How to Take a Screenshot on iPhone (2025 Guide for All Models)

Capturing a moment on your iPhone isn’t just about taking photos. Sometimes, the most important information is right there on your screen: a hilarious text message, a flight confirmation, a high score in a game, or a recipe you want to save. Taking a screenshot is a fundamental skill for any iPhone user, allowing you to quickly save and share exactly what you see on your display.

While it might seem like a simple action, the method for taking a screenshot has evolved with different iPhone models. Furthermore, Apple has built in several powerful, lesser-known ways to capture your screen that go beyond just pressing a couple of buttons. This comprehensive guide will cover every method for taking a screenshot on any iPhone, from the latest models with Face ID to older devices with a Home button. We will also explore advanced techniques, editing tips, and troubleshooting steps to make you a screenshot expert.

The Standard Method: Taking a Screenshot with Buttons

The most common way to take a screenshot involves a quick press of two physical buttons. The exact combination depends on which iPhone model you have. The key is to press and release the buttons quickly and simultaneously—holding them down for too long will activate Siri or the power-off screen instead.

For iPhones with Face ID (iPhone X and Newer)

If your iPhone doesn’t have a physical Home button on the front, you have a model with Face ID. This includes the iPhone X, XS, XR, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and their various Pro, Max, and Mini versions.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Navigate to the screen you want to capture.
2. Press and release the Side button (on the right side) and the Volume Up button (on the left side) at the same time.
3. Your screen will flash white, and you’ll hear a camera shutter sound (if your phone isn’t on silent).
4. A small preview thumbnail of the screenshot will appear in the bottom-left corner of your screen. You can tap it to edit or swipe it away to save it directly to your Photos.

For iPhones with a Home Button and Side Button (iPhone 6, 7, 8, and SE 2nd/3rd Gen)

If your iPhone has a physical Home button and the power button is on the right side of the device, this method is for you.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Open the content you wish to capture.
2. Press and release the Side button (on the right side) and the Home button at the same time.
3. The screen will flash, and a shutter sound will confirm the screenshot has been taken.
4. The preview thumbnail will appear in the bottom-left corner, ready for you to tap, edit, or dismiss.

For Older iPhones with a Home Button and Top Button (iPhone 5s and SE 1st Gen)

For older models where the power button is located on the top edge of the phone, the button combination is slightly different.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Have the content you want to capture ready on your screen.
2. Press and release the Top button and the Home button simultaneously.
3. Your screen will flash, indicating the screenshot has been saved.
4. As with newer models, you can interact with the thumbnail that appears in the corner.

Beyond the Buttons: 3 Alternative Ways to Take a Screenshot

What if your buttons are broken, or you find the button combination awkward? Apple has built in several accessibility features that double as excellent, hands-free ways to take a screenshot.

Method 1: Use Back Tap (iPhone 8 and Newer)

Back Tap is a clever feature that turns the back of your iPhone into a touch-sensitive button. You can assign various actions, including taking a screenshot, to a double or triple tap.

How to Set Up Back Tap:

1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch.
2. Scroll to the bottom and select Back Tap.
3. Choose either Double Tap or Triple Tap.
4. From the list of actions, select Screenshot.

Now, you can simply tap the back of your iPhone two or three times (depending on your selection) to instantly capture your screen. This method is incredibly convenient and feels almost like a magic trick.

Method 2: Use AssistiveTouch

AssistiveTouch adds a floating, on-screen button to your display that provides access to a menu of shortcuts. This is a lifesaver if your physical buttons are unresponsive.

How to Set Up AssistiveTouch:

1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch.
2. Select AssistiveTouch and toggle it on. A semi-transparent button will appear on your screen.
3. Tap on Customize Top Level Menu.
4. Tap one of the icons (or the plus ‘+’ icon to add a new one) and choose Screenshot from the list.

