Capturing what's on your iPad screen is a fundamental skill, whether you're saving a recipe, grabbing a frame from a video, or sharing an error message with tech support. The method you use depends on which iPad model you have, as the button layout has changed over the years. I'll walk you through every option, from the classic button combo to some clever hidden tricks in iPadOS.
Take a Screenshot with Buttons
This is the universal method, but the exact buttons depend on your iPad. If you have a modern iPad without a Home button, like an iPad Air or iPad Pro, press the Top button and the Volume Up button at the same time, then quickly release both. You'll see a flash and hear a shutter sound if your iPad isn't muted.
For older iPads with a physical Home button, press the Home button and the Top button together, then release. In both cases, a small preview thumbnail will pop up in the corner of the screen for a few moments.
Use the On-Screen Controls
If your physical buttons are unresponsive or you find the combo awkward, you can use an on-screen menu. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch and turn the toggle on. A small, movable gray dot will appear on your display.
Tap the AssistiveTouch menu, then navigate to Device > More > Screenshot. This captures the screen instantly. You can even customize it further by assigning a screenshot action to a double-tap or long press on the AssistiveTouch button itself.
Ask Siri to Do It
When your hands are busy or the iPad is across the room, voice control is the easiest way. Simply say, "Hey Siri, take a screenshot." Your iPad will capture whatever is currently displayed and save it directly to your Photos app. This works even if Siri is set to only show responses on screen, not speak them aloud.
Capture an Entire Webpage or Document
This is one of the most useful features for students or researchers. When viewing a long article, PDF, or note, take a regular screenshot using any method. Immediately tap the preview thumbnail that appears in the bottom-left corner.
At the top of the editing screen that opens, you'll see two options: Screen and Full Page. Tap Full Page to capture everything that scrolls, not just the visible portion. The iPad saves this as a PDF file, which you can then mark up, share, or save directly to the Files app for better organization.
Edit and Mark Up Immediately
That little preview thumbnail is your gateway to quick edits. Tap it before it disappears to open the markup tools. Here, you can crop the image, draw on it with different pen styles, add text, or highlight important sections with shapes.
If you want to share it right away, tap the share icon in the top-right corner to send it via AirDrop, Messages, Mail, or any other app. Ignoring the thumbnail will simply save the screenshot to your Photos library.
Find and Manage Your Screenshots
All your screenshots automatically go to the Photos app. To find them quickly, open Photos and go to the Albums tab, then scroll down to the Screenshots album. This album collects every screenshot you've taken, making it easy to review, delete old ones, or organize them into other albums.
For full-page screenshots saved as PDFs, you can choose where they go. After capturing one, use the share sheet to select "Save to Files" and pick a specific folder in iCloud Drive or on your iPad.
Silence the Shutter Sound
The audible camera click when taking a screenshot can be turned off. Simply flip the physical mute switch on the side of your iPad (if your model has one) to mute the system sounds. On models without the switch, you can slide down Control Center and tap the bell icon to mute.
When your iPad is muted, screenshots are taken silently. This is handy in meetings, libraries, or any situation where you need to be discreet.
