VRHow / Guides / How-to / Take screenshots in VR

How to take screenshots in VR

Short answer: use the platform’s built-in capture control: on Quest, open Camera and choose Take photo; in SteamVR, use Steam’s screenshot shortcut; on PS VR2, use the controller’s Create button. Take one test image first, then check the platform’s capture folder or Media Gallery. Labels and shortcuts can vary after software updates. Last checked October 11, 2026.

Before you capture

Informational: a screenshot is a still image of the rendered game or headset view; it is not a photo through the headset lenses. Keep your play space clear and pause if you need to look for a controller or cable. Some games or scenes may block capture. If a screenshot includes another person’s voice or personal information through an accompanying clip or share flow, get permission before publishing it.

Meta Quest: take a photo on the headset

  1. Press the Meta button (or Oculus button on older controllers) on the right controller to open the Navigator.
  2. Select Camera, then Take photo. A blinking red dot indicates that a photo is being taken.
  3. To use the controller shortcut, hold the Meta/Oculus button and press and release the right trigger. Press the trigger before the view recenters; Meta warns that holding the Meta button too long can recenter the view.
  4. Select the notification to view the result, or open Files (Media or Recents) or the Gallery app. The exact menu names may differ with Horizon OS updates; these steps follow Meta’s current photo instructions.

Copy Quest screenshots to a Windows PC

Actionable: connect the headset with a USB-C or Quest Link cable that supports data. Approve the headset prompt to let the computer access photos and videos, then in File Explorer open This PC > [Quest Device] > Internal shared storage > Oculus > Screenshots and copy the files. Meta says a missing prompt may be in headset notifications and cautions against moving or removing files from other folders. See Meta’s transfer procedure.

PC VR: Steam screenshots

  1. Make sure the Steam Overlay is enabled globally at Steam > Settings > In-game, and enabled for the game under its Library Properties > General.
  2. While the PC VR game is running, press F12 (Steam’s default screenshot key). Valve says the overlay is required for Steam to capture screenshots.
  3. Open the Steam Overlay with Shift+Tab to access screenshots, or use Steam’s screenshot manager afterward. If F12 does nothing, check the game-specific overlay setting and the screenshot key binding before changing anything else.

This procedure is for a game running through Steam and its overlay. A non-Steam title may provide its own capture control; do not assume Steam’s F12 will capture every PC VR application.

PlayStation VR2: PS5 and PC are different

PS VR2 on PS5

  1. Use the paired DualSense controller and press its Create button to open the PS5 Create menu. PlayStation documents the PS VR2 Sense-controller screenshot shortcut for the PC setup below; do not assume that shortcut applies to PS5.
  2. Choose Take Screenshot. To review it, use Recently created or the Media Gallery app.
  3. For capture format and HDR options, open Settings > Captures and Broadcasts > Captures. Menu options can vary with PS5 system software; PlayStation documents the control in its PS5 capture guide.

PS VR2 on a Windows PC

Important distinction: when PS VR2 is used with the official PC adapter and SteamVR, press the Create button on the left Sense controller, or press PS + L2 on that controller. PlayStation lists the default folder as C:\Program files (x86)\Steam\userdata\[Steam user number]\760\remote\[App ID]\screenshots. PlayStation also says video clips cannot be taken with PS VR2 on PC; do not apply the PS5 capture steps to the PC setup. See PlayStation’s PS VR2 PC capture instructions.

If the screenshot is missing

Diagnosis first: take a five-second test, confirm the platform’s capture indicator or notification, and check free storage. On Quest, check Files/Gallery and the USB access prompt. In Steam, verify the overlay is enabled and that F12 has not been remapped. On PS5, check Recently created and Media Gallery; on PC, check the Steam userdata folder. These low-risk checks do not require developer mode, a factory reset, opening a headset, or changing safety features.

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