How To Capture Screenshots Instantly on Any iPhone Model (13, 14, 15, 16)

Taking screenshots on your iPhone is usually pretty straightforward, but sometimes it’s not as simple as it seems—especially if you’ve got newer models like iPhone 14, 15, or 16, or even the trusty older ones. There’s always a hiccup, like pressing buttons wrong or missing the tiny flash in the corner. So here are a few ways to get those shots without tearing your hair out.

Step 1: Taking a Screenshot Using Buttons

This classic method varies depending on whether your iPhone has Face ID or a Home button. The reason it works? It’s essentially just a quick combo of physical buttons—no fancy tricks needed. When it works, the screen flickers a bit, and a thumbnail pops up—you can mess with it right there or let it slide away into your Photos.

For iPhones with Face ID (like iPhone 14/15/16): Press the Side button (on the right) and the Volume Up button (on the left) at the same time. Then, release quickly. Sometimes it’s hit or miss the first few tries—because of course, Apple’s button placement has to make it harder than necessary.
For iPhones with a Home button (like iPhone 8 or SE): Press the Home button and the Side button (or Top button on older models) simultaneously, then let go. Easy, but again, timing’s everything.

Expect a flash, maybe a little sound, and voila—your screenshot is captured. If not, double-check you’re pressing them at the right moment, because oftentimes it’s just about timing.

Step 2: Using Back Tap to Capture

This feature’s kinda weird but pretty handy once it’s set up. It’s basically giving your iPhone a little secret handshake—tapping on the back to trigger a screenshot. Not sure why it works, but it does. Main reason? If your fingers aren’t cooperating with the buttons or you’re just lazy, it’s a lifesaver.

Open Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap.
Pick either Double Tap or Triple Tap, then select Screenshot from the list of actions. You might need to scroll a bit, since the options can be a little hidden.

Once it’s set, just tap or triple-tap the back of your phone (closer to the Apple logo usually) and the screen will flash. Expect your pic to land in your Photos app pretty quickly. Sometimes, on certain setups, it’s a little buggy, but mostly it just works after some fiddling.

Step 3: Using AssistiveTouch for Screenshots

If buttons, back taps, or even trying to press the right combo feels like too much fuss, AssistiveTouch is the way to go. This floating button can do basically anything, including taking a screenshot. It’s kinda clunky, but hey, if you’ve got finger issues or just like having a shortcut, this can be your new best friend.

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch and turn it ON.
A little floating circle will appear. Tap it, then head to Customize Top Level Menu or Actions > Single-Tap.
Pick Screenshot as the action. If you can’t find it right away, you might need to add it manually to the menu.

Now, whenever you tap that floating button, your iPhone will take a screenshot. Expect the screen to flash, a quick shutter noise, and the shot to be added to Photos. Because, warm fuzzy truth? Sometimes this method refuses to work right out of the gate—on one setup it worked immediately, on another, I had to restart the phone first. Don’t ask why.

Extra Tips & Troubleshooting

Some small tips to make actual screenshotting less frustrating:

If you’re constantly messing up, practice the button timing a few times. Sometimes, just a tiny delay makes the difference.
Make sure your iPhone is running the latest iOS—those updates tend to fix annoying bugs or add new options that make this whole process easier.
Don’t forget, after capturing a screenshot, the thumbnail pops up—tap it to crop, annotate, or share immediately. Or just ignore it if you’re feeling lazy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still take a screenshot on older iPhones?

Definitely. If your iPhone has iOS 14 or later, all these tricks should work just fine. Just the button combo might be different for some of the super old ones.

What if my screenshot doesn’t work?

Most likely you’re not pressing the buttons at the right time. Or maybe something’s disabled in your settings—check Settings > Accessibility > Touch or the button combo method first. Sometimes, a reboot helps too, especially after iOS updates.

Can I edit my screenshot right after I take it?

Yup, when the thumbnail pops up, just tap it, and you get access to cropping, drawing, or adding text. Pretty handy for quick annotations or just fixing a typo before sharing.

Summary

Use button combos depending on your iPhone model.
Set up Back Tap if you prefer accidental-hands-free screenshots.
Enable AssistiveTouch for a more customizable, tap-based method.

Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Or at least saves your sanity when the buttons decide to be stubborn again.