The fastest 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. Your screen will flash, you'll hear a camera shutter sound, and a thumbnail will appear in the corner. That's your screenshot—it's saved to your Photos app automatically.

The exact buttons depend on which Samsung model you own, but this Power + Volume Down method works on Galaxy Tab S series, Galaxy Tab A series, and most other current Samsung tablets. If you're using an older model, the steps may differ slightly, but this is the standard across Samsung's recent lineup.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Power and Volume Down together for one second to take a screenshot on most Samsung tablets.
  • Your screenshot saves automatically to the Photos app in a folder called "Screenshots."
  • A thumbnail appears in the corner of your screen right after you take the screenshot—tap it to view or edit when ready.
  • If the button method doesn't work, you can use the palm swipe gesture or access screenshot tools from the Quick Settings menu.

Where your screenshots are stored

Every screenshot you take goes into your Photos app by default. Open Photos, tap the menu (three horizontal lines), and look for a folder labeled "Screenshots." All your captured images sit there in chronological order, with the newest ones at the top.

If you want to move a screenshot somewhere else, open it from the Screenshots folder, tap the three dots in the top right, and select "Move." You can organize them into other albums or folders. You can also delete screenshots from this menu if you no longer need them.

Using the thumbnail to edit or share right away

After you take a screenshot, a small thumbnail appears in the bottom left corner of your screen (or bottom right, depending on your tablet orientation). Tap this thumbnail within a few seconds and your tablet opens an editing window where you can crop, draw on, or highlight parts of the image.

From the editing screen, you can also share the screenshot directly to email, text message, social media, or cloud storage without saving it first. If you don't tap the thumbnail, it disappears after a few seconds, but your screenshot is still saved in Photos—you just won't get the editing option.

The palm swipe method as an alternative

If pressing buttons feels awkward, you can take a screenshot by swiping the edge of your hand across the screen from left to right (or right to left). This gesture must be enabled first. Go to Settings, then Advanced Features, then Motions and Gestures, and toggle on Palm Swipe to Capture.

Once enabled, hold your tablet steady, place the side of your hand (from your pinky to your wrist) on one edge of the screen, and swipe across to the opposite edge in one smooth motion. The timing takes practice—too slow and it won't register, too fast and you might miss. Most people find the button method more reliable, but the palm swipe works well once you get the rhythm down.

Using Quick Settings for screenshot tools

Swipe down from the top of your screen twice to open the full Quick Settings panel. Look for a tile called Screenshot or Capture (the name varies by model). Tap it and your tablet enters screenshot mode, letting you select a rectangular area of the screen to capture instead of grabbing the whole display.

This method is useful when you only want part of a webpage, a specific conversation, or a section of an image. After you select the area, you get the same editing options as the full-screen method—crop, draw, highlight, or share when ready.

Troubleshooting when screenshots won't work

If the Power + Volume Down method produces nothing, first check that your tablet isn't in a special mode that blocks screenshots. Some apps (like banking or streaming services) prevent screenshots for security reasons—if you're inside one of those apps, switch to your home screen and try again.

If screenshots still don't work anywhere, restart your tablet. Hold the Power button until the shutdown menu appears, tap "Power Off," wait 10 seconds, then press Power again to turn it back on. After the restart, try the button combination again. If it still fails, check your tablet's storage—if you're nearly out of space, your tablet may not be able to save new screenshots. Delete old files or photos to free up room, then try once more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take a screenshot of just part of my screen?

Yes. Open Quick Settings (swipe down twice from the top), tap Screenshot or Capture, then drag to select the area you want. This partial screenshot method is faster than taking a full screenshot and cropping it afterward.

Where do I find my screenshots if they're not in Photos?

Check the Screenshots folder inside Photos first. If they're not there, go to Settings, then Apps, then Photos, and check the app's storage permissions. You can also search your tablet by opening Files and typing "screenshot" in the search bar to locate them manually.

Can I change where screenshots are saved?

By default, Samsung tablets save screenshots to the Photos app and you cannot change this location directly. However, you can move individual screenshots to different folders within Photos after you take them, or back them up to cloud storage like Google Drive or Samsung Cloud.

Does taking a screenshot use a lot of battery?

No. A screenshot uses almost no battery power—it's just a copy of what's on your screen at that moment. You won't notice any impact on battery life from taking screenshots regularly.

What if my tablet model is very old?

Older Samsung tablets may use different button combinations. Try Power + Home button together, or Power + both Volume buttons. If neither works, check your tablet's manual or search online for your specific model number plus "how to screenshot." The principle is the same, but the exact buttons can vary.