You don’t need any apps to take screenshot in Moto X.
Like any other Android phones, you can take screenshot by simply pressing and holding both the Power and Volume down key for three seconds. You will hear the shutter sound once the screenshot is taken.
You can view, manager, edit and share the screenshot in the Gallery.
Got any problems? Type your questions in the comment box below.
If you have other better ways to take screenshot in Moto X (without using any apps), please share it in the comment box below.
Enjoy your screenshot on Moto X.
You can read more Moto X tips and tricks, and Moto X tutorials on the Moto X How-to Guide page.
Ernesto says
October 3, 2013 at 3:43 pmWorks flawlessly! Thanks!
jackie says
October 12, 2013 at 2:05 amUgh I’m struggling! I keep getting the volume control in the picture or it wants to shut off.
simon says
October 12, 2013 at 12:20 pmJust a bit more practice.
Slim says
January 14, 2014 at 5:52 pmU gotta hold the power button & volume down button & then you will hear the shutter camera sound..
Eli Blaker says
March 8, 2014 at 4:39 pmThanks. That worked.
pinky says
May 1, 2014 at 12:44 pmi can’t understand how to copy the song from pc to motog phone can u heip me ho to do it
simon says
May 1, 2014 at 1:43 pmConnect your phone to the PC with a USB cable. You can find Moto G in your computer. You can then copy files from the PC to any folders inside the phone. You can also create a folder for your music files.
Bharat says
December 14, 2014 at 7:30 pmUse filemanager which is available in Play Store . Easy way for managing the phone
Destiny says
October 18, 2013 at 12:47 amI had a gs3 before I upgraded and I could just swipe the screen to take a screenshot. I liked that much better.
simon says
October 18, 2013 at 11:39 amYes, palm motion is a feature of Samsung’s TouchWiz skin. Moto X uses almost vanilla Android to make it snappy.
rodrigo says
October 28, 2013 at 1:33 pmIt does not work. It turns off the motor x and doesn’t capture the screen.
simon says
October 29, 2013 at 1:25 pmthe timing is important. If it shuts down your phone (or lock the screen), it means you press the volume button too late.
MD says
November 7, 2013 at 12:44 pmThanks, I tried to use other app and nothing.
Katie says
November 15, 2013 at 7:05 pmIt’s important to push the lower half of the volume button when you do it. I couldn’t get mine to work until i did that.
simon says
November 16, 2013 at 1:19 pmThank you for sharing the tips.
Nicole Natyniak says
November 18, 2013 at 12:42 amTa-da!! Thank you for ending my frustration!:)
Amy says
May 20, 2014 at 1:03 amAHH THANK YOU!
Vonda says
February 14, 2015 at 4:19 pmFinally!!! Thank you!
Sarah says
June 3, 2015 at 4:23 pmThank you. I could not for the life of me figure out why my screen shot function wasn’t working in the last two weeks. That tip has resolved the issue.
User says
November 15, 2013 at 8:15 pmWorks perfectly. Much appreciated.
dedeboom says
November 23, 2013 at 5:23 pmMy problem was hitting the volume UP instead of the volume DOWN — thanks!
Beatriz Cananéa says
December 9, 2013 at 4:14 amConsegui ! Que legal , não vou precisar baixar nenhum aplicativo pra tirar screenshots . =D Obrigado! Beijo da brasileira :*
oscar hoyos says
January 29, 2014 at 7:16 pmEu quiero um beijinho de brasileira 😉
Alejandro Lengua says
December 13, 2013 at 1:30 pmTry using your nails for pressing the buttons with more precision
shelly says
December 21, 2013 at 3:51 pmI think my otter box is hindering my hitting the buttons simultaneously. I have managed to turn phone off twice..
AJ says
February 1, 2014 at 9:42 pm..Worked For Me Thx..
simon says
February 2, 2014 at 1:57 pmGlad to know it works for you. Enjoy your screenshot.
Steve says
February 20, 2014 at 11:54 pmWhat a crappy design. It should not be so difficult to do something as simple as a screenshot.
The Moto X is a disappointment
simon says
February 21, 2014 at 6:04 amActually, this is the default method to take screenshot in Android.
