A Screenshot Is a Photo of Your Screen
A screenshot (or "screen capture") saves whatever is on your phone or computer screen as an image. Want to show a friend what you're looking at? Need to save an error message? Want to keep a note of something interesting? You probably take screenshots every day without thinking about it.
A screenshot captures everything on the screen exactly as it appears. That means the time, notification bar, battery level, and URL all get saved too. This can matter more than you might expect.
How to Take a Screenshot
| Device | How to do it |
|---|---|
| iPhone (Face ID) | Press the side button + volume up at the same time |
| iPhone (Home button) | Press the Home button + side button at the same time |
| Android | Press the power button + volume down at the same time |
| Windows | Windows key + Shift + S (select an area) |
| Mac | Command + Shift + 3 (full screen) / 4 (select an area) |
Both iPhone and Android also have a "scrolling screenshot" feature that lets you capture an entire long page as a single image, even if it doesn't fit on one screen.
Why Screenshots Can Serve as Evidence
Screenshots work as evidence because they record the exact state of a screen at a specific moment.
- Cyberbullying records: Even if someone deletes a post, your screenshot preserves the proof
- Scam evidence: Screenshots of suspicious DMs or emails are helpful when reporting to the police or consumer protection agencies
- Transaction records: Save promises made on marketplace apps or payment confirmation screens. This is especially useful when shopping online - keep screenshots of order confirmations and receipts
- Bug reports: When reporting an app problem to developers, a screenshot of the error is the clearest way to explain what happened
A Word of Caution About Screenshots
Keep in mind that screenshots can be edited or faked, so courts don't treat them as absolute proof. Their reliability is judged alongside metadata like the date, time, and device information.
Screenshot Etiquette and Things to Watch Out For
Screenshots are handy, but using them carelessly can cause real problems.
- Don't screenshot and share private conversations without permission: Spreading someone's DMs or chats breaks trust and can even lead to legal trouble
- Watch out for copyrighted content: Posting screenshots of manga pages or movie scenes on social media could be a copyright violation
- Check for personal information: Before sharing a screenshot, make sure no names, email addresses, or phone numbers are visible
- Mind the notification bar: The top of your screenshot might show app names or message previews you'd rather keep private
Can the Other Person Tell You Took a Screenshot?
"Will they get a notification if I screenshot this?" is a common question. Here's the answer for popular apps:
| Service | Notifies the other person? |
|---|---|
| Snapchat | Yes (both screenshots and screen recordings) |
| Instagram (Stories) | No (it used to, but that feature was removed) |
| LINE | No |
| X (formerly Twitter) | No |
Just because no notification is sent doesn't mean you should screenshot everything. Always think about how the other person would feel.
Make the Most of Screenshots
Used wisely, screenshots are an incredibly useful everyday tool.
- Quick notes: Save maps, train schedules, or recipes to look at later
- Study aid: Capture class slides or helpful websites for review
- Trouble protection: Make it a habit to screenshot suspicious messages or app errors
Want to discover more ways to get the most out of your phone? Smartphone tips books are full of ideas. Try taking a screenshot of IP Checker to save a record of your own IP address.