How to Take a Screenshot on iPhone

By ShowMeStepByStepPublished Updated

Based on a video by iTech Whisperer.

The standard iPhone screenshot is two buttons pressed at the same time, but iOS has three other ways to capture the screen that come in handy when your hands are full or the button combo is awkward to hit. The full-page web screenshot is especially useful - it captures an entire webpage as one tall image instead of scrolling and stitching pieces together.

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Press Side Button + Volume Up

0:22
Step 1: Press Side Button + Volume Up

Press the Side button (right edge) and the Volume Up button (left edge) at the same time, then release both quickly. The screen flashes white and a small preview thumbnail appears in the bottom-left corner.

This works on every iPhone without a Home button - iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and the SE. On older iPhones with a Home button, the combo is Home + Side instead.

Tip

If you accidentally hold the buttons too long instead of tapping, you'll trigger the Emergency SOS slider. Quick press, quick release.

2

Tap the Preview to Edit or Trash

0:30
Step 2: Tap the Preview to Edit or Trash

The preview thumbnail in the bottom-left fades after about 4 seconds. Tap it before it disappears and a markup screen opens with crop, draw, text, share, and trash options.

If the screenshot didn't come out right, tap the trash icon - the file never lands in your camera roll. That's the cleanest way to skip the 'delete the bad screenshot from Photos later' step.

3

Find Saved Screenshots in Photos

0:42
Step 3: Find Saved Screenshots in Photos

Open the Photos app, tap Albums, then scroll down to Media Types and tap Screenshots. iOS automatically sorts every screenshot into this dedicated album so you can flip through them without scrolling past every other photo on your device.

4

Capture an Entire Webpage

1:25
Step 4: Capture an Entire Webpage

Open the page in Safari. Take a normal screenshot (Side + Volume Up). Tap the preview thumbnail. At the top of the markup screen, tap Full Page. iOS captures the whole scrollable webpage as one tall image.

To save it, tap Done > Save PDF to Files. (Full-page screenshots don't go to Photos - they save as PDFs in Files.)

5

Use Siri Hands-Free

3:00
Step 5: Use Siri Hands-Free

Say 'Hey Siri, take a screenshot.' Or hold the Side button until Siri activates and ask the same. Useful when one hand is busy or the Side+Volume combo is awkward to hit (case grip, gloves, awkward angle).

Tip

Flip the phone to silent mode first if you don't want the camera-shutter sound. Siri screenshots are silent in silent mode; the button-combo screenshot still clicks.

6

Set Up Back Tap for the Easiest Shortcut

3:45
Step 6: Set Up Back Tap for the Easiest Shortcut

Open Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap. Pick Double Tap or Triple Tap, then assign Screenshot. Now two or three quick taps on the back of the phone takes a screenshot - no buttons, no Siri.

This is the single easiest way once you set it up, especially with a case on. Triple tap is more reliable than double tap if you find the phone triggering accidentally.

Your Guide

iTech Whisperer

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Quick reference

Key takeaways from How to Take a Screenshot on iPhone

5 questions, answers, and one-line explanations. Tap to expand.

  1. 1.Standard button combo on Face ID iPhones?

    Answer: Side + Volume Up

    Side + Volume Up at the same time, release quickly. Older Home-button iPhones use Home + Side.

  2. 2.How long does the preview thumbnail stay visible?

    Answer: About 4 seconds

    Fades after ~4 sec. Tap before then to edit/share/trash. Trash skips the 'delete from Photos later' step.

  3. 3.Where do full-page web screenshots save?

    Answer: Files as PDF

    Full Page in markup > Done > Save PDF to Files. Doesn't go to Photos because they exceed normal dimensions.

  4. 4.Hands-free shortcut for screenshots?

    Answer: Hey Siri command

    'Hey Siri, take a screenshot.' Useful when one hand is busy or button combo is awkward.

  5. 5.Easiest accessibility shortcut once set up?

    Answer: Back Tap gesture

    Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap. Double or triple tap on back of phone. No buttons, no Siri.

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