Lolo pio says
March 6, 2014 at 12:29 amDisappointed in moto x as well I want to take a selfie and have To hold the phone with one hand and touch the screen with the other I hate this set up!!! Why can’t u just hit I side button as well to take a picture and the screen shot set up is awkward as well
simon says
March 6, 2014 at 5:25 amNowadays, most smartphones don’t have physical camera buttons. In the Symbian era, most phones have such buttons.
Chris says
March 11, 2014 at 10:10 amOn moto x u can open the camera without touching it… Turn your wrist
2times in a twisting motion to turn on camera…even when our phone is locked
teresa says
June 1, 2014 at 2:23 amThat works! Thanks for the tip
Mr Nobody says
September 12, 2014 at 7:00 amUse volume down to snap pics and selfies.
Veronica says
February 24, 2014 at 3:15 amThis doesn’t work on the moto x designed by you. Just the regular ones. All the videos I see on YouTube are not design by you phones. Mine doesn’t work. I’ve tried millions of times to do it, and it still doesn’t work. And it’s not my timing or anything. It’s just not possible :\
simon says
February 24, 2014 at 5:55 amThis screenshot taking method works on Moto X.
This is the default method to take screenshot in Android unless vendor purposely block it in the firmware. It is not blocked in Moto X.
I3reazy says
February 24, 2014 at 10:54 pmlmao…. i designed mine and can screen shot just fine. Simon, ur so nice and patient with these technically challenged people.
vin says
February 25, 2014 at 5:26 am1) if timing is so important why not make it easier?? 2) trying for hours and hasn’t worked once
simon says
February 25, 2014 at 5:56 amYou can slightly press power button earlier. Once you get used to it, it is actually very easy.
This is the default method to take screenshot on Android devices. A few vendors implemented other methods, for example, Samsung galaxy note can take screenshot with the stylus (s pen), or with palm motion, in addition to this method.
There are some screenshot apps. But most of them need root.
If you need take a lot of screenshot, for example, recording the screen, you can use some ADB tools on your pc to record phone screen.
parijat says
December 22, 2014 at 6:36 pmThanks buddy I have tried million times before reading your comment but not able to take it.. Just push the power button slightly earlier and then vol down key
Thanks so much
Lolo pio says
March 6, 2014 at 12:32 amIs there a way to take a selfie with only using one hand?
simon says
March 6, 2014 at 5:32 amMaybe not yet. Voice command is a possible option in the future.
Leslie says
October 10, 2014 at 4:25 pmYes, press either of the volume buttons.
I3reazy says
March 6, 2014 at 2:25 pmI take every picture with only one hand!? why do you need two? u hold the phone and bring a finger out and touch the screen… pretty easy. Get snapchat and i think you may even be able to use a ‘side button’.
paige says
May 16, 2014 at 10:15 pmIt won’t let me at all. Even as doing as it says
simon says
May 17, 2014 at 2:27 amKeep trying. Once you get it, you will feel it is so simple.
Kesava says
May 28, 2014 at 6:20 amSimple and easy. Thanks for the tip.
frances says
June 2, 2014 at 11:46 pmDidn’t work for me!
simon says
June 3, 2014 at 12:26 pmPractice. Practice.
Once you get it once, you will find actually it is very simple to take screenshot on Android.
Nick Kern says
June 9, 2014 at 1:01 pmI think the 4.4.3 update may have disabled this.
john doe says
June 14, 2014 at 1:48 pmDoesnt work. Wtf
simon says
June 15, 2014 at 3:49 amPractice. Practice. It will work.
Ben says
June 27, 2014 at 10:14 pmThanks the the tip. Noticed that it is easiest if I pressed more on the top portion of the power button and the bottom portion of the volume button together.
simon says
June 28, 2014 at 4:06 amThank you for sharing your tips.
Jenn says
July 11, 2014 at 11:41 amThat’s what worked for me also. Thanks for the tip. Have been trying for days
DN says
July 3, 2014 at 5:29 pmThx it worked for MOTO X
jony says
July 5, 2014 at 2:12 pmAny other option to take screen short ;holding both volume and power key is difficult.
simon says
July 6, 2014 at 1:53 pmIf you need take screenshot frequently, it is better to do it on a PC. You need download Android SDK (use the monitor.bat), and enable USB debugging in developers options.
