Intermediate 4 min read Updated: 2026-08-25

How to Take Screenshots & Record Screen Video Using ADB

Capture pixel-perfect Android display screenshots and record 1080p MP4 videos directly from command line.

Prerequisites & Requirements

  • Android device connected via ADB

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Take Screenshot and Save to Phone SD Card

Captures frame to /sdcard/Download/screen.png.

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/Download/screen.png
2

Pull Screenshot to Computer

Downloads the screenshot to your computer.

adb pull /sdcard/Download/screen.png ./screenshot.png
3

One-Step Screenshot to Computer (exec-out)

Streams directly to local PC without saving on device.

adb exec-out screencap -p > screenshot.png
4

Record Screen Video to MP4

Records video for 30 seconds.

adb shell screenrecord --time-limit 30 /sdcard/Download/demo.mp4