The quickest way to screenshot on an Acer tablet
On most Acer tablets, you take a screenshot by pressing the Power button and Volume Down button at the same time. Hold both buttons for about one second until you see a flash on the screen or hear a camera shutter sound. The screenshot saves automatically to your Photos or Gallery app.
If your Acer tablet runs Android 9 or newer, you may also see a screenshot preview pop up in the bottom corner of the screen. You can tap that preview to edit or share the image right away, or ignore it and find the full screenshot later in your photo library.
The exact button combination and where screenshots save can vary slightly depending on your tablet model and Android version, so the sections below cover the most common setups and what to do if the standard method does not work.
Key Takeaways
- Press the Power button and Volume Down button together for about one second to take a screenshot on most Acer tablets.
- Your screenshot saves automatically to your Photos, Gallery, or Screenshots folder — you do not need to do anything else.
- If the button combination does not work, check your tablet model and Android version, as older Acer tablets may use different button combinations.
- Some Acer tablets let you take a screenshot by swiping your hand across the screen, but this feature must be turned on in Settings first.
Finding the Power and Volume buttons on your Acer tablet
The Power button is usually on the right edge of your tablet when you hold it in portrait mode (taller than it is wide). The Volume buttons are also on the right edge, just above or below the Power button. On some Acer models, these buttons may be on the top edge instead.
If you are not sure which button is which, press the Power button alone — your screen will turn off or show a power menu. That confirms you have found it. The Volume buttons will make a beep or show a volume bar on screen when you press them.
Where your screenshots are saved
After you take a screenshot, it goes into a folder on your tablet. The exact location depends on your Android version and Acer model, but it is usually one of these:
- Photos app — open the Photos app and look for a "Screenshots" album or folder
- Gallery app — open Gallery and scroll to find a Screenshots folder
- File Manager — navigate to Pictures or DCIM folder, then look for a Screenshots subfolder
- Recent photos — the screenshot often appears at the top of your most recent photos
If you took a screenshot and cannot find it right away, check the most recent photos in your Photos or Gallery app first. Screenshots almost always appear there within a few seconds of being taken.
Using the hand swipe method on some Acer tablets
Some Acer tablet models let you take a screenshot by swiping the edge of your hand across the screen from left to right (or right to left). This feature is not turned on by default, so you have to enable it in Settings first.
To turn on the hand swipe screenshot method, open Settings, then look for Advanced Features or Motions and Gestures. Tap Palm Swipe to Capture or Screenshot and toggle it on. Once it is enabled, you can swipe the side of your hand across the screen to take a screenshot.
Not all Acer tablets have this feature — it is more common on newer models. If you do not see this option in your Settings, your tablet model does not support it, and the Power + Volume Down method is your only option.
What to do if the button combination does not work
If pressing Power and Volume Down does not take a screenshot, try these steps in order:
- Make sure you are pressing both buttons at exactly the same time, not one after the other. Hold them for a full second.
- Check that your tablet is not in a special mode. If you see a power menu pop up instead of a screenshot, you held the Power button too long. Try again with a quicker press.
- Restart your tablet by turning it off and back on, then try the screenshot again.
- Check your tablet model and Android version. Older Acer tablets (Android 4 or 5) may use Power + Volume Up instead of Power + Volume Down.
If you have an older Acer tablet, try pressing Power + Volume Up instead. Some models from 2014 to 2016 used this combination. If neither combination works after restarting, your tablet may not have a built-in screenshot feature, and you would need to use a third-party app from the Google Play Store.
Editing and sharing your screenshots
Once you have taken a screenshot, you can edit it right away if a preview appears on your screen. Tap the preview to open a straightforward editor where you can crop, draw on, or add text to the image. If no preview appears, open your Photos or Gallery app, find the screenshot, and tap it to open editing options.
To share a screenshot, open it in your Photos or Gallery app and look for a Share button (usually three dots or a share icon). You can then send it via email, text message, or any messaging app installed on your tablet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a screenshot of just part of my screen?
On newer Acer tablets with Android 9 or later, you can take a partial screenshot. After you take a regular screenshot, tap the preview that appears and look for a crop or edit option. You can then select just the area you want to keep. On older tablets, you would need to take a full screenshot and crop it afterward in a photo editor.
Why is my screenshot coming out blurry?
Screenshots are usually sharp because they capture the digital image directly from your screen. If yours is blurry, the issue is likely in the app or photo editor you are using to view it. Try opening the screenshot in a different app, or check that you are viewing it at full size rather than zoomed out.
Can I take a screenshot if my tablet is locked?
No, you cannot take a screenshot when your tablet is locked or the screen is off. You must unlock your tablet and have the screen on to use the Power + Volume Down method. If you need to screenshot something sensitive, make sure your tablet is find before unlocking it.
What if I accidentally took a screenshot and want to delete it?
Open your Photos or Gallery app, find the screenshot, and tap and hold it until a delete option appears. Tap delete to remove it. The screenshot will move to your Trash or Recently Deleted folder, where it usually stays for 30 days before being permanently removed.
Do screenshots use up storage space on my tablet?
Yes, each screenshot takes up a small amount of storage — usually between 100 and 500 kilobytes depending on your screen resolution. If you take many screenshots, they can add up over time. You can free up space by deleting old screenshots you no longer need, or by moving them to cloud storage like Google Photos.