Kunit says
July 10, 2014 at 9:47 pmMake sure you guys are pressing the power button and VOLUME DOWN, not up. They must be pressed and held for at least a second at same time. Make sure you aren’t pressing the entire volume rocker and only pressing the lower half.
I find it easiest with one hand (easier to get them pressed at the same time).
Molly Neamon says
July 5, 2014 at 9:09 pmHold your phone in your right hand. Use your thumb to push the lower half of the volume button (same as if u were lowering the volume), at the same time, bring your left hand around the back of the phone, and push in the power button with your pointer finger. Keep holding both buttons in until u hear the click and see the screen shot. Don’t let go right away, it takes a couple seconds to register. That set up is what I found to be most non awkward. It definitely takes practice. But yes, there are apps in the play store that don’t require you to root your phone anymore. They are a little more invasive than the normal method though, you can’t take a screen shot on a whim, or you have a icon floating on your screen.
Dana says
July 22, 2014 at 6:38 pmThis was the most helpful for me. Thank you.
cj says
July 11, 2014 at 2:19 pmI tried pressing the power button a split second before the (bottom) of the volume rocker and found that it became easy for the first time to take a screenshot! Thanks for the tips!!
Hope says
July 23, 2014 at 11:16 pmI still can’t get it yo work. I have been practicing for months and all it firs is turn the damn phone off.
simon says
July 24, 2014 at 12:50 amYou pressedpower key to long before pressing the volume down key.
Hope says
July 24, 2014 at 1:31 amNope!!! Still can’t get it to work.
simon says
July 24, 2014 at 12:10 pmUnfortunately, for Moto X, there are no methods by default. Once you get one, you will realize how easy it is.
Hope says
July 24, 2014 at 12:59 pmEvery time I try I turn the phone off. I am very frustrated.
Hope says
July 24, 2014 at 1:01 pmAlso my volume key does not control my volume. Can this key be locked?
Stephanie says
July 24, 2014 at 10:55 pmI can take a screenshot just fine with my Moto X however my screenshots keep saving to the Google Photos app instead of to my gallery. Anyone know how to change this?
simon says
July 25, 2014 at 12:29 amThe screenshot is always saved on your phone. Photos is just another gallery app with auto backup to Google + (you can disfavor it in Google +). If you open gallery app, you should be able to find the screenshot as in photos.
Stephanie says
July 25, 2014 at 12:49 amThe screenshots don’t appear in my gallery app at all.
simon says
July 25, 2014 at 9:58 amYou can install a file explorer to manage files directly, instead of relying on these apps (and media scanner). You may try es file explorer. Here is the simple guide : http://motoeguide.com/moto-e-guides/manage-files-moto-e-es-file-explorer-file-manager/
BTW, you can try to reboot the phone. This will force the media scanner to rescan the pictures.
Also, photos can do everything that gallery can do except videos.
Aniruddh Karthikn says
August 13, 2014 at 2:33 pmThanks a ton man. I wanted to take screen shot of confirmation of payment on my Moto X. It works….
Hope says
August 14, 2014 at 2:16 amIs it possible to lock your volume buttons in the side of your phone? Ism unable to change the volume? Help!
simon says
August 14, 2014 at 12:18 pmI’m not sure what you want to do. The volume rocker is a physical button, and you cannot lock it. But you can adjust it to maximum or the silent.
Stephanie says
August 14, 2014 at 3:14 pmHope, I went through my menus, you can raise the volume if you go into settings, go to sound and then volumes. You can change your ringer/notification volume, the alarm volume and music/games volume. I don’t see anywhere where you can lock and unlock the side volume buttons so if yours aren’t working you might have a defective device.
Hope says
August 14, 2014 at 12:34 pmHow do you get it off silent?
simon says
August 14, 2014 at 1:26 pmPress volume up.
Stephanie says
August 14, 2014 at 3:14 pmI’m not sure why no one understands Hope’s issue. She CAN’T press volume up, as her previous statement suggests, she has somehow “locked” her volume buttons and can’t use them. Hope, I went through my menus, you can raise the volume if you go into settings, go to sound and then volumes. You can change your ringer/notification volume, the alarm volume and music/games volume. I don’t see anywhere where you can lock and unlock the side volume buttons so if yours aren’t working you might have a defective device. Hope this helps at least get the volume back up for you in the meantime.
Hope says
August 14, 2014 at 5:21 pmI be tried. The volume key does not work.
