How to Take a Screenshot on Xbox Series X or S

This article details the methods for taking a screenshot on the Xbox Series X or S consoles, using the Share button and the Guide button. It also covers how to change the resolution of screenshots and share them with others.

How to Take Screenshots With the Xbox Series X/S Share Button

The new share button included on the Xbox Series X/S controller makes it easier to snap screenshots than ever before, which is key when you're in the heat of the moment and can't afford to take attention away from the game while you muddle through menus.

Here's how to snap a screenshot on your Xbox Series X or S with the share button:

1. Start playing a game on your Xbox Series X or S.

   

2. When something happens that you want to document, immediately press the Share button on your Xbox Series X/S controller.

3. A message will appear on the screen verifying that you captured a screenshot.

   

4. Press the Guide button if you want to view the screenshot.

   

   You are safe to just keep playing the game if you want. Your screenshot will be available to view and share later, as it has been saved to your Xbox Series X or S hard drive.

How to Change the Screenshot Resolution

Since screenshots take up space, Microsoft gives you the option to choose the quality for your snaps. This option also changes the resolution for video recordings of game footage, which can eat up space even faster. If you want to prioritize taking the best shots possible over saving space, then you can bump the quality all the way up to 1440p on your Xbox Series S, or 4K HDR with your Xbox Series X.

Here’s how to take screenshots on your Xbox Series X or S with the quality of your choice:

1. Press the Guide button, and navigate to Profile & system > Settings.

   

2. Navigate to Preferences > Capture & share.

   

3. Select Game clip resolution.

   

4. Choose the resolution you prefer.

   

   Xbox Series S and X both allow 720 and 1080p capture, while Xbox Series X also allows 4k HDR capture.

How to Share Your Xbox Series X and S Screenshots

Unless you’re snapping shots just to remember your own gaming exploits, you’re probably going to want to upload those screenshots to share with your friends. Fortunately, Xbox Series X and S make it easy to upload if you want to share on social media, upload to your OneDrive, post to your feed, and a few other options as well.

How to share your Xbox Series X and S screenshots:

1. Press the Guide button.

   

2. Navigate to Capture & share > Recent captures.

   

   Navigate instead to Capture & share > Share last capture if you specifically want to share the last screenshot you took.

3. Select the screenshot you want to share.

   

4. Select the sharing method.

   • Activity feed: Shares the screenshot to your activity feed.
   • Message: Lets you send a message with the screenshot attached.
   • X/Twitter: Sends the screenshot to your feed if you have one linked.
   • See all sharing options: Provides additional sharing options, like uploading to your OneDrive or sharing with a club.

   

5. Log in if prompted.

6. Select Share Now.

   

How to Screenshot and Share Without the Share Button

The share button is so convenient that you’ll probably end up using it more often than not, but you don’t actually need to use it to take screenshots. This is useful, as the Xbox Series X and S are both fully backwards compatible with Xbox One controllers and peripherals. So if you ever want to snap a screenshot on your Xbox Series X or S with an Xbox One controller, use this method, which is very similar to taking a screenshot on Xbox One.

How to screenshot and share on Xbox Series X and S with the guide button:

1. Start playing a game on your Xbox Series X or S.

   

2. When something happens that you want to capture, press the Guide button on your Xbox controller.

3. When the Guide pops up, press the Y button.

   

4. You'll see a message that a screenshot was captured.

   

5. Press and hold the guide button to view your screenshot immediately, or keep playing and check it out later.