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Google Pixel⏱ 3 min

How to Annotate a Screenshot on Google Pixel

Add arrows, text, and highlights to a screenshot using built-in tools.

Last verified: February 21, 2026

Android's built-in screenshot annotation depends on the device manufacturer — Samsung Galaxy phones open the Samsung Photo Editor with a comprehensive Markup toolbar, while stock Android and Pixel phones open the image in the Google Photos editor for cropping and basic drawing. For a consistent experience across Android devices, the Markup icon in the initial screenshot notification banner triggers the system's default image editor with whatever tools it supports. Arrow and text annotation that goes beyond what the built-in editor offers typically requires a free app like Markup Hero or Microsoft Lens.

Quick Steps

Follow in order for the fastest result.

  1. 1Take a screenshot and tap Edit from the notification. Use the markup tools in the Photos or Samsung Gallery editor.
  2. 2Add callout arrows and text labels to draw clear attention to specific areas.
  3. 3Save or share the annotated image using the Done / Share button in the editor.

Still Not Working?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I annotate a screenshot on Google Pixel without installing anything?
Yes. Tap Edit on the screenshot notification to open the photo editor with markup capabilities.
How do I add an arrow to a screenshot on Google Pixel?
Open the screenshot in the editor and look for the Shapes tool in the annotation toolbar to find arrow options.
How do I blur or hide sensitive information in a screenshot?
Use the drawing tools in the screenshot editor to draw a filled shape over any data you want to hide.
Does annotating a screenshot on Google Pixel overwrite the original?
Built-in annotation tools save the annotated version as the same file by default. If you need both the original and annotated version, duplicate the file first before opening it for editing.

Same task, different device

Windows 11Windows 10macOSiPhone (iOS)iPad (iPadOS)Samsung GalaxyChromebook

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