How to take screenshot on Moto G (without using apps)

You may not know whatever you see on your  Moto G screen, you can share them with your friends or family members.  This includes web pages, home screen, apps screen, play list, game achievements….

Of course, it is only the screenshot, not the video file, or the app itself.

Taking  screenshot on Moto G is actually very easy.

You do not need any apps.

Actually most screen capture apps require a rooted phone. So, don’t consider any apps to take screenshot on Moto G.

You do not need ADB, which requires a USB connection to a PC for your Moto G. Many developers and Android geeks like to use this heavy tool.

To take screenshot on Moto G, you can simply  press and hold both the Power and Volume down key for about three seconds. You will hear the camera shutter click. Then, the screenshot is saved into your Gallery.

The trick is to press and hold the two buttons (see Moto G layout

here) simultaneously.

If you press power button too early, you will get power options.

If you press power button too late, you will get volume options.

You can check the screenshot taken in Apps— Gallery — Screenshots.

If you want, you can edit the screenshot in Moto G. The screenshot is just a normal image file.

You can also use any file explorer (e.g., ES File Explorer) to access individual screenshot files directly. All Moto G screenshot files are saved in the /sdcard/Pictures/Screenshots folder.

Is it very simple? This method of taking screenshot is native to all Android phones. So if you have other Android phones, you can try this method to take  screenshot next time.

It should work.

If you have any questions on capturing screen for Moto G, please let us know in the comment box below.

More step-by-step guides , tips and tricks for your Moto G phone are available at  our most popular Moto G how-to guide page.

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  • One of the Best signature for taking a screenshot is dragging the Three Fingers on the Screen Top to Bottom like in Other Smartphone's. If Dragging Three Fingers from Top to Bottom is a copyrighted one then try to give us a New Gesture.

    It's becoming very very very difficult to get a Screenshot while Online class is going on.

    Moto , common have Mercy on your customers.

    • Touch and hold the screen with 3 fingers to take a screenshot still works on Moto G phones. You need to enable it in the Moto App (under Moto Actions).

      If your Moto phone is on Android 9 or Android 10, there is a screenshot shortcut in the power-off menu (hold the power button for more than 1 second).

    • You can try: This
      1. Use three finger screenshot. You can enable this in Moto app --Moto actions --three finger screenshot. This method is a bit tricky. You need some practice.
      2. Use screenshot shortcut in the Power menu if your Moto G is on Android 9 or 10. Hold the power button for about 2 seconds, in the power menu, you can find the screenshot shortcut. This method was in introduced here.
      3. Use Google Assistant. You may refer to this guide.

  • How do I long screenshot? I held the power + volume button then taped the double arrow button but it still doesn't get the much outside of what's already visible.

    • After you tap the double arrow button, it may ask you for permission to edit the screenshot. After the omission is granted, it should scroll down automatically. There is also a Stop button. After it reaches the bottom of the page, you need tap to Save button on the top to save it. You can find the cave screenshot in Gallery app --Library.

    • You can try Google assistant. You can use voice command "ok Google, take a screenshot", or hold the home button, then tap share screenshot.

      Besides, you may try some apps.

  • Screen shots is very necessary to keep some important records, but there's no facility in Moto g 4 plus it should be made available through software updates by Moto company because I have seen many of local phones are also having this facilities and play store apps are not working properly

    • Some vendors do offer additional ways to take screenshots. But Motorola only offers the default method in Android.

      Most of the screenshot-taking apps will not work because it requires special permissions to take screenshots.

      In addition to use power + volume down button, you can also use Google voice commands (Google Assistant to take screenshots).

  • I just recently figured out how to do screenshots on my new Moto G phone, and while it's still awkward (coming from an iPhone which is much easier to use but is much more expensive), I thought I had gotten pretty good at it. Until I tried to do a screenshot of a deposit confirmation in my bank app. Is it normal for the Android screenshot function to not work in some apps? I've had an iPhone for many years now and I never had a time that the screenshot function didn't work. I'm new to Android though, so I don't know. I only bought this phone to match my husband, and he only bought his because he broke his iPhone and it's close to a grand to get another one. I'm trying to get used to Android and give it a chance without hating it, but there's stupid little things that make me irritated at this new phone because they interrupt my normal way of doing things. I always do mobile deposits and I always do screenshots as proof and now I have three deposits I made tonight with no picture proof. The emails the bank sends for confirmation don't have detail so this just sucks on a record keeping note. Done whining now. But if anyone knows whether it's normal for some apps not to work with the screenshot function, I would like to know. Thanks!

