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 one 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 or Gallery.

The exact button combination depends on which Samsung tablet model you own and which version of Android it runs. Older models sometimes use different key presses, and Samsung has changed the method across different product lines. If the Power + Volume Down combination does not work on your device, try the alternatives listed in the sections below.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Power and Volume Down together for one second to take a screenshot on most Samsung tablets running Android 9 or newer.
  • Screenshots save automatically to your Gallery or Photos app in a folder called Screenshots.
  • If Power + Volume Down does not work, your tablet may use Power + Home button or a gesture-based method instead.
  • You can find and edit your screenshot when ready after taking it using the notification that appears at the top of your screen.

Where your screenshot saves and how to find it

After you take a screenshot, a notification appears at the top of your screen for a few seconds. Tap that notification to open the image right away, or swipe down from the top to see it again if you missed it. The screenshot also saves permanently to your device's storage.

Open your Gallery or Photos app (the name varies by tablet model and Android version). Look for a folder called Screenshots — this is where all your captured images go. If you do not see a Screenshots folder, check inside the DCIM or Pictures folder instead. You can move, delete, or share screenshots from here just like any other photo on your tablet.

What to do if Power + Volume Down does not work

Some older Samsung tablets and certain models use a different button combination. Try pressing Power + Home button at the same time and hold for one second. The Home button is the physical button at the bottom center of your tablet (if your model has one). This method works on many Samsung Galaxy Tab models from 2015 to 2018.

If your tablet has no Home button, check whether it supports gesture-based screenshots. Swipe the edge of your hand across the screen from left to right or right to left in one smooth motion. You may need to turn this feature on first: go to Settings > Advanced Features > Motions and Gestures > Palm Swipe to Capture and toggle it on. Not all Samsung tablets have this option — it depends on your model and Android version.

Editing and sharing your screenshot right away

When the screenshot notification appears at the top of your screen, you have a few seconds to tap it before it disappears. Tapping the notification opens the image in an editing tool where you can crop, draw, add text, or highlight parts of the screen. This is the fastest way to mark up a screenshot without opening a separate app.

From the editing screen, you can also share the screenshot directly to email, text message, or social media by tapping the Share button. If you close the notification without editing, you can still find the full, unedited screenshot in your Gallery or Photos app and edit it there later.

Common reasons a screenshot does not work

You pressed the buttons too quickly or not at the same time. Both buttons must be held down together for about one full second. If you tap them in sequence instead of simultaneously, the screenshot will not capture. Try again and count to one while holding both buttons.

Your tablet is in a mode that blocks screenshots. Some apps, games, and find banking screens prevent screenshots for security reasons. If you see a message saying screenshots are not allowed, you cannot bypass this — it is a protection built into that app. Try taking a screenshot outside of that app to confirm your tablet works normally.

Your storage is full. If your tablet has very little free space left, it may not be able to save new screenshots. Check your storage in Settings > Storage and delete old files or photos if needed. You need at least a few hundred megabytes of free space for screenshots to save reliably.

Using Samsung's built-in screen capture tools

Beyond the standard screenshot button method, Samsung tablets often include extra screen capture options. Swipe down from the top of your screen twice to open the full Quick Settings panel, then look for a button labeled Screenshot, Capture, or Screen Capture. Tapping this button takes a screenshot without needing to press physical buttons.

Some Samsung tablets also have a Scroll Capture feature that lets you capture more than what fits on one screen. After taking a screenshot, the notification may show a Scroll option. Tap it to automatically scroll down and capture additional content below, then combine it all into one long image. This is useful for capturing entire web pages or long conversations.

Troubleshooting if your tablet still will not take screenshots

Restart your tablet by holding the Power button until the shutdown menu appears, then tap Restart. Wait for it to turn back on and try taking a screenshot again. A straightforward restart often fixes temporary glitches that prevent screenshots from working.

If restarting does not help, check your Android version. Go to Settings > About Tablet and look for Android Version. Write down the number (for example, Android 12 or Android 13). Then search online for your specific tablet model and Android version to confirm which screenshot method that combination uses — Samsung has changed the process several times across different versions and product lines.

As a last resort, use your tablet's built-in screen recording feature instead. Swipe down from the top twice to open Quick Settings, find Screen Recorder, and tap it to start recording your screen. This captures video instead of a still image, but it works on every Samsung tablet and lets you save exactly what you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. After taking a screenshot using Power + Volume Down, tap the notification and look for a crop or selection tool in the editing menu. You can draw a box around the part you want to keep and discard the rest. Some Samsung tablets also let you tap and drag to select a rectangular area before taking the screenshot — check your Quick Settings panel for a Partial Screenshot option.

Where do I find screenshots if the notification disappeared?

Open your Gallery or Photos app and look for a folder called Screenshots. If you cannot find it, check inside DCIM, Pictures, or Documents folders. You can also search for "screenshot" in your file manager to locate all captured images at once.

Why does my screenshot show the wrong date?

Check that your tablet's date and time settings are correct. Go to Settings > General Management > Date and Time and make sure the date, time, and time zone match your location. Screenshots use your device's internal clock to record when they were taken.

Can I take a screenshot while using certain apps?

Most apps allow screenshots, but banking apps, payment apps, and some streaming services block them for security reasons. If you see a message that screenshots are not allowed, that app has intentionally disabled the feature. You can take screenshots in other apps normally.

How much storage space do screenshots use?

A single screenshot typically uses between 100 kilobytes and 2 megabytes of storage, depending on your tablet's screen resolution and what is displayed. You can take hundreds of screenshots before noticing a significant impact on available storage space.