The Basic Method: Volume Down and Power Button Together
On most Samsung tablets, you take a screenshot by pressing the Volume Down button and Power button at the same time, then releasing both when ready. Hold them together for about one second—not longer, or your tablet will think you're trying to power it off or adjust volume.
The screenshot captures everything visible on your screen at that moment. Your tablet will make a camera shutter sound (if sound is on), and a notification will appear at the top of the screen confirming the image was saved. The file goes automatically to your Gallery app in a folder called "Screenshots".
Timing matters here. Press and release in one smooth motion rather than holding the buttons down. If you hold too long, your tablet may show the power menu instead, which means you pressed the Power button too hard or held it too long.
Key Takeaways
- Press Volume Down and Power button together for about one second to capture your screen.
- Your screenshot saves automatically to the Gallery app in a Screenshots folder.
- If the power menu appears instead, you held the buttons too long—release faster next time.
- Some Samsung tablets with a stylus offer a palm gesture option to screenshot by swiping your hand across the screen.
- You can take a screenshot of just part of your screen using the Capture tool in the notification panel.
Using the Capture Tool for Partial Screenshots
If you only want to capture part of your screen, use the Capture tool instead. Swipe down from the top of your screen twice to open the full notification panel, then look for a button labeled "Capture" or "Screenshot".
Tap "Capture" and your screen will dim slightly. You can now draw a rectangle around the area you want to save. Drag from one corner to the opposite corner to select your region, then release. The partial screenshot saves to Gallery the same way a full screenshot does.
This method is useful when you want to share just one part of a conversation, a specific image, or a section of a webpage without sending the entire screen.
Taking Screenshots with Palm Gesture (Some Models)
Certain Samsung tablets—particularly those with an S Pen stylus—include a palm gesture option. Instead of using buttons, you can swipe the edge of your hand across the screen from left to right (or right to left) to capture a screenshot.
This feature is not turned on by default. To enable it, open Settings, then go to Advanced Features (or Motions and Gestures, depending on your model). Look for Palm Swipe to Capture and toggle it on. Once activated, a straightforward hand swipe takes your screenshot.
Not all Samsung tablets have this feature—it depends on your specific model and Android version. If you don't see it in Settings, your tablet does not support this method.
Where Your Screenshots Are Saved
Every screenshot you take saves to your tablet's internal storage in the Gallery app. Open Gallery, then look for a folder called "Screenshots" or "Capture". All your screenshots appear there in the order you took them, with the newest ones first.
You can also find screenshots by opening your File Manager app and navigating to Internal Storage > Pictures > Screenshots. From either location, you can share, delete, edit, or move screenshots to other folders.
If you have a microSD card inserted in your tablet, screenshots still save to internal storage by default—not to the card. You can move them to the card later if you want to free up space.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
The power menu keeps appearing instead of a screenshot: You are holding the Power button too long or pressing it harder than the Volume Down button. Try pressing both buttons with equal pressure and release within one second. Practice the motion a few times without expecting a screenshot—just get the timing right.
You hear the shutter sound but no screenshot appears: Check your Gallery app to see if it actually saved. If it did not, your tablet may have run out of storage space. Open Settings, go to Storage, and see how much free space you have. Delete old files or photos if you are running low.
The Capture tool button does not appear in your notification panel: Swipe down twice from the top to make sure you have the full panel open, not just the quick settings. If it still does not appear, your tablet model may not include this feature, and you should use the button method instead.
Palm swipe is not working: Make sure you enabled it in Settings under Advanced Features. Also, swipe from the edge of your hand (the outer edge, not your palm), and make sure your hand is in contact with the screen as you swipe. A slow, deliberate swipe works better than a quick one.
Editing and Sharing Your Screenshots
After you take a screenshot, a small preview often appears in the notification area. You can tap this preview to open the screenshot when ready in an editor, where you can crop, draw on it, or add text before saving.
To edit a screenshot later, open Gallery, find your screenshot, and tap it. Look for an Edit button (usually a pencil icon) to crop, rotate, or add marks. You can also share directly from Gallery by tapping the share icon and choosing an app—Messages, Email, social media, or cloud storage.
If you want to take a screenshot and when ready send it to someone, take the screenshot, tap the preview, edit if needed, then tap Share before closing the editor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a screenshot if my tablet is locked?
No. Your tablet must be unlocked and showing the screen you want to capture. If it is locked, pressing the buttons will either unlock it or trigger the power menu, not take a screenshot.
Do screenshots include the notification bar at the top?
Yes, full screenshots capture everything visible on your screen, including the notification bar, time, and battery icon at the top. If you do not want those included, use the Capture tool to select only the area you need.
Where can I find screenshots if I cannot find them in Gallery?
Open your File Manager app and navigate to Internal Storage > Pictures > Screenshots. If they are not there either, check your storage space—if your tablet is full, new screenshots may not save. You can also search for "screenshot" in the File Manager search bar.
Can I change where screenshots are saved?
On most Samsung tablets, screenshots save automatically to the Pictures/Screenshots folder and you cannot change this location. However, you can move screenshots to a different folder after they are taken using the File Manager or Gallery app.
What is the difference between a screenshot and a screen recording?
A screenshot captures a still image of your screen at one moment. A screen recording captures video of everything you do on your screen for a set period of time. Screen recording uses the same notification panel—look for "Screen Recorder" instead of "Capture".