Taking a screenshot on an iPhone 6 is a simple process once you know the exact button combination. If you need to capture a receipt, a text conversation, or an error message on your screen, pressing the physical Home and Sleep/Wake buttons simultaneously will save the current display to your Photos app instantly.
For users upgrading from older devices or switching from Android, mastering this basic shortcut is the first step to navigating iOS smoothly. Beyond the standard hardware method, this guide covers assistive touch alternatives, troubleshooting steps for unresponsive buttons, and how to edit and share your captured images.
Understanding the Physical Button Combination
The standard method for capturing your screen relies on two physical buttons on the hardware body. The iPhone 6 features a Sleep/Wake button on the right side and a circular Home button centered below the display.
- Locate the Sleep/Wake button on the right edge of your phone.
- Locate the Home button directly below the screen.
- Press and hold both buttons at the exact same time.
- Release them quickly.
When you perform this action correctly, the screen flashes white, and you hear a camera shutter sound if your device's volume is turned up. A small thumbnail of the captured image appears temporarily in the bottom-left corner of your display. Tapping this thumbnail opens the markup editor, while swiping it to the left dismisses it immediately.
Finding Your Saved Screenshots
Once captured, the image is saved automatically to your internal storage. You don't need to manually save the file to a folder.
- Open the Photos app from your home screen.
- Tap on the Albums tab at the bottom right.
- Scroll down and select the Screenshots album, where iOS automatically categorizes all screen captures.
Using AssistiveTouch When Buttons Fail
Hardware buttons on older devices like the iPhone 6 can wear out over time. If your physical Home button or Sleep/Wake button is broken or unresponsive, you can still capture your screen using AssistiveTouch, an accessibility feature built into iOS.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap on General, then select Accessibility.
- Scroll down and tap on AssistiveTouch, then toggle the switch to the on position.
- A floating semi-transparent button will appear on your screen. You can drag this button to any edge of the display for convenience.
To take a screenshot using this feature:
- Tap the AssistiveTouch floating button to open the menu.
- Select Device, then tap More.
- Tap the Screenshot icon.
The screen will flash just like it does when using the physical buttons, and the image will save to your Photos app. You can also customize the AssistiveTouch menu so that "Screenshot" appears on the main menu, reducing the number of taps required.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes taking a screenshot doesn't work as expected. Review these common snags and fixes to resolve issues quickly.
- Accidental Siri Activation: If you hold the Home button down too long while trying to capture a screenshot, Siri will activate instead. Make sure you press and release both buttons simultaneously and quickly.
- Storage Full Warning: If your device lacks available storage space, iOS won't let you save new images. Check your storage usage in Settings under General and iPhone Storage.
- Unresponsive Buttons: If physical buttons fail to register, clean around the edges of the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button with a dry microfiber cloth, or use the AssistiveTouch method outlined above.
For additional device support and official documentation, you can visit the Apple Support Center.
Editing and Sharing Your Screen Capture
After capturing what you need, you can edit the image before sending it to someone else. Tapping the thumbnail immediately after taking the screenshot opens a suite of markup tools.
- Crop: Drag the corners of the bounding box inward to remove unwanted parts of the image.
- Draw and Annotate: Use the pen, marker, or pencil tools to circle important details or write notes directly on the image.
- Magnifier: Add a magnifying glass bubble to zoom in on specific text or interface elements.
- Share: Tap the share icon in the top right corner to send the image via Messages, Mail, or upload it to social media apps.
When you're finished editing, tap Done in the top left corner and choose Save to Photos.
