GNOME 51 changes its "inappropriate" screenshot sound so you don't look like a creep in public

Published Sep 21, 2026, 11:03 AM EDT Simon is a Computer Science BSc graduate who has been writing about technology since 2014, and using Windows machines since 3.1. After working for an indie game studio and acting as the family's go-to technician for all computer issues, he found his passion for writing and decided to use his skill set to write about all things tech. Since beginning his writing career, he has written for many different publications such as WorldStart, Listverse, and MakeTechEasier. However, after finding his home at MakeUseOf in February 2019, he would eventually move on to its sister site, XDA, to bring the latest and greatest in Windows, Linux, and DIY electronics. Sign in to your XDA account Summary GNOME 51 replaces the default loud camera-shutter screenshot sound. The old iPhone-like shutter sound embarrassed users who were taking screenshots in quiet public spots. GNOME 51 replaces it with a quieter mechanical 'thunk', less creepy and more appropriate. When setting up sound effects on your phone or laptop, it's easy to forget that, sometimes, that one audio trigger you just set up has a very real chance of going off in a quiet public place where everyone can hear it. GNOME users have endured years of embarrassment because the screenshot tool makes a very unmistakable camera shutter sound when capturing an image. Fortunately, GNOME 51 has changed it to something far more reasonable. GNOME 51 cuts the embarrassing screenshot sound effect It's a lot less creepy now As spotted by OMG Ubuntu, it seems that GNOME 51 has changed the noise it makes when you take a screenshot. If you've never heard it before, it's a very distinct, very recognizable camera shutter sound effect. It's part of a FreeDesktop sound theme that many Linux distros use, but for some people, it's causing public shame. The problem was first reported back in May 2024, when a UI/UX designer had an embarrassing moment taking a screenshot in a quiet cafe: "Good god, please change the default screenshot sound. It sounds intentionally like the iPhone classic camera which everyone associates with PHONE CAMERAS. In a public setting, when we are taking screenshots on our laptops (ie- the first of the day, before we realized the laptop was at max volume), this sound is absolutely inappropriate and can lead to extremely embarrasing and potentially worse situations." To rectify this, GNOME 51 has swapped out the camera shutter sound. Now, it's more of a mechanical 'thunk'; it still sounds like a physical camera, but it doesn't immediately give off "Someone is taking candid photos of people in the middle of a silent library" vibes. This is a huge win for GNOME users on the go.