Here are some iPhone screen capture tips & tricks to help you make the most of your screenshots and screen recordings:
1. Full Page Screenshot (Safari)
Capture an entire webpage, not just what’s visible on the screen.
- How to use: Take a regular screenshot (press the Side Button and Volume Up simultaneously). After taking the screenshot, tap Full Page at the top of the preview. You can then save the entire webpage as a PDF.
2. Edit Your Screenshot Immediately
You can crop, mark up, and add text to screenshots right after you take them.
- How to use: After taking a screenshot, tap on the preview in the bottom left corner. Use the Markup tools (pen, highlighter, text) to annotate your screenshot before saving or sharing it.
3. Use the Screen Recording Feature
Record your screen to capture videos or tutorials.
- How to use:
- Go to Settings > Control Center, and add Screen Recording to your Control Center.
- Swipe down (iPhone X or newer) or swipe up (iPhone 8 or earlier) to access Control Center.
- Tap the Screen Recording icon (a circle inside a circle) to start recording. To stop, tap the red bar at the top of the screen or return to Control Center and tap the icon again.
- The recording will be saved to your Photos app.
4. Record Screen with Audio
You can record your screen with or without audio.
- How to use:
- Press and hold the Screen Recording icon in Control Center.
- Tap the microphone icon to enable or disable audio recording.
- Tap Start Recording to begin capturing both screen and sound.
5. Take a Screenshot with AssistiveTouch
For people who find pressing the physical buttons difficult, you can use AssistiveTouch to take screenshots.
- How to use:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch and enable it.
- Once enabled, you’ll see a floating button on your screen. Tap it, then tap Device > More > Screenshot to capture a screenshot.
6. Quickly Access the Screenshot Thumbnail
After taking a screenshot, the thumbnail briefly appears in the bottom-left corner. You can tap it to immediately edit or share.
- How to use: Tap on the thumbnail to bring up editing options, or swipe it to the left to dismiss it if you don’t need to make any changes.
7. Take a Screenshot with Siri
You can ask Siri to take a screenshot for you.
- How to use: Simply activate Siri by saying, “Hey Siri,” then say, “Take a screenshot.” Siri will capture the screen for you.
8. Use 3D Touch for Quick Screen Capture (on supported models)
On devices with 3D Touch (iPhone 6s – iPhone XS), you can press firmly on the screen to take a screenshot.
- How to use: Firmly press the screen (on the Home screen or inside apps), and tap Screenshot from the Quick Action menu.
9. Mark Up a Screenshot with Colorful Shapes and Text
You can add shapes, lines, and text to your screenshot.
- How to use: After capturing the screenshot, tap on the preview. Use the Markup tools to draw shapes, lines, and text to highlight important parts of the screenshot.
10. Hide Sensitive Information Before Sharing Screenshots
You can blur or hide parts of a screenshot to protect personal information.
- How to use: In the Markup tool, use the pen or highlighter tool to blur or cover sensitive information before sharing it.
11. Use the Screenshot Timer
For capturing things that require a little prep time (like positioning an app or webpage), you can use the timer function.
- How to use:
- Open the Camera app, switch to Photo mode, and set the timer (3s or 10s).
- When the timer goes off, it will take a screenshot at that moment.
12. Using “Back Tap” for Screenshots (iPhone 8 or later)
You can take screenshots by double or triple tapping the back of your phone using the Back Tap feature.
- How to use:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap.
- Set Double Tap or Triple Tap to take a screenshot.
13. Annotate & Share with Friends from the Screenshot
You can directly send a screenshot to a contact without saving it first.
- How to use: After capturing a screenshot, tap the preview, edit it, and tap the Share icon to send it via email, text, or social media.
14. Disable Screenshot Previews in Notifications
If you find the preview of screenshots appearing in the notification center distracting, you can disable it.
- How to use: Go to Settings > Notifications, select Show Previews, and set it to Never or When Unlocked.
15. Save and Share a Screenshot as a PDF
If you capture a screenshot of a page (like in Safari), you can save it as a PDF.
- How to use: After capturing a screenshot, tap the preview, then tap the Share icon, and select Save to Files. You can save it as a PDF or in other formats.
By mastering these tips, you can take screenshots and screen recordings like a pro and make the most of your iPhone’s capturing capabilities!