Stephanie says
August 14, 2014 at 5:25 pmHope, I went through my menus, you can raise the volume if you go into settings, go to sound and then volumes. You can change your ringer/notification volume, the alarm volume and music/games volume. I don’t see anywhere where you can lock and unlock the side volume buttons so if yours aren’t working you might have a defective device. Hope this helps at least get the volume back up for you in the meantime.
jayaraj says
August 20, 2014 at 1:02 pmMy call volume is very low . how to resolve it
simon says
August 21, 2014 at 12:36 pmIf the volume is really low, you may visit Motorola service centre. They can check and re-adjust it.
Prerna says
October 11, 2014 at 8:57 amWorks perfectly! Thanks! 🙂
pradeep says
October 26, 2014 at 2:47 pmEventhough Sim card is in the slot couldnt get signal showing asthough sim has been not inserted but it works if am switching offf the mobile phonw twice irritating heck
simon says
October 27, 2014 at 10:52 amMaybe the sim card is not inserted tightly.
If you trimmed the sim card yourself, you may try to get the official size from your phone company.
Gavriela says
November 12, 2014 at 11:51 pmThx so much I have had my moto x for about 1 month now wondering how to take a screen shot… Lol thx
Louise Christianson says
November 22, 2014 at 4:51 pmDidn’t work for me.
Louise Christianson says
November 22, 2014 at 4:53 pmWell I tried to do it while playing music on my phone. Maybe that was the problem.
Erin says
November 28, 2014 at 9:16 pmYay I’ve been trying for awhile to figure it out worked perfectly
Trevor says
December 7, 2014 at 6:00 pmI am successfully hearing the sound and seeing it take the image but it isn’t saving to my gallery.
simon says
December 8, 2014 at 12:36 amCheck the files directly in the folder pictures/screenshot with any file managers.
If may take a while for the media scanner to scan the file. You can also also check images with photos app.
BTW, gallery is only an app managing all of your media files in all folders. It doesn’t save images or have a dedicated folder. Screenshot are saved to the screenshot folder.
Grace Le says
January 12, 2015 at 7:48 amI have tried so so so many time but it doesnt work at all. I believe I used the right method. The volume just keeps going down or the the phone keeps turning off. Im afraid that my phone has some problems with it? 🙁
simon says
January 12, 2015 at 10:10 amI don’t think so. Very likely, you pressed the power button too late. You can try to press the power button slightly earlier.
Cristina says
June 6, 2015 at 12:51 amIs there a way to turn the shutter sound off? My MX2 is on Priority mode, media volume off, camera sounds off, but my screen shots still click… TIA 😉
simon says
June 6, 2015 at 9:48 amIt uses ringer’s volume setting, not media. If the sound causes problems, you can press volume down button all the way down to left most. This will set all volumes to 0, without changing sound mode.
You can use volume up when you finish the screenshots.
Cristina says
June 6, 2015 at 3:00 pmThanks! I’d rather turn it off and not mess w/the volume, but it’ll work for now!
Johnson says
June 17, 2015 at 6:33 amI want connect my moto x to PC I’m not able to do it plz some one guide md
simon says
June 17, 2015 at 1:29 pmPlease read this guide http://allaboutmotog.com/moto-g-how-to-guide/how-to-connect-moto-g-with-pc-through-usb-cable-for-moto-e-and-moto-x-as-well/
Karen Seitz says
October 3, 2015 at 7:44 pmI have a Moto X 2nd Generation that I custom ordered and received 4 days ago. For some reason, my screenshots and text photos will not save to my gallery. The phone tells me that they are “saved to gallery” or “saved to my device” but when I check my gallery and even my google photos apps, the pics are not there! HELP!
Karen Seitz says
October 3, 2015 at 7:48 pmHey–I just read above and it out–found them on my file manager under pics and screenshots!
simon says
October 4, 2015 at 3:50 amEnjoy your phone.
Chris says
January 13, 2016 at 9:05 pmwow that was hard! Took me a while but after reading a bunch of the comments I finally figured it out. You have to do it quick… power button > lower volume button… and dang, now I can’t do it again. I think it helps to take your phone out of a case if it is in one.
simon says
January 14, 2016 at 10:14 amThank you for sharing your tips for taking screenshot on Moto X.