![Why is my phone taking random screenshots [How to Fix]](https://www.techjive.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Why-is-my-phone-taking-random-screenshots-How-to-Fix.png)
Wouldn’t your phone give you the creeps if it starts taking random screenshots all by itself? It’s easy to conclude that some malevolent dark spirit has possessed or taken over your device, wreaking havoc on your phone storage.
Before you press the panic button, know that there is a logical and scientific explanation for this eerie phenomenon. To help you out, we created this guide with proven hacks to resolve the issue and keep your phone in order. Read on!
Why is my phone taking screenshots by itself?
Technology has made life easier for us but can also become a source of confusion. Indeed, you may be surprised how certain aspects of technology you take for granted can push your smartphone to take those random screenshots.
One thing is sure: your phone taking screenshots is no good news, as this is bound to take up most of your storage and fill it with unwanted pictures. Below are the most common reasons smartphones seem to have a life of their own and behave badly.
On Android Phones
While Android users may have found that their phones are taking random screenshots, the experience has also manifested in iPhones. Similarly, getting a glimpse of the reasons behind this issue in Android phones will help you troubleshoot iOS smartphones better.
POSSIBLE CAUSE 1. Newly Installed Apps
There’s an excellent possibility your smart Android phone is going haywire due to the latest apps you installed. Checking on these online tools could be a timely way to get your phone in order, keeping random screenshots at bay.
POSSIBLE CAUSE 2. Screen Protector/Phone Case
Technology has become so advanced your phone can detect the slightest touch, tap, and vibration. For one, haptics or touch feedback has become central in communicating with your device.
It’s possible your device could be receiving the slightest touch and activating screenshots while in your bag or back pocket. A slight simultaneous press on the power + volume down button could trigger such action.
It would be good to look into your screen protector and phone case. If these are too tight and your device is not snugly fit, you may have to change these accessories or do away with them altogether.
POSSIBLE CAUSE 3. Capture Gestures
Capture gestures are a brilliant way to screenshot your phone, as it’s easy to do. But such user-friendly features can backfire; this could mean screenshots may be triggered easily by this means.
Some of the most recent capture tech these days are:
- Screen capture using three fingers
- Screen capture by sliding the palm
Disabling them should contain the issue at hand. The chances of accidental screenshots if experiencing a screenshot problem could go down.
POSSIBLE CAUSE 4. Outdated System
As new phone issues arise, software updates ensure these errors are handled. Installing them, therefore, ensures that you have far fewer operational glitches and far fewer screen problems.
Your phone getting random screenshots could be contained if you have the latest phone system version. In this regard, install these software improvements every now and then.
POSSIBLE CAUSE 5. Old Age
If you’ve been using your phone for some time now, the buttons may not be as snappy as they used to be due to old age. That could translate to random screenshots being taken without your knowledge or permission.
The keys could also be affected if your Android device has experienced shock due to an accidental drop. They could malfunction and may be constantly activated even without your input.
On iPhones
If you’re an iPhone user and ask yourself, “Why is my phone taking random screenshots?” then you’re in good company. Many iOS users have complained about their smartphones behaving like this.
POSSIBLE CAUSE 1. System Update
While the reasons are similar to those of Android users, the problem usually manifests strangely. Most users who reported the “random screenshots” issue did so after they installed the iOS 14 update.
POSSIBLE CAUSE 2. Back Tap Feature
We must also look at unique ways to trigger an iPhone to take a screenshot. Top of that list is the back tap feature, which can set into motion a certain set of actions, including automatic screenshots.
How to Fix My Phone from Taking Screenshots Randomly
It’s all about covering all the bases and ensuring that we cater to all the possible reasons your phone is behaving badly. We shall show proven hacks to get this done for Android and iPhone users.
4 Fixes for Android Phones
The solutions may differ slightly from one Android phone manufacturer to another. But overall, the steps below guide you on approaching this screenshot issue, no matter the Android phone brand or model.
FIX 1: Look Into Newly Installed Apps
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 5 |
| Time to Perform Fix | 40 seconds |
| Things Needed | Any Android phone A working internet connection |
If you want to start right, checking your phone’s most recently added apps is thinking straight. Doing so will give you more significant percentages in identifying the underlying causes behind the mess.
Step 1: Go to Google Play Store on your Android phone. |
Step 2: Tap on your Profile icon.  |
Step 3: Tap Manage apps and devices.  |
Step 4: Tap Manage.  |
| Step 5: Tap Installed, then choose Recently Added. |
Recently installed apps could be the most likely culprits causing the issue at hand. These just-in tools or games may interfere with your smartphone’s screenshot ability without you knowing, so looking at the list should be a great start.
Check the permissions that have been given for these recent apps. Look thoroughly; you may have to delete the app once you notice something fishy.
FIX 2: Do Away with the Screen Protector/Phone Case
Sometimes, the screen protector or the phone case may not be the right fit and could cause your smartphone to screenshot by itself, triggered by slight movements. The solution here is obvious: Nix them.
Remember that the Volume Down + Power buttons pressed together command your device to take a screenshot. Removing the screen accessories should help you determine if they’re causing the problem.
