Taking a screenshot on an iPad is slightly more complicated than on an iPhone, simply because the iPad hardware has evolved significantly over the years. Depending on whether your iPad has a physical Home button (like the classic entry-level iPad) or utilizes Face ID (like the modern iPad Pro and iPad Air), the exact button combination required to capture your screen will be different.
Apple also provides an alternative, software-based method for taking screenshots if you are using an Apple Pencil.
Method 1: iPads Without a Home Button (iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad Mini)
If the glass screen stretches from edge to edge and there is no physical button on the front of your device, you must use the buttons on the metal frame.
- Locate the Top Button (the button used to lock the screen, usually found on the top-right edge).
- Locate either of the two Volume Buttons on the side of the iPad.
- Press the Top Button and a Volume Button at the exact same time, and then quickly release both.
The screen will flash white briefly, and you will hear a camera shutter sound. A small thumbnail preview of your screenshot will appear in the bottom-left corner of your display.
Method 2: iPads With a Home Button (Standard iPad)
If your iPad has a classic, circular physical Home button built into the bottom bezel below the screen, you will use the older iOS screenshot method.
- Locate the Top Button (the lock button).
- Locate the Home Button (the circular button below the screen).
- Press the Top Button and the Home Button at the exact same time, and then quickly release both.
The screen will flash white, indicating the screenshot was successfully captured.
Method 3: Taking a Screenshot with the Apple Pencil
If you are an artist or a student actively taking notes with an Apple Pencil, reaching up to press physical hardware buttons interrupts your workflow. iPadOS includes a brilliant hidden gesture specifically for Apple Pencil users.
- Hold your Apple Pencil normally.
- Place the tip of the Pencil in either the absolute bottom-left or bottom-right corner of the glass screen.
- Swipe diagonally up toward the centre of the display.
The iPad will instantly snap a screenshot and immediately open the “Markup” interface, allowing you to begin drawing, highlighting, or annotating the screenshot with your Apple Pencil before saving it.
Where Are Screenshots Saved?
If you ignore the small thumbnail that appears in the corner, the screenshot will automatically save itself to your photo library.
To find it, open the Photos app, tap the Albums tab, and scroll down to the “Media Types” section. Tap on Screenshots to view every screen capture you have ever taken.