How to take a screenshot on the Pixel 9 phones

Showing is better than telling. This saying couldn’t be more accurate in the modern age of smartphones, when most of our communications happen at a distance. It’s easier than ever to take a screen capture of what you are looking at, and show it to someone as a simple image. If you just got yourself a new Pixel 9, you have plenty of options. Let’s show you how to take a screenshot on the Pixel 9 phones.

How to take a screenshot using the buttons

On Pixel 9 devices, you can take a screenshot using a button combination. This is the simplest and most universal way to take a screenshot. It will work on nearly all Android devices, including Google’s latest phones.

Simply press the side and volume down buttons simultaneously. The device will take a screenshot and create an image of whatever your screen is displaying.

Ask Gemini to take a screenshot

The Google Pixel 9 series comes with Gemini out of the box. You can opt to go back to the legacy Google Assistant, but we assume most of you won’t do that. In either case, you can ask Gemini or Google Assistant to take a screenshot. All you have to do is say, “OK, Google. Take a screenshot.” The device will take care of the rest.

If this doesn’t work, it’s likely because the “Hey, Google” feature isn’t enabled.

How to enable “Hey, Google” on a Pixel 9 device:

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Select Google.
3. Hit the All services tab.
4. Tap on Settings for Google apps.
5. Select Search, Assistant & Voice.
6. Pick Google Assistant.
7. Go into Voice Match.
8. Make sure Hey Google is enabled.

Use the Recent Apps overview to take screenshots

Have you switched applications using the Recent Apps overview? This page has a screenshot feature! It can capture what specific apps are displaying, without having to go into the app.

1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen, hold it for about a second, and let go.
2. Swipe left or right to find the app you want to take a screenshot of.
3. Tap on the Screenshot button in the lower-left corner.

How to use the Quick Tap gesture to take a screenshot

Pixel phones have a really nice set of exclusive features you won’t find on other devices. One of them is Quick Tap, which allows you to program specific actions when you quickly double-tap the back of your device. One of these functions can be taking a screenshot, but you must set it up first.

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Tap on System.
3. Hit Gestures.
4. Select Quick Tap to start actions.
5. Enable Use Quick Tap.
6. Make sure Take screenshot is selected.

Enable the Accessibility Menu to take screenshots

The Accessibility Menu is a feature meant to help people more easily view and access certain functions. It’s usually an excellent tool for the visually impaired. It’s also an easy tool anyone can use, and it can help you easily take a screenshot on Pixel 9 devices.

1. Go into the Settings.
2. Tap on Accessibility.
3. Select Accessibility Menu.
4. Enable the Accessibility Menu shortcut, select Allow, and then Got it.
5. A floating Accessibility Menu icon will appear on the screen. It will be permanent, but you can drag it around if you prefer.
6. To take a screenshot, tap on this icon and tap on the Screenshot option.

How to take a scrolling screenshot on Pixel 9 devices

Sometimes, you want to show more than what the screen can display. Maybe you want to take a screenshot of a long article, for example. This is when scrolling screenshots can come in handy. Instead of taking multiple screenshots, you can make it so that the device creates a longer image containing more information.

1. Use any of the methods mentioned in this guide to take a screenshot.
2. A screenshot menu and preview will show up for a few seconds, in the lower-left corner of the screen.
3. When this happens, tap on Capture More.
4. Now, you can drag the selector to show as much or as little as you want.
5. Hit Save when done.

A bit on the Screenshots app

The Pixel 9 series comes with a new Screenshots app. This application will display and organize all your screenshots, but that isn’t its primary purpose. Like many other new features, this new application is all about AI. You can ask Gemini a question, and it will give you an answer, and then pull relevant screenshots to provide you with a visual response. If you ask something specific about your screenshots, it will redirect you to the Screenshots app and provide relevant information.

All of this processing happens locally, using the Tensor G4 chip to process all of the information. Keep in mind that the Screenshots app only collects new screenshots by default. You will have to import screenshots taken with any other devices manually.

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