The word screenshot is thrown around liberally online, as I’m sure you’ve noticed. Just what is a screenshot and how do you take one? Today we’re going to break it down step-by-step for you.
What is a screenshot, anyway?
A screenshot is a visual image of your computer, iPhone or iPad display. Look down at your iPhone’s screen for a moment. Now imagine that you’ve taken an instant photo of your display, exactly the way you see it in this moment, and preserved it. You can actually do that, and it’s called a screenshot. Above is a screenshot of the home screen on my iPhone.
Why would you need to take a screenshot?
Screenshots are taken for both practical and non-practical reasons. An Apple employee may want to see a screenshot of your home screen if you’ve contacted support to complain of bad pixels on your display. Athletes sometimes take screenshots of their FitBit steps or Apple Health exercise minutes when competing in challenges with others with others. Gamers often grab screenshots of game progress or achievements unlocked to share on social media or with friends. As you can see, the reasons for taking a screenshot can be many and varied.
How to take a screenshot
To take a screenshot you need only press the home button (the large round button on the bottom front of your iPhone) and the power button (located on the right side of your phone) simultaneously. You’ll hear the standard iPhone camera shutter sound when the screen grab is complete, and your photo will automatically be deposited in your Photos album on your phone.
Simple, right?