Not quite satisfied with the native screenshot app on your Google phone? Perhaps you’re just looking for something that you can use on your phone and other devices to share and collaborate with your team. Regardless, you do have options. The functions that Google offer are good enough for some things—basic screenshots and simple annotations and sharing are fine. However, if you want to create professional-looking images and high-quality recordings, you need a dedicated app.

The good news is that there are plenty of them on the market today, and they all offer a lot of features that will enhance your experience with screen captures, no matter what you’re using them for. These apps offer a variety of capture options, robust editing and configuration tools, and unique add-ons that you won’t find on native tools. No matter what Google phone or version of Android you have, you should be able to find the best tools on the list below to help you with your screenshots and videos.

Of course, part of that comes in choosing a good app—so what features are most important? Consider:

·  Editing and configuration features that are included. Obviously, you’re upgrading from the native tool to get more and if you need professional quality, you want more editing features and tools. If an app doesn’t offer more than basic cropping and editing, it might not be worth your time. Consider tools that allow you to change the resolution, frame-rate, and more.

·  Capture options. When you choose a screenshot app, you need to know how many different options it offers for capturing your screen. Some have only full-screen and selection captures, while others offer scrolling, panoramic, window capture, and other choices. You don’t necessarily need them all, but you need to make sure that you get what works for you.

·  Compatibility on multiple devices, if that’s important to you. Some people are content with a single app for their Google phone. Others might need something that their entire team can access on different devices. Some of the apps below are Android-specific, but most will work with Android, iOS, and other platforms.

·  Saving, sharing, and exporting features. Collaboration with screenshots is all about being able to put them to use after you've done the work. The best tools will make it easy for you to share and save your screenshots and recordings. You should be able to save to your device, the cloud, and other locations, share to social media, export files, and more.

·  Additional features and tools. If you find yourself in an “apples to apples” situation and can’t make a final decision, consider any additional features or premium tools that are offered in certain apps. For example, some on the list below allow you to create GIFs or may have a dedicated social media share button. Some screenshot tools even have image searching and document scanning features. These could be valuable to you but aren’t necessarily essential.

Tips for taking professional-looking screenshots

The art of the screenshot is a delicate one. It takes balance, skill, and a lot of practice in learning what not to share, more often than not. Some people forget things like cropping out personal details, or removing their browser data, while others might just need some tips on taking better screenshots. Either way, here’s what you need to know.

Tip #1: Get rid of the clutter

If you don't need it on the screen, it has to go. Make sure that you clean up your desktop icons if your desktop is showing, hide any personal information or files, and don’t share any confidential or sensitive information, even by accident. Check every single inch of the window or area that you are capturing to make sure that it won’t detract from what you actually want to share.

Tip #2: Consider the purpose

For example, if you’re making a tutorial, you’ll want to be sure that the entire app is in the window and use editing tools and markups like arrows to point out important features to the reader. If you’re generating bug reports, you might need to point out the broken issues or errors that need to be resolved. When you think about your intention, creating the perfect image is easy.

Tip #3: Watch out with auto-uploads

Auto uploading can be handy, but if you’re trying to share professionally, it can also be dangerous. Some tools may want to share items before you’re ready, or they may send sensitive files that you don’t want to share without warning you as to what you’re sending. Sure, it’s convenient at times, but it could compromise your privacy, among other things.

Tip #4: Don’t show too much (or too little)

Again, this goes back to considering what you’re trying to do with your screenshots. Granted, your Google phone isn’t going to have a ton of real estate to show off, but you don’t want to share more than needed. Crop the screenshot so that there’s no wasted space. However, make sure the shot is big enough to provide the right context. Think about the end result from the perspective of the viewer—what would they expect to see?

If you keep these things in mind, you’ll be on your way to professional-looking images, no matter which of the tools below you use. Speaking of which, let’s dive in and take a look at the best screenshot apps for Google phones.

AZ Screen Recorder

AZ Screen Recorder offers a no-root version, which is something that a lot of Android users are on the market for, including those with Google phones. This tool comes free or paid for a small one-time fee, and includes a robust selection of screen capture choices, along with screen recording, video and image editing tools, and even a GIF creation tool. You can integrate the front camera for commentary or game streaming, and share to social media too.

With AZ Screen Recorder, you will be able to add background music, export Full HD videos, and even incorporate internal sound. You will enjoy that there are no time limits, no watermarks, and no ads, giving you plenty of access without the hassles and still being a budget-friendly option. It’s a great tool for those who don’t want to spend a fortune.

