While capturing screenshots on Android is usually straightforward, some apps disable this feature primarily for privacy reasons. Don’t worry, though, there are still ways to work around these limitations. Here are some tried-and-tested methods to capture screenshots without root.
Good to know: here’s how to capture a scrolling screenshot on any Android device.
1. Use Another Device to Snap a Photo
This method does not technically allow you to snap a screenshot, but it does allow you to capture what’s displayed on the screen. So, if you have a spare mobile device around the house, this might be the easiest and quickest thing to try.
On your main Android device, navigate to the app or website you wish to screenshot. Take the other device (it can be an Android, iOS device, or even a digital camera, it doesn’t matter at this point) and frame the screen as best you can. Check for glare and position the main device as best you can to minimize that.
Take a few shots of the screen, so that you can select the best option afterward. You can also go ahead and edit the image to crop out any unneeded details such as the phone’s frame. You can check here an image I’ve taken with an older Pixel phone of the screen of another Android phone that was playing a video.
Tip: here’s how to easily translate web pages with Google Chrome.
2. Access It Through Your Mobile Browser
This method will not work for all apps, as some can’t be accessed from your mobile browsers. Others like Telegram have a web version, but even so, I couldn’t see my Secret Chats in the browser, nor could I start a new one.
Anyway, I managed to take screenshots of Amazon Prime just fine while using this method. Just log into your Amazon Prime account with your account and password. For some apps, it might be a good idea to turn on the Desktop site option from the browser’s options (tap on the three dots to bring them up), but that wasn’t the case here.
Proceed to take a screenshot like you normally would, either by pressing the Power and Volume down buttons or using any other way of taking a screenshot your smartphone supports.
3. Install a Third-Party Multi-Streaming App
You can try using this solution if you wish to take a few screenshots from inside a streaming app. However, it won’t work with apps like banking, games, or more.
Download the Rave app from the Google Play Store and install it on your phone. This is a watch party app that lets you watch videos with others. You’ll need to create an account to proceed.
Press on the + button in the lower right to create a streaming room.
Select your streaming service including Netflix, Prime, Disney+ or Max. Input your credentials to log into your account.
Select something you want to watch.
Play the video and try taking a screenshot. It worked for me using Prime, as you can see in the screenshot below.
FYI: check the best Android TV boxes to buy right now.
4. Use a Virtual Android Space
If you’re still struggling to screenshot an app on your Android, try this last method. In my case, I wanted to take a screenshot of a Secret Chat on Telegram and this is the only method that worked for me so far.
I installed the Virtual Android app which creates a parallel virtual Android environment on your phone. Be warned that the app suffers from a few hiccups and might run slowly as well as throw a few errors from time to time such as freezing. Nevertheless, if you really need screenshots from an app, it might be worth trying.
Install the app on your phone and launch it. Give the necessary permissions and allow the app to download the packages it needs. The app will instruct you to pair your device so that the app has access to the local network. You’ll receive a notification. Tap the Developer Options button when this page comes up.
In Settings, search for “Pair device with pairing code” at the top and tap on it when it shows up in the results.
Note: you need to have Developer Options enabled first.
Turn on the Use wireless debugging toggle. Press Allow in the pop-up.
Now tap on the Pair device with paring code option.
A code should appear. The notification will now expand and ask you to input that code so you can pair the device. Do so. Return to the main screen in the app.
Next, you will need to launch your virtual Android environment. Press the Start button. The Android logo will now appear on your phone’s screen. Be patient and allow it to load. When it does, you’ll be taken to a new screen that looks just like a customized version of your Android main screen. You’ve made it!
Now, it’s time to add the app you want to screenshot. Press on the + button.
Since you probably already have Telegram on your phone, search for it in the list of apps in the Import application tab. Press Import.
Note: you might not find all the apps you’ve installed. For instance, ING’s HomeBank app, but even though I had it on my phone, I am not able to import it to the virtual environment. The alternative is to download the APK in the virtual space and install it from there. Make sure you switch to Importing File to find it.
Once the app is installed, log in as you normally would. In the case of Telegram, you need your phone number. Keep in mind that Telegram in virtual space won’t replicate the Secret Chats that you already have in the original app. You’ll need to create a new one from scratch. After the other party joins the conversation, you are free to start chatting and take screenshots of the discussion.
All this being said, I wouldn’t recommend installing and logging in with your banking app in a virtual space due to privacy concerns. If you really need to share something from within your banking app such as IBAN or transaction details, most apps offer you the option to do so easily. Stay safe online!
Tip: also check how to take screenshots in a mobile browser’s Incognito mode.
Speaking of which, to upgrade the security of your Android device, continue by reading about these security features you should use on your Android. Also take a look at the best firewall apps for Android you can take advantage of.
Image credit: Freepik, Flaticon All screenshots by Alexandra Arici
