Screenshots are quite useful. Most Android users save receipts, share humorous memes, and capture bugs to report on a daily basis. However, not all Android phones employ the same approach for taking screenshots. In this guide, you will learn how to take a screenshot on any Android device, including Samsung, Google Pixel, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and ...
Screenshots are quite useful. Most Android users save receipts, share humorous memes, and capture bugs to report on a daily basis. However, not all Android phones employ the same approach for taking screenshots.
In this guide, you will learn how to take a screenshot on any Android device, including Samsung, Google Pixel, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and others. We will also show you how to take screenshots without using physical buttons, which are sometimes damaged or inconvenient.
This method works on 99% of Android devices:
📝 Works on: Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Motorola, Realme, and most others.
📸 Recommended image here: A screenshot showing fingers pressing Power + Volume Down on a phone.
Samsung offers multiple screenshot options beyond the button combo:
🧠 Tip: Scroll Capture is perfect for saving full chats, articles, or receipts.
Google Pixel sticks to simplicity:
🔒 Screenshots are disabled for secure apps like banking apps or Netflix (for DRM protection)
Xiaomi devices give you gesture and quick-access methods:
If your power or volume buttons are broken, don’t worry—you can still capture the screen using these workarounds:
Just say:
“Hey Google, take a screenshot.”
The Assistant will snap the screen and save it to your gallery.
🔒 Note: Google Assistant cannot take screenshots in some secure apps or during voice calls.
Some phones let you add a screenshot shortcut to the navigation bar or status shade:
If you’re on Android 9 or later:
This is a great method for users with limited mobility or hardware button issues.
If built-in methods don’t work for you, apps like:
…can provide floating buttons, auto scroll, and editing tools. But these aren’t always needed if your Android version is recent.
After taking a screenshot, your phone automatically saves it in a specific folder based on the manufacturer, Android version, and any file management settings.
Here’s how to find them on most Android phones.
DCIM > Screenshots
This is the most common location for screenshots. “DCIM” stands for Digital Camera Images, and it’s where the system stores photos taken with your camera and screenshots.
Pictures > Screenshots
On some devices or third-party camera apps, screenshots go here instead of DCIM. This is especially true for older Android versions or modified versions like MIUI (Xiaomi) or ColorOS (OPPO/Realme).
🧭 To manually browse:
Navigate to DCIM > Screenshots or Pictures > Screenshots
Open your File Manager or My Files app
Tap Internal Storage
You can also find them in the Google Photos app under the “Screenshots” section.
After taking a screenshot:
Some phones even allow adding text, shapes, or blur effects directly in the screenshot editor.
Don’t take 5 screenshots for a single chat—use the scrolling option instead.
Create folders like Receipts, Meme folder, Work notes in your file manager.
Avoid screenshotting 2FA codes, passwords, or anything too personal. Use a secure note app instead.
Taking a screenshot on Android is easier than ever, with different options based on your phone and preferences. Whether you like buttons, gestures, or voice commands, Android has a technique for you.
Now that you know how to screenshot on any Android phone, try each approach and discover which one works best for you. Also, remember to wipe up old screenshots every now and then – those memes add up quickly!
Google Pixel Watch 4
Cristian Penisoara is a Guides Writer and Android specialist at Droid Tools. An Android user since version 2 and a professional event photographer, he combines technical curiosity with a detail-oriented approach - every guide he publishes is tested step-by-step on a real device before it goes live.
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