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How to take a screenshot

You might need to send our customer support team a screenshot of an error message from your device while troubleshooting, which will assist them in diagnosing the problem.

Select your device below and follow the instructions:

  • macOS
  • Linux
  • Windows
  • Android
  • iOS
  • Chromebook

 

Taking a screenshot on macOS

If you wish to take a screenshot on your macOS device, follow these steps:

 

Take a screenshot of your entire screen:

  1. Press shift + command (⌘) + 3.

    View of macOS keyboard layout with highlighted keys to screenshot entire screen.png

  2. You will find the screenshot as a .png file on your desktop.

 

Take a screenshot of a specific window:

  1. Press shift + command (⌘) + 4, afterwards, your pointer will change to a crosshair.

    View of macOS keyboard layout with highlighted keys to screenshot specific window v1.png

  2. Next, press the spacebar key, and your pointer will change to a camera.

    View of macOS keyboard layout with highlighted keys to screenshot entire screen v2.png

  3. Move the camera over a window to highlight it.

  4. Click your mouse or trackpad to capture the highlighted window. Press the Esc key before clicking if you want to cancel.

  5. You will find the screenshot as a .png file on your desktop.

Alternatively, check out this guide for additional ways of taking a screenshot on a macOS device.

 

Taking a screenshot on Linux

If you wish to take a screenshot on your Linux device, follow these steps:

  1. Hit the PrtScn key for a full-screen capture; this screenshot will show everything displayed on your screen at that moment.

    View of Linux keyboard layout, prnt key is highlighted.png

  2. Next, you'll need to choose where you want the screenshot file saved when asked.

 

If this method does not work on your specific Linux setup, check out this guide on how to take a screenshot using alternative ways.

 

Taking a screenshot on Windows

Windows devices include a built-in app to take screenshots called the Snipping tool, follow these steps to use it:

  1. Select the start button that looks like the Windows logo: 



  2. Enter Snipping tool in the search field and select the application from the results to launch it:



  3. After launching the app, you can see a window with screenshot options such as the shape and the timer. Choose free-form, rectangular, window, or full-screen snip and press the Windows logo key + shift + S (all at the same time):

    View of Windows keyboard layout with highlighted keys to take a screenshot.png

  4. Alternatively, press new and choose the shape you wish to make the screenshot in. Use your cursor while pressing the left button on your mouse:

    When making free-form or rectangular snips, use your mouse to select the area you want to capture. This will usually be your browser window, the NordVPN app, or a specific application.



  5. Next, click on the pop-up in the bottom right corner of your screen. It will appear once a screenshot (snip) is made:

    View of Windows snipping tool pop-up.png

  6. In the extended Snipping Tool window, click the save button at the top right of the Snipping Tool:

    View of snipping tool, save button is higlighted.png

  7. Select a location where you wish to save your screenshot and click the save button:

    View of Windows save as section, save button is highlighted.png

 

Taking a screenshot on Android

To take a screenshot of an Android device, please follow these steps:

Press and hold the volume down and power buttons simultaneously. You will see a short animation on the screen, and then a notification will appear confirming your success.

View of Android layout, volume down and power buttons are higlighted.png

 

Taking a screenshot on iOS

To take screenshots on your iOS device, please follow these steps:

 

iPhone 8 or earlier, iPad, or iPod touch:

  1. Press and hold the top or side button simultaneously with the home button:

    View of iPhone 8 or earlier layout, side and home buttons are highlighted.png

  2. Release the buttons to take a screenshot:

  3. In iOS 11, a screenshot thumbnail appears in the lower-left corner. Tap it to edit with Markup, press and hold to share, or swipe left to dismiss it.


To find the screenshot you just took, along with the ones you've taken before, go to photos > albums > screenshots.

 

iPhone X or newer:

  1. Press and hold the side button alongside the volume up button:

    View of iPhone X or newer layout, side nad volume up buttons are highlighted.png

  2. Release the buttons to take a screenshot:

  3. You'll see a screenshot thumbnail pop up in the bottom-left corner. You have three options: tap it to use Markup for adding drawings and text, press and hold it to share the screenshot, or swipe left on it to make it go away.

 

Taking a screenshot on a Chromebook

Follow the steps below to take a screenshot on your Chromebook:

  1. Press shift + ctrl + show windows on your keyboard:

    View of Chromebook layout, buttons to take a screenshot are highlighted.png

  2. Afterward, select and drag the desired application/window to take a screenshot.

  3. Alternatively, press ctrl + shift + show windows, and select a screenshot feature from the toolbar:
    • Take a full-screen screenshot.
    • Take a partial screenshot.
    • Take a window screenshot.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to submit a request to our customer success team.

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