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·  Free option? Yes

·  Price: $2.99 for pro version

·  Countdown timer

·  Picture-in-picture

·  Video configuration tools

·  GIF creation

·  Social media sharing

·  Front camera integration

·  Impressive editing tools

Clarify

This app is more of a presentation suite and less of a screenshot tool, but it still delivers impressive screenshots and video captures. Clarify will provide you with the opportunity to create professional-quality images while also turning those images into step-by-step guides or tutorials. You can even create documents and add the screenshots, annotate them and caption them, and more. You can also edit the videos and images that you capture.

Files can be saved as complete tutorials, or you can save the screenshots themselves. You can also export your how-to guides in Word, PDF, and HTML format. Dropbox, WordPress, and the Clarify sharing service all offer various sharing and integration options, and you can trust that even if you choose this paid tool, you’ll love the price for all the features that you get.

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·  Free option? No

·  Price: $14.99

·  How-to tools

·  Editing and annotations

·  Multiple sharing and export options

·  High-quality resolution

·  Easy integration with other tools

·  Multiple screen capture options

Brosix

Brosix is another tool that’s not just for screenshots—this all-in-one messaging solution is focused on collaboration and teamwork, which includes an impressive screenshot and capture feature. You can take screengrabs from instant message feeds, chat rooms, the contact list, or anywhere else on the screen. Sharing is easy when you’re sharing within the app, thanks to the “screenshot” icon.

You can share and export your screenshots and videos externally, as well, including offline sharing and more. There are administrative features that will allow you to disable access or disallow screenshots for certain users, as well. The app also offers unlimited file sharing and it’s great for leaders who want to keep tabs on their teams with a collaborative solution. There's a free version for small teams and paid plans are quite affordable.

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·  Free option? Free for a single Team Network of 3 users or fewer

·  Price: $4 per month, per user

·  Capture scrolling screens

·  Offline and online sharing and exporting

·  Remote desktop feature

·  Unlimited file sharing and collaboration

·  User activity management

·  Professional-quality editing tools

Screenshot Touch

Screenshot Touch is gaining more and more popularity as time goes on. It has several features that make it unique and help it stand out. The app also stays right in the notification panel on your phone so that you can capture screenshots with a single tap. You can record in mp4 format, too, including the option for custom bitrates and framerates. There's an impressive suite of editing tools, including the opportunity to draw on your shots, and even an in-app browser.

This tool also has audio and resolution editing tools, and you can save screenshots in multiple folders to keep everything organized. It's got a great rating in the Google play store and it’s one of the favorites among Android users. It makes it easy to include your status bar and even change the image format and resolution, too. Plus, it starts with a free version, although you’ll need to pay a one-time fee to access all the features.

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·  Free option? Yes

·  Price: $4.49 for the pro version

·  Editing tools

·  In-app browser

·  Format and resolution options

·  Mp4 screen recording

·  Custom folders to organize screenshots

Screenit

Screenit is an app that includes a built-in photo editing tool that makes it easy for you to edit screenshots and add effects right in the app. It's free to use for the first 48 hours, but then the full features will require a premium subscription. However, it does offer Imgur upload, several other integrations, and additional editing and configuration features. It’s lightweight and one of the features that we like here is that it’s great for older Android OS devices.

Today, many people are working on older technology and struggling to integrate modern apps, but companies like this have developed tools that deliver without forgetting about the older versions and what they might need. Screenit works with Android 4.1 or later, which is not something you find in most apps on the market today.

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·  Free option? Free trial for 48 hours, free with ads after

·  Price: $2.99 for premium with no ads

·  Easy screenshot tool

·  Compatible with older Google phones

·  Unique upload and sharing options

·  Integrates with other tools

Partner with Smith.ai to capture better solutions for call and message answering and more

If you’re investing in a good screen capture tool, you know the value of collaboration and choosing the resources that can help you succeed. In the business world, having someone to handle things like calls, messages, leads, appointments, and other mission-critical services can make or break your success. However, you also may not want to hire a full-time receptionist, or you might not have the budget for in-house staff. That's where our virtual receptionists come into play.

At Smith.ai, our team knows all about how to handle customer service and support through our virtual receptionist services and we can help with all kinds of solutions—including a custom one that fits your exact needs. Ask us how we can assist you with overflow call answering, 24/7 live website chat, appointment scheduling and lead intake, and more. We can even integrate with the tools that you use and act as the face of your business so that your customers have a seamless experience every time.

Whether you just need an extra hand, or you are trying to streamline your business from the top-down, we’ve got all kinds of ways that we can help. Schedule your consultation today to find out how we can give you the support that you need while you take care of your customers and the rest of your business. We can answer any questions you have and help you create the partnership that works best for your business. You can also find us at hello@smith.ai or (650) 727-6484.