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To capture a mobile website screenshot with WebdriverIO and Chrome, emulate a mobile device profile before opening the page, wait for the content you need, then save either the visible viewport or the full page. WebdriverIO’s browser.takeScreenshot() returns a base64-encoded PNG of the viewport; its Visual Testing service also provides file-saving methods for viewport and full-page captures. Desktop Chrome emulation is useful for responsive-layout checks, but it is not a substitute for testing on a real mobile browser.
Choose the screenshot you need
Decide the capture extent before writing the test: a viewport screenshot shows only the currently visible browser area, while a full-page screenshot includes content beyond the viewport. An element screenshot is limited to an element’s visible bounding rectangle after it is scrolled into view.
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- Viewport: Use
browser.takeScreenshot()for base64 PNG data, or Visual Testing’ssaveScreen()to save an image file. - Full page: Use Visual Testing’s
saveFullPageScreen(). For content that loads or changes as the page scrolls, consider its user-based scrolling and stitching option. - One element: Use the WebDriver element screenshot command or Visual Testing’s
saveElement().
The WebDriver Protocol documentation describes viewport and element screenshot behavior: WebdriverIO WebDriver Protocol.
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The example below uses WebdriverIO’s device emulation API to configure an iPhone 15 profile, navigate to a page, wait for its main content, and save the viewport as a PNG. It is a documented API pattern, not a claim that the snippet was run. Use an app-specific readiness condition where possible.
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- Start a Chrome session configured for WebDriver BiDi by setting
webSocketUrl: truein the capabilities. - Emulate the device before navigating so the page loads under the intended viewport, device scale factor, and user agent.
- Wait for meaningful page content, then capture and decode the base64 PNG.
- Restore the original settings in a
finallyblock so they do not affect later tests.
// In a WebdriverIO test with a Chrome session configured for WebDriver BiDi:
const restoreDevice = await browser.emulate('device', 'iPhone 15')
try {
await browser.url('https://example.com')
// Replace this with an app-specific readiness condition where possible.
await $('main').waitForDisplayed()
const base64Png = await browser.takeScreenshot()
await import('node:fs/promises').then(({ writeFile }) =>
writeFile('./mobile-viewport.png', Buffer.from(base64Png, 'base64'))
)
} finally {
await restoreDevice()
}browser.takeScreenshot() captures the top-level browsing context’s viewport and returns base64-encoded PNG data. The file is written relative to the test process’s working directory.
Save viewport or full-page images with Visual Testing
If your project uses WebdriverIO Visual Testing, its save methods write image files directly:
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await browser.saveScreen('mobile-homepage')
await browser.saveFullPageScreen('mobile-homepage-full')saveScreen() saves a viewport image; saveFullPageScreen() saves a full-page image. Exact output locations and filename formatting depend on the service configuration. Use check methods instead when the aim is image comparison rather than simply saving a capture. See Visual Testing Methods.
When the page loads content while scrolling
A full-page capture that does not scroll through the page may miss content that is lazy-loaded or rendered based on scroll position. Visual Testing’s userBasedFullPageScreenshot service option scrolls through the page, captures viewport-sized images, and stitches them. Set the scroll timeout to suit the page, and confirm support for the browser and application context you use. See Visual Testing Service Options.
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Understand what Chrome device emulation can—and cannot—verify
browser.emulate('device', 'iPhone 15') adjusts the viewport, device scale factor, and user agent. WebdriverIO’s documented device presets are maintained lists, so check the current list rather than assuming a preset or its specifications will remain unchanged. Device emulation requires WebDriver BiDi support; the browser session and any remote provider must support it.
This workflow produces a mobile-emulation screenshot using desktop Chrome. It does not reproduce every operating-system, browser-engine, font-rendering, or hardware detail of an actual phone. WebdriverIO’s Emulation documentation cautions that desktop browser engines differ from mobile ones and says the feature should not be treated as mobile testing. Chrome describes Device Mode as a first-order approximation; for device-specific validation, run the test on a real device or a real-device service. See Chrome DevTools: Simulate mobile devices with Device Mode.
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Make captures more repeatable
For a screenshot that reflects the page state you intend to inspect, wait for a meaningful application condition instead of relying only on a fixed delay. Depending on the page, that may mean waiting for a selector, images, or fonts to finish loading.
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waitForFontsLoaded, enabled by default, to reduce captures taken before fonts are ready. - Animations and cursors: Visual Testing options can disable CSS animations and blinking cursors. Apply the same settings when creating and comparing visual baselines.
- Lazy content: If content appears only after scrolling, use user-based full-page capture and allow adequate time for the page’s scroll-triggered work.
- Overlays and element captures: Element screenshots cover the visible region within the element’s bounding rectangle. Visual Testing’s BiDi
biDiOriginsetting affects whether a capture reflects document layout or viewport compositing and overlays.
See Visual Testing Method Options for the relevant stability options.
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Troubleshoot common screenshot problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Device emulation fails with a BiDi-related error | The session does not advertise WebDriver BiDi, or the browser or remote provider does not support it. | Enable webSocketUrl: true in capabilities and verify BiDi support across the browser and provider. |
| The image contains only the visible area | browser.takeScreenshot() is a viewport capture. |
Use saveFullPageScreen() for a full-page image, or Chrome DevTools’ full-size screenshot capture. |
| Content below the fold is missing | The page loads content only after scrolling, or rendering depends on scroll position. | Use userBasedFullPageScreenshot: true and allow an appropriate scroll timeout. |
| Fonts or animation frames differ between captures | The page was captured before fonts finished loading, or animations and blinking cursors were in different states. | Use the Visual Testing font and animation options consistently for captures and comparisons. |
| An element image is clipped or includes unexpected overlays | Element screenshots capture the visible bounding rectangle; BiDi origin settings can change the treatment of layout and overlays. | Check the element’s visibility and position, then review the Visual Testing biDiOrigin option for the capture you need. |
| Image resolution or quality changes after switching methods | Visual Testing’s enableLegacyScreenshotMethod switches to the older W3C WebDriver screenshot method, which may produce a different resolution or quality. |
Keep the method consistent for comparable captures and check the active service configuration. |
Or skip the browser setup
For a one-request website screenshot, ScreenshotNeo accepts a URL and returns an image or PDF. This cURL example saves a WebP image:
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://example.com -o shot.webpSee the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for setup and request options. ScreenshotNeo accepts cookie and consent banners and removes more than 60 known consent platforms, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before capture; each step can be turned off. Bot checks, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads, and cache hits are not billed, and response headers identify the page verdict and billing status. An MCP server provides take_screenshot, get_page_info, and capture_pdf for Claude, Cursor, and other MCP clients. The free plan includes 1,000 screenshots per month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 screenshots. Learn more at ScreenshotNeo.
Sign up free for 1,000 screenshots a month, with no card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does browser.takeScreenshot() save an image file?
No. It returns base64-encoded PNG data; decode it and write the bytes to a file, as in the example.
Can I call the emulation preset after opening the page?
Set the device context before navigation so the page loads with the emulated viewport and user agent.
Can I use the iPhone 15 preset with a remote Chrome provider?
Only if the provider supports WebDriver BiDi for the session. Confirm support with the provider and check WebdriverIO’s current device list for available presets.
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