Tech Talk for Old Folks

Screenshots are an incredibly handy feature on the iPad, allowing you to capture exactly what’s on the screen in an instant. When it comes to taking screenshots, there are various tips and tricks you might find useful. In this blog, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about screenshots.

Why and when do I need a screen shot?

Taking screenshots might seem like a mundane task. However, it’s a simple act that can be incredibly useful in so many aspects of life. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just navigating the digital world, knowing when to take a screenshot can save time and stress. It can even help you preserve those special moments.

• Capture information quickly: Have you ever been on a website or an app and come across something you want to remember? Maybe you want to refer to it later. Maybe it’s a confirmation number, a funny comment, or some random but critical piece of information. Screenshots allow you to capture that data instantly without fumbling around for a pen and paper or trying to memorize something on the fly. It’s like a digital sticky note that never falls off your monitor.
• Share what you see: Trying to explain something technical to a friend ? Or maybe you found a meme that perfectly captures your mood, and words just won’t do it justice? A screenshot can communicate exactly what you’re seeing, without the hassle of trying to describe it. Just snap a shot and share it.
• Memory keeping: Screenshots aren’t just for practical purposes—they’re also a great way to capture memories. Maybe it’s a text conversation that made you smile. Perhaps it’s a social media post you want to remember. It could even be a high score in your favorite game. Screenshots let you keep those digital memories close at hand, and you can revisit them whenever you want.
• Proof and receipts: In an age where digital communication often leaves no paper trail, screenshots can serve as your proof. Whether it’s a heated debate in the comments section, a questionable transaction, or just confirming that you did indeed see what you think you saw. Screenshots can back you up when you need to show “receipts.”

These are just a few examples. In a world where so much of our lives are spent in front of screens, taking screenshots is a way to harness the power of that screen in a simple, effective way. So next time you see something worth remembering, take a screenshot.

There are actually a few different methods you can use to take a screen shot.

1. Swipe from corner – Method 1 for Taking Screenshots

This is my favorite method! With just a few tweaks in your settings, taking an screenshot on your iPad becomes a breeze.

• First, tap on the gear-shaped Settings icon. Scroll down and select Multitasking & Gestures. At the bottom of this menu, you’ll see an option called Swipe from Corner.

• Tap on the switch to toggle it on – it will turn green when activated. Now, you’re given options for the Bottom Left and Bottom Right Corners. They are currently set to “off”.
• Tap on the drop-down menu for the Botton Left Corner. You can choose between two action: “Quick Note” or “Screen Shot“. Select Screen Shot.

• Repeat the same steps for the Bottom Right Corner. You can set either corner to take a screenshot or assign one corner to Quick Note if that’s more useful for you. If you’re left-handed, swiping from the Bottom Right Corner to take a screenshot might feel more natural.

Now, you’re all set to take screenshots to your heart’s content!

Now, you can edit with text, drawings, stickers and emojis. (More about that another day!)

2. Use the buttons – Method 2 for Taking Screenshots

This is the default method to take screen shots. I find it awkward to do with a larger iPad, but it’s the method I use on the iPhone.

• Find the Buttons: Depending on your iPad model, you’ll need to use different buttons to take a screenshot.
• If your Pad has a Home Button: You’ll use the Top button (the one that locks your iPad) and the Home button (the round one below your screen).

• If your iPad doesn’t have a Home Button: You’ll use the Top button and the Volume Up button.

• Press the Buttons: Quickly press and release the buttons at the same time. A thumbnail of the screenshot temporarily appears at the bottom left of the screen.
• Tap the thumbnail to view the screenshot and edit it as in method 1. Screenshots are automatically saved to your Photos library in the Photos app.

3. Use Assistive Touch – Method 3 for Taking Screenshots

If you have trouble pressing the buttons or swiping from the corner, you can take a screenshot using Assistive Touch. This feature puts a virtual button on your screen.

• Tap the Settings icon, then scroll down to Accessibility and tap it.
• Scroll down to Accessibility, then find “Touch” in the Physical and Motor section.

• Toggle on “Assistive Touch“. For Custom Actions, “Single-Tap” is the default for Screenshot, so no need to change anything there. You will then immediately see the new “virtual button” floating on the bottom right of your screen. This is the fastest way to take a screenshot. However, I sometimes hit the virtual button inadvertently. This results in unwanted screenshots that need to be deleted.

• Long press on the virtual button to move it anywhere you prefer on your screen. Then, it’s a single tap to take a screen shot.

Extra Tips and Tricks !!!

Want to Capture a Long Page?

So what if you come across an article that’s rather long, and you need a screen shot that shows the entire article. No worries, Apple has it covered!

1. Take a screen shot with your preferred method. Then tap the thumbnail if you’re using the buttons or assistive touch.
2. Tap the option for Full Page at the top middle of the screen.

Notice that the bar on the far right above shows all of the pages that have been captured!

3. Tap “Done” and you can choose to save it in your photos or as a PDF file in Files.

Quickly Find All of Your Screen Shots

Perhaps you take a screenshot and then forget about it for a few weeks. It can get lost in all of the photos you’ve taken since then, but now you need to access it. Here’s an easy method to find it quickly!

• Open the Photos app and then tap to open the Side Bar if it is hidden.

• Scroll down to the Media Types section, where you’ll see an album labeled Screenshots.

• Tap on it and you’ll find all the screenshots you’ve taken organized in one place. This makes it easy to view, edit, or share them.

Wrapping Up

Using gestures to take screenshots on your iPad can make the process smoother, especially if you have problems with the physical buttons. Whether you choose Swiping from the Bottom or Assistive Touch, it’s all about what works best for you. Give these methods a try and see how they fit into your iPad routine! Let me know in the comments below what you find useful.