The basic method: buttons you press at the same time
On most tablets, you take a screenshot by pressing two buttons at once. The exact buttons depend on what kind of tablet you have, but the action is the same: hold them down together for about one second, then release. Your tablet will make a camera sound or show a brief flash on the screen to confirm the screenshot was captured.
The screenshot saves automatically to your tablet's photo library or gallery app. You do not have to do anything else — it is already stored and ready to view or share whenever you want.
Key Takeaways
- iPad models use the top button and either volume-up or the home button, depending on which iPad you own.
- Android tablets use the power button and volume-down button pressed together.
- Your screenshot saves to your photo library automatically and appears within seconds.
- If the button method does not work, your tablet may have a gesture or menu option instead.
- Screenshots capture everything visible on your screen at that moment, including notifications and status bars.
iPad: which buttons to use
If you have an iPad with a home button (the circular button at the bottom), press the top button and the home button at the same time. Hold them for about one second until you see the flash or hear the camera sound.
If you have a newer iPad without a home button, press the top button and the volume-up button together. Again, hold for about one second. The newer models include iPad Air, iPad Pro, and recent iPad mini versions.
After you take the screenshot, a small thumbnail appears in the bottom-left corner of your screen for a few seconds. You can tap it to edit or mark up the screenshot right away, or just wait for it to disappear — the full screenshot is already saved to your Photos app.
Android tablets: power and volume buttons
On Android tablets, press the power button and the volume-down button at the same time. Hold them together for about one second. You will see a flash or feel a vibration, and the screenshot is saved.
Some Android tablets show a notification at the top of the screen confirming the screenshot was taken. The image goes into your Photos app or Gallery app — the name depends on which tablet brand you own, but it is always in the default photo storage location.
If you have trouble finding the buttons, the power button is usually on the right or top edge of the tablet, and the volume buttons are on the side. Press them firmly and hold steady for the full second.
What to do if the button method does not work
Some tablets have alternative ways to take screenshots if the button combination does not respond. On iPad, you can use AssistiveTouch, a built-in accessibility feature. Go to Settings, then Accessibility, then AssistiveTouch, and turn it on. A floating button appears on your screen — tap it and look for a Screenshot option in the menu.
On Android tablets, swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open the full quick settings menu. Look for a Screenshot button or option. If you see it, tap it to take a screenshot. Not all Android tablets have this option, but many do.
If neither method works, your tablet may require a specific gesture. Check your tablet's manual or search the manufacturer's website for your exact model number — you can find this in Settings under About Tablet or Device Information.
Where your screenshots are stored
On iPad, screenshots go into the Photos app in an album called Screenshots. Open Photos, tap Albums at the bottom, scroll down, and you will see the Screenshots folder. All your screenshots are there, organized by date.
On Android, screenshots usually appear in your Gallery or Photos app in a folder called Screenshots. The exact location depends on your tablet brand — Samsung tablets may organize them differently than other Android tablets — but they are always in your main photo storage area.
You can view, edit, delete, or share any screenshot from these folders. To share, open the screenshot, tap the share button (usually three dots or an arrow), and choose how you want to send it.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is not holding the buttons long enough. One quick tap will not work — you need to hold them together for a full second. If you hear the camera sound or see a flash, the screenshot was taken. If you see nothing, try again and hold longer.
Another mistake is pressing the buttons one after the other instead of at the same time. Both buttons must go down together. If you are having trouble, use your thumb and index finger on the same hand, or use two hands — one finger on each button.
Do not worry about what is on your screen when you take the screenshot. Everything visible — including the time, battery level, notifications, and any open apps — will be captured. If you want to hide something before taking a screenshot, close that app or notification first, then take the screenshot.
Editing and marking up your screenshots
On iPad, tap the thumbnail that appears in the bottom-left corner right after you take a screenshot. This opens the markup tools, where you can draw, add text, magnify parts of the image, or add shapes. When you are done, tap Done and choose Save to Photos.
On Android, the process varies by tablet. Some tablets show an edit button right after you take the screenshot. Others require you to open the screenshot in your Gallery app, then tap Edit or Markup. Look for a pencil icon or drawing tool to add marks or text.
If you do not want to edit right away, you can always open the screenshot later from your photo library and edit it then. The original screenshot is never changed — any edits you make create a new version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a screenshot of a video or streaming app?
Most videos and streaming services block screenshots for copyright reasons. If you try to take a screenshot while a protected video is playing, the screenshot will either fail or show a blank screen where the video was. This is intentional and cannot be bypassed on your tablet.
How much storage do screenshots use?
A single screenshot uses very little storage — usually between 100 and 500 kilobytes depending on your tablet's screen size and resolution. You can take hundreds of screenshots before noticing any impact on your tablet's available space. If you want to free up space, you can delete old screenshots from your photo library.
Can I take a screenshot of my entire screen if it is longer than what fits on the display?
A standard screenshot captures only what is visible on your screen at that moment. If you need to capture a long webpage or document, you may need to scroll and take multiple screenshots, or use a built-in tool like iPad's full-page screenshot feature (available on newer iPad models in Safari). Check your tablet's manual for long-capture options.
What if my screenshot button is broken?
If the physical button is damaged, you can use the accessibility features mentioned earlier — AssistiveTouch on iPad or the quick settings menu on Android. These software options work even if the hardware buttons are not responding. You can also contact the tablet manufacturer about repair options.
Do screenshots include sound or just the image?
Screenshots capture only the image on your screen, not any audio or sound. If you need to record both video and audio, you will need to use your tablet's screen recording feature instead, which is a different tool than the screenshot function.