How to take a screenshot?

Introduction

In this article, you will learn how to take a screenshot on macOS, Linux, Windows, Android, iOS, and Chromebook devices.

Before you start

During troubleshooting with our Customer Support team, you may need to upload
a screenshot of a specific application or website to help describe the issue at hand – this also helps our Support team efficiently troubleshoot the problems you are facing.

Here's what to do

macOS

NOTE: You can find alternative ways of taking a screenshot on macOS on this official Apple support website.

  • To take a picture of your entire screen:
     
    1. Press Shift + Command (⌘) + 3.

      macOS keyboard with Shift, Command, and 3 keys highlighted for the full-screen screenshot shortcut
       
    2. Find the screenshot as a .png file on your desktop.
       
  • To take a picture of a specific window:
     
    1. Press Shift + Command (⌘) + 4. The pointer changes to a crosshair.

      macOS keyboard with Shift, Command, and 4 keys highlighted for the partial screenshot shortcut
       
    2. Press the Spacebar. The pointer changes to a camera.

      macOS keyboard with the Spacebar highlighted to switch the pointer to camera mode for a window screenshot
       
    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.

Linux

  1. Press PrtScn to take a full-screen screenshot. The screenshot will show everything on your display.

    Linux keyboard with the Print Screen (PrtScn) key highlighted for taking a full-screen screenshot
     
  2. You will need to select where you would like to save the screenshot file.
    NOTE: If this method doesn't work on your specific Linux distribution, you can find other ways to take a screenshot here.

Windows

NOTE: 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. 

    Windows taskbar showing the Start button (Windows logo) highlighted
     
  2. Type in Snipping Tool in the search bar and click on the Snipping Tool to launch the app.

    Windows Start menu search showing 'Snipping Tool' as the top result, highlighted
     
  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).

    Windows keyboard with the Shift, Windows logo, and S keys highlighted for the Win+Shift+S screenshot shortcut
     
  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.

    NOTE: 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.

    Windows Snipping Tool window showing the snip mode selection toolbar with Free-form mode selected
     
  5. Click on the pop-up in the bottom right corner of your screen. It will appear once you make a screenshot (snip).

    Windows Snipping Tool notification popup saying 'Snip copied to clipboard. Select here to mark up and share the image.'
     
  6. The Snipping Tool window will extend. Click the Save button at the top right of the Snipping Tool.

    Windows Snipping Tool toolbar with the Save button highlighted at the top right
     
  7. Choose a location where you wish to save your screenshot and click Save.

    Windows Save As dialog showing Desktop as the save location with a screenshot filename and the Save button highlighted

Android

  1. 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.

    Android phone diagram with the Volume Down and Power buttons highlighted for taking a screenshot
     

iOS

  • iPhone 8 or earlier, iPad, or iPod touch:
     
    1. Press and hold the Top or Side button together with the Home button.

      iPhone 8 or earlier diagram with the Home button and Side button highlighted for taking a screenshot
       
    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.
    4. To find the screenshot you just took, along with the ones you've taken before, you can go to Photos > Albums > Screenshots.
       
  • iPhone X or newer:
     
    1. Press and hold the Side button alongside the Volume up button.

      iPhone X or newer diagram with the Volume Up and Side buttons highlighted for taking a screenshot
       
    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.

Chromebook

  1. Press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows on your keyboard.

    Chromebook keyboard with the Shift and Ctrl keys highlighted for the Shift+Ctrl+Show windows screenshot shortcut
     
  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:
     
    1. Take a full-screen screenshot.
    2. Take a partial screenshot.
    3. Take a window screenshot.
      NOTE: If you need additional assistance, check out Chromebook's screenshot-taking guide with pictures.

 

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