    • If you are playing DRMed contents,e.g., Netflix, Amazon video or Google play movies, the app may prevent you from taking screenshots.

      Anyway, if you take screenshot very often, you can take screenshot from a PC. You need to connect Moto G to the PC, and enable USB debugging in developer options. You can then take screenshot using Android device monitor on the PC.

      In addition, there are a few screen recording apps in Play store, and gamer like to record the progress in the background.

  • Is it possible to use the System UI Tuner to add a shortcut for the screenshot function on a Moto G4 Plus? My Huawei has a shortcut in the drop-down menu, and my mom would like to have one too. The phone case she uses makes clicking volume down and the power button quite difficult.

    If it is possible, could you please tell me how to do it? I'm not too smart when it comes to such things.

    • Unfortunately no. In Marshmallow, only Android system can add options for system UI tuner (this means Android vendors can add some options; but Motorola does not. It is generally considered as a good move). In Nougat, some apps can register certain actions. But there are no apps offering screenshot action in Nougat yet.

  • A star icon suddenly appeared on notification bar near by the sim icon.what is that icon represent s......

  • I have the 3rd generation moto g currently but with previous models I could take a screen shot silently, is this possible on my current model?
    My shutter sound is set to Off on camera settings, but the screen shot/ screen capture makes a noise.

    Thanks,
    Jess

    • The shutter when taking screenshot uses system volume, not camera shutter. You can press volume all the way down, then take a screenshot.

  • Can u please help me? The screenshot stopped working like a month ago and I dont know how to take them... I used to do the power and volume down buttons together but its not working now!!

    • What do you get? I guess you just need a bit more practice.

      Please note, for DRMed contents (e.g., some videos), you cannot take screenshot.

    • if power button is not working, how do you power on the phone if the battery is fully drained?

      anyway, you can take screenshot from PC using Android device monitor (part of Android Studio). You just need enable USB debugging in the phone under Settings--Developer options.

  • When I click my volume button for zooming it is being captured ... How to change that ...?? Kindly reply me ...

    • Let's be real & honest the moto g screenshot android mechanism is erratic, dysfunctional and unreliable. On other phones it's been reliable for me. It's a silly motorola malfunctional android design, it should be redesigned and revert to an alternative new or previous design. All the other writers here know it's a Motorola defect not our lack of skills. John

      • Taking a screenshot is a feature of android. I guess Motorola doesn't change it at all.

        Some vendors may modify this feature. For example, Samsung uses home button with power button. But for phones without physical home buttons, there are very limited options.

  • HI. Ive had no problems taking screenshots up to now. My last screenshot doesnt show in Gallery (only a black image) and in the notification panel there is a Notification that reads "Screenshot uploading" that stays forever and nothing happens with screenshot in gray. Ive rebooted phone. Notification goes away. When i try to take screenshot again, everything repeats. Help. (Moto G 1st Gen)

  • You have said that both button should be pressed together when i press that together i am getting the power option and the sound option in the screen its not taking screen shot

    • Just practice more times.

      If you get power options, it means you pressed the power button too early.

      If you get volume options, it means you pressed the volume button too early.

  • I'm able to capture the screenshot but it shows the image in the notification bar with the title "Screenshot is being saved." for a long long time and eventually the screenshot doesn't get saved. Please help me find a solution to this problem. Thank you.

    • Can you check the pictures/screenshot folder manually with a file manager?

      You may also try to reboot the phone to see whether it helps.

  • I have moto g 2nd gen the problem is whenever I open my camera it says camera busy and restart your phone . I tried many times but still my camera is not working so pls tell me what to do?

  • Fanastic! You'll have to practice to take a simple screenshot? Wait two seconds? It's 2015 ffs! Is it some kind of game!? This is one of the quirks that makes me hate my Moto!

  • You don't need to turn the volume right down. All it takes is a little precision. My screenshot is taken within a second by quickly pressing the power+volumeDown buttons precisely at the same time. If you press the combination and you see the volume meter appear on screen, or it's taking longer than 2secs, chances are you didn't press the buttons properly and you should stop holding them down because your phone will restart.
    I find holding the phone horizontally makes the process easier, so give it a try.

    • Thanks Noel, I had the same trouble as the other guys. Holding the phone facedown and horizontally did the trick. My only issue now there is no screenshot folder in my Gallery, so I cant't find it. What next?

      • Screenshots folder is under Pictures in the internal storage. You may install a file manager. e.g., ES File Explorer, to get the detailed path location.

