You Want an iPhone Video Screenshot? We Got You Covered (Even Though Apple Totally Should've Made This Easier)
Let's face it, folks. iPhones are amazing little machines. We can use them to call our moms (occasionally), argue with strangers on the internet (always), and even, believe it or not, watch videos. But sometimes, you come across a video so epic, so hilarious, so wrong-on-so-many-levels that you just gotta snag a screenshot for posterity. That's where things get a little... weird.
Apple, in all its infinite wisdom, doesn't exactly have a built-in "capture awesome video moment" button. Fear not, fellow meme-architects and screenshot enthusiasts! There are a few ways to wrangle that perfect frame.
The Ninja Method: Screen Recording Then Screenshotting
This method might have you feeling like a digital spy, but it gets the job done. Here's the rundown:
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Become One With Control Center: Swipe down from the top right corner of your screen (iPhones with Face ID) or swipe up from the bottom (iPhones with a Home button) to open Control Center.
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Enable Screen Recording: Didn't see a little red button with a circle in the middle? No worries! Find the "Edit" button (looks like a little slider with circles) and tap it. Look for "Screen Recording" and tap the "+" sign next to it. Congratulations, you're now a secret agent with the power to record your screen!
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Get Ready to Roll: Head back to your video and get ready to capture that golden moment. Open Control Center again and tap that fancy new red button. Pro Tip: There's a three-second countdown, so don't fumble this like that time you tried to impress your crush with your yo-yo skills.
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Snip it Good: Once you've snagged the moment, open Control Center again and tap the red button (or the red bar at the top of your screen) to stop recording. Phew! Now, head to your Photos app where you'll find your glorious screen recording.
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Become a Screenshot Master: Navigate to the perfect frame within the recording (use the handy scrubber bar at the bottom) and then take a regular screenshot! Remember: iPhone with Face ID = Side button + Volume Up button. iPhone with Home button = Side button + Home button.
Caution: This method captures your entire screen, so make sure you're not accidentally broadcasting your latest online shopping spree to the world.
The Photobomber Method: Editing to the Rescue
This method is a little less cloak-and-dagger, but still requires some finesse. Here's what you need to do:
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Open Up the Photos App: Find that video you want to screenshot and tap it to open.
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Get Editing: Tap the "Edit" button (looks like three little sliding bars) in the top right corner.
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Scrub-a-Dub-Dub: Use the handy scrubber bar at the bottom to find the exact frame you want to capture. Pro Tip: Pinch the screen to zoom in for ultimate precision.
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The All-Powerful Screenshot Button: Once you've found the perfect moment, tap the little square with an upward arrow icon in the bottom left corner. Voila! A screenshot is born.
The Simpler Way That Probably Should Exist Already (Here's Hoping, Apple!)
Alright, here's the truth. There are third-party apps that can grab screenshots from videos, but why not have a built-in option, Apple? We can only dream of a future where capturing that hilarious cat video fail is as easy as, well, taking a regular screenshot. Until then, these methods will get you there.
So next time you find a video so epic it demands a screenshot, remember, you have the power! Use these methods wisely, and remember, with great screenshotting power comes great responsibility (mostly the responsibility of explaining to your grandma why you have a screenshot of a squirrel wearing a tiny hat).
