How to Take a Scrolling Screenshot on Any Android Device

You probably take screenshots all the time, but what if you need to send a screenshot of an entire web page beyond your mobile’s screen size? Instead of annoying your friends by sending multiple screenshots in a row, you can use scrolling screenshots instead. A scrolling screenshot is one long image that covers an area that you have to swipe through to see in full. Follow this guide to learn how to take a scrolling screenshot on any Android device.

Good to know: find out whether social media and chat apps notify you when a screenshot is taken.

Taking a Regular Screenshots on Android

Unless you are using a really old version of Android, you can easily take screenshots on any Android phone using the now classic Power + Volume Down button combo.

Load the screen (it can be a web page in your mobile browser, a YouTube video, a game, etc.) that you want to capture, then press the two buttons at the same time. A small screen capture thumbnail will show up. Tap on it to modify the screenshot, or share it with others.

Depending on your phone model, you might be able to take screenshots using various other methods, such as swiping three fingers on the screen.

Taking Scrolling Screenshots on Android 12 and Up

With the introduction of Android 12, Google finally included a highly requested feature – the ability to take scrolling screenshots natively.

While initially, the scrolling screenshots feature was a bit limited, that’s no longer the case. You can now take long screenshots of most apps or web pages provided you browse. The feature is supported in most mobile browsers, although the notable absentee is Firefox.

If you have a device running Android 12 or above, follow these steps to take a scrolling screenshot:

Note: you’ll need to use this method if you want to take a scrolling screenshot. For instance, you won’t be able to expand your shot if you rely on Google Assistant to take a screenshot.

Open a web page in your browser or a compatible app. Initiate the screenshot-taking process on your device as you normally would by pressing the Power and Volume down buttons at the same time.
Tap on the Capture mode option which appears at the bottom next to the screenshot thumbnail. If the option does not appear, it means the app/browser doesn’t support scrolling screenshots yet.

Use the handles at the top and bottom or sides to select the part that you want to include in your scrolling screenshot.

Once you’re satisfied with the size of your screenshot, you can tap the Edit button in the lower-right corner and add text or doodles.
Tap the Save button in the upper-left corner.

Note: Android’s built-in scrolling screenshot feature does not allow you to expand the screenshot endlessly. Most apps and webpages we’ve tried have a predetermined outline, so you won’t be able to go beyond a certain limit. This appears to vary between apps, but most will offer to screenshot up to three and a half times the size of your display.

Tip: want to take better selfies with your Android? Check these apps.

Take Scrolling Screenshots Using Your Android Phone’s Own Feature

Some smartphone models offer their own options for taking scrolling screenshots, which differ from the method outlined above. The advantage here is that you can snap scrolling screenshots as long as you want.

OnePlus Devices

On a OnePlus smartphone, take a screenshot as you normally would. If you have the option to do using a three-finger gesture, you can use that.

A small screen screenshot thumbnail should appear in the bottom-right corner. Tap on the Expanded Screenshot button underneath.

You’ll be taken back to the page you want to screenshot, which will start scrolling down automatically. When you’re ready, tap the screen to stop the process. Your extended screenshot will be visible in your image gallery’s editor.

Samsung Devices

Samsung phone owners can also take long screenshots as well.

Capture a screenshot on your device using the classic method, tap the thumbnail to view it, and then select the scrolling button at the bottom of the display.

Tapping on it once will add extra real estate to your screenshot. If you need more coverage, continue to tap on the button until you get everything you want inside the screenshot.

On newer Honor phones, there’s the option to use your knuckle to draw a “S” on the screen to initiate the capturing of a scrolling screenshot. Other phones – including models from Huawei, LG, and Xiaomi – offer varying alternatives.

Capture Long Screenshots Using Any Android Phone

If you own an older device or one from a different device manufacturer that doesn’t include a similar tool, you can always install a third-party app.

ScreenMaster is a solution for taking long screenshots using the stitching method. It also lets you easily crop the fluff out, and the results can look pretty nice.

Start by granting ScreenMaster the necessary permissions to overlay on other apps.

Open the app and tap the green Turn on Screen Capture button.

Select the Share one app option and press Next. Then select your app. In my case, it’s Chrome.

Navigate to the webpage or app you wish to screenshot and tap on the button to start the process.

The app will screenshot the page, and then take you to an editing screen. Select the Stitch option at the bottom.

Start swiping downward until you capture the content that’s supposed to fit into the next screenshot, then press the + button underneath to capture this part. Since this app also uses the stitching method, you’ll need to snap multiple screenshots. For each new capture, you’ll need to tap Share on app and then select your app.

The captured screenshots are shown in the upper right corner.

Once you’ve snapped all the screenshots you need, tap the checkmark button to go on to stitching.

Tap the Scissors icon and use the handles at the bottom to cut out the parts that prevent your scrolling screenshot from looking like a full image.

The long screenshot can be as large as you want.

Another alternative you can try that also uses the stitching method to create long screenshots and works rather well is Easy Long Screenshot Capture.

Tip: learn how to take a scrolling screenshot on Windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take a screenshot in Incognito mode?

While normally, the screenshot functionality is disabled in Incognito, you can still take screencaps using a few tricks. Check our post to learn how to take screenshots in Incognito Mode on Android.

How can I record my Android screen?

If you have an Android device running Android 10 and above, activate the built-in Screen Recorder function via the Quick Settings panel. If you’re a frequent gamer, you may want to check out some of these third-party screen recorder apps.

How can I best edit my scrolling screenshots?

You can easily edit your scrolling screenshots, right after you’ve snapped them. Check the best methods for editing your screenshots (long ones) on your phone.

Image credit: Pexels All screenshots by Alexandra Arici

Alexandra Arici –
Staff Writer

Alexandra is passionate about mobile tech and can be often found fiddling with a smartphone from some obscure company. She kick-started her career in tech journalism in 2013, after working a few years as a middle-school teacher. Constantly driven by curiosity, Alexandra likes to know how things work and to share that knowledge with everyone.

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