So, you finally picked up the iPhone 16. It’s sleek, it’s fast, and it has that new Camera Control button that everyone is buzzing about. But then you go to do something basic—like saving a meme or a flight confirmation—and you realize things feel a little different. Honestly, if you’re coming from an older model with a Home button, or even just trying to figure out if that new shiny button on the right side helps with screen captures, you've probably fumbled the buttons once or twice.
Basically, Apple hasn't reinvented the wheel here, but they have added enough "extra" ways to do it that the standard method isn't always the best one anymore.
The standard "Quick-Click" method
The way most people learn how to take a screenshot on iPhone 16 is the classic two-button combo. It’s the muscle memory move. You just have to be quick. If you hold them too long, you’ll end up on the "Slide to Power Off" screen or accidentally triggering an SOS call, which is awkward.
- Locate the Side Button (on the right) and the Volume Up button (on the left).
- Press both at the exact same time.
- Let go immediately.
You’ll see a flash on the screen, hear that satisfying camera shutter click (unless you’re on silent), and a little thumbnail will pop up in the bottom-left corner. If you ignore it, it slides away after a few seconds and saves to your Photos. If you tap it, you get the markup tools. This is where you can draw messy circles around things or crop out your battery percentage so nobody sees you're living on 2%.
The Action Button: A total game changer?
If you have the iPhone 16 Pro or even the base 16, you’ve got that Action Button sitting right above the volume rockers. Most people use it for the flashlight or Mute mode, but you can actually make it your dedicated screenshot button.
I’ll be honest: it’s way easier than the two-button squeeze.
To set this up, you have to go into Settings, then Action Button. Swipe through the options until you hit Shortcut. From there, you search for "Take Screenshot." Now, whenever you're in an app and see something you need to save, you just press and hold that one button. No more finger gymnastics.
Why the Camera Control button doesn't work (yet)
Here is a common misconception: people see the new Camera Control button on the bottom right and assume it’s a universal "capture" button. It makes sense, right? It looks like a camera shutter.
But as of right now, that button is strictly for the camera app and Visual Intelligence. You can’t use it to take a screenshot of your home screen or a text thread. Apple might change this in a future iOS update—they love adding customization later—but for now, don't go mashing it expecting a screen grab. It won't happen.
Taking a scrolling screenshot (The "Full Page" trick)
Ever tried to capture a long recipe or a news article and ended up with six different images in your gallery? It’s a mess. Most users don't realize that iOS has a built-in scrolling screenshot feature, though it's kinda hidden.
First off, this usually only works in Safari, Mail, or Pages. It won't work in Instagram or TikTok because of how those apps are built.
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- Take a normal screenshot using the buttons.
- Tap the thumbnail in the corner before it disappears.
- At the very top of the editing screen, you’ll see two tabs: Screen and Full Page.
- Tap Full Page.
Suddenly, you have a slider on the right that lets you see the entire webpage. When you hit "Done," you can save it as a PDF to your Files app. It’s much cleaner than having a bunch of disjointed JPEGs.
Back Tap: The "Secret" gesture
If you hate buttons entirely, you should probably be using Back Tap. It’s tucked away in the Accessibility settings, and it feels like magic when it works. Basically, you just tap the literal back of your phone—on the Apple logo—and it triggers the screenshot.
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch.
- Scroll all the way down to Back Tap.
- Choose Double Tap or Triple Tap.
- Select Screenshot from the list.
A little tip: if you use a really thick, heavy-duty case, the double tap can be a bit finicky. You might have to tap a little harder or switch to triple tap to avoid accidental captures when you're just putting your phone down on a table.
The Dynamic Island mystery
One thing that catches people off guard with the iPhone 16 is why the Dynamic Island (the pill-shaped cutout at the top) sometimes shows up in screenshots and sometimes doesn't.
Usually, the Dynamic Island is invisible in your photos. However, if it’s "active"—meaning you have a timer running, music playing, or an AirDrop in progress—it will show up in the screenshot. If it's just sitting there black and idle, the software fills in the gap so the screenshot looks like a clean, solid rectangle.
Hands-free with Siri
"Hey Siri, take a screenshot."
It’s basic, but it works. This is great if you’re cooking and your hands are covered in flour, or if you’re working on a car and need to save a diagram without touching the screen. With the new Apple Intelligence updates, Siri is a lot faster at processing these commands, so you aren't sitting there waiting for three seconds while the moment passes.
Where did my screenshot go?
It sounds silly, but people lose these all the time. By default, they go to your Photos app. But if you want to find them fast, don't just scroll through your "All Photos" feed.
Open Photos, tap Albums, and scroll down to the Media Types section. There is a specific folder labeled Screenshots. Everything is curated there automatically. If you used the "Full Page" method, check the Files app instead, as those usually save as PDFs rather than images.
Actionable Next Steps
- Try the Action Button: If you find the Volume Up + Side Button combo annoying, go to Settings > Action Button and map it to Shortcut > Take Screenshot. It's the most ergonomic way to handle it.
- Clean up your screenshots: Every month, go to the Screenshots folder in your Albums and delete the stuff you don't need. These files are usually PNGs and can take up more space than you think.
- Master the Full Page: Next time you're in Safari, try the "Full Page" toggle. It's the best way to share information without sending ten different messages.
- Check your Back Tap: If you keep finding random screenshots in your library that you didn't mean to take, check if Back Tap is on. It might be triggering while the phone is in your pocket or a cup holder.
Taking a screenshot on iPhone 16 doesn't have to be a struggle. Once you pick the method that fits your grip, it becomes second nature. Whether you're a traditionalist using the buttons or a power user with the Action Button, you've got plenty of options to capture what's on your screen.