Once set up, you can take a screenshot by tapping the AssistiveTouch button and then tapping the Screenshot icon. You can also assign “Screenshot” as a custom action for a double-tap or long-press on the AssistiveTouch button for even faster access.

Method 3: Ask Siri

For a completely hands-free experience, you can simply ask Siri to do the work for you.

How to Use Siri for Screenshots:

1. Activate Siri by saying “Hey Siri” or by long-pressing the Side button.
2. Simply say, “Take a screenshot.”

Siri will confirm the action and capture your screen. This is perfect for moments when your hands are occupied, or you want to capture something without physically touching your phone.

Editing and Sharing Your Screenshots

Once you’ve taken a screenshot, a thumbnail appears in the corner. This is your gateway to the instant editing and sharing tools.

• Tapping the Thumbnail: This opens the Markup editor. Here, you can crop the image, use pens and highlighters to draw on it, add text, drop in shapes, or even include your signature.
• Taking a Full-Page Screenshot: If you screenshot a long webpage in Safari, an email, or a PDF, you’ll see a “Full Page” option in the editor. Tapping this allows you to save the entire scrollable document as a single PDF, which is incredibly useful for saving articles or receipts.
• Sharing and Saving: From the editor, you can tap the Share icon to send the screenshot via Messages, AirDrop, Mail, or any other app. When you’re done, tap Done in the top-left corner. You’ll have the option to:
• • Save to Photos
  • Save to Files (ideal for Full Page PDFs)
  • Copy and Delete (copies it to your clipboard so you can paste it, then deletes the file)
  • Delete Screenshot

If you swipe the thumbnail away or wait for it to disappear, the screenshot is automatically saved to your Photos app, where you can find it in the “Screenshots” album.

Troubleshooting Common Screenshot Issues

Problem: My iPhone is locking or activating Siri instead of taking a screenshot.
This usually happens when you hold the buttons for too long. Remember to press and release them quickly. It should be a very brief, simultaneous tap.

Problem: Screenshots are not being saved.
Check your iPhone’s storage by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. If your device is full, it may not be able to save new files. You will need to free up some space.

Problem: The Back Tap feature is not working.
Back Tap can be sensitive to phone cases. If you have a very thick case, it might interfere with the taps. Try tapping a bit more firmly or consider testing it without the case to see if that’s the issue.

Problem: The screenshot thumbnail doesn’t appear.
This feature is available on more recent versions of iOS. If you have an older version, your screenshots will save directly to Photos without showing a preview. If you are on a newer version, a simple restart of your iPhone often resolves this minor glitch.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Where are my screenshots saved on my iPhone?
All screenshots are automatically saved to the Photos app. You can find them in your main library or in a dedicated album called “Screenshots” under the Albums tab.

Q2: Can I take a screenshot of a video?
Yes. You can pause the video at the frame you want to capture and then use any of the screenshot methods to save it as an image.

Q3: How do I take a screen recording instead of a screenshot?
Screen recording captures a video of your screen. You can add the screen recording control to your Control Center by going to Settings > Control Center and adding “Screen Recording.” Then, swipe down to open the Control Center and tap the record icon to start.

Q4: Can I change the format of my screenshots?
By default, iPhones save screenshots as PNG files. There is no native setting to change this to JPG or another format, but you can use a third-party app or a shortcut to convert them after they are saved.

Q5: Does the other person get a notification when I screenshot a conversation?
For standard iMessage, SMS, or WhatsApp conversations, the other person will not be notified. However, some apps like Snapchat are specifically designed to notify users when a screenshot of their content has been taken.

Conclusion: Master Your iPhone’s Capture Capabilities

Taking a screenshot on your iPhone is a simple yet powerful function that you’ll likely use every day. Whether you prefer the classic button combination or the convenience of Back Tap or Siri, there is a method that will fit your workflow perfectly. By mastering these techniques and learning how to use the built-in editing tools, you can quickly capture, annotate, and share information with ease. Go ahead and try out these different methods—you might just discover a new favorite way to capture what’s on your screen.