We all know that Apple products have a ton of super useful features, but many home users aren’t aware of how to use these resources and can sometimes feel overwhelmed with all of the information available on the internet.
That’s where we come in, with super helpful how-to guides like this one that will take you, step-by-step, through the process of the most common technical questions out there on the web.
And one of the questions that home MacBook and iPhone users are always wondering is how to take a screenshot with their device.
So, keep reading below to find out everything you need to know about this helpful feature.
What Is a Screenshot?
Basically, it’s exactly what it sounds like. A screenshot allows you to take a picture of your MacBook’s display or certain portions of the display that you would like to capture. On an iPhone, it’s pretty much the same thing, only you aren’t allowed to capture certain portions of the screen like you are with a Mac.
Fun fact: If you’ve ever heard someone refer to a screengrab or screencap, they’re talking about a screenshot. It’s all the same thing, just slightly different wording.
Why Would I Want to Take a Screenshot?
A screenshot is a super useful tool that can be used for many things. Say you want to explain to your business associate a particular issue with your business proposal but don’t want to send them a ton of information or spend forever typing out an email. All you have to do is scroll to the section you want to discuss, screenshot it and send it over via your preferred delivery system.
Or, say you’re having an issue with your computer that you need to have a professional solve ASAP. Rather than waste time on the phone explaining to them what the problem is, you can screenshot it and send it over, so they have an exact idea of the issue.
Another use is if you want to quote from a text. Say you’re writing a paper or a social media post where you want to quote someone to use as evidence. Instead of copying out everything they said and putting it in quotes, you can screenshot the item you want to include in your post and add it easily.
How Do I Take a Screenshot?
Taking a screenshot is much easier than you might think, and once you know how to do it, you’ll find that it’s kind of like riding a bike, you never forget.
If you have a Mac, follow these simple instructions:
Hold down the Shift, Command, and 3 buttons at the same time.
You will see a thumbnail of your display in the right-hand corner of your screen.
Double-click it to make any edits you want immediately.
If you don’t want to make edits right away, the screenshot will be saved to your desktop like any other file where you can access it whenever you want.
If you want to take a picture of only a portion of your screen, follow these instructions:
Hold down the Shift, Command, and 4 buttons at the same time.
A crosshair will appear on your screen. Use your mousepad to drag the crosshair over the image or text that you want to capture.
Once you have the portion of the screen you need, let go of the mousepad.
Double-click it to make any edits immediately.
If you don’t want to make edits right away, the screenshot will be saved to your desktop like any other file where you can access it whenever you want.
If you have an iPhone, follow these instructions:
For an iPhone 6,7, or 8:
Press the Home button and right-side button down at the same time.
Release them both.
In the left-hand corner of your screen, a thumbnail will appear.
Tap to open it, or you can swipe left to get rid of it.
For an iPhone X:
Press the volume up and right-side button at the same time.
Release them both.
In the left-hand corner of your screen, you will see a thumbnail appear.
Tap to open it, or you can swipe left to get rid of it.
So, that’s all you need to know about how to take screenshots with your MacBook or iPhone. We hoped this article helped, and remember to visit Prosoft for the best data recovery software in the business.