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How to take a screenshot on any Kindle Fire

Kevin Parrish
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There are a thousand reasons you might want to take a screenshot on your Kindle Fire tablet. For instance, you might want to help a friend troubleshoot a technical problem on their device or prove to a landlord that you did, in fact, agree on a lower rate for your rent by showing them a conversation you two previously had. Whatever the reason, where there’s a will, there’s a way. Below, we’ve outlined two methods to take a screenshot on your Kindle Fire, including a short method for newer models and a long method for older versions.

3rd Gen and newer (2013 to present)

ire HD 10 - Twilight Blue Buttons
Amazon's Fire HD 10

You won’t experience any difficulty taking a screenshot when using the newest modeled devices. Follow these three steps: 

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Step 1: Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Power button simultaneously.

Step 2: Wait for the screen to flash. You’ll also hear a shutter sound (if the volume is turned up) and see a thumbnail of the screen in the center of the screen. Release the buttons, and the screenshot process is completed.

Step 3: To find the screenshot, tap to open the Photos app.

1st and 2nd Gen (2011 and 2012)

If you have a 1st or 2nd Generation phone, you’re going to have a hard time taking screenshots. The older models hadn’t yet built screenshot functionality, so you have to install extra software. If you’re still committed to the idea, here are the steps to install:

Kindle Fire Enable ADB

Step 1: Go to Settings and select Device, then Developer Options. If you don’t see Developer Options, click About and tap Serial Number seven times. You should then see Developer Options or Security pop up. Either one is correct.

Step 2: With Developer Options (or Security) open, set Developer Options and USB Debugging to On. Some models only show On and Off buttons next to Enable ADB, as shown above. If that’s the case, tap On followed by OK on the Enable ADB prompt.

Step 3: Download and install the Kindle Fire driver from Amazon (Windows only).

Step 4: Download and install Android Studio from Google. This method is bulkier but easier than using command-line tools.

Step 5: Using a USB cable, connect the Kindle Fire device to your PC.

Kindle Fire Connected as Media Device

Step 6: Swipe down from the top of the tablet screen and verify that it’s “Connected as a Media Device,” as shown above. If you see instead, “Tap for Other Media Options,” tap the notification and select Media Device (MTP) or File Transfer.

Step 7: Tap OK on the Allow USB Debugging prompt.

Android Studio Show Kindle Fire

Step 8: Open Android Studio and create a new project. The Kindle Fire will eventually appear at the top, as shown above.

Android Studio Select Logcat

Step 9: Click View. Hover the mouse cursor over Tool Windows and select Logcat in the rollout menu.

Android Studio Click Screenshot Tool

Step 10: In the Logcat window, now at the bottom, make sure the Kindle Fire (KFJWI) is selected along with com.amazon.kindle in the second field, as shown above.

Step 11: Clicking the two arrows on the left will expand the toolbar. Then click on the Camera icon to capture a screenshot from the Kindle Fire device.

Android Studio Save Screenshot

Step 12: The screen capture will open in another window on your PC. Here you can recapture the shot, rotate it left or right, and add a frame or other embellishments. You can also copy the image to the clipboard.

Step 13: Click the blue Save button to save it on your PC when finished.

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Kevin Parrish
Kevin Parrish
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kevin started taking PCs apart in the 90s when Quake was on the way and his PC lacked the required components. Since then…
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