The screenshot function is one of the most practical and versatile tools on any Android mobile.While most users associate this feature with saving everything that is shown on the display, more and more people are looking for the possibility of capture only a specific part, protecting private data or focusing on relevant information.
Sometimes you just want to share a message, a fragment of an image, a specific piece of information, or cut out irrelevant elements, avoiding post-editing and maximizing privacy. Fortunately, modern Android phones incorporate native and alternative options for taking partial screenshots, without relying on third-party applications.
Did you know that in addition to the classic buttons and gestures, Android lets you perform quick snipping, scrolling screenshots, use voice assistants, and have accessible menus for this purpose? In this guide, we'll explain everything. All the ways to take partial shots, how to find them by brand, how to crop accurately, and the lesser-known tricks to get the most out of this feature..
What exactly is a partial screenshot and how does it differ from a full screenshot?
An partial screenshot It's an image that captures only a selected area of what's shown on the device's display. Instead of saving the entire content, you can choose using a gesture, box, or tool, the portion of the screen you want to save, copy, or share.
Its advantages go far beyond simple comfort:
- Enhanced privacy: By selecting only the relevant area, you can hide notifications, backgrounds, or personal data you don't want to display.
- Saving time and steps: The need to manually edit each screenshot before sharing is eliminated.
- Greater focus and understanding: The recipient will quickly understand which information, message, or part of the screen is relevant, avoiding confusion.
- Versatility for all types of uses: From chats, web sections, map fragments, images, or instructions to lists and charts, everything can be cropped to size.
Furthermore, Current systems allow you to select different clipping shapes such as rectangular, oval, circular, or freehand. All without relying on third-party apps, with direct integration into most Android platforms.
How do you know if your Android phone includes partial screenshots?
Partial screenshot is a feature that more and more manufacturers are integrating as standard.However, depending on the brand, model, or system version, it may be activated immediately upon purchase or require prior configuration.
- Locate the option in Settings: Accede to Settings and use the search engine to type "screenshot," "partial screenshot," or "gestures." Explore the related sections.
- Activate if necessary: If the switch or check exists partial screenshot, activate it. On some models (especially Xiaomi, POCO, Redmi, OPPO, Realme, OnePlus, Motorola, Huawei, Honor), it's usually found under "Additional Settings" or in the configurable gestures section.
- Check help or support: If you can't find the option, check your phone's manual, the official website, or consult the support forums for updates.
- Not available natively: On phones without dedicated features, you can use universal methods such as post-capture editing, specialized apps, or system gestures.
Tip: After major system updates, review the available options, as Android overlays often add or move them within menus.
How to Activate and Use Partial Capture: Detailed Guide by Make and Model
Below is detailed How to access and use the partial screenshot feature from major manufacturers, so you can get the most out of your device regardless of its custom interface:
Partial screenshot on Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO (MIUI and HyperOS)
- Opens Settings on your Xiaomi mobile (also compatible with Redmi and POCO).
- Accede to Additional adjustments and then to Gesture shortcuts.
- Search Partial screenshot and activate the “three-finger press and hold” option.
- Once enabled, long-press with three fingers on the screen where you want to capture: you will see the tools to select the area appear.
- Choose between cropping shapes: rectangular, oval or free (including circles and stars), adjust the area and confirm.
Additional features: The editor that opens after selecting the area allows you to change the cropping method at any time, share the image directly (without saving it if you don't want to), edit it with built-in tools (annotations, pixelation, highlighting, etc.), and quickly delete the screenshot. If you want to delete the image after sharing it, activate the corresponding checkbox that appears on your Xiaomi phone. This is a useful option to prevent screenshots from accumulating in your gallery.
Partial screenshot on Huawei and Honor (EMUI and Magic UI)
- Opens Settings and search for “partial screenshot,” “special screenshot,” or “smart gestures.”
- Activate the option and select the gesture you prefer: in most models you can do this. double-tapping the screen with your knuckles or by holding down three fingers (the gesture varies depending on the version of EMUI or Magic UI).
