Taking screenshots on the iPhone has always been easy, but since the introduction of the iPhone X, the method of taking screenshots has changed a bit, especially compared to the iPhone SE 3.
While the two-button screen capture method is the same for every iPhone model, the exact button may vary by model. But there are also accessibility options that can perform the same function, and we'll walk you through.
For example, you might want to take a screenshot to share on WhatsApp or Instagram, or for a work project. However, screenshots are always displayed in high resolution, so there is hardly any quality loss.
But keep in mind that if you try to screencast a movie through subscription services like Apple TV Plus and Disney Plus, you'll get a black screen due to licensing rights.
While the first iteration of the iPhone debuted in 2007, until 2017's iPhone X, the only way to take a screenshot was with two buttons or via Accessibility Shortcuts.
However, there is a relatively new way of taking screenshots, which currently works with:
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
To do this, press Power + Volume Up at the same time, and if done correctly, a screenshot will appear in the bottom left corner of your iPhone.
You can use the highlight feature to crop the image or draw something on it if you want, otherwise it will be automatically saved to the Screenshots album in the Photos app.
You may still be using an iPhone 8 and earlier, or any iPhone SE model, including the recently released iPhone SE (2022).
Instead, the method for taking screenshots is slightly different.
Press the power button and home button at the same time, and if done correctly, you will hear the same camera snapshot sound, followed by an image preview.
The process is the same as on iPhone X and later, and you can use the highlighting feature to crop or otherwise modify the image. When done, the image is automatically saved to the Screenshots album in the Photos app.
Now that we've covered the hardware approach, there's also an accessibility feature that allows you to take screenshots in iOS without using any buttons.
While you can use the BackTap feature to take screenshots that require you to tap the back of your iPhone multiple times, there's another feature that makes the process easier.
Assistive Touch is an accessibility feature that activates features from an always-on menu no matter where you are in iOS. This has been around since iOS 9, so as long as you have an iPhone capable of running this version and later, whether you have an iPhone SE (2016) or a green iPhone 13, you can take screenshots from this menu.
This setting under the Customize top-level menu allows you to select specific settings such as: B. Screenshots.
Select "Screenshot" and now you can take a screenshot with Assistive Touch no matter where you are in iOS.
There's also a setting in Accessibility to show Assistive Touch when you need it by pressing the power button three times. This makes it easier to show it when you need it instead of popping up the menu all the time.
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcuts, then Assistive Touch. If you press the power button three times, it will appear and disappear at your command.