The fastest way to capture your screen
On most Samsung tablets, you take a screenshot by pressing the Power button and Volume Down button at the same time. Hold both for about a second until you see a flash, hear a shutter sound, or see a notification at the top of the screen. The image saves automatically to your Photos app in a folder called "Screenshots".
If that combination does not work on your model, try pressing Power and Home button together instead — older Samsung tablets use this method. The result is the same: a full-screen image saved to your device.
You will know the screenshot worked because your tablet will give you visual or audio feedback. Some models show a thumbnail in the corner of the screen for a few seconds, letting you edit or share the image right away.
Key Takeaways
- Press Power and Volume Down together for one second to capture the entire screen on most Samsung tablets.
- Your screenshot saves automatically to the Photos app in a folder named Screenshots.
- If Power and Volume Down does not work, try Power and Home button instead on older models.
- You can edit or share a screenshot when ready after taking it from the notification that appears on screen.
- Some Samsung tablets also support palm-swipe gestures to take screenshots if you enable the feature in Settings.
Finding your screenshots after you take them
Every screenshot lands in your Photos app automatically. Open Photos, tap the menu (three lines or three dots), and look for a folder called "Screenshots" — it groups all your captures in one place. If you do not see a Screenshots folder, your images may be in the main "Gallery" or "All Photos" view, sorted by date taken.
You can also find screenshots through your file manager. Open Files or My Files, navigate to Internal Storage > DCIM > Screenshots, and you will see every image you have captured. This path works on nearly all Samsung tablets.
Using the palm-swipe method if buttons are hard to press
If pressing two buttons at once is difficult, Samsung tablets offer an alternative: a palm-swipe gesture. Swipe the edge of your hand across the screen from left to right (or right to left) to capture a screenshot. This feature is not turned on by default, so you need to enable it first.
Go to Settings > Advanced features > Motions and gestures > Palm swipe to capture. Toggle it on. Once enabled, straightforward swipe the side of your hand across the screen and your tablet will take a screenshot the same way the button method does. This works well if your Power or Volume buttons are worn or unresponsive.
Editing a screenshot right after you take it
When you take a screenshot, a thumbnail usually appears in the corner of your screen for a few seconds. Tap that thumbnail to open the editing tools when ready. You can crop the image, draw on it with a pen or highlighter, add text, or blur sensitive information before saving.
If you miss the thumbnail, open your Photos app, find the screenshot in the Screenshots folder, tap it, and look for an Edit button (usually a pencil icon). Samsung's built-in editor lets you make quick changes without opening a separate app.
Troubleshooting when screenshots are not working
If nothing happens when you press the buttons, first check that you are holding both buttons at the same time for at least one second. Many people release too quickly. Press and hold until you see or hear feedback.
If the button combination still does not work, restart your tablet. Power it off completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Sometimes a software glitch prevents screenshots from registering. After the restart, try the button combination again.
If your tablet is very old or heavily customized, the button combination may have been changed. Go to Settings > Advanced features > Motions and gestures and look for any screenshot-related options. You can also try the alternative button combination (Power and Home) if you have not already.
Sharing a screenshot directly from the notification
Right after you take a screenshot, the thumbnail that appears in the corner usually shows sharing options. You can tap it to send the image to Messages, Email, or social media without opening your Photos app first. This is the fastest way to share a quick capture with someone.
If you want to share later, open Photos, find the screenshot, tap the three-dot menu, and select Share. You can send it through any app installed on your tablet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my screenshot button combination not working?
Make sure you are pressing both buttons at the same time and holding for at least one second. If that does not work, restart your tablet. On older Samsung models, try Power and Home instead of Power and Volume Down. If neither works, check Settings under Advanced features to see if screenshots have been disabled or remapped.
Where do my screenshots go?
Screenshots save automatically to your Photos app in a folder called Screenshots. You can also find them in your file manager at Internal Storage > DCIM > Screenshots. They are stored on your tablet's internal storage, not in the cloud, unless you have cloud backup turned on.
Can I take a screenshot of just part of my screen?
The button method captures the entire screen. However, after you take a full screenshot, you can open it in Photos and use the crop tool to keep only the part you need. Some Samsung tablets also support a "Partial screenshot" option in the notification menu that appears after you capture.
Is there a way to take a screenshot without using buttons?
Yes. Enable the palm-swipe gesture in Settings > Advanced features > Motions and gestures > Palm swipe to capture. Then swipe the edge of your hand across the screen from side to side. This works just like the button method but does not require pressing anything.
Can I edit my screenshot before it saves?
The screenshot saves first, but you can edit it when ready. A thumbnail appears in the corner for a few seconds — tap it to open the editing tools. If you miss the thumbnail, open Photos, find the screenshot, and tap Edit to make changes anytime.