iPhone screenshots and screen recording

iPhone includes screenshot and screen recording tools that are enough for most how-tos, bug reports, and quick saves—no extra app required.

Take a screenshot

Face ID models: press Side button + Volume Up together.

Capture & record phone settings illustration
Side + Volume Up on Face ID iPhones, then markup if needed. UI varies by brand and OS version.

Home button models: press Side/Top + Home together.

  1. Capture the screen.
  2. Tap the thumbnail to crop, markup, or share.
  3. Swipe the thumbnail away to save quickly.

Full-page screenshot in Safari

  1. Take a screenshot on a web page in Safari.
  2. Tap the thumbnail.
  3. Choose Full Page.
  4. Save as PDF to Files if offered.

Turn on Screen Recording

  1. Settings → Control Center.
  2. Add Screen Recording.
  3. Open Control Center and tap the record icon.
  4. Long-press the icon to enable microphone audio if needed.
  5. Stop from the red status bar or Control Center.
Capture & record phone settings illustration
Add Screen Recording in Control Center first. UI varies by brand and OS version.

Editing before you send

Privacy reminders

Screen recordings capture everything visible, including incoming notification banners. Enable Do Not Disturb before recording a tutorial when possible.

Markup for clearer communication

After tapping the screenshot thumbnail, use the Markup pencil to highlight the exact setting someone should tap. The loupe and text tools help when you are helping a family member remotely. Save to Photos only when you need a record; otherwise share and delete to keep storage tidy.

Full Page captures beyond quick shares

Safari Full Page saves are useful for receipts, confirmation pages, and long reference docs. Save the PDF to Files in a folder like Travel or Taxes. That keeps Screenshots in Photos from becoming a junk drawer.

Screen Recording audio choices

Remember that microphone recording can pick up nearby conversations. Record in a quiet room when narration matters.

Sharing screenshots safely

If you help relatives often, keep a Focus mode named Recording that silences lock-screen previews while you capture tutorials.

Finding recordings later

Screen recordings appear in Photos, often in a Screen Recordings album. Rename important clips in Files if you need a durable archive outside the camera roll.

iPhone capture FAQ

How do I pause a recording?
Stop it from the red status bar, then trim in Photos.
Can I screenshot without buttons?
Back Tap accessibility can trigger screenshots if configured.
Why is Full Page missing?
It appears for Safari web pages more reliably than in arbitrary apps.
Do recordings include notifications?
Yes, unless you silence them first with Focus.

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