Taking a screenshot on Android 11 is straightforward, offering multiple methods to capture what's on your screen. The most common and widely supported method involves a simple combination of physical buttons, while a newer software-based approach offers additional flexibility, particularly on devices like the Google Pixel.
Common Methods to Take a Screenshot on Android 11
Android 11 provides user-friendly options for capturing your screen, ensuring you can quickly save information, funny moments, or important details from any app or page.
1. Using Physical Buttons (Power + Volume Down)
This is the most universal and reliable method for taking a screenshot on Android 11, working across a wide range of devices, including Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones.
- Step 1: Navigate to the specific app or page you wish to capture on your screen.
- Step 2: Simultaneously press and hold the power button and the volume-down button for about one second.
- Step 3: You'll see a quick animation or flash on your screen, indicating that the screenshot has been successfully captured. A small preview will usually appear in the corner of your screen, often with options to edit, share, or delete it.
This method is quick, efficient, and typically works even with Android 12 and newer versions.
2. Using the Recents/Overview Screen (Software Method)
This method provides a convenient way to screenshot without needing to fumble with physical buttons, especially useful for one-handed operation. This approach is very common on Google Pixel devices.
- Step 1: Go to the app or page you want to take a screenshot of.
- Step 2: Access your Recents/Overview screen. How you do this depends on your navigation settings:
- Gesture Navigation: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold briefly in the middle until your recent apps appear.
- 3-Button Navigation: Tap the square "Overview" button (often located on the right side of the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen).
- Step 3: With your recent apps laid out, look at the bottom of the screen. You should see a "Screenshot" button (and sometimes a "Select" button for text selection).
- Step 4: Tap the "Screenshot" button. The current app displayed prominently in the Recents screen will be captured.
Example for Pixel Users: If you're browsing a webpage in Chrome and want to screenshot it, simply swipe up and hold (or tap the square button) to bring up recent apps. Chrome will be the focused app, and you can tap the "Screenshot" button to capture it.
After Taking a Screenshot
Once you've taken a screenshot using either method, a small preview notification typically appears at the bottom or side of your screen. This notification usually includes several immediate actions:
- Share: Quickly send the screenshot via messaging apps, email, or social media.
- Edit: Open the screenshot in a basic editor to crop, annotate, or highlight parts of the image.
- Delete: Remove the screenshot if it wasn't what you intended.
Screenshots are automatically saved to your device's "Screenshots" folder, which can be found within your photo gallery app (e.g., Google Photos) or file manager.
Table of Screenshot Methods
| Method | How to Perform | Ideal For | Supported Devices (Examples) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Buttons | Press & Hold Power Button + Volume Down Button simultaneously | Quick captures, universal compatibility | Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, most Android phones |
| Recents/Overview Screen | Access recent apps (swipe up & hold / tap square button) then tap "Screenshot" button | One-handed use, convenient software-based capture | Google Pixel, some other Android devices |
Practical Tips for Screenshots on Android 11
- Check Your Gallery: If you can't find your screenshots, look for a folder named "Screenshots" within your Photos or Gallery app.
- Scrolling Screenshots: While not natively ubiquitous across all Android 11 devices, some manufacturers (like Samsung) offer a "Scrolling screenshot" option after you take an initial screenshot, allowing you to capture long pages. Look for an icon (often two overlapping arrows) in the preview bar.
- Google Assistant: You can also ask Google Assistant to "Take a screenshot" by saying "Hey Google, take a screenshot."
Taking screenshots on Android 11 is designed to be intuitive and accessible, catering to various user preferences and situations.
