Each time we post a set of Android images on our Flickr account, I get several request to explain the process of capturing screens. I wrote a simple guide for using the Android app Screenshot, but it requires root access. If you are looking for a free, easy to use method that works on most operating systems, installing the Android SDK(software development kit) is the way to go.
Included with the Android SDK is a tool named Davlik Debug Monitor(DDMS). Once everything is installed properly, you can use DDMS to capture screens with a single click. When I installed the SDK on my pc running Windows XP, I had everything working in under 5 minutes. However, when I tried to get things working on Vista x64(idk why I’m running Vista) I ran into problems.
The following guide is for users running the 64-bit version of Windows Vista, but the same basic steps apply to different operating systems.
Part 1 – Ensure the Java Development Kit(JDK) is installed and working
Do not install the Windows 64 version of Java
Before we begin to install the Android SDK, we need to check if Java Development kit is properly setup.
- Open up a command prompt window (Shortcut: Windows key + R, then type: cmd)
- Type the following in the command prompt: java -version
- If a version number is returned, the JDK is working. Skip to Part 2.
The correct response when checking Java version
If java is not a recognized command then complete the following steps:
- Visit the official Sun Java site http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp
- Download the latest Java SE Development Kit. Current version at the publish of this article is JDK 6 Update 14
- When prompted for platform at download, select Windows and not Windows x64
- Install the JDK when download is finished. Note the install location
- Right click on My Computer > Select Properties
- Go to the Advanced system settings > Find the Advanced tab and click Environmental Variables
- In the System variables window, scroll down to Path and click Edit
- At the end of the Variable value add the following path. Note a semicolon separates each path. ;C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.6.0_14\bin
- Hit Ok and return to a command prompt
- Type “java -version” (minus quotes) and this time you should see the version returned.
Edit the system variables to add the Java path
Part 2 – Download and unpack the Android SDK
Complete the following steps to unpack the Android SDK(Software Development Kit).
- Visit the official Android developer site: http://developer.android.com/sdk/
- Download the latest SDK. Current version at publish is 1.5r2: Download SDK
- Follow the installation instructions: Installing the Android SDK
Part 3 – Launch Davlik Debug Monitor and begin capturing screens
After Java is working and the Android SDK is unpacked, you should be able to launch the Davlik Debug Monitor.
- Hook your phone to your PC via a USB cable
- If prompted to install drivers, search the SDK folder in “usb_drivers”
- Browse to the tools directory located in the Android SDK folder
- Locate the file ddms.bat and click to launch
- When Davlik Debug Monitor has loaded, find your device and click it
- Once device is selected, from the main menu pick Device > Screen Capture
- Preview the capture and then save it. All images are saved as .png files
Note the Android device is highlight in the background
If clicking ddms.bat fails to launch the application, try the following steps:
- Open up a command prompt and navigate to the Android SDK tools directory
- Type ddms.bat
- Look for any error messages that are present
Practice taking screenshots and share your results. If you run into problems, someone here probably had the same issues and can offer you help. Learn to take screenshots now, because our next contest will require you to share some with us.
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Taylor Wimberly
Taylor is the founder of Android and Me. He loves playing with all kinds of gadgets, but most importantly cell phones. His other hobbies include cooking (BBQ hero!), politics, football, and watching every MMA event possible.
24 Comments
worked for me!
And boy, Toggle Settings sure does have an ugly icon…
Nice. Now I don’t have to take screens for you anymore.
still trying it fudge
Clark, a few questions.
Toggle Settings seems similar to Locale. Is it any different or better than Locale?
What are the two time and date widgets you have at the top of your home screen?
They look like Retro Clock.
http://www.cyrket.com/package/nl.jsource.retroclock.android
@ Taylor: Could you explain why not to use the x64 version of the JDK if installing on Vista/Win7 64bit?
Very simply, it did not work for me. If you get the 64bit JDK working, let me know.
Got it. I followed your guide and just used the “regular” version and it worked great.
http://i41.tinypic.com/2mcf0ci.jpg
Great guide Taylor.
Worked like a charm, and now I’m a screenshot-taking mofo!
I’d post one, but, my home screen really isn’t anything that exciting.
Dalvik Debug does not find my phone
Does Windows even detect the phone? Sounds like you might need to reinstall the drivers located in the SDK.
Taylor,
I’m wanting to take some screenshots for the contest, I’m on a Macbook, how do I get it done?
Thanks,
-MIg
The DDMS isn’t finding my phone either. It opens but does not list anything. My computer does find my phone as it gives me the option to mount and when I do the folder pops up on my computer screen. Am I doing something wrong?
~Noble
I couldn’t figure it out. :\
My computer does see the phone, I can mount it and view my files. But for some reason the DDM does not see my phone. I wonder what I did wrong.
can any of you guys help me out with the below issue
I am able to launch the screen capture tool from devlik debugger but the problem with me is that the capture screen is very big. It is not fitting into the window. I am not getting the save,refresh options to proceed further.
Thnq
Ok I have everything installed. devlik will not see my phone. I have tried deleting the usb drivers, rolling back the drivers, and updating the drivers with no luck. can anyone help? I know the contest is over but I would still like to take screen shots.
Followed the guide to a tee and Dalvik will not see my g1. I see others are having this issue. How did you get a work around? Great guide by the way!
Doesn’t work for G3.
Instructions are incomplete. Forgot a few critical steps.
Phone isn’t showing up in DDMS? Do this. On your Droid goto Settings->Applications->Deveoplment and check and USB debugging. If your device is plugged in, it will probably ask you for drivers. Keep saying not to auto find drivers, when it asks for a disk, navigate to the SDK\usb_driver directory to select the driver. Just keep saying yes until it is installed. Windows will tell you it is running but Windows lies like a rug. Reboot. When it’s back up, launch DDMS plug in your Droid via USB and it should show up.
Sigh. I have USB debugging enabled. I have installed the x86 JDK. I have downloaded/unzipped the Android SDK. I even installed it. The app runs, but it does not see the phone. Any thoughts?
Chris,
I have the same problem as well.
installed the latest android SDK, make sure usb driver is installed, USB debugging enabled on the phone, JDK installed also.
i’m with nexus one. nothing shows up on ddms.