method.

Step 2: Take a screenshot on an iPhone without a Home button

Most newer iPhones use Face ID and do not have a Home button. On these models, you press two buttons at almost the same time.

1. Open the screen you want to capture.
2. Press the Side button and the Volume Up button together.
3. Release both buttons quickly.
4. Look for a brief flash and a small screenshot preview in the lower-left corner.
5. Tap the preview if you want to edit or share the screenshot. Otherwise, wait for it to disappear.

The Side button is the long button on the right edge of the iPhone. The Volume Up button is on the left edge.

Careful: Do not hold the buttons down for several seconds. A longer press can bring up other controls instead of taking a screenshot.

Step 3: Take a screenshot on an iPhone or iPad with a Home button

Some older iPhones and iPads have a physical Home button. The screenshot combination uses that button and the top or side button.

1. Open the page, photo, or app you want to capture.
2. Press the Home button and the Top button or Side button at the same time.
3. Release both buttons quickly.
4. Look for the screen flash and the small screenshot preview.
5. Tap the preview to make changes, or leave it alone to save the screenshot.

The Top button is on the upper edge of some iPads and older iPhones. On other models, use the Side button instead.

Step 4: Take a screenshot on an iPad without a Home button

Many newer iPads do not have a Home button. The method is similar to the one used on newer iPhones, although the buttons may be in different places depending on the iPad model.

1. Open the content you want to capture.
2. Press the Top button and either Volume button at the same time.
3. Release both buttons quickly.
4. Check for the screenshot preview in the lower corner of the screen.
5. Tap the preview if you want to crop, mark up, or share the image.

On some iPad models, the Top button and volume buttons are on different edges. If the combination does not work, check the button labels and placement for your particular model.

Good to know: The screenshot preview may appear in a different corner or look slightly different depending on your iPadOS version and screen orientation.

Step 5: Edit, share, or save your screenshot

After you take a screenshot, a small preview usually appears briefly in a corner of the screen. You can tap it before it disappears to open the editing screen.

1. Tap the screenshot preview.
2. Drag the handles around the edges to crop the image, if needed.
3. Use the drawing and markup tools to add a circle, arrow, or note.
4. Tap Done when you have finished.
5. Choose Save to Photos to keep it in your photo library, or use the sharing options if you want to send it to someone.

If you do not tap the preview, the screenshot is normally saved automatically to Photos. You can open it later and edit it there.

Step 6: Find your screenshots later

You do not need to take another screenshot if you simply want to look at one you saved earlier. Your screenshots are stored in the Photos app.

1. Open the Photos app.
2. Tap Collections.
3. Scroll to Media Types.
4. Tap Screenshots.
5. Tap a screenshot to view it, share it, or edit it.

On some earlier iOS versions, the main Photos screen may show Albums instead of Collections. Look for Screenshots under the Media Types section or album list.

Tip: If you take lots of screenshots, the Screenshots collection makes them easier to find than scrolling through your entire photo library.

Step 7: Capture a full page when the option is available

A regular screenshot captures what is visible on the screen at that moment. In some Apple apps, such as Safari, you can capture a longer page as a single image or PDF.

1. Open a webpage in Safari.
2. Take a screenshot using the button combination for your device.
3. Tap the screenshot preview before it disappears.
4. If the page supports it, tap Full Page near the top of the editing screen.
5. Review the preview, then tap Done.
6. Choose Save PDF to Files if you want to keep the full-page capture as a PDF.

The Full Page option is not available for every app or screen. If you only see the regular screenshot view, that page may not support a full-page capture.

Troubleshooting: If your screenshot does not work

If nothing happens when you press the buttons, check these points:

• Press and release together. The buttons should be pressed at almost the same time, then released quickly.
• Check the correct buttons. A device with a Home button uses a different combination from one without it.
• Remove a tight case temporarily. Some cases make it difficult to press the buttons properly.
• Try AssistiveTouch. Open Settings, go to Accessibility, tap Touch, then turn on AssistiveTouch. The on-screen menu can include a Screenshot action. Menu wording can vary slightly by software version.
• Check your Photos library. The screenshot may have saved even if you missed the preview.

If you cannot find a setting, open Settings and use the search field to look for “AssistiveTouch.”

You’re ready to take screenshots

Once you know which buttons your device uses, screenshots are easy to take and find again. Try one on a screen you can easily return to, so you will know what to expect next time.