How to Mark Up a Screenshot Right After You Take It

Tap a platform to see how to mark up a screenshot.

iPhone

Right after taking a screenshot, tap the thumbnail that appears in the bottom-left corner to immediately draw, add text, or insert shapes.

Android

After capturing a screenshot, tap the Edit button in the notification that pops up to draw, crop, and add text.

Windows

A screenshot taken with the Snipping Tool opens an editor automatically, letting you mark it up right away with a pen or highlighter.

Why It's Useful

Marking the important part of an error screen or an instructional image directly makes it far easier for the other person to understand exactly what you mean.

Make Your Point Clear at a Glance

Sending a plain, unedited screenshot often means describing in words what the recipient should be looking at. Circling or underlining the exact spot instead gets the point across instantly, without a separate editing app or any back-and-forth.

Save an Unedited Copy First If You Might Need the Original

On many devices, saving a marked-up screenshot overwrites the original file rather than keeping both versions. If there's any chance you'll want the clean, unedited screenshot later, duplicate it before you start drawing on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the original screenshot kept separately after I edit it?

It depends on the device β€” many devices save over the original with the edited version, so it's worth making a copy first if you need to keep the unedited screenshot.

Can I still mark up a screenshot if I miss the edit popup?

Yes, opening the saved screenshot again from your gallery or Photos app and tapping the edit icon lets you mark it up at any time afterward.