- When you activate the function, choose the area and shape: rectangular, oval, heart-shaped, or free.
- You can edit, save, or share your screenshot directly from the quick actions window that appears after making your selection.
This feature is available on most Huawei and Honor devices, making it easy to personalize and protect your privacy.
Partial screenshot on OnePlus, OPPO, and Realme
- Accede to Settings and go to the section “Screenshot”, “Gestures and movements” or similar.
- Activate the partial screenshot and choose the gesture: in most, hold three fingers on the screen or slide them.
- Doing so displays an interface for selecting the area and shape: rectangle, oval, or free-cut.
- Edit, save, or share the image from the quick accesses.
These brands have stood out for offering a fast and customizable experience, allowing each user to choose the most convenient method.
Partial screenshot on Samsung (One UI and Galaxy series)
- On Samsung, partial screenshots aren't as visible as on Xiaomi or OPPO, but you can achieve it:
- Make one full capture (power button + volume down), and in the preview tap Edit to crop the image before sharing or saving it.
- Search in Settings > Advanced features > Movements and gestures to check if your model supports additional capture gestures.
- Some older models allow you to take screenshots by sliding the side of your hand across the screen, but these are usually full-frame (requiring subsequent cropping).
Important: If your Samsung doesn't have a native direct partial capture option, use the universal alternatives for post-capture cropping.
Partial capture on Google Pixel and pure Android devices
- Pixel phones and those running pure Android typically don't include a native partial capture tool.
- When taking a screenshot (power + volume down), you can select Edit o Cut out in the pop-up notification and thus select the desired area.
- Starting with Android 12, there is the Quick Tap gesture (double tap on the back) to which you can assign the screenshot action: go to Settings > System > Gestures > Quick touch.
- Then, manually edit the image by cropping the area you want to save or share.
Tip: If you need frequent partial captures, consider third-party apps for added convenience.
Other manufacturers: Motorola, LG, ASUS, BQ, ZTE, Sony and more
- Most of these models use the standard method of power button + volume down for full captures.
- In some cases, you can find configurable gestures, shortcuts, or accessibility menus to make capturing easier.
- Check into Settings options such as “partial capture”, “immediate crop” or “instant editor”, although they are not always present by default.
All complementary methods for partial captures: universal and alternative options
Does your Android device not have a native partial capture option? Don't worry, there are several alternatives that are just as simple and effective:
Immediate editing after capture
Almost all modern Android phones display a notification with the newly captured image. Simply tap Edit o Cut out Before saving or sharing, select only the relevant area. This is the most straightforward way if your system doesn't support partial gestures.
Accessibility menus
- Activate the accessibility menu in Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility menuA floating button will appear, always accessible.
- Press the button to make a full capture, and crop immediately from the preview.
- Ideal for users who have difficulty with physical buttons or want constant access.
Custom gestures or quick tap
- On supported devices (like the Google Pixel), set up advanced gestures—for example, double-tap the back of your phone to take a partial screenshot on Android. To do this, see How to capture a screenshot using three fingers in HyperOS.
- Set to Settings > System > Gestures > Quick touch, assigning the desired option.
- Crop the screenshot using the built-in editor.
Third-party applications for partial screenshots
If none of the above is enough for you, there are specific apps on Google Play for partial captures, some of the most well-known are:
- Screenshot Assistant: It allows you to easily capture and crop using the Home button, although you'll have to prioritize this feature over Google Assistant if you use it frequently.
- Screenshot Crop & Share: Specializing in quick, manual cropping and editing, perfect for frequent captures.
- Super Screenshot: Includes editing, annotation, and cropping tools in different shapes.
- Screenmaster: It offers partial capture modes, advanced editing, annotations, and custom gesture support.
Recommendation: Before installing any app, review the reviews, requested permissions, and privacy policies.
Quick gestures and advanced methods: Take your partial screenshots on Android to the next level
Manufacturers' customization layers have significantly improved shortcuts and gestures for partial captures. Among the most popular:
Three-finger captures
- Hold down three fingers: It works on Xiaomi, OPPO, Realme, OnePlus, Huawei, Motorola and others, by directly activating the area selector.
