The basic method: buttons or gestures

How you take a screenshot on a tablet depends on what kind of tablet you have. iPad users press the top button (or side button on newer models) and the volume-up button at the same time, then release both. Android tablet users usually press the power button and volume-down button together. The screenshot appears as a thumbnail in the corner of your screen for a few seconds—tap it to open the full image, or swipe it away if you don't need it.

Some Android tablets let you take a screenshot by swiping down from the top of the screen with three fingers at once, or by swiping up from the bottom. This varies by manufacturer and Android version, so if the button method works, stick with that.

Key Takeaways

  • iPad: press the top (or side) button and volume-up button at the same time to capture the screen.
  • Android tablet: press the power button and volume-down button at the same time.
  • After you take a screenshot, a thumbnail appears in the corner—tap it to edit, crop, or share the image right away.
  • Screenshots are saved to your Photos app (iPad) or Gallery app (Android) if you don't act on the thumbnail.
  • If the button combination doesn't work, check your tablet's settings or manufacturer support page, as some models use different gestures.

Where your screenshots are saved

On an iPad, screenshots go into the Photos app in an album called Screenshots. On an Android tablet, they land in the Gallery app, usually in a folder labeled Screenshots. Both systems save them automatically if you ignore the thumbnail that pops up after you take the shot.

You can also find them by opening your file manager and looking in the Pictures or DCIM folder, though the Photos or Gallery app is the faster route. Once a screenshot is saved, you can crop it, mark it up, share it by email or message, or delete it like any other photo.

Editing and sharing right after you capture

The thumbnail that appears in the corner of your screen is your shortcut to quick edits. Tap it and you'll see options to crop the image, draw on it with a pen or highlighter, add text, or magnify part of it. This is useful if you want to circle something or blur out sensitive information before you share it.

From the editing screen, you can also tap Share to send the screenshot directly to Messages, Mail, Notes, or another app without saving it first. If you don't need to edit it, just swipe the thumbnail away and it saves to your Photos or Gallery app in the background.

Troubleshooting when the button combination doesn't work

If pressing the buttons doesn't produce a screenshot, first make sure you're pressing them at the same time, not one after the other. Release them at the same moment. If nothing happens, your tablet may have a different method—some Samsung tablets, for example, let you swipe the edge of your hand across the screen, or use a stylus to capture part of the screen.

Check your tablet's settings under Accessibility or Display to see if there's a screenshot option listed there. You can also search your tablet's built-in help (usually under Settings) for "screenshot" to find the exact method for your model. If you're still stuck, the manufacturer's support website has a guide specific to your tablet.

Using built-in tools to capture part of the screen

If you only need to capture a portion of your screen instead of the whole thing, both iPad and Android offer partial screenshot tools. On iPad, after you take a full screenshot, the editing menu lets you crop to any shape or size. On Android, some tablets let you long-press the power button to open a menu with a "Screenshot" option that lets you draw a box around the area you want.

Another option on Android is to use the Google Assistant—say "Hey Google, take a screenshot" and it will capture the full screen. This works on most Android tablets that have Google Assistant enabled. Neither method is faster than the button combination, but they're useful if your tablet's buttons are damaged or hard to reach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take a screenshot of something that's scrolled off the screen?

A single screenshot only captures what's visible on your screen at that moment. To capture a long page, you'll need to take multiple screenshots and stitch them together, or use a third-party app designed for scrolling screenshots. Some Android tablets have a "Scrolling Screenshot" feature built in—look for it in your screenshot menu or settings.

Where do I find my screenshots if the thumbnail disappears?

Open your Photos app (iPad) or Gallery app (Android) and look for a Screenshots album or folder. If you don't see one, search for "screenshot" in the app's search bar. You can also open your file manager and navigate to Pictures or DCIM to find them there.

Can I take a screenshot without using buttons?

Yes, depending on your tablet. Some Android tablets support voice commands through Google Assistant, and others have gesture options in Accessibility settings. iPad does not have a gesture-only method, but you can use AssistiveTouch (a feature in Accessibility settings) to create a button on your screen that takes screenshots when tapped.

Why is my screenshot blurry or low quality?

Screenshots are captured at your tablet's native screen resolution, so they should be sharp. If they look blurry, the issue is usually with the app or content you're screenshotting, not the screenshot itself. Try closing other apps and taking the screenshot again. If the problem persists, restart your tablet.