The fastest way to screenshot on a Samsung Galaxy tablet
On most Samsung Galaxy 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 on the screen and hear a camera shutter sound (if your sound is on). The screenshot saves automatically to your Photos app in a folder called "Screenshots."
This method works on nearly all Samsung Galaxy models — Tab S series, Tab A series, Tab Active, and others. The buttons are usually on the right edge of the tablet when held in portrait mode. If you are holding the tablet in landscape mode, one button will be at the top and one at the bottom.
If the Power + Volume Down combination does not work, your tablet may use a different method. Some older models or custom versions require you to swipe the edge of your hand across the screen from left to right, or use the Samsung S Pen if your tablet has one. Check your tablet's settings under Advanced Features to see what screenshot methods are available on your specific model.
Key Takeaways
- Press Power and Volume Down together for one second to take a screenshot on most Samsung Galaxy tablets.
- Your screenshot saves automatically to the Photos app in a folder named Screenshots.
- If Power + Volume Down does not work, check Settings > Advanced Features to find which screenshot method your tablet supports.
- You can edit or share a screenshot when ready after taking it using the toolbar that appears at the bottom of the screen.
- Some Samsung tablets let you take a scrolling screenshot by holding the buttons longer, which captures content that extends beyond what is visible on screen.
Where your screenshots are saved
Every screenshot you take goes into your Photos app automatically. Open Photos, tap the menu (three horizontal lines), and look for a folder called "Screenshots." All your screenshots will be there, organized by date with the newest ones first.
If you want to move screenshots to a different folder or delete them, you can do that from the Photos app. Long-press a screenshot to select it, then tap the trash icon to delete or the move icon to send it elsewhere. You can also share a screenshot directly from the Photos app by tapping the share icon.
Editing and sharing right after you screenshot
When you take a screenshot, a toolbar appears at the bottom of the screen for a few seconds. This toolbar has buttons to crop, draw on, or share your screenshot without leaving the screen. Tap the pencil icon to draw or add text, the crop icon to trim the edges, or the share icon to send it to another app or contact.
If you miss the toolbar, you can still edit the screenshot later by opening it in Photos, tapping the edit button (pencil icon), and making changes. You can also use the built-in markup tools to add shapes, text, or highlights before sharing.
Using the S Pen to screenshot (Tab S models with S Pen)
If your Samsung Galaxy tablet has an S Pen — usually the Tab S6, Tab S7, Tab S8, or newer models — you can take a screenshot by pressing the S Pen button and tapping the screen. This opens the Air Command menu. Tap "Screen Write" to capture the current screen, and you can draw or write on it when ready.
The S Pen method is useful if your hands are full or if you want to annotate the screenshot right away. The screenshot still saves to your Photos app in the Screenshots folder, just like the button method.
Taking a scrolling screenshot
A scrolling screenshot captures content that extends beyond what you see on the screen — useful for long web pages, chat conversations, or documents. On most Samsung Galaxy tablets, take a regular screenshot first (Power + Volume Down), then tap "Scroll Capture" in the toolbar that appears at the bottom.
Your tablet will automatically scroll down and capture more content, stitching it together into one long image. You can stop the scrolling at any time by tapping the screen. The final image saves to your Screenshots folder like any other screenshot.
Not all apps support scrolling screenshots. If the "Scroll Capture" button does not appear, the app you are using does not have this feature.
Troubleshooting when screenshots do not work
If Power + Volume Down does not take a screenshot, first check that your tablet is not in a restricted mode. Some apps, games, or security settings block screenshots. Try taking a screenshot from the home screen or a basic app like Settings to see if the feature works there.
If screenshots still do not work, restart your tablet by holding the Power button until the power menu appears, then tap "Restart." After it restarts, try the Power + Volume Down combination again. If the problem continues, go to Settings > Advanced Features and look for "Screenshots" or "Capture" options to make sure the feature is turned on.
On very old Samsung tablets (more than five years old), the button combination might be different. Check your tablet's user manual or search online for your specific model number plus "how to screenshot" to find the correct method for your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find my screenshots after I take them?
Open your Photos app, tap the menu (three lines), and select the Screenshots folder. All screenshots are organized by date, with the newest first. You can also search for "screenshots" in the Photos app search bar.
Can I take a screenshot without using buttons?
Yes, if your tablet has an S Pen, you can press the S Pen button and tap the screen. Some Samsung tablets also let you swipe the edge of your hand across the screen, though this feature varies by model. Check Settings > Advanced Features to see what methods your tablet supports.
What if I accidentally take a screenshot I do not want?
Open Photos, find the screenshot in the Screenshots folder, long-press it, and tap the trash icon to delete it. You can also delete it when ready after taking it by tapping the delete button in the toolbar that appears at the bottom of the screen.
Can I screenshot a video or protected content?
Most videos and protected content (like streaming services or banking apps) block screenshots for security reasons. If you try to screenshot these, the button combination will not work or the screenshot will come out blank. This is intentional and cannot be changed.
How do I take a screenshot of a long webpage?
Take a regular screenshot first, then tap "Scroll Capture" in the toolbar that appears. Your tablet will scroll down and capture more of the page, stitching it into one long image. Tap the screen to stop scrolling whenever you have captured enough.