How-Tos

How to Take a Screenshot on Galaxy Nexus or Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

 

It’s not unknown that Google has not provided for a screenshot feature on Android devices up until Android 2.3 or Gingerbread, except only for a very few devices.  The reason cited for this is to prevent possible security breaches.  It’s curious, though, that taking a screenshot is a basic feature in Apple devices such as the iPhone.

Android users who want to take screenshots resort to third party apps all of which, sadly, require rooting.  Some choose the more complicated route by using the Android SDK.  I previously wrote a “how to” guide in taking screenshots on an Android device, one which requires installing the app MyPhoneExplorer, an option that requires a computer to take a screenshot.  It’s one of the articles getting traffic on this blog so I know that a lot of people are looking for ways to take screenshots on their Android devices.

With the release of Android 4.0 or Ice Cream Sandwich, it appears that Google has changed its policy with respect to taking screenshots or screen captures.  On the Galaxy Nexus, taking screenshots is one of the built in features.  I was so glad when I learned about this since as a blogger, I need to take screenshots on my phone once in a while.  If this feature is on the Galaxy Nexus, it’s almost sure that this will be present in all future Ice Cream sandwich phones and tablets.

Take a screenshot on the Galaxy Nexus is quite easy.  It’s done by simply pressing the power button and the lower volume button simultaneously for about two seconds.  On the Galaxy Nexus, the power button is located on the right side while the volume rocker is located on the left side.

After pressing the buttons, a smaller version of the screen will zoom out and then fade out.  This means that a screenshot has already been taken.  Then at the notification bar above, the words “Saving screenshot” will appear.  The screenshot will then be saved in the phone’s Gallery under a folder named Screenshots.

It’s safe to assume that this method of taking screenshots or screen capture will be made uniform on future Ice Cream Sandwich devices, but manufacturers may of course do it differently.  What’s important is, there’s finally a built-in screenshot feature on Ice Cream Sandwich devices.

 

Technobaboy.com is one of the most active tech sites in the Philippines. We enjoy sharing interesting and relevant stories about the latest trends in technology, developments in mobile phones and social media, and modern digital and geek culture.

21 Comments

  1. This has been built in as long as I can remember all you have to do on older versions of android is hit home and power at the same time you might have to hit power slightly before you hit home or vice versa but it was definitely in 2.x versions of android as I used it often. What I now hate is how they keep changing how it’s done. The epic 4g touch you had to slide the edge of your hand from left to right on the screen to do it. Pick a method and keep it. I should not have to keep looking it up every time android goes up one point version.

Write A Comment