Taking screenshots on an iPhone allows you to capture anything displayed on your screen – text messages, website pages, app interfaces, and more. Screenshots are useful for sharing information with others or saving something to view later.
The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus have two methods for taking screenshots – using the side and home buttons, or enabling AssistiveTouch to create an on-screen home button. Here is a step-by-step guide to both methods.
Table of Contents
Using the Side and Home Buttons
Taking screenshots the traditional way on an iPhone 8 or 8 Plus involves pressing two physical buttons at the same time:
Step 1: Open the Screen You Want to Capture
Go to the app or screen that has the content you want to take a picture of. This could be a text conversation, email, webpage, app screen, or anything else displayed on your iPhone.
Step 2: Press the Side and Home Buttons
Hold down the side button on the right side of your iPhone 8/8 Plus. While continuing to hold the side button, press the home button at the bottom center of your screen.
Step 3: Release Both Buttons
After pressing both buttons for about a second, release them. Your iPhone screen will quickly flash white, you’ll hear the camera shutter sound effect, and a screenshot will be captured.
Step 4: Preview the Screenshot
A miniature thumbnail preview of your screenshot will temporarily appear in the bottom left corner of your screen.
Step 5: Tap the Preview to Open It
Tap on the screenshot thumbnail preview to open the full screenshot. From there you can edit, share, or delete the image.
That’s all there is to capturing standard screenshots with the side and home button method! The steps take just a few seconds once you get used to the button combination.
Using AssistiveTouch
If pressing the home button is difficult for you, AssistiveTouch provides an on-screen home button alternative. Here is how to take iPhone screenshots using AssistiveTouch:
Step 1: Enable AssistiveTouch
Go to Settings > General > Accessibility and turn on the AssistiveTouch option. This makes a gray circle appear on your screen – that’s your virtual home button.
Step 2: Customize the Menu
Tap the gray AssistiveTouch circle, then tap Customize Top Level Menu. Tap the + button next to “6 icons” to add a 7th icon.
Step 3: Add Screenshot
Tap the + icon in the upper right corner, choose Screenshot from the menu, and tap Done. Screenshot is now an option in your AssistiveTouch menu.
Step 4: Take the Screenshot
Go to the screen you want to capture, tap the AssistiveTouch gray circle, and select Screenshot from the menu. Your screenshot will be taken!
AssistiveTouch makes taking iPhone screenshots quick and easy even if you don’t have access to the physical home button.
Accessing Your Screenshots
All screenshots taken on an iPhone 8/8 Plus are automatically saved to the Photos app. Here is where to find them:
- Open the Photos app
- Tap Albums at the bottom
- Scroll down and tap Screenshots under Media Types
This album contains all screenshots ever taken on your iPhone. You can view, edit, share, and manage them from here.
Editing Screenshots
After taking a screenshot, tap on the thumbnail preview in the bottom left corner to open editing and markup tools. Here are some of the ways you can edit:
- Crop – Drag the corners or edges to remove outer areas
- Draw – Select a drawing tool and color to add annotations
- Text – Insert text boxes and captions
- Magnify – Zoom in on specific sections
- Sign – Add a handwritten signature
Editing allows you to highlight important information, obscure private details, or add captions before sharing your screenshots.
Sharing Screenshots from Your iPhone
The iPhone makes it simple to take and share screenshots. After editing your image, tap the share icon in the upper right. From here you can:
- AirDrop – Beam screenshots to nearby Apple devices
- Message – Text screenshots to your iPhone contacts
- Mail – Email screenshots to any email address
- Social Apps – Post screenshots directly to apps like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Choose your sharing method and the screenshot will be sent from your iPhone instantly.
Fun Uses for iPhone Screenshots
Beyond practical information sharing, screenshots can also be fun and creative ways to capture life’s special moments.
Capture Funny Conversations
Use screenshots to save hilarious conversations from text messages, dating apps, social media, and more. They make perfect meme material!
Remember Meaningful Moments
Many apps don’t have save functions. Use screenshots to snap sentimental eCards, online stories, or favorite tweets before they get buried.
Show Off High Scores
Are you crushing it in Fortnite or dominating your friends in Wordle? Immortalize your brag-worthy gaming achievements with some quick victory screenshots!
Conclusion
Learning how to take screenshots is an essential iPhone skill for saving, editing, annotating, and sharing visual information. With just the press of a few buttons, you can capture special moments, funny conversations, app content, and more to enjoy later or send to friends and family.
Give the side/home button method a try for quick one-handed screenshots. Enable AssistiveTouch if reaching the home button poses a challenge. And have fun getting creative with capturing life’s special, silly, and share-worthy iPhone screen moments!