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. You will see a flash, hear a camera sound, and a notification will appear at the top of your screen confirming the screenshot was saved. The image goes directly to your tablet's gallery or Photos app.
This method works on nearly all Samsung tablet models from the last five years. If you do not hear a sound or see a notification, your tablet may use a different button combination — check the next section for alternatives based on your model.
Your screenshot is saved as an image file in a folder called "Screenshots" inside your Photos or Gallery app. You can open it when ready, edit it, or share it to another app right from the notification that appears.
Key Takeaways
- Press Power and Volume Down together for one second to take a screenshot on most Samsung tablets.
- The screenshot saves automatically to your Photos or Gallery app in a Screenshots folder.
- Older Samsung tablets or those running Android 9 or earlier may require swiping the edge of your hand across the screen instead.
- You can edit, crop, or share a screenshot when ready after taking it from the notification panel.
- If the button method does not work, check your tablet's Settings under Advanced Features for Palm Swipe or other screenshot options.
Button combinations for different Samsung tablet models
The Power + Volume Down method is standard on Samsung Galaxy Tab S series (S6 and newer), Galaxy Tab A series (2019 and newer), and Galaxy Tab S Ultra models. If you own one of these, the one-second hold is all you need.
Older tablets running Android 9 or earlier — including some Galaxy Tab A 2018 models and older Tab S versions — may not respond to the button combination. On these devices, you will need to use the palm swipe method instead, which is described in the next section.
If you are unsure which method your tablet uses, try the button combination first. If nothing happens after three attempts, move to the palm swipe method. There is no risk of damage from trying either one.
Using palm swipe to capture your screen
On tablets that do not respond to the Power + Volume Down combination, you can swipe the edge of your hand across the screen from left to right or right to left. Your hand should touch the screen as you swipe — do not hover above it. The swipe should take about one second and cover most of the screen width.
Before you try this method, you must turn it on in Settings. Open Settings, tap Advanced Features, then look for Motions and Gestures or Palm Swipe to Capture. Toggle it on if it is available. Not all Samsung tablets have this feature, but most models from 2015 onward do.
Once enabled, swipe your palm across the screen and wait for the same flash and notification you would see with the button method. The screenshot will save to the same Screenshots folder in your Photos app.
Finding and managing your screenshots
After you take a screenshot, a notification appears at the top of your screen for a few seconds. You can tap this notification to open the image when ready, or swipe it away and find the screenshot later in your Photos or Gallery app.
Open your Photos or Gallery app and look for a folder called Screenshots. All your captured images will be organized there by date. You can also search for "screenshot" in the app's search bar if the folder is not when ready visible.
From the notification or from inside your Photos app, you can crop the image, draw on it, or share it directly to email, messaging apps, or social media. These editing tools appear as buttons below the screenshot when you open it.
Editing your screenshot right after capture
When a screenshot notification appears, tap it to open a quick editing panel. You will see options to crop, draw with a pen or highlighter, add text, or erase parts of the image. These tools let you mark up the screenshot before you save or share it.
If you want to edit later instead, skip the notification and open the screenshot from your Photos app. Tap the image, then look for an Edit button or pencil icon. The same editing tools will be available.
After you finish editing, tap Save or Done. Your changes overwrite the original screenshot file, so if you want to keep both versions, save the edited one with a new name first.
Troubleshooting when screenshots do not work
If the Power + Volume Down combination does not work, make sure you are holding both buttons at exactly the same time. Pressing one slightly before the other will not trigger the screenshot. Try again, counting to one second in your head while holding both buttons down.
If you still see nothing, check that your tablet is not in a mode that blocks screenshots. Some apps, like banking or video streaming services, prevent screenshots for security reasons. Exit that app and try taking a screenshot on your home screen or in a different app.
Restart your tablet if screenshots have stopped working after they used to work. Hold the Power button until the shutdown menu appears, tap Restart, and wait for the tablet to turn back on. Then try the screenshot method again.
If your tablet is very old (Android 8 or earlier) and neither the button method nor palm swipe works, check your Settings under Advanced Features to see if there is a Screenshot or Capture option you can turn on manually. Some older models require this step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do screenshots save on my Samsung tablet?
Screenshots save to your Photos or Gallery app in a folder called Screenshots. You can also find them in your tablet's file manager under the Pictures or DCIM folder, depending on your Android version. All screenshots are stored as image files you can open, edit, or delete anytime.
Can I take a screenshot of just part of my screen?
Yes. After you take a full screenshot, open it from the notification and use the crop tool to select only the area you want. You can also use the editing panel to draw a box around the part you need. Some Samsung tablets also have a "Capture More" option that lets you scroll and capture content larger than one screen.
Why does my screenshot sound play even when my tablet is muted?
The screenshot sound is separate from your tablet's volume control and plays even when the device is set to silent. This is by design on Samsung tablets. If you want to disable the sound, go to Settings, search for "screenshot," and look for a toggle to turn off the capture sound if your model offers this option.
Can I take a screenshot while using another app?
Yes. The Power + Volume Down method works in almost any app, including games, browsers, and messaging apps. The only exceptions are apps that block screenshots for security, like some banking or video apps. If an app prevents screenshots, you will see a message saying the screenshot was not saved.
How do I delete screenshots from my tablet?
Open your Photos or Gallery app, find the Screenshots folder, and long-press the image you want to delete. Tap the trash or delete icon. You can also select multiple screenshots at once by tapping each one while holding the first, then delete them all together. Deleted screenshots go to your trash folder and can be recovered for 30 days on most Samsung tablets.