Toolantern
Updated October 9, 2026

How to Take a Screenshot on Any Device

Every device has a built-in way to capture its screen. Here are the exact keys and button combinations for Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and Chromebook, plus tips for clean, shareable screenshots.

Windows

  1. Whole screen: press the Print Screen (PrtScn) key. The image is copied to your clipboard; paste it into Paint, Word, or an email with Ctrl + V.
  2. Part of the screen: press Windows + Shift + S. The screen dims and you can drag to select any rectangle. The capture is copied to your clipboard and a notification lets you annotate it.
  3. One window: click the window to focus it, then press Alt + Print Screen to capture just that window.
  4. Save directly to a file: press Windows + Print Screen. The screenshot is saved automatically in Pictures, in the Screenshots folder.

The Snipping Tool app (search for it in the Start menu) offers the same captures with a timer delay, which is handy for menus that disappear when you press keys.

Mac

  1. Whole screen: press Command + Shift + 3. A thumbnail appears in the corner; the file is saved to your Desktop.
  2. Part of the screen: press Command + Shift + 4, then drag to select the area.
  3. One window: press Command + Shift + 4, then press Space and click the window.
  4. Full options: press Command + Shift + 5 for a toolbar with screen recording, timers, and a choice of where files are saved.

Hold Control with any of these shortcuts to copy the screenshot to the clipboard instead of saving a file.

iPhone and iPad

  1. On models with Face ID (no Home button): press the side button and volume up at the same time, then release quickly.
  2. On models with a Home button: press the Home button and the side (or top) button at the same time.
  3. A thumbnail appears in the lower-left corner. Tap it to crop, draw, or add text before saving; swipe it away to save it to Photos as is.

Android

  1. Press the power button and volume down together for about a second. This works on nearly all Android phones.
  2. On Samsung Galaxy phones you can also swipe the edge of your palm across the screen (enable it in Settings, Advanced features, Motions and gestures).
  3. A preview appears with options to edit, share, or take a scrolling capture of a long page.

Chromebook

  1. Whole screen: press Ctrl + Show windows (the key with a rectangle and two lines, where F5 would be).
  2. Part of the screen: press Ctrl + Shift + Show windows, then drag to select.

Tips

Frequently asked questions

Where do my screenshots go?

Windows saves them to Pictures and then Screenshots (only with Windows + Print Screen; otherwise they go to the clipboard). Mac saves to the Desktop. iPhones and Android phones save to the Photos or Gallery app.

How do I screenshot only part of the screen?

Windows: Windows + Shift + S. Mac: Command + Shift + 4. Chromebook: Ctrl + Shift + Show windows. On phones, take the full screenshot and crop it in the preview editor.

Can I take a scrolling screenshot of a whole page?

On iPhone, take a screenshot in Safari and tap the thumbnail, then choose Full Page to save a PDF. On Android, the screenshot preview usually offers a Scroll or Capture more option. On desktop, browser extensions can capture full pages.

Why is my screenshot black or blank?

Some apps, especially video streaming services and banking apps, block screen capture for copyright or security reasons. This is intentional and cannot be bypassed with the normal shortcuts.

How do I record my screen instead?

Mac: Command + Shift + 5 includes screen recording. Windows: the Xbox Game Bar (Windows + G) or the Snipping Tool's video mode. iPhone: add Screen Recording in Control Center settings. Android: the Screen Record quick-settings tile.