Taking a picture of your iPhone screen, also known as taking a screenshot, is a simple process using physical buttons on your device.
A screenshot captures exactly what you see on your iPhone's display at a specific moment. Once captured, a thumbnail of the screenshot will appear in the lower left corner of your device, allowing you to quickly view, edit, or share it. This process is standard across iPhone models, though the exact button combination varies slightly depending on whether your iPhone has Face ID or a Home button.
Taking a Screenshot on Your iPhone
The method for taking a screenshot depends on your iPhone model. Here's a breakdown:
iPhones with Face ID (No Home Button)
This includes models like iPhone X, XR, XS, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and later.
- Press and hold the Side button on the right side of your iPhone.
- Immediately click the Volume up button on the left side.
- Quickly release both buttons.
- Tip: It's a quick press of both buttons simultaneously, not a long hold.
iPhones with Home Button
This includes models like iPhone SE (all generations), iPhone 8, 7, 6s, and earlier.
- Press and hold the Side button (on the right or top, depending on the model) or the Top button.
- Immediately click the Home button.
- Quickly release both buttons.
- Tip: The location of the Side/Top button might differ slightly between older models.
What Happens After Taking a Screenshot
After successfully taking a screenshot, you will hear a camera shutter sound (unless your volume is off) and see a flash on the screen. As mentioned in guides like the one from Apple Support, a small thumbnail of the screenshot will briefly appear in the lower left corner of your screen.
- Tap the thumbnail to open the screenshot for viewing, editing, or sharing.
- Swipe the thumbnail left to dismiss it without opening it.
- If you do nothing, the thumbnail will disappear after a few seconds and the screenshot will be automatically saved to your Photos app.
Viewing and Editing Screenshots
All screenshots you take are automatically saved to the Photos app on your iPhone. You can find them in the 'Recents' album or within a dedicated 'Screenshots' album.
Tapping the thumbnail or opening the screenshot from the Photos app allows you to:
- Draw and mark up the image using various tools.
- Crop the image to focus on a specific area.
- Share the screenshot directly through various apps.
- Delete the screenshot if you don't need it.
Summary Table
| iPhone Model Type | Button Combination |
|---|---|
| With Face ID (No Home) | Press Side button + Volume up button |
| With Home Button | Press Side or Top button + Home button |
Taking a screenshot is a useful feature for saving information, sharing content, or troubleshooting issues on your iPhone.
