Do you know one of the most fundamental and frequently used features on any digital device? It’s the ability to capture what’s on your screen – taking a screenshot! Whether you want to save a funny chat, remember an important piece of information, or share a cool game moment, knowing how to screenshot on your iPad is incredibly useful.
If you're an iPad user, you'll be glad to know there are several ways to snap a quick picture of your screen. Let's dive in and learn them all!
Step 1: Identify Your iPad Model (and its Buttons!)
Before we begin, it's crucial to know which iPad model you have. Why? Because the method of taking a screenshot depends on whether your iPad has a Home button or not!
Look at the bottom bezel of your iPad. Do you see a circular button there?
- If YES, you have an iPad with a Home button. This includes many older iPad models, some iPad Air models, and some iPad mini models.
- If NO, your screen goes almost edge-to-edge, and you swipe up from the bottom to go home. You have an iPad without a Home button. This typically applies to newer iPad Pro models, iPad Air (4th generation and later), and iPad mini (6th generation).
Once you've identified your iPad type, proceed to the relevant section below!
Step 2: The Classic Method for iPads with a Home Button
This is the most common and widely recognized method for taking screenshots on iPads that still feature the physical Home button.
How to Do It:
- Locate the Home Button: This is the circular button just below the screen.
- Locate the Sleep/Wake (Power) Button: This button is usually on the top right edge of your iPad when held in portrait orientation, or the top left edge when held in landscape.
- Press and Hold Simultaneously (and Quickly Release!):
- Gently press and hold both the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button at the exact same time.
- You'll need to do this quickly. As soon as you see the screen flash white and hear a camera shutter sound (if your sound is on), you can release both buttons.
What Happens Next:
- A small thumbnail of your screenshot will appear in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
- This thumbnail will remain there for a few seconds, allowing you to tap it immediately to open the screenshot for editing, sharing, or marking up.
- If you don't tap it, the thumbnail will slide off to the left and automatically save the screenshot to your Photos app.
Step 3: The Modern Approach for iPads Without a Home Button
For those with the newer, sleek, Home button-less iPads, the screenshot method is slightly different but just as straightforward.
How to Do It:
- Locate the Top Button: This is the button on the top right edge of your iPad (when held in portrait) that you use to lock/unlock your screen or turn your iPad on/off.
- Locate the Volume Up Button: This is one of the two volume buttons located on the side of your iPad. Make sure you identify the one that increases the volume.
- Press and Hold Simultaneously (and Quickly Release!):
- Gently press and hold both the Top button and the Volume Up button at the exact same time.
- Just like with the Home button method, release both buttons as soon as you see the screen flash white and hear the camera shutter sound.
What Happens Next:
- A small thumbnail of your screenshot will appear in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
- You can tap this thumbnail immediately to open the screenshot for editing, sharing, or marking up.
- If you don't tap it, the thumbnail will slide off to the left and automatically save the screenshot to your Photos app.
Step 4: Accessing and Editing Your Screenshots
Once you've taken a screenshot, it's not just saved; you have powerful tools to work with it!
Where to Find Them:
All your screenshots are automatically saved to your Photos app.
- Open the Photos app on your iPad.
- Navigate to the "Albums" tab at the bottom.
- Scroll down until you find the "Media Types" section.
- Tap on the album titled "Screenshots." All your captured moments will be there, organized by date.
Quick Editing from the Thumbnail:
As mentioned, when the thumbnail appears in the bottom-left corner after taking a screenshot, you can tap it. This opens up a fantastic editing interface:
- Crop: Drag the corners of the image to trim unwanted parts.
- Markup: Use various pens, pencils, and markers to draw, highlight, or write on your screenshot. You can even add text, shapes, and a signature.
- Share: Tap the share icon (a square with an arrow pointing upwards) to send your screenshot via Messages, Mail, AirDrop, or to other apps.
- Delete: If you made a mistake or don't need the screenshot, tap the trash can icon.
- Done: When you're finished editing, tap "Done" in the top-left corner. You'll then be prompted to "Save to Photos" or "Delete Screenshot."
Step 5: Advanced Screenshot Methods (Beyond Buttons!)
Did you know there are even more ways to take screenshots on your iPad? These methods leverage iPadOS features for added convenience.
Method 1: Using Apple Pencil
If you have an Apple Pencil, this is a super fast and intuitive way to grab a screenshot.
- From the bottom-left corner of your iPad screen, swipe diagonally inwards with your Apple Pencil.
- Voila! Your screen will capture, and the editing interface will appear instantly, ready for you to mark up your screenshot.
Method 2: Using AssistiveTouch
AssistiveTouch adds a virtual button to your screen that can perform various actions, including taking a screenshot. This is particularly useful if your physical buttons are difficult to press or if you prefer a single-tap solution.
How to Enable AssistiveTouch:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch.
- Toggle AssistiveTouch to On.
- A translucent button will appear on your screen. You can drag it to any corner.
How to Take a Screenshot with AssistiveTouch:
- With AssistiveTouch enabled, tap the AssistiveTouch button on your screen.
- Tap Device.
- Tap More.
- Tap Screenshot.
Pro Tip: You can customize the AssistiveTouch menu to place the "Screenshot" option at the top level for even quicker access! In the AssistiveTouch settings, tap "Customize Top Level Menu..." and add "Screenshot."
Frequently Asked Questions
How to crop a screenshot on iPad?
After taking a screenshot, tap the thumbnail in the bottom-left corner. Then, drag the corners of the image on the editing screen to crop it. Tap "Done" and "Save to Photos" when finished.
How to mark up a screenshot on iPad?
Tap the screenshot thumbnail to open the editing interface. Use the drawing tools at the bottom (pen, highlighter, eraser) to mark up your screenshot. Tap "Done" to save.
How to share a screenshot on iPad?
Once in the editing view (by tapping the thumbnail), tap the share icon (square with an arrow pointing up) in the top right corner. Choose your desired sharing method (e.g., Messages, Mail, AirDrop).
How to find old screenshots on iPad?
Open the Photos app, go to the "Albums" tab, scroll down to "Media Types," and tap on the "Screenshots" album. All your saved screenshots will be there.
How to take a screenshot of a specific part of the screen on iPad?
Take a full-screen screenshot first. Then, immediately tap the thumbnail to enter the editing mode, and use the cropping tool to select only the desired portion of the screen.
How to take a scrolling screenshot on iPad?
Currently, iPadOS does not natively support "scrolling screenshots" (capturing an entire webpage that scrolls beyond the screen). You would need to use a third-party app for this functionality.
How to take a screenshot without buttons on iPad?
You can use the Apple Pencil by swiping diagonally from the bottom-left corner, or enable AssistiveTouch in Accessibility settings and use the "Screenshot" option in its menu.
How to delete a screenshot on iPad?
After taking a screenshot, tap the thumbnail, then tap the trash can icon in the top right corner of the editing screen. Alternatively, find it in the Photos app and delete it from there.
How to organize screenshots on iPad?
All screenshots are automatically saved to a "Screenshots" album in the Photos app. You can further organize them by creating new albums and manually moving screenshots into them within the Photos app.
How to stop screenshot sound on iPad?
The screenshot sound is tied to your iPad's ringer volume. To silence it, switch your iPad to silent mode using the physical switch (if your iPad has one) or by reducing the volume to zero.
