How to Take a Screenshot or Screen Recording on iPhone

Capture exactly what’s on your iPhone screen — either as a still screenshot or as a video screen recording.

Why: A screenshot freezes one moment; a screen recording captures a sequence, like showing someone the steps to do something. Both save straight into your Photos library, and the buttons differ slightly depending on your iPhone model.

Fix 1: Take a screenshot (Face ID iPhone)

On any iPhone without a Home button:

1. Press the side button and the volume up button at the same time.
2. Quickly release both buttons.

A thumbnail appears in the lower-left corner (on iOS 18 and earlier) — tap it to edit, share, or save, or swipe it left to dismiss.

Fix 2: Take a screenshot (Home-button iPhone)

On an iPhone with a Home button:

1. Press the side button (or top button on older models) and the Home button at the same time.
2. Quickly release both buttons.

Screenshots save to Photos. To find them, open Photos, go to Collections → Media Types → Screenshots.

Fix 3: Add Screen Recording to Control Center

Before you can record, make sure the control is available:

1. iOS 18 and later: open Control Center, tap the + button (or touch and hold an empty area), then choose Add a Control.
2. Select Screen Recording from the gallery.
3. iOS 17 and earlier: use Settings → Control Center and tap + beside Screen Recording under More Controls instead.

Fix 4: Record your screen

1. Open Control Center: swipe down from the top-right corner on a Face ID iPhone, or swipe up from the bottom edge on a Home-button iPhone.
2. Tap the gray Record button and wait for the three-second countdown.
3. To capture sound, press and hold the Record button first and turn on the Microphone.
4. Leave Control Center and do whatever you want to record.

To stop, tap the red Screen Recording indicator at the top of the screen, then tap Stop — or reopen Control Center and tap the red Record button. The video saves to Photos, where you’ll find it in your Library.

FAQ

Where do my screenshots and recordings go? Both land in the Photos app. Screenshots also collect under Collections → Media Types → Screenshots; screen recordings appear in your main Library with your other videos.

Why can’t I record the screen? You can’t screen record and use screen mirroring at the same time, and some apps (and DRM-protected video) block recording. If the Record button is missing, add it through the Control Center gallery on iOS 18 and later, or the older Settings path in Fix 3.

Sources: Apple Support — Take a screenshot on your iPhone, Apple Support — Record the screen on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, Apple Support — Customize Control Center