- Swipe down with three fingers: Present in some models and previous versions for quick captures.
Slide the side of your hand
- Especially on Samsung, swipe the edge of your hand across the screen for a snapshot (usually full; crop later).
Knuckle taps or singular gestures
- On Huawei and Honor, knuckle gestures (gently tapping the screen once or twice) can activate the area selector for partial capture.
- On Motorola and other manufacturers, explore customizable or custom gestures.
Cropping and editing tools after partial capture: all the possibilities
Once you activate the partial capture function, a message will usually appear selection interface with multiple options:
- Shape selector: Choose between rectangular, circular/oval, or free-form cropping. Useful for tailoring the capture to the information you want to highlight.
- Adjusting size and area: You can manually modify the selected area before confirming the capture.
- editing options: Add text, draw, highlight, pixelate sensitive areas, or write comments in seconds before sharing or saving.
- Undo/Redo Tools: If you make a mistake when selecting the area, it's easy to correct it instantly.
- Instant Sharing: You can send the image directly via WhatsApp, email, social media, or compatible apps, without saving it to your gallery if you prefer.
Pro tip: Take advantage of the preview to check that no personal information, notifications, or irrelevant details appear before sharing your image.
Advanced Screenshots: How to Take a Scrolling Screenshot
In addition to partial captures, another highly requested function is the scrolling screenshot. Allows you to capture long conversations, extensive lists, entire web pages, or multi-screen documents in a single image.
- Take a normal screenshot using the usual button combination (power + volume down).
- In the preview that appears on the screen, click on “Catch more”, "Displace" or the arrow icon indicating scrolling.
- Swipe down on the screen or let your phone automatically zoom in to cover the desired area.
- Save or edit the extended capture from the interface itself.
Availability: This feature is available on Xiaomi, OPPO, Realme, OnePlus, Samsung, Huawei, Google Pixel (with recent Android versions), and more. If your phone doesn't include it, there are apps like longshot o Stitch & Share specialized in this type of captures.
Frequently Asked Questions About Partial Screenshots on Android
- Can I take a partial screenshot in any app? No, some apps block the feature for privacy reasons, such as banking services, protected streaming apps, or apps with security restrictions. In these cases, the image often appears black or cropping is unavailable.
- Where are partial captures saved? Usually in the folder Pictures/Screenshots o DCIM/Screenshots from the file manager or gallery.
- Is it possible to share the screenshot directly after cropping it? Yes, most systems allow you to share the image without saving it by choosing the messaging, email, or social network app from the menu.
- What should I do if my phone doesn't offer this option? Use post-capture editing methods, alternative gestures, accessibility menus, or one of the recommended third-party apps.
Tips, tricks, and best practices to get the most out of partial capture
- Check the activation of the gesture or shortcut after each system update: Sometimes methods change or are reconfigured after an update.
- Try different types of clipping depending on the situation: For profile photos, use the circular format, for text, the rectangular format, and for irregular elements, free cropping.
- Use quick edit: Add annotations, arrows, highlight important items, pixelate private data, or write comments in seconds before sharing.
- Keep your operating system and apps always up to date: The latest versions often improve usability, adding gestures, new shapes, and editing tools.
- Activate the accessibility menu if you have physical difficulties: It will greatly facilitate the process of quick and personalized captures.
Recent news and improvements to the partial capture feature
The latest versions of Android and more advanced customization layers have perfected gesture detection. (such as the three-finger one), they have expanded the range of available ways to crop and have added new shortcuts in the quick panel or by voice.
Leading manufacturers continue to optimize the integration of partial capture, native image editors, and sharing methods, helping you protect your privacy, save time, and leverage your mobile device for all types of everyday and professional situations.
Now that you know All the options available for taking partial screenshots on Android, you can adapt the method to your needs, enjoy instant access and precise cuts on any device. For more details, also discover How to take screenshots on Xiaomi phones and access practical resources on all the photography features on your smartphone.
