The basic way to screenshot on any iPad
On most iPads, you take a screenshot by pressing the Top button (the power button on the side or top of your device) and the Volume Up button at the same time, then release both immediately. You'll see a small thumbnail appear in the bottom-left corner of your screen for a few seconds — that's your screenshot being saved.
The screenshot goes straight to your Photos app in the Screenshots album. You don't have to do anything else; it's already saved. If you tap that thumbnail before it disappears, you can edit the screenshot right away — crop it, add text, draw on it, or magnify part of it. If you ignore the thumbnail, the unedited version stays in your Photos app.
This method works on iPad Pro (all sizes), iPad Air, iPad (standard), and iPad mini. The button locations vary slightly depending on your model, but the combination is always the same: Top button plus Volume Up.
Key Takeaways
- Press the Top button and Volume Up button at the same time to take a screenshot on any modern iPad.
- Your screenshot appears as a thumbnail in the bottom-left corner and is automatically saved to your Photos app.
- You can tap the thumbnail immediately to crop, annotate, or edit the screenshot before it disappears.
- If you have an older iPad with a Home button, use the Top button and Home button instead of Volume Up.
- Screenshots are stored in a dedicated Screenshots album within your Photos app, separate from other photos.
Where to find your screenshots after you take them
Open the Photos app and look for the Screenshots album in the Collections or Albums tab. All your screenshots go there automatically, organized by date. You can scroll through them, share them, edit them further, or delete ones you don't need.
If you want to move a screenshot to a different album or create a new album for them, you can do that from within Photos. Long-press the screenshot, tap "Add to Album," and choose where it should go. This is useful if you're collecting screenshots for a specific project or conversation.
Editing your screenshot right after you take it
When the thumbnail appears in the bottom-left corner, tap it within a few seconds to open the editing tools. You'll see options to crop the image, add text, draw with your finger or Apple Pencil, magnify a section, or sign the screenshot. These tools let you highlight important parts or add notes without opening a separate app.
Once you're done editing, tap "Done" and choose whether to save the changes to the original or keep it as a copy. If you don't tap the thumbnail, the original unedited screenshot is already saved in your Photos app, and you can edit it later by opening it and tapping "Edit."
Using Apple Pencil to annotate screenshots
If you have an Apple Pencil paired with your iPad, you can draw directly on your screenshot using the markup tools. After you take the screenshot and tap the thumbnail, select the drawing tool (it looks like a pen tip) and choose your color and line thickness. Draw or write whatever you need on top of the screenshot.
This is especially useful if you're troubleshooting something with someone else — you can circle the problem area, add arrows, or write notes explaining what you're seeing. The annotations stay part of the screenshot when you save it.
Older iPads with a Home button
If you have an older iPad with a physical Home button at the bottom of the screen, the screenshot method is slightly different. Press the Top button (or Side button) and the Home button at the same time, then release both. The rest works the same way — the screenshot appears as a thumbnail and saves to your Photos app.
This applies to iPad Air 2 and earlier, iPad (5th generation) and earlier, and iPad mini 4 and earlier. If you're not sure which iPad you have, go to Settings > General > About and look at the model name.
Troubleshooting when screenshots aren't working
If you press the buttons and nothing happens, make sure you're pressing them at the same time, not one after the other. The timing needs to be simultaneous. Also check that your iPad isn't in a mode that blocks screenshots — some apps and settings can prevent them, though this is rare on standard iPad use.
If you're still not seeing the thumbnail or the screenshot in Photos, restart your iPad by holding down the Top button and Volume Down button together until the power-off slider appears, then slide to turn it off. Wait a few seconds and turn it back on. Try taking a screenshot again.
Sharing screenshots directly from the thumbnail
When the thumbnail appears in the bottom-left corner, you can swipe it to the left to reveal sharing options. This lets you send the screenshot via Messages, Mail, AirDrop, or other apps without opening Photos first. It's faster if you know immediately who you want to send it to.
If you don't swipe it away in time, the thumbnail disappears but the screenshot is still in your Photos app. You can share it from there anytime by opening the screenshot and tapping the Share button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a screenshot of my entire screen if it's longer than what fits on the display?
Yes. After you take a screenshot and tap the thumbnail, look for the "Full Page" option at the top (this appears in Safari and some other apps). Tap it to capture the entire webpage or document, not just what's visible. This creates a longer image that you can scroll through.
Where do I find the Volume Up button on my iPad?
On iPad Pro and iPad Air, the Volume buttons are on the right edge when you hold the device in portrait mode. On iPad mini and standard iPad, they're also on the right edge. Look for two small buttons stacked vertically — the top one is Volume Up.
Can I take a screenshot without the thumbnail appearing?
No, the thumbnail always appears for a few seconds. You can ignore it and let it disappear, and your screenshot will still be saved. The thumbnail is just a quick way to edit or share immediately — it doesn't affect whether the screenshot is saved.
What if I accidentally take a screenshot and want to delete it?
Open Photos, go to the Screenshots album, find the screenshot you don't want, and swipe left on it. Tap the trash icon. The screenshot moves to your Recently Deleted album, where it stays for 30 days before being permanently removed. You can recover it during that time if you change your mind.
Can I take a screenshot of just part of my screen?
The standard screenshot captures your entire screen. To capture just part of it, take the full screenshot, then tap the thumbnail and use the crop tool to select only the area you need. This is faster than trying to frame a partial screenshot.