How to screenshot on Google Pixel phones

Here’s how to take a screenshot on a Google Pixel phone

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

If you want to know how to screenshot on aGooglePixel phone then you’re in luck - because there are multiple ways to do it.

We’ve found five distinct ways to take a screenshot on a Pixel phone, and all are worth knowing about. Some use physical buttons, some involve gestures and you can even do it via voice. And in addition to those options, there’s a way to capture a scrolling screenshot that works great for long web pages.

Each of these methods should work on theGoogle Pixel 6,Pixel 6 Pro,Pixel 6a,Pixel 7andPixel 7 Pro; we tested on a 6. For older models, they may or may not work depending on the model you’re using. But being onAndroid 12will help, as some are built in to the OS.

So, read on and we’ll show you how to screenshot on Google Pixel phones in a simple step-by-step format for each method.

How to screenshot on a Google Pixel using physical buttons

1. Press the power and volume down keys

This is the most obvious way to take a screenshot on a Google Pixel, because it’s a method that works on most Android phones. (Just to be different,taking a screenshot on an iPhoneinstead requires you to press power and volumeup, not down.)

Simplypress the power and volume down keys at the same time, then release both and you’ll hear a camera shutter click. This will show you a thumbnail of your screenshot in the bottom-left corner of the screen, together with options toshareandeditthe screenshot. If you’re screenshotting something that extends beyond the bottom of the screen, you’ll also get the option tocapture more.This will let you grab a scrolling screenshot (see below for full details).

How to screenshot on a Google Pixel using gestures

Pixel phones (and indeed, most Androids) give you two ways to navigate your screens: swipes or a ‘classic’ three-button method.

Both essentially do the same thing, with the only difference being how you access the feature. Here are the instructions for the gesture-based approach.

1. Open the Settings menu

If you want to useGestures, start by going to yoursettingsmenu.

2. Scroll down to System

You’ll findSystemnear the bottom of the Settings menu, below Google and above About Phone.

3. Select Gestures in the System menu

This is thethird option downand also contains a bunch of other useful settings.

4. Choose System Navigation

This is thefourth option down. You’ll be able to see at a glance which of the two control methods you currently have selected.

5. Select Gesture Navigation

Once you chooseGesture Navigationyou will be able to use swipes for certain actions. For instance, swiping up from the bottom of the screen will take you to Home.

6. Swipe up to open an app

Finally, you’re now in a position to use gestures to take a screenshot. Simplyswipe up from bottom of the screen and hold, then release. This will show your most recently opened apps carousel.

7. Take your screenshot!

At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see a Screenshot prompt. Simplyswipe rightuntil you get to the app you want to capture, thenclick Screenshot.

Note that you will only be able to screenshot one of youropenwindows in this way. If, for instance, you have multiple Chrome tabs open, this method will only screenshot whichever one you were last looking at.

How to screenshot on a Google Pixel using 3-button navigation

This is essentially the same as using Gestures, other than the very last bit, but we’ll go through it step by step again anyway.

Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.

Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.

1. Open the Settings menu

If you want to useThree-button navigation, start by going to yoursettingsmenu.

2. Scroll down to System

3. Select Gestures in the System menu

4. Choose System Navigation

5. Select 3-button Navigation

This time, rather than choosing Gestures, go for the other option,3-button Navigation.

6. Click the Overview button to open an app

The 3-button navigation method gives you a triangle in the bottom left of the phone screen (the back button), circle in the center (Home) anda square in the bottom right (Overview). The latter shows your recently used apps.

Press the square onceto use it.

7. Take your screenshot!

As with the Swipe method, you then simply select the app you want to capture, thenclick Screenshot at the bottom of the screen.

Again, you’ll be able to Share, Edit or Capture more once you’ve taken it.

How to screenshot on a Google Pixel using the back-tap method

Google Pixels include a back-tap feature, which allows you to carry out certain commands by tapping twice on the rear of the phone. There are multiple commands you can assign to it, with screenshot being one of them.

1. Open the Settings menu and scroll down to System

2. Select Gestures

3. Select Quick Tap to start actions

4. Select Use Quick Tap

If you don’tselect Use Quick Tapat the top of the screen the options below will all be grayed out.

5. Choose screenshot

This is the first option in the list, helpfully.

6. Tap the back of your Pixel phone twice in quick succession

Simplytap the rear of the phone twice, quickly. This generally works pretty smoothly. If you find it’s too easy to trigger, though, there is an option down the bottom of this menu to Require stronger taps.

Once again, carrying out this option will create a thumbnail of the screenshot and enable you to Share, Edit or Capture More as you desire.

How to screenshot on a Google Pixel using voice commands

Google Assistant might not be the most obvious tool to use for screenshots, but it does the job quickly and slickly. Here’s how you do it.

1. Fire up Google Assistant

Exactly how you do this will depend on what method you have set. You can do it via the back-tap approach, for instance, or via the power button, or by saying “Hey Google” or a different wake phrase.

2. Ask Assistant to take a screenshot

It really is that simple. And no, we’re not going to tell you how to speak; you probably have that bit figured out.

Your screenshots will be saved, as with all of the other methods, into the screenshots folder within the Images folder in the Files app. They can also be accessed from within Google Photos, if you’ve set it to auto-save to that app.

How to take a scrolling screenshot on a Google Pixel

Some of the above methods also enable you to select a longer-than-usual screenshot if you’re viewing something that takes up more than one screen length.

1. Take your screenshot

All of the above methods will work other than Google Assistant, which doesn’t appear to offer this option. The only caveat is that you have to be on an app that is compatible with it, such as Google Chrome.

2. Click Capture more

This will appear in the bottom right of the screen after you have taken your screenshot.

3. Move the crosshairs to highlight the area of the page that you wish to capture.

Simplydrag your finger down the screento increase the size of the screenshot.

4. Click Save

And you’re done. The scrolling screenshot can now be shared and edited as a standard one can.

Want more mobile tips? Find out how tohow to clear your Android phone’s cache,how to clean a phone charging portandhow to block a number on Android, and if you’re due an upgrade then check out our list of thebest android phones.

Marc is TechRadar’s Global Editor in Chief, the latest in a long line of senior editorial roles he’s held in a career that started the week that Google launched (nice of them to mark the occasion). Prior to joining TR, he was UK Editor in Chief on Tom’s Guide, where he oversaw all gaming, streaming, audio, TV, entertainment, how-to and cameras coverage. He’s also a former editor of the tech website Stuff and spent five years at the music magazine NME, where his duties mainly involved spoiling other people’s fun. He’s based in London, and has tested and written about phones, tablets, wearables, streaming boxes, smart home devices, Bluetooth speakers, headphones, games, TVs, cameras and pretty much every other type of gadget you can think of. An avid photographer, Marc likes nothing better than taking pictures of very small things (bugs, his daughters) or very big things (distant galaxies). He also enjoys live music, gaming, cycling, and beating Wordle (he authors the dailyWordle todaypage).

Latest Google Pixel update includes surprise launch of Android 15’s best battery feature

The Pixel Phone app might soon let you respond to calls with AI messages

Google TV will require more RAM for future upgrades – which might leave older TVs and streaming boxes behind