        Once screenshot was taken, you should be able to find it in Gallery app.

    • That's the vital advice. thanks.

      Hold the phone horizontal.

      You'd think that Android would make this less finicky. Oh well.

      • RE:Noel....I've been working on this for some time after reading your your message I finally got it right.....you're a GENIUS, thanks!!

        • Yes, because of the advice above to hold the Moto horizontally before pressing the 2 buttons, screenshot finally worked for me - after 20 minutes of repeatedly trying! But the degree of precision required to take a screenshot by this method is utterly ridiculous. It's laughable. Have we nothing better to do with our lives than needing to remember at some pertinent point in 5 months' time the level of exactitude needed to take a screenshot, and then to hope that we can manage that exactitude in the moment that the screenshot is required?

          No!

          I shall find an app that will take a screenshot easily and reliably.

          • if you take screenshot frequently, it is better and easier to do it through a PC. This is what most developers do.

  • I don't like the button combo that activates screenshots for motorola-power and volume bottoms held for three secs. Because the volume indicator gets caught in the capture and obscures part of the pic which is sometimes the part I want to capture. Is there a way to a sign screenshot to diff buttons or turn the volume indicator off so it does get caught in the screen shot?

    • You pressed volume button too early. If you see volume indicator on the screen, you should wait a few seconds, and try again.

  • Am using moto g2
    A star icon suddenly appeared on notification bar near by the sim icon.what is that icon represent s

    • More practice. You should check the screen. If the power option or volume setting comes, you should release the buttons. It indicates you failed to press them simultaneously and triggered other functions.

    • Is there any way to take a screen shot with the volume control showing in the pic? I can usually crop it out but it blocks part of the pic.

      • By default, there should be no volume control in screenshot. Screenshot should be identical to your current screen. If you see the volume control on the screen, you can wait till it disappears. Then take the screenshot again.

        • Um every time you screen shot with the moto g it always has the volume in the way there is now way to cont get it out of the pic is there without crop it and losing some of your picture?

    • Gallery or photos app can edit the screenshot. Actually, all photo editors can edit the screenshot in moto g because screenshot is saved as normal pictures.

  • They need to make a simpler way, I've been going at it for 5 minutes now and keep switching my phone off or getting some weird reboot message like you see on old pc's, oops!! Heheh, I'll keep trying.

  • Thank You so much !!!
    It Worked....

    Steps :
    1) Put cell on vibrating mode
    2) Click Power button and volume low button togather
    3) Here you go... your snapshot saved !! :)

  • After pressing both the keys, a small screen appers. it describes the systems detail. anot another word-FASTBOOT OCCURES BEACUSE VOLUME KEY pressed.

    • Did it notify you that screenshot was taken? If the screenshot was taken successfully, you should hear a shutter sound.

  • Its simple. 1. Put the phone on vibrate. 2. press the Power and lower volume key at the same time.
    Thanks Deborah...I took the cue from you

    • Try again based on what you get. If you get the power option, it means you pressed the volume down button to later.

  • in about 3 hrs my whole battery drains out after full charge of 100% in my new moto g what to do now

  • That's a difficult feat to pull off...works but you need to work on it. Well done Motorola for keeping their customers on their toes...

  • Just go to Settings, Buttons, Power Button and enable Take Screenshot. After hold press power button and select take screenshort from the menu in the screen.

    • Yes. You need unroot it before visiting the service centre. The damage caused by rooting (e.g., cannot reboot) is not covered by warranty.

  • Guys, you only have to press the power button and ONE of the volume buttons. Not both. ;)

    • In different regions, the update is released in different time. You may check with local Motorola service centre on the schedule.

    • Just practice. You either press the power button or the volume down button too early. The screen feedback will show this.

    • In the messaging app, tap Menu --Setting - text. You copy SMS on SIM card to phone storage.

  • this is a very stupid, hard, and inconsistent way to capture sceenshots. why can't android just enable apps to do this??

  • its very simple press both button at same time but bottom part of both button wait for 3 sec . it will work

  • Sorry guys. I couldn't take screenshot.
    I tried and tried.
    Thing is I have disabled many apps to save my battery. Pls help me

    • You have to continue trying. Once you get it, you will know it's so simple.

      You can install greenify to save battery. Disabling apps may not always help.

      • Its nothing about timing why are you all trying to confuse its easy just press both power and volume down at the same time and keep them pressed until you hear shutter sound and you will see screenshot being saved. Don't confuse people. I followed instructions here and more confused it is simple both together and keep them pressed takes a sec or so

        • For experienced Android users, this is not an issue.

