Taking a screenshot is one of the simplest yet most powerful features of any smartphone—including your iPhone. Whether you’re saving a conversation, capturing a map, preserving a receipt, or just keeping a memory, knowing how to take a screenshot on your iPhone can be incredibly handy.
In this full-length, easy-to-understand guide, we’ll cover every method of taking a screenshot on all iPhone models, from older phones with a Home button to the latest Face ID devices. We’ll also explore editing, sharing, finding your screenshots, and even alternative methods like AssistiveTouch and Back Tap.
Let’s dive in and master the art of iPhone screenshots.
What Is a Screenshot?
A screenshot is a digital snapshot of what’s currently displayed on your iPhone’s screen. When you take a screenshot, it instantly saves that moment as an image to your Photos app. From there, you can edit it, share it, or store it for later.
Screenshots are useful for:
- Saving text messages or emails
- Capturing social media content
- Sharing app screens or bugs with support
- Documenting visual evidence (e.g., for receipts, forms, maps)
- Creating tutorials or step-by-step visuals
How to Take a Screenshot on iPhones With Face ID (No Home Button)
If you’re using an iPhone X, XR, XS, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 series model, your device uses Face ID and has no physical Home button. The screenshot method is slightly different from older models.
Steps:
- Locate the buttons:
- The Side button is on the right edge.
- The Volume Up button is on the left edge.
- Press both buttons at the same time:
- Quickly press and release Side + Volume Up simultaneously.
- Flash and click:
- The screen will flash white.
- A shutter sound will play (if your phone isn’t in silent mode).
- Preview and edit:
- A screenshot thumbnail appears in the lower-left corner.
- Tap it to edit or markup, or swipe it away to save it as is.
That’s it—your screenshot is saved in the Photos app under Albums > Screenshots.
How to Take a Screenshot on iPhones With a Home Button
If you have an iPhone SE (1st or 2nd Gen), iPhone 6, 7, 8, or older, you’ll use the Home button + Power/Side button combo.
Steps:
- Locate the buttons:
- Press the Home button (bottom front).
- Press the Side button (or Top button on older models).
- Press both at the same time:
- Quickly press and release both buttons.
- Screen flash and click sound:
- The screenshot will be captured instantly.
- Thumbnail appears:
- Tap to edit, swipe to dismiss.
All screenshots are saved automatically to the Photos app.
How to Screenshot Using AssistiveTouch (No Buttons Needed)
If your physical buttons are damaged, or you prefer an alternative way, AssistiveTouch provides a software-based method to take screenshots.
Enable AssistiveTouch:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch.
- Turn it ON.
You’ll see a floating button on your screen.
To Take a Screenshot:
- Tap the AssistiveTouch button.
- Go to Device > More > Screenshot.
- The screen will flash, and the screenshot will be saved.
You can also customize AssistiveTouch for quicker access by adding Screenshot to the top-level menu.
How to Take a Screenshot Using Back Tap (iOS 14 or Later)
Back Tap is a hidden iOS feature that lets you perform actions by tapping the back of your phone. You can set one of these actions to take a screenshot.
Set It Up:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap.
- Choose Double Tap or Triple Tap.
- Select Screenshot.
Now, when you double or triple tap the back of your phone, it will capture a screenshot—no buttons needed.
⚠️ Note: This feature is available on iPhone 8 or newer running iOS 14 and above.
How to Capture a Full Web Page (Safari Only)
Want to capture an entire webpage, not just what’s visible on screen?
Steps:
- Take a screenshot while viewing the page in Safari.
- Tap the screenshot preview.
- Tap the Full Page tab at the top.
- Tap Done or Save PDF to Files.
This saves the full-length page as a scrollable PDF—not a traditional screenshot—but extremely useful for capturing articles or long documents.
How to Find Your Screenshots
All screenshots are automatically stored in the Photos app.
To View:
- Open Photos.
- Tap Albums at the bottom.
- Scroll down to Media Types > Screenshots.
This folder contains all screenshots in one place, making it easy to find and organize them.
How to Edit a Screenshot
Right after taking a screenshot, a small thumbnail appears in the corner.
Tap It To Open the Editor:
Here, you can:
- Crop the image
- Draw or annotate with pens and markers
- Add shapes like arrows and circles
- Insert text boxes
- Highlight or blur specific areas
- Undo/redo changes easily
Once done, tap Done, and choose:
- Save to Photos
- Save to Files
- Delete Screenshot
How to Share a Screenshot
After taking a screenshot, you can easily share it with others.
Share Immediately:
- Tap the preview thumbnail.
- Tap the Share icon (a box with an upward arrow).
- Choose your sharing method:
- Messages
- AirDrop
- Social media
- Notes
- Files
Or Share Later:
- Go to Photos > Screenshots.
- Tap the image you want.
- Tap the Share icon.
How to Delete Screenshots
If your iPhone storage is running low, deleting old screenshots is a quick way to clear space.
Steps:
- Open Photos > Albums > Screenshots.
- Tap Select in the top right.
- Tap the screenshots you want to delete.
- Tap the Trash icon > Confirm delete.
Screenshots are moved to Recently Deleted, where they remain for 30 days unless permanently deleted sooner.
Pro Tips: Screenshot Like a Pro
Here are some handy tips for more efficient screenshot use:
1. Use Multiple Fingers for Speed:
You can press Side + Volume Up with one hand or two fingers if you’re quick.
2. Edit Before Saving:
Use the markup tools immediately after taking a screenshot to save time later.
3. Combine Screenshots into One Image:
You can use editing apps to create collages or stitched images from multiple screenshots.
4. Avoid Clutter:
Delete old or unnecessary screenshots regularly to free up storage.
5. Use iCloud Photos:
Enable iCloud Photos to access your screenshots from your iPad, Mac, or other Apple devices.
Troubleshooting: If Screenshots Aren’t Working
1. No Screenshot Captured?
- Check if buttons are responsive.
- Restart your iPhone and try again.
- Try AssistiveTouch or Back Tap as alternatives.
2. No Thumbnail Preview?
- Go to Settings > Photos, ensure “Show Hidden Album” is enabled.
- Restart your device.
3. Screenshots Not Saving?
- Check iPhone storage: Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Ensure Photos app has necessary permissions.
Summary Table: iPhone Screenshot Methods
| iPhone Type | Method | Buttons Used |
|---|---|---|
| Face ID Models | Side + Volume Up | Side button + Volume Up |
| Touch ID Models | Home + Side (or Top) | Home button + Power |
| All Models | AssistiveTouch (accessibility feature) | No buttons required |
| iOS 14+ (iPhone 8+) | Back Tap (Double/Triple Tap) | No buttons required |
| Safari Full Page | Tap Full Page in screenshot preview | Not saved as image |
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re documenting something important, sharing a screen with friends, or just saving a digital memory, knowing how to take a screenshot on your iPhone is a skill worth mastering. Apple has made it easier than ever with multiple methods that cater to all users—hardware buttons, AssistiveTouch, Back Tap, and even full-page Safari screenshots.
With the tips and steps in this guide, you’re now ready to take, edit, organize, and share screenshots like a pro—no matter which iPhone model you’re using.
So next time you see something worth saving on your screen, don’t hesitate—snap it, save it, and share it with confidence.
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