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How to take a screenshot on Moto E?

If you are new to Android, you probably are not aware that it is very simple to take a screenshot on Moto E.

If you are new to Android, you probably are not aware that it is very simple to take a screenshot on Moto E.

This guide applies to all Moto E generation including Moto E, Moto E 2nd Gen, Moto E3, Moto E4, Moto E5, and Moto E6.

Contents [hide]
1) How to take a screenshot on Moto E?
2) Where are the screenshots saved on Moto E?
3) Why can I not take a screenshot on Moto E?
4) Are there any other methods to take screenshots on Moto E?
4.1) Do you have any problems to take a screenshot on Moto E?

How to take a screenshot on Moto E?

To take a screenshot for Moto E, you simply press and hold both the Power and Volume down key simultaneously for about three seconds. You should hear the camera shutter sound once the screenshot is taken.

The most important requirement is “simultaneously”.

If you press and hold power key too early, you get power options, instead of taking screenshots.

If you press and hold volume down key too early, you get volume adjustment screen and decrease the volume.

In practice, you can press and hold power key  “slightly” earlier than pressing the volume down key, because power option will be triggered slower than the volume adjusting screen.

Where are the screenshots saved on Moto E?

The screenshot is always saved in the internal storage of the phone.

You can check the screenshots from Gallery/Photos app–screenshots.

You can edit the screenshot as normal photos using the Gallery app or Google+ Photos app.

In the Gallery or Photos app, you can also share the screenshot as normal photos to many apps, for example, email, SMS, or Google drive.

Why can I not take a screenshot on Moto E?

This method is the standard method to take a screenshot on almost all Android phones (without physical home buttons).

It should work on your Moto E.

If you get volume adjusting screen or power options, it means the timing of pressing the two keys is not right.  You need to practise it a while.

Once you get your screenshot, you will find it is actually so easy to take a screenshot in Moto E.

Are there any other methods to take screenshots on Moto E?

There are a few other methods  of taking screenshots on Moto E:

Of course, the last two methods require that you enable the developer options.

Do you have any problems to take a screenshot on Moto E?

Please let us know your question or problem in the comment box below.

For more guides, tips and tricks of using Moto E, please check our Moto E How-to Guides page.

View Comments (96)

  • I did press the power button and volume down button, it never took a screenshot (I checked gallery) neither did it invoke power or volume down options.
    No sound came indicating a screenshot. Please help.

  • i had tried it, and yes i got it in first time a screen shot goes to your gallery and while you also get to know that screenshot is taken by screenshot animation.

    • It means you press and hold power button too early. In other words, you press and hold the volume down burro too late.

      You need pay attention to the power option window.

  • I am first time android user...and Moto E is my first Android phone....I tried was surprised that it worked well.

    • Because sms is length limited, Google keyboard does not provide enter key of it detects you are writing sms.

      Please note, longer and will be split into several messages. Some mobile phones may not combine them into one once received.

    • No apps needed to take screenshot on Moto E. Actually most screenshot taking apps require root.

      Just practice.

      Another way to take screenshot for Moto E is using pc. You need install android see in your pc and connect your Moto E to the pc through USB cable.

  • How do you take off that Google logo when taking the screenshot? There's always that logo on the bottom of the screen

  • It doesn't work for me. Few times I am able to take screenshot. Resolve it or find out an alternative options for it.

  • I have tried taking a snaphot on the MotoE it NEVER works.
    I bought the MotoE as a 2nd phone (main phone is an iPhone) the main criteria was the price .
    The low price is justified by a low grade product
    There are issues with the charging port
    Should have bought a Chinese make Gionee or similar product

    • All Android phones use similar method to take screenshots. If you can practice to take one, you will then realize how simple it is.

      Some vendors, for example, Samsung, may provide a few additional options to take a screenshot.

  • I am sorry that you are having this problem with your set but if you follow the tips its actually very simple. I say so cause this article helped me use my phone better. Just because the price is low is not an indication that the product is low grade as well.
    I would recommend that you go through the instructions again.

    • Yes, it works on almost all android devices. This is the common method of taking screenshot on android devices. Some vendors may add other methods to take screenshot.

