How to take a screen shot in Windows 10, macOS, iOS and Android

Owned by William Johnson, created
Last updated: Jan 13, 2023
2 min read

This guide will give you some ways to take screen shots within each operating system. Please note, the operating systems may change how taking a screen shot is done from time to time. We'll do our best to keep this information as current as possible.

Windows 10

Windows 10 has a native application called Snipping Tool. Here's how to use it:

Note: The primary source for this information is found here if you need additional help.

  1. Click on your Start menu and type "snipping tool"

  2. Select the search result "Snipping Tool"

  3. Select "New" and use your mouse to select the area of the screenshot you'd like to take

  4. Use the Save and Copy buttons at the top of the snip to save or copy the shot to the clipboard.

macOS

macOS has a simple combination of keys to allow you to take a screenshot. Here's how to use it:

Note: The primary source for this information is found here if you need additional help.

  1. Press and hold these three keys together: Shift, Command and 4

  2. Drag the crosshair to select the area of the screen you'd like to capture.

    1. You can press and hold the Spacebar while dragging to move the selection

    2. To cancel press the Esc (Escape) key.

  3. Release your mouse or trackpad button to take the screenshot

  4. If you see a thumbnail in the corner of your screen, click it to edit the screen shot.

  5. You can wait for the thumbnail to disappear and this means the screenshot is now saved to your desktop.

iOS

iOS uses a combination of buttons on the phone to take a screenshot. Here's how to use it:

Note: The primary source for this information is found here if you need additional help. For the purpose of this process, the below information is directly taken from Apple.

  1. Press the Side Button and the Volume Up button at the same time. 

  2. Quickly release both buttons.

  3. After you take a screenshot, a thumbnail temporarily appears in the lower-left corner of your screen. Tap the thumbnail to open it or swipe left to dismiss it. 

Android

Android has several variations of taking screenshots as this OS is used across many types of phones. Please reference this link to find which method will take the screenshot based on what phone you're using.

If the common methods mentioned in the link above does not work you will need to reference the phone's manufacturer.

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