Taking a screenshot is one of the most basic things you can do with the best Android phones. Google Pixel phones are no different, as there are quite a few different ways to take a screenshot on them. Along with using the traditional hardware button combinations, Google has implemented other methods for you to take a screenshot.
Here are all the ways that you can take a screenshot on your Pixel phone. Some of them may not be available on older Pixels, such as the back tap feature. For your reference, I used a Pixel 6 for this guide.
Take a screenshot using buttons
The first way to take a screenshot on your Google Pixel is pretty straightforward. It's also one of the most common ways of taking a screenshot on the vast majority of Android phones.
How to take a screenshot on the Google Pixel using buttons
1. Hold down the power button and the volume down button on the phone's right side.
2. Release both buttons at the same time.
3. Your Pixel will make a snapping sound and a miniature version of your screen will appear on the bottom left-hand side of the screen.
If you performed the combination properly, you should see a smaller version of the screen you took and a notification. Simply tap the share or edit buttons to access your screenshot.
Take a screenshot without buttons
There are several different methods to take a screenshot without using the hardware buttons. These depend on the type of navigation you are using on the Google Pixel. For reference, here are the different navigation methods available on Google Pixel:
- Gesture navigation
- 3-button navigation
- Back tap gestures
- Google Assistant
How to take a screenshot on the Google Pixel with gesture navigation
1. Swipe up and hold from the bottom of the screen.
2. When the App Switcher is revealed, tap the Screenshot button at the bottom.
3. A preview will appear in the bottom left corner once successful.
How to take a screenshot on the Google Pixel with 3-button navigation
1. Tap the square Overview button in your navigation bar.
2. Swipe over to the app that you wish to screenshot.
3. Tap the Screenshot button.
4. Once successful, a preview will appear in the bottom left corner.
How to take a screenshot on the Google Pixel with back tap gestures
You can customize the back tap gestures on your Google Pixel phone so that it takes screenshots with that function. Once you have assigned the screenshot function to the back tap gesture, all you have to do is tap the back twice. Take note that you must have the Pixel 4a 5G or newer Pixels for this feature.
Here's how you can customize your Pixel's back tap gesture so that it takes screenshots when you tap the rear twice.
1. Open Settings on your Pixel.
2. Tap System.
3. Select Gestures to locate the relevant options.
4. Once you're in the gestures settings, tap Quick Tap.
5. Make sure the Use Quick Tap toggle is switched on.
6. Select Take screenshot.
How to take a screenshot on the Google Pixel with Google Assistant
Google introduced the ability to use Google Assistant to snap screenshots with nothing but your voice back in 2018. This is a feature that many had been waiting for at the time. Here's how to take a screenshot with Google Assistant.
1. Say Hey Google.
2. When ready, say Take a screenshot.
If you are using the stock Pixel launcher, you can also tap the microphone icon in the Google Search bar to activate Assistant. Then ask it to take a screenshot, or you can tap the keyboard icon in the Assistant prompt to type it out.
How to access your screenshots
How to access the screenshot you took on the Google Pixel
Right after taking a screenshot, you'll see a tiny thumbnail in the left-hand corner of your Pixel's display that shows a miniature version of the image. You can access the screengrab you just took by tapping the preview.
1. In the bottom right corner, tap the preview of the screenshot you just took.
2. If you want to edit the image, tap the pencil icon.
3. Alternatively, tap the Share button to send the screenshot to someone or share it via an app.
How to access all of your screenshots on the Google Pixel
If you were too late and the thumbnail disappeared, don't worry. It isn't gone forever! Screenshots are stored in a designated folder on the Google Pixel, accessible through the Photos app.
1. Open Google Photos from the home screen, folder, or app drawer.
2. Tap the Library button in the bottom toolbar.
3. Select Device folders.
4. Under the Photos on device section, tap Screenshots.
5. Open or share the screenshot or screenshots you want.
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