Need to save a receipt, capture a message, or grab something useful before it disappears? Taking a screenshot on an iPad is one of the fastest things you can do, and once you know the shortcut, it becomes second nature. Whether you are using a newer iPad with Face ID, an older model with a Home button, or an iPad with an Apple Pencil, this guide shows you exactly how to do it.
The good news is that the process only takes a second or two. You will learn the main screenshot methods, what to do if your iPad has no Home button, how to edit or share the image right away, and a few common fixes if screenshots are not working. If you just want the answer fast, you can jump to the summary below.
Summary
- iPad with Face ID: Press the Top button and Volume Up at the same time.
- iPad with Home button: Press the Top button or Side button and the Home button at the same time.
- After the screenshot, tap the thumbnail to edit, crop, or share it.
- Screenshots save automatically to the Photos app.
Tutorial – How to Take a Screenshot on iPad
The main method depends on whether your iPad has Face ID or a Home button. In both cases, the goal is the same, capture what is on your screen and save it instantly so you can use it later.
Step 1: Find the right buttons on your iPad
On iPad models with Face ID, you will use the Top button and Volume Up button.
On iPad models with a Home button, you will use the Top button or Side button and the Home button.
After you identify the buttons, you are ready to capture the screen without opening any app or menu. If you are not sure which model you have, look for the circular Home button below the screen. If it is not there, your iPad likely uses Face ID.
Step 2: Press the buttons at the same time
Quickly press and release the two buttons together.
For Face ID iPads, press Top button + Volume Up at the same time.
For iPads with a Home button, press Top or Side button + Home button at the same time.
You should see the screen flash briefly, and a small thumbnail will appear in the lower-left corner. That thumbnail confirms that the screenshot worked.
Step 3: Tap the thumbnail if you want to edit it
If the thumbnail appears, tap it before it disappears to open the screenshot editor.
From there, you can:
- Crop the image
- Draw or write with markup tools
- Add a signature
- Delete the screenshot if you do not need it
If you do nothing, the screenshot will be saved automatically after a few seconds. This is helpful if you only want a quick capture and do not need to edit it right away.
Step 4: Find the screenshot in Photos
Open the Photos app to view the saved image.
Most screenshots are saved in your Recents album and often also appear in a Screenshots album. Once you open the screenshot in Photos, you can share it, crop it further, or move it into a folder if needed.
Step 5: Share or use the screenshot
After saving, you can send the screenshot through Messages, Mail, AirDrop, or another app.
Just tap the Share button in Photos, choose your app or contact, and send it. This is useful when you need to send proof, save a reference, or capture something before it changes.
Alternative Methods or Edge Cases
Use Apple Pencil to take a screenshot
If you have an Apple Pencil, you can take a screenshot without pressing buttons.
- Swipe up from the bottom-left corner of the iPad screen with your Apple Pencil.
- The screenshot editor opens right away.
This is a fast option for note-taking and markup, especially if you already use Apple Pencil often.
Take a screenshot with AssistiveTouch
If your buttons are hard to press or not working well, AssistiveTouch can help.
- Go to Settings
- Tap Accessibility
- Tap Touch
- Tap AssistiveTouch
- Turn it on
- Tap the on-screen AssistiveTouch menu
- Choose Device
- Tap More
- Tap Screenshot
This method is useful if you have trouble using physical buttons or want an on-screen shortcut.
Capture a full-page screenshot in Safari
If you are saving a webpage, you may be able to capture more than just the visible screen.
- Take a screenshot in Safari
- Tap the thumbnail
- Choose Full Page at the top if available
This works best for webpages, documents, or articles you want to save as a longer view. You can then save it as a PDF instead of a normal image.
If your iPad has a Touch ID top button
Some newer iPads use a top button with Touch ID instead of a Home button.
In that case, use:
- Top button + Volume Up
This is the same shortcut used on Face ID models, so do not look for a Home button that is not there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do screenshots go on iPad?
Screenshots are saved automatically in the Photos app, usually in Recents and sometimes in a Screenshots album.
Why is my iPad not taking a screenshot?
Most of the time, the issue is timing. Press both buttons quickly, then release them immediately. If that still fails, check whether you are using the correct button combination for your iPad model.
Can I edit a screenshot right after taking it?
Yes. Tap the small thumbnail that appears in the corner after you take the screenshot. That opens the editing screen where you can crop, draw, or share it.
Can I take a screenshot without using buttons?
Yes. You can use AssistiveTouch or an Apple Pencil if your iPad supports it.
How do I take a full-page screenshot?
Use Safari, take a screenshot, tap the thumbnail, then select Full Page if the option appears. This is mainly available for web pages and similar content.
Do screenshots save automatically?
Yes. If you ignore the thumbnail, the screenshot is saved automatically after a few seconds.
Tips
- Learn your model first. The correct shortcut depends on whether your iPad has a Home button or Face ID.
- Press and release quickly. Holding the buttons too long can trigger other actions instead of a screenshot.
- Use the thumbnail for quick edits. It is the fastest way to crop or mark up the image right after capture.
- Check Photos if you miss the thumbnail. Even if you do not see the preview, the screenshot may still have saved.
- Try AssistiveTouch if buttons are unreliable. It is a solid backup for older devices or hardware issues.
- Use Apple Pencil for note-style workflows. It is especially handy if you often annotate screenshots.
Troubleshooting
- If the screen turns off or volume changes instead of taking a screenshot, the buttons were probably not pressed at the same time. Try pressing both more quickly and releasing them together.
- If nothing happens, make sure your iPad is not frozen and that the buttons are working normally. Restart the iPad if needed.
- If the screenshot thumbnail does not appear, open the Photos app and check Recents or Screenshots. The image may still have saved.
- If AssistiveTouch is not visible, confirm it is turned on in Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch.
- If you are trying to screenshot a webpage and only get the visible area, use Safari and look for the Full Page option after taking the screenshot.
- If your buttons are physically damaged, use AssistiveTouch or connect to Apple Support for repair options.
Conclusion
Taking a screenshot on iPad is simple once you know the right button combination for your model. In most cases, it takes one quick press, then your image is saved automatically in Photos.
If you want more control, the thumbnail editor, Apple Pencil, and AssistiveTouch give you easy alternatives. So whether you are saving a message, a page, or a receipt, your iPad offers several quick ways to capture it.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.