The official method for taking a screenshot on Android requires pressing the power button and the volume-down button at the same time. Other devices use a long press of the power button, and there's always a proprietary combination that forces you to check the manual, but the truth is that you can also capture the screen with the help of software. One of the best options out there is Screenshot Tile, a free and open-source app.
One of the most important problems you face when using generic devices daily is the inevitable wearing down of their main buttons. Personally, I can say that the volume-down button stopped working on my tablet, which means that taking screenshots on Android is a real pain.
I know I'm not the only one in that situation, and although it's technically possible to look for a replacement, sometimes we need a shortcut to get out of trouble. That shortcut is Screenshot Tile, an open-source application developed by “cvzi” on GitHub that moves the screenshot function on Android to a virtual button, configurable through the Quick Settings section.
How to capture the screen on Android with Screenshot Tile
The video shows the exact process for adding the Screenshot Tile icon to Quick Settings, but the story doesn't end there. On its first run, you must accept capture and storage permissions. The good news is that Screenshot Tile doesn't need root access, and it also offers two capture methods.
The first is “Original” or “Legacy”, recommended for devices running Android 8.x or earlier. Essentially, Screenshot Tile uses the recording/casting function to capture a single frame, and stores it as a PNG (although you can change it if you wish). The second method is “Native”, compatible with Android 9 or later, and it accesses the standard capture function, meaning it's equivalent to pressing Power+VolDown. The only thing Screenshot Tile asks with this mode is to activate the accessibility service once.
Personally, I decided not to change anything in the Screenshot Tile settings, and I'm surprised at how well it works. The app is available through the Play Store, on F-Droid, and as a standalone APK on its GitHub profile. To wrap up, the only technical limitation is that it doesn't work below Android Nougat (7.x). Download a copy!
Official website: Click here
