The quickest way: power button and volume down
On Samsung tablets without a physical home button, press the power button and volume down button at the same time. Hold both for about one second until you see a flash on the screen or hear a camera shutter sound. The screenshot saves to your Photos app automatically.
This method works on most Samsung tablets made in the last five years, including the Galaxy Tab S series and Galaxy Tab A models. The timing matters — if you hold too long, you may trigger the power menu instead. A quick, simultaneous press is all you need.
You will know it worked when the screen briefly flashes white or you see a notification at the top of the screen confirming the screenshot was taken. Some tablets also show a toolbar at the bottom with options to edit or share the image right away.
Key Takeaways
- Press the power button and volume down button together for one second to capture a screenshot on Samsung tablets without a home button.
- The screenshot saves automatically to your Photos app in a folder called Screenshots.
- If the power menu appears instead, you held the buttons too long — try again with a quicker press.
- Some Samsung tablets also let you swipe the side of your hand across the screen to screenshot, if you enable it in Settings.
- You can edit or share screenshots when ready using the toolbar that appears at the bottom of the screen after capture.
Using the palm swipe method if buttons don't work
Samsung tablets offer an alternative: swipe the side of your hand across the screen from left to right or right to left. This captures a screenshot without pressing any buttons. Not all Samsung tablets have this feature turned on by default, so you may need to enable it first.
To turn on palm swipe screenshots, open Settings, tap Advanced Features (or Motions and Gestures on older models), then look for Palm Swipe to Capture or Screenshot. Toggle it on. Once enabled, place the side of your hand (the edge from your pinky to your wrist) on the screen and swipe across in one smooth motion.
This method works best when you use the fleshy outer edge of your hand rather than your fingers. The tablet needs to detect contact across a wider area than a single finger provides. If it does not work the first time, try swiping a bit slower or making sure more of your hand is touching the screen.
Where screenshots are saved and how to find them
Every screenshot you take saves automatically to your Photos app in a folder called Screenshots. Open Photos, tap Albums at the bottom, scroll down, and tap Screenshots. All your captured images appear there in order from newest to oldest.
You can also find screenshots through your file manager. Open Files, navigate to Pictures, then look for a Screenshots folder. From either location, you can share, edit, or delete screenshots. Editing tools let you crop, draw on the image, or add text before sharing.
If you want screenshots to save to a different location, most Samsung tablets do not offer that option in Settings — they always go to the Screenshots folder in Photos. However, you can move them manually after capture by opening Files and dragging them to another folder.
Troubleshooting when the power and volume method doesn't work
If pressing power and volume down opens the power menu instead of taking a screenshot, you are holding the buttons too long. Release both buttons as soon as you press them — the action should take less than one second. Try again with a quicker, more decisive press.
If nothing happens at all, check that your tablet is not in a restricted mode or locked down by your organization (common on work tablets). Some Samsung tablets also require you to update to the latest software version for the screenshot feature to work. Go to Settings, About Tablet, and tap Software Update to check for updates.
On very old Samsung tablets or certain enterprise models, the power and volume method may not be available. In that case, use the palm swipe method if your tablet supports it, or look for a screenshot option in the notification panel by swiping down from the top of the screen.
Using the notification panel screenshot tool
Some Samsung tablets include a screenshot button in the quick settings panel. Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open the full notification panel, then look for a Screenshot button or icon. Tap it to capture what is currently on your screen.
This method is slower than the button combination, but it is useful if the physical buttons are not responding or if you want a more deliberate way to take a screenshot. The button appears in the same panel where you control brightness, Wi-Fi, and other quick settings.
Not all Samsung tablets display this button by default. If you do not see it, you can sometimes add it by tapping Edit or Customize in the notification panel, then selecting Screenshot from the available options to display.
Editing and sharing your screenshots right after capture
After you take a screenshot, a toolbar usually appears at the bottom of the screen for a few seconds. This toolbar lets you crop the image, draw or write on it, or share it when ready without opening the Photos app. Tap Crop to remove unwanted edges, or tap the pen icon to draw or add text.
If you tap Share, you can send the screenshot directly to another app — Messages, Email, Drive, or any messaging platform you have installed. This is faster than taking a screenshot, opening Photos, finding the image, and then sharing it separately.
The toolbar disappears after a few seconds if you do not use it. You can still edit or share the screenshot later by opening Photos and finding it in the Screenshots folder, but using the when ready toolbar is more convenient if you need to act on the image right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a screenshot of just part of the screen?
Yes. After you take a screenshot using power and volume down, tap the toolbar that appears and select Crop. You can then drag the corners and edges to select only the area you want to keep. Some Samsung tablets also let you take a partial screenshot by holding power and volume down longer — a crosshair appears and you can draw a rectangle around the area you want.
What if my tablet has a home button but no power button?
This is rare on modern Samsung tablets. If your tablet has a home button, you can usually press the home button and power button together instead. Check your tablet's manual or Settings to confirm the correct button combination for your specific model.
Do screenshots include the notification bar at the top?
Yes, screenshots capture everything visible on the screen, including the notification bar, time, and battery indicator at the top. If you do not want these in your screenshot, use the crop tool after capture to remove them.
Can I take a screenshot of a scrolling page all at once?
Some Samsung tablets have a Scroll Capture feature. After taking a screenshot, look for a Scroll Capture or Extended option in the toolbar. Tap it and the tablet will automatically scroll down and add more content to your screenshot, creating one long image of the entire page.
Where do I find the screenshot if I do not see the toolbar?
Open your Photos app, tap Albums, and scroll to Screenshots. Your image will be there even if you missed the toolbar. You can also search for it by opening Files and navigating to Pictures > Screenshots.