One of the main selling points of Android is the freedom it offers. Still, there are limits to what you can do. For example, some apps restrict the ability to take screenshots. While this can be frustrating, there are ways to bypass these restrictions.
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Why Do Some Apps Restrict Screenshots?
Annoying as it is, developers don’t restrict screenshots for no reason. Be it privacy or security, there’s always some sense behind the restriction.
Most banking and payment apps block screenshots for security reasons. Chrome blocks screenshots in its Incognito tabs for privacy reasons. Streaming services block screenshots to curb piracy, while apps like Telegram prevent screenshots of self-destructing messages.
While the reasoning may be valid, you might still have legitimate reasons for bypassing these limits. You can still take screenshots anywhere you want. You just have to get your hands dirty a bit.
If bypassing these limits violates the app’s terms of service, privacy policies, or applicable laws, you assume full responsibility for the consequences. Always proceed with caution and ensure your actions respect rules and regulations.
There are various methods for taking screenshots in apps that restrict them. Some methods work in most apps, though not all. Here, we look at three methods: two easy methods that work in some cases and an advanced method that should work every time.
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Use Google Assistant
Some Android apps block screenshots only when you use the standard button combination on your phone. This means that you can bypass the restriction if you use any method other than pressing the power and volume buttons to capture a screenshot.
Google Assistant is a built-in app in most Android phones. Its prominent feature, voice commands, lets you capture screenshots without using the button combination.
- Open the app that you want to screenshot.
- Activate Google Assistant. You can do this by saying Hey Google! or holding the home key depending on your settings.
- Say or type Take a screenshot. Google Assistant will now capture a screenshot.
Unfortunately, this simple method has a low success rate. Apps with robust screenshot restrictions, like Chrome’s Incognito mode or secure banking apps, usually produce a blank or black screen. If this method fails, try one of the advanced techniques below.
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Record the Screen and Take a Screenshot
If traditional screenshot methods fail, you can record the screen instead and then extract the screenshot from the video. Most Android phones come with a built-in screen recording feature. Here’s how:
- Enable the screen recorder on your phone (you’ll typically find it in the Quick Settings menu).
- Start recording the screen while using the app you want to capture.
- Once recorded, play back the video and pause it at the desired frame.
- Take a screenshot of the paused frame using your phone’s button combination or any screenshot tool.
This method can sometimes work, but like Google Assistant, it isn’t foolproof. Some apps block screen recording, so you’ll have a better chance if you start the recording on the home screen. The app might still show as blank in the recording.
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Take Screenshots Using scrcpy
This is the ultimate method as it can bypass virtually any sort of screenshot restriction in Android apps. scrcpy is a lightweight screen mirroring program that lets you view and control your Android phone’s display on your PC. Once you mirror your Android phone’s screen on your computer, you can simply use print screen or something like Window’s Snipping Tool to take screenshots.
scrcpy is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can install scrcpy with Homebrew on macOS. Check the scrcpy GitHub page for full instructions on installing scrcpy on Mac and Linux.
As for this article, we’re going to install scrcpy on Windows, using Windows Package Manager. It requires you to run some code commands, but it’s easier than it looks.
Step 1: Install scrcpy
You can install scrcpy using Windows Package Manager in Command Prompt. Open Command Prompt by searching for cmd in the Start menu. Once inside Command Prompt, run the following command:
winget install Genymobile.scrcpy
This command will call on Windows Package Manager to install scrcpy. This can take a while depending on how fast your connection is.
scrcpy works through Android Device Bridge (ADB), a command-line package that lets you communicate with your Android phone. You won’t have to use ADB for this task, but it is a prerequisite for scrcpy to function. If you don’t have ADB installed, scrcpy will ask for your permission to install it during the installation process. Type Y and press Enter to allow it.
Step 2: Connect Your Phone
With scrcpy installed, the next stage is preparing your phone. For scrcpy to access your phone’s screen, you need to enable USB debugging on your Android device. This requires you to enable Developer mode on your phone.
- Go to Settings on your Android phone.
- Scroll down to the bottom and select System.
- Find and select Developer options.
- Tap the switch next to USB Debugging to change it to On.
Now both your phone and your computer are ready. Connect your phone to your computer’s USB, and enter the command below in Command Prompt:
scrcpy
Once you press Enter, a window will pop open, and you’ll be able to see your phone’s screen. You can even use your computer’s mouse and keyboard to navigate your phone and type with ease. Now with your phone’s screen mirrored onto your computer, you can freely capture screenshots using print screen or other screen capture methods.
Some Android apps restrict screenshots for privacy or security reasons, but with persistence, you can bypass these limitations. If the app only blocks your phone’s screenshot button combination, alternative methods like asking Google Assistant can work, though with limited success.
For a more reliable option, scrcpy allows you to stream your phone’s screen to your computer, where you can capture screenshots freely. After all, it’s your device, and how you use it is ultimately up to you.