Pics or it didn’t happen. The internet adage goes beyond taking screenshots on your iPhone. You can take screenshots of anything on your iPad screen, too, whether it’s a particularly juicy iMessage conversation or something to help your parents with tech issues. On all iPad models, there are multiple ways to take screenshots, from using hardware buttons, to keyboard shortcuts, to a couple of taps on the screen. We’ll cover all the best options below.
How to take a screenshot on iPads without a Home button
Credit: Khamosh Pathak
All the latest iPads available today, from the classic iPad, to the iPad Air, and iPad Pro, feature a design similar to the iPhone. Instead of the Side button on the iPhone, you have the Top button (this is also the button you hold to power on the iPad). On the side, you’ll find the Volume buttons. The only exception is the iPad Mini, where all the buttons are at the top.
To take a screenshot, simply press the Top button and the Volume Down button at the same time. After you take a screenshot, you’ll see a thumbnail appear temporarily in the bottom left-hand corner of the iPad. You can tap the thumbnail to open the Markup view, or swipe left to dismiss it. It’ll also dismiss automatically after enough time has passed, but don’t worry—your screenshot will be saved.
How to take a screenshot on iPads with a Home button
Credit: Khamosh Pathak
If you have an older iPad with a Home button, you can use the old-fashioned way to take a screenshot. Press the Home button and the Top button together, simple as.
How to take a screenshot with keyboard shortcuts
Just like with the Mac, the iPad can take screenshots using keyboard shortcuts This will work for Bluetooth keyboards and Magic keyboard accessories.
Command-Shift-3 will take a screenshot of the entire screen.
Command-Shift-4 will take a screenshot and immediately open the Markup view, where you’ll be able to annotate, edit, or crop the screenshot before saving it to the Photos app.
How to take screenshots using corner gestures
If you’re using the latest iPadOS software (anything above iOS 15), you have access to a hidden feature that can be great for taking screenshots. It’s called Corner Gestures.
To enable this feature, go to Settings > Multitasking & Gestures. Then, enable the Swipe Finger from Corner feature, and in the Bottom Left Corner or Bottom Right Corner boxes, choose the Screenshot option.
Credit: Khamosh Pathak
Now, when you swipe in with your finger from the bottom-left corner, it will take a screenshot and instantly take you to the Markup feature. Here, you’re free to crop or annotate. Tap the Share button to save the screenshot to the Photos app, or to share it with any other app.
Credit: Khamosh Pathak
How to take a screenshot by tapping on the screen
If you don’t want to use keyboard shortcuts or button presses, or your Volume buttons aren’t working, you can instead use an Accessibility feature to take screenshots by tapping a floating button on the screen.
First, go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch and turn on the AssistiveTouch feature.
Credit: Khamosh Pathak.
Now, tap the Customize Top level Menu option, add a new icon, and choose the Screenshot feature.
Credit: Khamosh Pathak
Now, when you tap the floating circle anywhere on the screen, you’ll find the Screenshot option right there.
