How to screenshot on iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 (every method)

How to Screenshot on iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 (Every Method)

Taking screenshots is one of the essential functions on any smartphone, allowing you to quickly save and share whatever’s on your screen. With the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16, Apple has continued to offer several methods to capture screenshots, accommodating different user preferences and scenarios.

This guide covers every way to take screenshots on these latest iPhones, including button combinations, gestures, and AssistiveTouch, so you can pick the method that suits you best.

1. Screenshot Using Button Combinations

Standard Screenshot with Side and Volume Up Buttons

This is the most common, universal method that works on all Face ID-equipped iPhones—including the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16.

Steps:

Navigate to the screen you want to capture.
Press the Side button (right edge) and the Volume Up button (left edge) simultaneously.
Quickly release both buttons.
You’ll see a thumbnail preview of the screenshot appear at the bottom-left corner.
Tap the thumbnail to edit, crop, or annotate before saving, or just swipe it left to dismiss and save automatically to your Photos app.

Note: Be careful not to hold the buttons too long or you might trigger the emergency SOS or other power options.

2. Screenshot Using AssistiveTouch

AssistiveTouch offers an on-screen menu for users who prefer not to use hardware buttons, or whose buttons might be hard to press or broken.

How to enable AssistiveTouch:

Open Settings.
Go to Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch.
Turn on AssistiveTouch.

A floating button will appear on your screen.

Taking a Screenshot with AssistiveTouch:

Tap the floating AssistiveTouch button.
Tap Device.
Tap More.
Tap Screenshot.

Your screen flashes, and the screenshot is saved.

Tip: You can customize the AssistiveTouch menu to have Screenshot as a single tap or set it as a custom action for easier access.

3. Screenshot Using Back Tap (Tap the Back of Your iPhone)

This newer convenience feature allows you to take a screenshot by tapping the back of your iPhone twice or thrice.

How to set it up:

Open Settings.
Go to Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap.
Choose Double Tap or Triple Tap.
Select Screenshot from the list of actions.

Using Back Tap:

Simply tap the back of your iPhone 2 or 3 times (based on your selected option).
The screen will flash, capturing a screenshot.

Back Tap is particularly useful for quick captures without using your hands on the screen front.

4. Screenshot from the Apple Pencil or Stylus (if supported with third-party accessories)

While Apple Pencil currently works only on iPads, some third-party styluses might offer snapshot features on iPhones. This is not a default feature of iPhone 15 or 16, but some accessories enable quick screenshot gestures.

Check your stylus manufacturer’s instructions if supported.

5. Using Siri to Take a Screenshot

If you prefer hands-free controls, you can ask Siri to take a screenshot.

Steps:

Activate Siri by saying “Hey Siri” or holding the Side button.
Say “Take a screenshot.”
Siri will capture your screen and store the image in Photos.

While convenient, you won’t see the usual screenshot preview or editing options with this method.

6. Taking a Screenshot While Recording Video or Using Apps with Special Features

Standard screenshot methods work even when you’re recording video or in other apps.
Some apps like browsers or reading apps offer their own screenshot or clipping tools, but hardware methods remain the fallback.

Where to Find Your Screenshots

All screenshots are saved automatically in the Photos app under the Screenshots album.

Open Photos > Albums > Scroll down to Screenshots to view.
From here, you can share, edit, or delete screenshots as needed.

Tips for Managing Screenshots on iPhone 15/16

Editing: Tap the screenshot preview right after capture to quickly crop, mark up, or rotate your image without opening the Photos app.
Deleting unwanted screenshots: Swipe left on the preview immediately or delete later from the Screenshots album.
Sharing: Use the share sheet from preview or Photos to send screenshots via messaging, email, or save to cloud services.

Summary: Which Screenshot Method Should You Use?

Method	Best For	Notes
Side + Volume Up buttons	Quick, standard method	Fast and built-in
AssistiveTouch	Accessibility, hardware issues	Customizable menu
Back Tap	Quick gesture without buttons	Needs setup in Accessibility
Siri	Hands-free capture	No editing preview

Try each method to see which fits your daily workflow or accessibility needs.

Final Thoughts

iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 continue to keep screenshots simple and flexible with multiple methods. Whether you want the classic button press, a tap on the back, or a voice command, you have options.

By mastering these methods, you’ll always be able to capture exactly what you need on your screen quickly and efficiently.

For any issues capturing screenshots, ensure your iOS is updated and buttons are functioning correctly, or customize the settings in Accessibility to find suitable alternatives.

If you found this helpful, check out our other iPhone guides for more practical tips on getting the most out of your device!