The fastest way to take screenshots on iPhone or iPad

On iPhone/iPad without buttons (X, 11, 12, 13)

From 2007 – 2017, there was only 1 shortcut to take a screenshot on iPhone. Since the iPhone X was released, the gesture to perform is not the same depending on the model. To take a screenshot on an iPhone X, 11, 12 or 13, the user must simultaneously press the volume up button and the on/off button at the same time.

The screenshot will be saved under “Your Photos” or accessible at the bottom left of the screen as a thumbnail. Clicking on a photo will be able to quickly edit, crop or share. Users can also drag and drop this thumbnail into another application.

On older iPhones and iPads (SE, 8, 7, 6, 5…)

If the user owns an iPhone with an old design (with a button at the bottom of the screen), the way to take screenshots will be different. To take a screenshot, it is necessary to simultaneously press the Home button (the button used to return to the home screen) and the device on/off button on the top or right side. Screenshots are saved in the photos app.

Light pat on the back

Since the release of iOS 14, Apple has allowed users to configure an action on the back of the iPhone. When touching the back of the phone 2 or 3 times to perform the action. To enable this feature for taking screenshots, users need to go to Settings/Accessibility/Touch/Touch back of device/Double-tap or Triple-tap on “Screenshot” item.

After activation, users only need to press their index finger 2 or 3 times on the back of the iPhone without pressing both the Home button and the device on / off button at the same time.

In the case of broken phone buttons, iPhone users can activate the dedicated AssitiveTouch menu to replace broken buttons or for those who have no control over their fingers.

Do this by going into Settings/Accessibility/Touch Touch, turning it on and selecting “Single Touch”, then “Screenshot”. After enabling this feature, the phone will have a floating button at the bottom of the screen dedicated to taking screenshots.

How to record video?

By default on iPhone, this option is disabled. However, if users go to Settings / Control Center, they can still add the “Screen Recording” option.

From the phone’s control center (by performing a gesture from the top-right corner of the iPhone or from the bottom of the screen), users can activate video recording. To stop recording the screen, tap the red button at the top of the screen.