A lot of iPhone dev types have known about the SBMobileScreenshotr preference for a very long time. What we didn't know was how to make it do anything. The software programming site RipDev solved the mystery.
After setting the preference
If you'd rather not edit your property lists directly, add http://repository.ripdev.com as an Installer repository and install Apple Screenshot Enabler. Warning: trying to remove the mod via Installer.app caused my phone to reboot. It just would not uninstall properly.
Thanks TJ
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-18-2008 @ 6:40PM
Michael said...
Seems you copied my scoop. Hihi
Reply
3-18-2008 @ 6:53PM
Don Wilson said...
Would love to be able to do this without hacking it...
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3-18-2008 @ 6:55PM
Willis said...
awesome, I was looking for this info earlier...works great...puts the screenshots right into your Photos under Camera Roll :)
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3-18-2008 @ 7:05PM
Phil Gilder said...
does anyone else find that under camera roll, the pictures look terrible, but imported to iphoto they look fine???
Reply
3-18-2008 @ 7:09PM
kris33 said...
The screenshots are large uncompressed TIFFs and won't load properly on the iPhone.
3-18-2008 @ 7:14PM
Phil Gilder said...
hmm... thanks
some load up fine, others dont (on the iphone)
no biggie
3-19-2008 @ 6:16AM
Jim said...
It's a matter of waiting for 45 seconds. Apparently the phone photo viewer needs a long time to get the zoom level or something else right. But after that, it looks completely clear: you couldn't tell it was a screenshot and you could fool anyone that it's the phone itself.
3-18-2008 @ 7:45PM
Frank Furter said...
I'm an IT guy - I understand the need for screenshots on desktops, laptops, etc. Help me understand why I would want this on my iPhone.
Reply
3-18-2008 @ 9:52PM
Matt said...
If you want to take a screenshot of an awesome app you make or some cool thing you make in sketches or any other app. Even a highscore in a game!
3-19-2008 @ 2:29AM
Beau said...
Meh, if only there was such a mute button on my iPod Touch. :-(
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3-19-2008 @ 5:31AM
Jay Robinson said...
Enabled hidden files and folders but can ney find /var/mobile/Library/Preferences/ folder from the Finder.
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3-19-2008 @ 6:14AM
Jim said...
If you're on 1.1.2 or earlier firmware, it's /var/root/Library/Preferences/
3-19-2008 @ 8:39AM
3DG said...
Cool.
But! How can you get your actions to be recorded? You know, like a scan converter, like Steve Jobs does on screen during the conferences? Hmmm??
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3-19-2008 @ 3:11PM
Phil Gilder said...
use the video out lead to a recording device?
3-19-2008 @ 4:05PM
3DG said...
Yeah, not so simple. In theory it's good, but doesn't output screen actions.
Reply
3-20-2008 @ 4:02PM
chair_tard said...
via Term-vt100.app:
install plutil ('#' is the prompt, don't type it):
# mkdir /usr/local/bin
# cd /usr/local/bin
# curl -O http://ericasadun.com/ftp/EricaUtilities/individual/plutil
# chmod +x plutil
add plutil to path:
# echo 'export PATH=/usr/local/bin/plutil:$PATH' >> ~/.zsh_profile
make sure
# echo $PATH
spits out
/bin:/sbin:/usr/bin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/private/var/root/bin
then
# restart
enable screenshots:
# cd /var/mobile/Library/Preferences/
# plutil -s SBMobileScreenshotr -v YES com.apple.springboard.plist
----
I love your articles Erica. I just wish they could be slightly more comprehensive. Anytime you have a plist hack, you ought to just paste in the full 9 on how to do it. Thanks for your efforts, regardless. Keep up the good work, we're all counting on you.
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3-20-2008 @ 6:41PM
Jason Tucker said...
Is there any way to go about this on the ipod touch?
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3-21-2008 @ 2:02AM
iPhoneCoder said...
Now if they can find the setting for enabling video mirroring of the screen to the docking port ... :)
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3-31-2008 @ 3:47PM
Peter Zich said...
I know things like Caption Crunch edit the backup plists and restoring to change the status and such, is there a way to do something like that with this?
Reply
3-31-2008 @ 5:47PM
Marcos said...
On my iPhone it didn't work: the key combination makes the click sound but the screen goes briefly dark and then puts me back in the "slide to unlock" screen.
Any ideas?
Reply