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How to take a screenshot on a BlackBerry smartphone
Taking screenshots on your BlackBerry smartphone can come in handy in a variety of situations, whether you're trying to show a friend something on your phone or you're troubleshooting but don't know how to explain what exactly is happening. This simple tutorial shows you how to take a screenshot.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Jason Cipriani)
You'd be surprised how often taking a screenshot on your phone comes in handy, even if you don't write how-to articles all day. Screenshots are particularly useful when troubleshooting your mobile device through text messages or e-mail. This simple guide covers where to find a screenshot application for BlackBerry smartphones and how to use it.
The first thing you will need to do is download an application such as Capture It. This small application simply adds an item to the menu of your BlackBerry that will allow you to take a screenshot of almost any screen. The application is free and can be found at www.captureitota.com; make sure to visit this link from your BlackBerry's browser, as it will make the installation process a lot easier.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Jason Cipriani)
Once you're visiting the site on your BlackBerry, just scroll down to the download link and click on it.
You will then be presented with an installation screen. Click download and let the BlackBerry do the work for you.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Jason Cipriani)
If you are prompted to trust the application, select yes.
In order for Capture It to work properly, you will need to make sure that all of its application permissions are set to allow. In order to set the permissions, follow the steps below on your BlackBerry.
- Go into Options.
- Find the applications list. For BlackBerry OS 6, go to the search bar in Options and search for "application management." On any OS below BlackBerry 6, select Advanced Options, then select Applications.
- Find Capture It, press the menu key, and select Edit Permissions.
- Change all permissions to allow.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Jason Cipriani)
Now that all permissions are set properly for Capture It, you can take a screenshot of nearly any screen on your phone by pressing the menu key and scrolling to the Capture It option.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Jason Cipriani)
Alternatively, you can select the visible Capture It icon, or set a convenience key to activate Capture It. Some third-party applications override systemwide menu items, in which case you won't see Capture It as a menu option, so setting a convenience key for Capture It is a great way to be able to take screenshots no matter what.
To set a convenience key on your BlackBerry:
- Go into Options.
- On BlackBerry OS 6, go to the search bar in Options and search for "convenience key." On any OS below BlackBerry 6, go into Options and select Screen and Keyboard.
- Set the convenience key of choice to activate Capture It.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Jason Cipriani)
Now, whenever you press that convenience key a screenshot will be taken. All screenshots, regardless of the method used to take them, will be saved automatically in the pictures application on your device.
If you would like to see what other screenshot applications are available, a simple search of BlackBerry App World shows quite a long list. Some of these apps are free. They will all work in a similar manner, although some will have more options than the application used as an example in this post.