Take out the phone case and observe. If the issue continues, you may have to take out the screen protector too and check for any positive chances; if not, buying new accessories to replace both could be top of your list.
FIX 3: Do Away With 3 Finger Swipe Down Screenshot
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 5 |
| Time to Perform Fix | 30 to 40 seconds |
| Things Needed | Any Android phone A working internet connection |
Not all Android smartphones enjoy Gesture Controls, but if you have Android 10 devices or higher then you will have to contend with them. Here, we’ll detail how to disable a 3-finger swipe-down to capture screenshots of an Android 10 Vivo phone.
| Step 1: Tap Settings. |
Step 2: Tap the Additional Settings option. |
Step 3: Tap Gestures Shortcut. |
Step 4: Tap Take a Screenshot.  |
Step 5: Toggle Slide 3 fingers down option. |
That should do it. If you miss the 3-fingers feature, you can follow the same path above to toggle it back on.
FIX 4: Update System Software
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 5 |
| Time to Perform Fix | 30 to 40 seconds |
| Things Needed | Any Android phone A working internet connection |
Last but not least, you need to arm your Android with the latest updates to be in tiptop shape. Don’t worry; making it happen should be a walk in the park, with the steps below all laid out.
Step 1: Tap Settings.  |
Step 2: Tap System Updates option (below).  |
Step 3: Choose Check for System Updates |
Step 4: Tap Yes, if System Update Available |
| Step 5: Toggle Slide 3 fingers down option. |
Now that that is settled in let’s take a closer look at iOS smartphones and how to keep in line with devices that take random screenshots all by themselves.
Fix for iPhones
Since the iPhone has its own distinct smartphone OS, the way to handle the random screenshots issue is to look at the unique triggers that the device can make an automatic screenshot. Thus, the solutions below should be timely.
FIX: Disable Back Tap Feature
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 5 |
| Time to Perform Fix | 30 to 60 seconds |
| Things Needed | iPhone 8 or higher A working internet connection |
The “Back Tap” feature is a new feature carried by the latest iPhones. Once activated, this feature will set into motion various actions triggered by simply tapping the phone’s back side twice or thrice, depending on the pre-arranged setup.
The automatic screenshot is one of the actions that could be triggered. While “Back Tap” is incredibly useful, it can create unwanted complications, and turning the feature off should be timely.
Step 1: Tap Settings.  Note: The “Back Tap” feature is not available on older models of iPhone. It works on iPhone 8 and the newest models running on iOS 14. If your phone is an older model that upgraded to iOS 14, the feature may still not work. |
Step 2: Choose Accessibility.  |
Step 3: Scroll down and tap the Back Tap option.  |
Step 4: Tap Double Tap.  |
Step 5: Tap None to deactivate Double Tap.  |
The same process should be followed to turn off the triple tap Back Tap feature that triggers a screenshot action. With these features out of the way, you should not fear any untoward screenshots triggered by any slight tap on your iPhone.
Additionally, as detailed above, the solutions that work for an Android phone should give you an idea of what to do with your iPhone if you’re having screenshot issues. Thus, update your system software and check on your screen protector/phone case.
Can hackers screenshot your phone?
If a hacker gains access to your phone, he may take screenshots. That is simply because he controls your device and can manipulate your phone as he pleases.
However, taking a screen grab may be the least of your worries. Far too often, hackers are after sensitive data such as passwords, bank details, and other information that can make easy money.
What are the signs that your phone is hacked?
When a hacker gains control of your device, he’s bound to change things in your smartphone. So, a good indication that your phone is hacked is the appearance of apps you didn’t download and communication (e.g., text, calls) that you didn’t engage in.
There’s also the case of data usage. If your data consumption is way higher than it used to be, then there’s a good chance someone else has gained control of your device.
How do you find out if a phishing app has taken screenshots of your phone?
Any phishing app taking screenshots and gaining control of your phone is bound to affect your device in one way or the other. The telltale signs include:
- Battery draining faster than usual
- The phone is constantly overheating
- Unexplained charges
- Too many pop-up ads
- New mysterious apps installed
Also you can follow the steps below to check for malicious screenshots on your phone.
| Step 1: Go to Google Play Store on your Android phone. |
| Step 2: Tap on your Profile icon. |
| Step 3: Tap Manage apps and devices. |
| Step 4: Tap Manage. |
| Step 5: Tap Installed, then choose Most Used. |
If there is a malicious app, it’s bound to show up in the most used apps on your device. These apps operate even when you do not download them.
When I screenshot infected files online, can my phone be infected by malware?
It’s highly unlikely that a screenshot can infect your phone, but it’s possible. It may sound doubtful, but malware and computer viruses could be injected into a digital photo that isn’t suspect.
The method for incorporating digital photos with malware is called steganography. The process is actually done by embedding a file in another.
However, if you’re phone has been infected by a virus, there’s a good chance you have been infected by the website you’ve just visited and not by a picture you have taken a screenshot of.
Regularly scanning your device for malware infections is a good way to fight viruses. This is where legitimate antivirus software is most useful.
