Android devices used to be notoriously irritating when it came to taking screenshots. Thankfully, that’s no longer the case. You no longer need to install the Android SDK or consider rooting and installing a third-party app because an easy screenshot solution has been baked into the platform. If you’ve got a Nexus 4 smartphone, a Nexus 7 tablet, or a Nexus 10 tablet (or, a Galaxy Nexus and most Android devices) the steps are exactly the same.
- Hold the Volume down button and the Power button at the same time
That’s it.
On the Nexus 4 you’ll find the Volume rocker on the left spine and the Power button on the right. On the Nexus 7 both buttons are on the right side of the device, if it’s held vertically. On the Nexus 10, look in the upper left. The trick is to hold Volume down and Power at exactly the same time.
When you do it successfully on the Nexus 4 you’ll see the screen blink and a confirmation of your screenshot will be accompanied by a sound and vibration. On the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 you’ll see the same animation and you’ll get the sound feedback without the vibration.
The screenshot will appear in the Notifications bar so simply drag it down to review and share. With Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) you can share it directly from the Notifications bar via email, social media, or SMS. It will also automatically be saved in your Gallery app in an album called Screenshots.
Take all the screenshots you want! Enjoy.
Don’t listen to other people, I actually didn’t know this and I appreciate you letting us know about it.
Thanks, glad it was useful for you.
Wow! you discovered something that has been android since android 4.0 ICS and is even in the instruction mannual! while your at it can you tell me how to plug in my device to?
Sure! Make sure that you have the right end of the cord and that the plug matches the hole and then plug it in. If it doesn’t fit then you probably have it the wrong way round. Hope that helps.
Wow Thanks!
Thanks Simon, useful tip.
It is interesting how an earlier poster reveals his nature in his post. Unfortunately too common on the web.
Great site with loads of useful stuff, well done to the team.
How do you get rid of the sound?
If you have a rooted phone you can go in and rename the .ogg file that plays the sound. I’m not sure how to turn it off without rooting.
i just bought a nexus 4 and this doesnt happen in my fone. if i do it at the same time, nothing happens. i know the buttons r being pressed correctly as the screen doesnt lock itself and the sound doesnt decrease as well. Is there any activation/enabling that has to be done?
There’s no activation or enabling as far as I know, try holding them down for a bit longer.
lol..that was stupid : thanks simon!