The quickest 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 camera sound, or see a notification at the top of the screen. The image saves automatically to your Photos app in a folder called Screenshots.

The exact button combination depends on which Samsung tablet model you own and which version of Android it runs, but Power + Volume Down works on nearly all current Samsung tablets. If that doesn't work, try Power + Volume Up instead — some older models use that combination.

Once you take the screenshot, you'll see a small preview appear at the bottom of the screen for a few seconds. You can tap that preview to edit the image right away, or swipe it away and find the full image later in your Photos app.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Power and Volume Down together for about one second to capture your screen on most Samsung tablets.
  • The screenshot saves automatically to your Photos app in a folder labeled Screenshots.
  • A preview appears at the bottom of the screen when ready after you take the screenshot, and you can edit it before it saves.
  • If Power + Volume Down doesn't work, try Power + Volume Up, which some older Samsung tablets use instead.
  • You can also use the palm-swipe gesture if your tablet supports it — swipe the edge of your hand across the screen from left to right or right to left.

Where your screenshots are stored

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 captured images are organized there by date, with the newest ones at the top.

If you want to move a screenshot to a different folder or share it, open the image and look for the share icon (usually three dots or an arrow). From there you can send it by email, text, or any messaging app you have installed. You can also delete screenshots from this folder if you no longer need them.

Using the palm-swipe method

Some Samsung tablets let you take a screenshot by swiping the edge of your hand across the screen. Place the side of your hand on one edge of the screen and swipe it quickly to the opposite side — left to right or right to left works equally well. You should see the same flash and notification as the button method.

This feature is called Palm Swipe to Capture and is not turned on by default. To enable it, go to Settings, then Display, then look for an option called Motion or Gestures. Tap it and turn on Palm Swipe to Capture. Not all Samsung tablet models support this feature, so if you don't see the option, your tablet doesn't have it.

Editing your screenshot when ready after capture

Right after you take a screenshot, a preview appears at the bottom of your screen for a few seconds. Tap that preview to open the editing tools. You can crop the image, draw on it with different colors and brush sizes, add text, or blur parts of it.

The editing toolbar appears at the bottom of the screen. You'll see options to crop, draw, add text, and undo changes. Once you're happy with your edits, tap Save or Done (the exact button name varies by Android version). Your edited version replaces the original in your Screenshots folder.

Troubleshooting when the button method doesn't work

If pressing Power + Volume Down doesn't capture your screen, first check that your tablet isn't in a special mode that blocks screenshots. Some apps, like banking or streaming services, prevent screenshots for security reasons — you'll see a message saying the screenshot failed.

If you're not seeing that message, try holding the buttons for a full second instead of just tapping them. Make sure you're pressing both buttons at exactly the same time, not one after the other. If your tablet is very low on battery, the screenshot feature might not work — charge it to at least 20 percent and try again.

If nothing works after that, restart your tablet by holding the Power button until you see a shutdown menu, then tap Restart. Once it boots back up, try taking a screenshot again. If it still fails, the tablet may have a hardware issue with one of the buttons, and you should contact Samsung support or visit a repair shop.

Using Samsung's built-in screen recording instead

If you need to capture video of your screen rather than a still image, Samsung tablets have a built-in screen recorder. Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open the full Quick Settings menu, then look for Screen Recorder or Record. Tap it to start recording everything on your screen, including audio from apps and your microphone.

A countdown appears, then recording begins. A small floating icon shows you that recording is active. When you're done, tap that icon or swipe down to Quick Settings again and tap Screen Recorder to stop. The video saves to your Photos app just like a screenshot, and you can edit, share, or delete it from there.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. After you take a full screenshot, tap the preview that appears at the bottom and use the crop tool to select only the area you want. You can also use the built-in markup tools to draw a box around the part you want to keep, then save it.

Why does my screenshot say "Screenshot failed"?

Some apps block screenshots for security — banking apps, payment services, and streaming apps often do this. If the app itself is preventing the screenshot, you won't be able to capture it. If you're not in a restricted app, restart your tablet and try again.

Where do I find my old screenshots?

Open your Photos app, tap the menu (three lines), and select Screenshots. All your captured images are there, sorted by date with the newest first. You can also search for "screenshot" in the Photos search bar to find them.

Can I change where screenshots are saved?

Screenshots always save to your Photos app by default, and most Samsung tablets don't let you change that location. If you want to organize them differently, you can create a new album in Photos and move screenshots into it manually after you take them.

Does taking a screenshot use a lot of battery?

No, screenshots use almost no battery power. The only thing that drains battery is if you're using screen recording instead, which keeps the processor active and uses noticeably more power the longer you record.