  • i am not able to take a snapshot on moto e, but easily taking snap shot on moto g mobile. Is there any problem in some of moto e sets

  • well even i think that you need practice to take a screen shot to b honest even i cannot take a screen shot if i try normally using moto e .. it does work for me when i take time to relax and then make sure both buttons together .. in other phones its very easy on this phone i found that u really need to put all you attention on getting the timing correct.

  • Guys am not able to screen shot any of my screens on my MotoE
    Please help .. tried all above said .. but still it doesn't work for me .. am sorry :(

  • Hurrrreeee i got it ... guys its simple ...

    press and hold both the Power and Volume down key for three seconds, or until you hear the camera shutter click.

    • I think, if you press the home button, it should bring you to the home screen. It opens Google search only when you swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or from the home button), This is part of Google now launcher.

      You can install Firefox browser in your phone. Now it should ask you to choose "Complete action using", you can then choose Nothing.

  • Tried taking screenshot with the above mentioned method. Didn't work. Screen went black and then phone switched itself off.

    • You pressed volume button too late. Always look at the screen. If the power option comes, or volume option comes, try again.

      Practice, practice.

  • hi thanks first press volume key down then immediately press power button..definitely .it will work

    • Call recording is illegal in some regions. Android disable such functions purposely. Most apps will not work properly. Most require root as well. Try your luck.

  • It doesn't work on ALL Moto E phones regardless of how much you practice. There's another issue affecting some phones.

    • There are no known problems on this method of taking screenshot. It works on Moto E and Moto E 2nd Gen ( Moto G and Moto X as well) without issues.

      What exactly did you get?

  • Yes I got the solution of screenshot in my moto e. There is no problem at all.I clicked from the very first time without any issue.

  • I still can't screen shot and it I get the timing perfect almost every time. I have spent over an hour trying to screen shot and haven't got a single one. Please put something in the top drop down menu or a help button on screen.

    • As mentioned, you may get the power option if you press power key to early, or volume options if you press the volume key too early.

      Nobody wants to get screenshot overlayed with some buttons or menus.

      Also, you may want to take screenshot for lock screen. This makes it impractical to assign the screenshot taking feature to an app.

    • I really think that some of the Moto e phones are not working well for screen shots. I think the technology is crude and spasmodic

      • This feature has been in Android for long time.

        If you need take a lot of screenshots, you can take screenshot from pc using Android device monitor (part of Android studio).

  • I was able to take the screen shots. However, I went to Gallery and Photos and nothing appeared there. Where else could the pics have gone?

  • It helped me a lot. I didn't know how to take screenshots before this. Thank you for the info. Completley helpful.

  • I was able at first to take screen shots. Now no.
    If you say it takes practice, I would say its a bit of undeveloped technology.
    Its just not working now however I do it and do what you say.
    I think its dodgy and variable

  • I accidently erased all data fromy SD card. However an important PIC was saved as my mobile wall paper. I can see the PIC but cannot save it or access it. Screenshot of the pic loses clarity and it also captures a lot of other mobile information. Is there anyway to retrieve or save the wall paper data.

    • When you set an image as wallpaper, it will be copied into /data. However, this folder and subfolders are not accessible for users unless the phones is rooted.

  • Hey guys and gals!

    I just purchased a brand new first generation Moto e and I tried taking a screenshot on my old Huawei Glory and my brand new Moto e. It worked PERFECTLY on both the old Huawei Glory and the Moto e the first time around!!! If it'll work on the old Glory, then it'll work on just about anything else out there!!! Just follow the instructions! It's SO simple a MONKEY can do it! Just press the LOWER VOLUME and POWER BUTTONS at the SAME TIME. Get it -> the SAME TIME! That's what SIMULTANEOUSLY means.

    GOOD LUCK to all you Screenshooters out there!

  • It is very, very, very fussy about the timing of the two presses. Other Android devices I have are much more forgiving. Has someone forgotten to adjust the interval timing when some internal clock has been increased...?

    Pressing the power button and vol down together seems to reverse the sense of the volume button.

    Very frustrating trying to capture a dynamic screen event.

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