How to Take a Picture of Your iPhone Screen (a "Screenshot")

Have you ever wanted to show someone exactly what's on your phone? Maybe a confusing message popped up, or your grandson sent you a recipe and you want to save it before it scrolls away. In the old days, you might have held a piece of tracing paper up to the TV. Today, your iPhone can take a picture of its own screen — and it takes about one second.

That picture is called a **screenshot**. It saves to your photos, just like a snapshot from your camera, so you can look at it later or send it to someone.

When a screenshot comes in handy

A screenshot is useful any time you want to keep — or share — what you're looking at. A few real examples:

- A strange error message appears, and you want to show it to your son so he can help. - The pharmacy texts you a confirmation number, and you want to keep it where you can find it. - You see a sweater you like on a shopping website, and you want to remember it without buying it right now. - Your bank shows your balance, and you'd like a record of it for your files.

Think of it as a photocopy machine built into your phone.

How to take one

The buttons you press depend on your iPhone. Both methods are quick once you've done them once or twice.

**If your iPhone has a Home button** (the round button at the bottom of the screen): Press the **Home button** and the **Side button** (on the right edge) at the same time. Let go right away.

**If your iPhone does NOT have a Home button** (newer models): Press the **Side button** (on the right edge) and the **Volume Up button** (on the left edge) at the same time. Let go right away.

You'll hear a soft camera shutter sound, and the screen will flash white for just a moment. That's it — you've taken the picture.

The trick is to press both buttons at the same instant and let go quickly. If you hold them down too long, your phone will think you want to turn it off. If that happens, just tap "Cancel" and try again.

Finding and sharing your screenshot

Right after you take a screenshot, a small version of it — called a "thumbnail" — appears in the bottom-left corner of your screen for a few seconds. You can:

- **Tap it** to open it right away (you can draw on it, crop it, or share it). - **Swipe it off** to the left to make it disappear. Don't worry — it's still saved. - **Ignore it**, and it will tuck itself away on its own.

To find it later, open your **Photos** app. Your screenshot will be there with the rest of your pictures, in order by date. If you want to find only your screenshots, tap **Albums** at the bottom, then scroll down to the album called **Screenshots**.

To send a screenshot to someone, open it in Photos, tap the little square with an arrow pointing up (that's the share button), and choose **Messages** or **Mail**.

Try it today

Open any screen on your phone — maybe the weather, or a text from a friend — and try taking one screenshot. Then open your Photos app and find it. Once you've done it once, you'll remember it forever, and the next time something on your screen needs sharing, you'll know exactly what to do.

Need a hand with your technology? We're here to help. Give PorchSwing a call or book an appointment, and we'll walk you through it at your own pace — no rush, no jargon.