How to Take a Screenshot on iPhone and Android in the UK

A screenshot is the quickest way to save what is on your phone screen, whether it is a train ticket, a funny message, a receipt or an error you need to show someone. Every iPhone and Android phone in the UK can do it with a button press, and most can also capture a whole scrolling page in one image. This guide covers the exact steps for iPhone and Android, including Samsung phones, plus how to edit, share and find your screenshots afterwards.

Step 1: Take a screenshot on iPhone

On an iPhone with Face ID, which covers the iPhone X and every newer model, press the side button and the volume up button at the same time, then let go quickly. The screen flashes white and a small thumbnail appears in the bottom-left corner. If you do nothing, the thumbnail slides away after a few seconds and the screenshot is saved to your Photos app.

On an iPhone with a Home button, such as the iPhone SE or older models, press the side button, or the top button on older models, and the Home button at the same time, then let go quickly. The same flash and thumbnail appear. If you hold the buttons too long, you may open Siri or the power-off screen instead, so a quick press and release works best.

Step 2: Take a screenshot on Android

On most Android phones, including Google Pixel models, press the power button and the volume down button at the same time, then let go quickly. The screen flashes and a small preview appears, usually in the bottom-left or bottom-right corner. On some phones you can also swipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings and tap the Screenshot tile.

On a Samsung Galaxy phone, you have an extra option. Place the edge of your hand on one side of the screen and swipe it across to the other side, like wiping the screen. This palm swipe needs to be switched on first. Go to Settings, then Advanced features, then Motions and gestures, and turn on Palm swipe to capture.

Step 3: Capture a whole page with a scrolling screenshot

Sometimes one screen is not enough, for example when you want to save a long web page, a chat thread or a full receipt. On iPhone, take a screenshot as normal, then tap the thumbnail before it disappears. At the top of the editing screen, choose Full Page instead of Screen. You can then save the whole page as a PDF, which goes to your Files app.

On Android, take a screenshot as normal, then tap Capture more, or Scroll, on the preview that appears. The phone scrolls down and adds more of the page to the image. Tap the screen to stop when you have captured enough, then save. On Samsung phones the option is called Scroll capture and appears as a small downward arrow on the screenshot toolbar. The exact wording can vary between phone makers and software versions, but the idea is the same on all of them.

Step 4: Edit and share your screenshot

Tap the thumbnail that appears right after you take a screenshot to open the editor. On iPhone, you can crop the image, draw on it with the pen tools, add text or shapes, and highlight part of it with the magnifier. On Android, the editor lets you crop, draw, add text and, in most recent versions, blur parts of the image you want to hide, such as a name or an account number.

When you are happy with the result, tap Done or Save to keep it, or tap the share icon to send it straight to WhatsApp, email or another app without saving a separate copy. If you tap the thumbnail and then delete it, the screenshot is discarded and never saved, which is handy if you pressed the buttons by accident.

Step 5: Find your screenshots later

On iPhone, screenshots live in the Photos app. Open Photos, tap Albums, scroll down to Media Types and tap Screenshots to see them all in one place. They are also in your main library in date order, mixed in with your photos.

On Android, screenshots are usually saved in a Screenshots folder. Open the Photos or Gallery app and look for the Screenshots album, or open your file manager and look in Pictures, then Screenshots. If you use Google Photos, your screenshots can be backed up there too, but only if you have turned on backup for the Screenshots folder in the app settings.

Fixing common screenshot problems

If nothing happens when you press the buttons, the most likely cause is timing. Press both buttons at exactly the same time and release them straight away. Pressing one a fraction before the other often opens the volume display or the power menu instead. Try it a few times and it soon becomes second nature.

If the screen flashes but no thumbnail appears, check your storage. A phone that is completely full cannot save new images. Free up some space by deleting old screenshots, videos or apps you no longer use, then try again.

If palm swipe does not work on your Samsung phone, check that the setting is on. Go to Settings, then Advanced features, then Motions and gestures, and make sure Palm swipe to capture is switched on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do screenshots go on iPhone and Android?

On iPhone, screenshots are saved to the Photos app and appear in the Screenshots album under Media Types. On Android, they are saved in a Screenshots folder, which you can find in the Photos or Gallery app, or in Pictures and then Screenshots in your file manager.

How do I take a scrolling screenshot?

On iPhone, take a screenshot, tap the thumbnail, choose Full Page at the top, and save it as a PDF. On Android, take a screenshot and tap Capture more or Scroll on the preview, or use Scroll capture on Samsung phones, to add more of the page to the image.

Why is my screenshot not working?

The most common cause is pressing the buttons at slightly different times or holding them too long. Press the power or side button and the volume down button together and release them quickly. If that still fails, check that your phone has free storage space, and on Samsung phones make sure Palm swipe to capture is switched on if you use that method.