          But for many new Android users, the "simultaneous" is proven a problem based on my observation. If they cannot press and hold the two buttons simultaneously, either power option appears or the volume option appears.

          The solution is to slightly press power button earlier because power button is waiting for actions of press, press and hold, and long press and hold (for rebooting). So, it tolerates about 200-400ms press without responding, and therefore it is safer to press power button "slightly" earlier. Volume rocker does not wait for more actions. This is how the buttons are designed.

  • Heeeeeeeeeeeeeelp me! I have been trying for what seems like days, I no longer see light at the end of the tunnel! Please aid me in my recovery, just enlighten me, how do I screenshot on a moto G_

    • Lilz hold your device in such a way to use your two index fingers; left index finger on power button and right one on volume down now try you will smile SURE

    • I figured out the the trick to take screenshots on the Moto G. If you press the volume down in the normal way, it will rather show the volume bar. The trick is to press volume down at the very edge and not halfway.(assume the volume button is about 100mm in length) only press about 10mm near the bottom of the Volume button + the power button at the same time for about 2 secs. Hope this helps. Regards, Ben. (I almost gave up initially.)

  • Does Moto G will get further updates after 4.4.2 kitkat ? means 4.4.3 & 4.4.4 like this updates any info do you have about it ? coz recently nexus-5 got 4.4.3 update.....

    thank u .

    • No confirmation. But Motorola got very good record in updating the handsets, especially for Moto X and Moto G.

      Soon, Motorola will be under Lenovo. Nobody can confirm the update plan for Moto G.

  • How to save new contacts in sim card instead to save it to Google account in moto g , I am not getting that option in it. And also suggest me good file manager to suit my moto g.

    • In case if you are using default browser Chrome, long press on photo which you want to save from any website,

    • For Facebook, it depends on the settings of the photo. For twitter, you can log tap the image to save pictures.

      Of course, this may also depend on the app you are using.

  • which call recorder do works on moto g 4.4, i am tired of checking each app and changing every settings of it, just to make it work.

  • It takes me to press power button for less than half second and then quickly press volume down..... Done !!!. But it is most bizarre way to take screenshot. Thanks for sharing.

    • Glad to know you can take screenshot now.

      This is the default method of taking a screenshot on all Android. Some vendors add a few other ways to do it, for example, Galaxy Note series can use the stylus (S Pen) to take screenshots.

      If you need to take a lot of screenshot, you'd better to do it in ADB from your PC. Most screenshot apps require rooted phone.

  • Thanks! First couple of attempts didn't work but after a few tries I was able to do it at will. The whole thing is pretty clumsy... which is kind of a shame since taking screenshots is a great start to asking for help when you need it.

    • Yes, it is not an easy job. But once you get used to it, it is simple.

      If you need take a lot of screenshot, it is better to connect Moto G to PC and take screenshot from ADB.

  • Lots and lots of trying then suddenly got it. It is all about timing but it does work. I find it easier to hold the phone flat horizontal not upright then you can get index fingers of both hands on power and volume button which for me makes it easier to synch the press

  • Thanks for the article. The trick of pressing is press both times together at same time and not one by one.

    • Yes, to take the screenshot, you need press and hold both keys simultaneously.
      But in practice, you can press and hold the power button slightly earlier. If you press the volume down key earlier, you will fail to get the screenshot.

  • Think I am getting it. Loads of practice. Must be on vibrate first and then hold both things together. Thanks

    • Glad to know you can take screenshot on Moto G.

      Actually, it is not necessary to be on vibrate. You enter that state because you pressed volume down button, but screenshot was not taken.

    • It doesn't work with volume on silent mode. Moto Assist makes my phone on silent during night. Once I get out of silent mode, I am able to capture the screenshot!

      • Usually get the volume turned on and off. Or the whole thing turns off. Did get screenshot once unable to repeat but it had volume control on it.

  • I think I cracked it. I put the volume on vibrate then held the two together and it worked once I got the timing right. Thanks

  • I have tried this many times now and i either get my screenshot with the volume status in it or it doesnt work at all. Please help.

    • The timing is important to take screenshot on Moto G. You got the volume status very likely because you pressed the power button too late. You can try to "slightly" press power button first.

        • Whenever i press both the buttons for few seconds my phone is getting shut down its not taking screenshot....pls help me

          • You pressed power button to early, and too long. When you see power options on the screen, you should release the buttons and try to take screenshot again later.

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