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how to take screen shots without rooting your droid

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

since we just gave you this application to take screen captures with a rooted phone, it probably would have been nice of us to give you an option without rooting right?  luckily we have the greatest readers on the planet and they quickly pointed out this link which gives you the instructions to do just that...

How to take the shots:
  1. Download and install the Android SDK. Don’t worry – unlike some SDKs, installing the Android kit is completely straightforward.
  2. Enable USB Debugging on the device by going to Settings -> Applications -> Development and checking the proper box.
  3. Plug the Android device into the USB port.
  4. Find the folder containing the SDK you just installed. The location will vary depending on which operating system you’re using, and where you chose to install it. On all platforms, the folder name should begin with “android-sdk-”. For example, the folder for the current build on OS X is “android-sdk-mac_x86-1.0_r1″
  5. Open the tools folder within the Android SDK folder.
  6. Double click the file titled “DDMS”. This stands for Dalvik Debug Monitor Service.
  7. In DDMS, your device should be listed. Highlight it by clicking on it.
  8. In the application’s top menus, go to Device -> Screen capture.
You should be good to go. Use the handset to navigate to whatever screen you want a shot of, press the “Refresh” button to recapture the screen, and once you’ve got it just right, hit the “Save” button. Once you’ve gone through it the first time, the process is actually easier than busting out the point-and-shoot.
thanks andrew!

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5 comments

  1. Home++ actually comes with its own ability to screen capture with the press of the camera or "back" button. But only screen capture your HOME screens. Which is exactly what I use it for

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  2. Which makes me wonder why someone cant create an app that will screencap without being rooted? Home++ sort of does it, so the technology is there...

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  3. your welcome! i've posted before from my Google account (jeesung), but it's giving me an error trying that today.

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  4. @ O: word but with the g1

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  5. @ Kellex

    I believe it is the Android "sandboxing" that is preventing system-wide screen shots. The Home app can probably take pictures of its screen, but I suspect (without rooting) apps can't peek at other apps screens (to allow this would be a big security problem).

    -Xark

    ReplyDelete

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