The quickest way to capture your screen
On most Samsung tablets, press the Power button and Volume Down button at the same time and hold them for about one second. You will hear a camera shutter sound or feel a vibration, and a notification will appear at the top of your screen confirming the screenshot was taken. The image saves automatically to your Photos app in a folder called "Screenshots."
This method works on nearly all Samsung tablet models made in the last five years. If you do not hear a sound or see a notification, you may have released the buttons too quickly — try again and hold for a full second.
Key Takeaways
- Press Power and Volume Down together for one second to take a screenshot on any Samsung tablet.
- Your screenshot saves automatically to the Screenshots folder in your Photos app.
- You can edit or share a screenshot when ready using the toolbar that appears after you take it.
- If the button method does not work, use the Palm Swipe gesture or the built-in screen capture tool in Settings.
- Screenshots are saved as image files and take up storage space, so delete ones you no longer need.
Using the toolbar to edit or share right away
After you take a screenshot, a toolbar appears at the bottom of your screen for about five seconds. This toolbar lets you crop, draw on, or share the image without opening another app. Tap the pencil icon to draw or add text, the crop icon to trim the edges, or the share icon to send it to another app or contact.
If you do not use the toolbar in time, you can still edit the screenshot later by opening your Photos app, finding the Screenshots folder, and tapping the image. Then tap the edit button (usually a pencil icon) to make changes.
The Palm Swipe method if buttons are hard to press
If pressing two buttons at once is difficult for you, Samsung tablets offer an alternative: swipe the edge of your hand across the screen from left to right (or right to left). Your hand must touch the screen while you swipe. This gesture takes a screenshot the same way the button method does.
Palm Swipe is turned off by default on most Samsung tablets. To turn it on, go to Settings, then Advanced Features, then Motions and Gestures, then Palm Swipe to Capture. Toggle it on. Once enabled, you can use either the button method or the palm swipe — whichever is easier for you.
Finding and managing your screenshots
All your screenshots go into the Screenshots folder inside your Photos app. Open Photos, tap the Albums tab at the bottom, scroll down, and tap Screenshots. From here you can view, delete, or move screenshots to other folders. Screenshots are stored as regular image files, so they use storage space on your tablet — delete ones you no longer need to free up room.
If you want to back up your screenshots to the cloud, most Samsung tablets come with Samsung Cloud or Google Photos pre-installed. Both apps can back up your entire Photos folder automatically, including your screenshots, so you do not lose them if something happens to your tablet.
Using the screen capture tool in Settings
Samsung tablets also include a built-in screen capture tool you can access from Settings. Go to Settings, then Advanced Features, then Screenshots and Screen Recorder. From here you can take a screenshot, record your screen, or change where screenshots are saved. This method is slower than the button shortcut, but it gives you more control over what you capture.
The screen recorder tool in this same menu lets you record video of your screen — useful if you want to show someone how to do something on your tablet or capture a moment from a video or game. Recordings save to the same Screenshots folder as still images.
Troubleshooting when screenshots are not working
If the Power and Volume Down buttons do not take a screenshot, first check that your tablet is not in a mode that blocks screenshots. Some apps, like banking or streaming apps, prevent screenshots for security reasons. If you are trying to screenshot inside one of these apps, you will not be able to — the buttons straightforward will not work.
If screenshots do not work anywhere on your tablet, restart your device. Hold the Power button until a menu appears, tap Restart, and wait for your tablet to turn back on. After restart, try the button method again. If it still does not work, check that you have enough storage space available — if your tablet is almost full, some features may not work properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do screenshots go when I take them?
Screenshots save automatically to the Screenshots folder in your Photos app. You can also find them in your file manager under Pictures or DCIM, depending on your tablet model. They are stored as image files with names like "Screenshot_2024-01-15_10-30-45.png."
Can I take a screenshot of just part of my screen?
Yes. After you take a full screenshot, tap the crop icon in the toolbar that appears at the bottom. Drag the corners or edges to select only the part you want to keep, then tap Save. You can also use the screen capture tool in Settings for more detailed cropping options.
Why does my screenshot sound play even when my tablet is on silent?
The screenshot sound is a system sound that plays even when your tablet is muted. If you find this annoying, you can turn off the sound in Settings under Sound and Vibration, then System Sounds, and toggle off Screenshot Sound.
Can I take a screenshot of a video or streaming app?
Most streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, and others block screenshots for copyright protection. If you try to screenshot inside these apps, the button press will not work. You can take screenshots of other content on your tablet without this restriction.
How much storage space do screenshots use?
A single screenshot uses between 500 kilobytes and 2 megabytes depending on your tablet's screen size and resolution. If you take many screenshots, they can add up over time. Delete screenshots you no longer need to free up space, or back them up to cloud storage before deleting them.