How to take a screenshot on almost any device

Taking a screenshot on macOS

Follow these steps to take a screenshot on your macOS device:

Take a screenshot of your entire screen:

1. Press Shift + Command (⌘) + 3.
   
   
   
   
2. Find the screenshot as a .png file on your desktop.
   
   

Take a screenshot of a specific window:

1. Press Shift + Command (⌘) + 4. The pointer changes to a crosshair.
   
   
   
   
2. Press the Spacebar. The pointer changes to a camera.
   
   
   
   
3. Move the camera over a window to highlight it.
   
   
4. Click your mouse or trackpad to take a screenshot of the highlighted window. To cancel, press the Esc (Escape) key before you click.
   
   
5. Find the screenshot as a .png file on your desktop.
   
   

You can find alternative ways of taking a screenshot on Mac here.

Taking a screenshot on Linux

Follow these steps to take a screenshot on your Linux device:

1. Press PrtScn to take a full-screen screenshot. The screenshot will show everything in your display.
   
   
   
   
2. You will be prompted to select where you would like to save the screenshot file.

If this method does not work on your specific setup of Linux you can find alternative ways of taking a screenshot here.

Taking a screenshot on Windows

Windows devices include a built-in app to take screenshots called the Snipping Tool.

1. To open and use the Snipping Tool, select the Start button that looks like the Windows logo. 
   
   
   
   
2. Type in Snipping Tool in the search bar and click on the Snipping Tool to launch the app.
   
   
    
3. Once the App launches, you can see a window with screenshot options such as the shape and the timer. Choose Free-form, Rectangular, Window, or Full-screen Snip and press the Windows logo key + Shift + S (all at the same time).
   
   
   
   
4. Alternatively, you can press New, then choose the shape you wish to make the screenshot in and use your cursor while pressing the left button on your mouse.
   
   When making free-form or rectangular snips, use your mouse to select the area you want to capture. This will usually be your browser window, the NordVPN app, or a specific application.
   
   
    
5. Click on the pop-up in the bottom right corner of your screen. It will appear once a screenshot (snip) is made.
   
   
    
6. The Snipping Tool window will extend. Click the Save button at the top right of the Snipping Tool.
   
   
   
   
7. Choose a location where you wish to save your screenshot and click Save.
   
   
    
   
   

Taking a screenshot on Android

To take a screenshot of an Android device, please follow these steps:

Press and hold the Volume Down + Power buttons at the same time, and you’ll see a brief onscreen animation followed by a confirmation in the notification bar that the action was successful.

Taking a screenshot on iOS

To take screenshots on your iOS device, please follow these steps.

iPhone 8 or earlier, iPad, or iPod touch:

1. Press and hold the Top or Side button together with the Home button.
   
   
   
   
2. Release the buttons to take a screenshot.
   
   
3. In iOS 11, a thumbnail of your screenshot appears in the lower-left corner of your device. Tap the thumbnail to add drawings and text with Markup, or press and hold the thumbnail to share the screenshot. Swipe left on the thumbnail to dismiss it.

To find the screenshot you just took, along with the ones you've taken before, go to Photos > Albums > Screenshots.

iPhone X or newer:

1. Press and hold the Side button alongside the Volume up button.
   
   
   
   
2. Release the buttons to take a screenshot.
   
   
3. A thumbnail of your screenshot appears in the lower-left corner of your device. Tap the thumbnail to add drawings and text with Markup, or press and hold the thumbnail to share the screenshot. Swipe left on the thumbnail to dismiss it.

Taking a screenshot on a Chromebook

Follow the steps below to take a screenshot on your Chromebook.

1. Press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows on your keyboard.
   
   
   
   
2. Select and drag the desired application/window to take a screenshot.
   
   
3. Alternatively, press Ctrl + Shift + Show windows, and select a screenshot feature from the toolbar:
• Take a full-screen screenshot.
• Take a partial screenshot.
• Take a window screenshot.

If you need additional assistance, check out Chromebook's screenshot-taking guide with pictures.