[Tip] How to Take Screenshots on Google Android Smartphones

Recently we shared 5 hidden secret features of Samsung Galaxy mobile phones which are also present in other Google Android devices:

[Tip] 5 Awesome Hidden Secret Features of Samsung Galaxy Mobile Phones

These secret features include button combinations and finger swipes. Today in this article, we are going to share another secret feature which is found in almost all Google Android devices whether its a mobile phone or tablet.

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You might have noticed that the images, which we use in our mobile phone tutorials look real. The images look like we took a direct screenshot of the mobile phone UI just like you take a screenshot of Windows Desktop.

Many times people use cameras to take a picture of their mobile phone screen but it doesn’t look good and you’ll find many reflections and other elements ruining the picture. Wouldn’t it be great if you could take a direct screenshot of your mobile phone using the same mobile phone?

Actually all Google Android devices come with a built-in button combination trick to take a screenshot on the device. You just need to press those buttons together and a screenshot will be automatically captured and saved in Gallery folder.

If you have a Google Android device (mobile phone or tablet), following method will help you in taking a screenshot on your device without using any 3rd party app and camera:

1. First of all go to your desired screen in your Android device and then press following buttons together:

For Samsung Galaxy mobile phones and tablets:

Press Power button and Home button together for a few seconds.

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For other Google Android devices:

Press Power button and Volume Down button together for a few seconds.

For older Google Android devices:

Press Power button and Back button together for a few seconds.
OR
Press Home button and Back button together for a few seconds.

Take_Screenshot_Samsung_Galaxy_Mobile_Phone.png

2. You’ll need to press the buttons at the exact same time. If you press the buttons correctly, you’ll hear camera shutter sound and the screen will flash for a moment.

Take_Screenshot_Google_Android_Mobile_Phone.png

3. Now the screenshot has been saved in Gallery folder. You’ll also see a notification in the Status bar at the top.

That’s it. Now you can share the fine screenshot of your mobile phone with anyone without worrying about your reflection and other things which used to capture in past…

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Published in: Mobiles and Internet

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

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  1. VG what is the best way to partition new hdd of brand new laptop ?
    I seen some people using ontrack or dm disk & some using xp to partition then continue installation with windows 7 or 8.1 as they said win 7 or 8.1 reserves more space .
    Which one will be best way to partition ?

  2. With the Galaxy S5 you just have to swipe your hand across the screen to get a sceeencap.

  3. ^^ Agree but you also need to mildly touch the screen while swiping your hand.

    @Goldi
    No. Its better to use Windows 7 setup disc to partition the hard disk and then install the same OS. Windows 7 and later require some space to store boot files and there is no harm in allowing them to consume a few MB of your hard disk.

  4. but sum old gamsung galaxy gingerbread devices need to press home and back button alongside

    thanks to read my very bad english :p

  5. WIth the S4 too you cald take screenshots with your palm. Only you have to activated from Motions and Gestures.

  6. ^^ Its secret because its not documented. A normal user will never know about this trick unless someone tells him or he reads about it on Internet.

    If you knew about it, don’t behave over smart and get a life. We should thank him for sharing these tricks. Not all people on earth are so much intelligent as you are.

  7. @Goldi

    Install windows 7/8 or 8.1 as normal, once installed boot into windows and partition your drive using this free tool.
    partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html

    Its small, simple to use and does the job well.

    Hope this helps you

  8. Hello,
    First I want to say that I have problems with my asus zenfone 5
    but I have this device since late of September 2014. my phone is switch off or Bolcked ,it has happened at time upgrade firmware. my version is T00J TW_ with the OLD firmware.
    so what can i do right now with my phone.
    Respected sir,
    I was in school today, then accidentally hit the power button when the battery is about 3%. and yes, it is turned off, until now.
    when I charged it, the light notification is ok, but when I press the power button, it only vibrates then showing the very first logo that you’ll always see when turning on ZF 5. I pressed it because I had done the same thing but it was still connected to the charger and the battery is above 50% I think, not really remember – and it worked! but not today. then the same thing happened when I tried to hold the power button for a long time.
    when the logo is about to showing, the light notification turned off. then the logo ends, nothing happens. I tried to hold the power button again, it gives no response.
    then I unplug the charger then charged it again, the light notification came back (orange) so did the battery logo. when i tried to hold the power button, it is repeat the condition that happened before…now I let it charged, bcs when I hold the power button for more than 10 secs, it still gives no response.
    I’m gonna try again to hold the power button when the battery is full. but then, please tell me the cause of it? I don’t know what’s wrong ??
    so pls help me.

    and what to do? and if you needs some more spesific detail in my phone usage you can ask me, but please specify which one I should tell you.
    and about the service center, it is really far, and I’m a student who lacks of money. I meant, if you have any advicement, please tell me.

    I hope you can understand my English because my grammar is bad, I’m sorry.

  9. ^^ Try to press and hold Volume Down (-) button and Power (or Lock) buttons together for a few seconds (almost 10 seconds). If it doesn’t work, press press and hold Volume Up (+) button and Power (or Lock) buttons together for a few seconds.

  10. As others have said I like the palm swipe. In my opinion, a lot easier than pressing two buttons at the exact some time.

  11. hi VG,

    what if “Press Power button and Volume Down button together for a few seconds.” suddenly not working anymore ?

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