The Basic Method: Volume Down and Power Button
On most Android tablets, you take a screenshot by pressing the Volume Down button and the Power button at the same time. Hold both buttons for about one second until you see a flash on the screen or hear a camera shutter sound. The screenshot saves automatically to your Photos or Gallery app.
The exact location of these buttons varies by tablet model. The Power button is usually on the right edge or top edge. The Volume Down button sits near it. If you're not sure which button is which, check your tablet's manual or search "[your tablet model] button location" online.
After you take the screenshot, a notification usually appears at the top of your screen for a few seconds. Tap it to open the image right away, or find it later in your Photos app under a folder called Screenshots.
Key Takeaways
- Press Volume Down and Power button together for about one second to capture your screen.
- The screenshot saves automatically to your Photos or Gallery app in a Screenshots folder.
- Some tablets have a menu option to take screenshots if the button method does not work.
- You can edit or share screenshots when ready after taking them from the notification that appears.
- If your tablet has a stylus, you may also be able to take a screenshot by swiping with the stylus from a corner.
What to Do If the Button Method Does Not Work
If pressing Volume Down and Power together does not take a screenshot, your tablet may use a different combination. Some older or less common Android tablets use Volume Down and Home button instead, or Volume Down and a dedicated screenshot button.
Check your tablet's settings to see if there is a screenshot option in the menu. Go to Settings, then look for Display, Advanced Features, or System. Some tablets list a screenshot tool there that you can tap to capture the screen without using buttons at all.
You can also search your tablet's built-in help. Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open Quick Settings, then look for a Help or Support option. Type "screenshot" and your tablet will show you the correct method for your specific model.
Using the Palm Swipe Method
Some Samsung tablets and other Android models let you take a screenshot by swiping the edge of your hand across the screen from left to right or right to left. This feature is usually called Palm Swipe to Capture or Edge Swipe.
To turn this on, go to Settings, then Advanced Features or Motions and Gestures. Look for an option like Palm Swipe to Capture and toggle it on. Once enabled, hold your hand flat, place the edge of your palm on one side of the screen, and swipe across to the other side. The screenshot captures the entire visible screen.
This method works best when you use a smooth, confident motion. If it does not work the first time, try swiping a bit slower or making sure your palm edge is in contact with the screen for the entire swipe.
Taking a Screenshot of Part of Your Screen
If you only want to capture a portion of your screen instead of the whole thing, use the partial screenshot tool. After you take a regular screenshot using buttons or palm swipe, a notification appears with editing options. Tap Edit or Crop, then draw a box around the area you want to keep.
Some tablets also let you start a partial screenshot before capturing. Go to Settings, then Advanced Features, and look for Capture Options or Screenshot Settings. You may find a choice to select the area first, which opens a crosshair tool. Drag to outline the part of the screen you want, then release to capture only that section.
Finding and Managing Your Screenshots
Your screenshots save to the Photos app or Gallery app, depending on your tablet model. Open either app and look for a folder called Screenshots, or check the most recent photos at the top of your library. Screenshots appear in the order you took them, with the newest first.
You can move, delete, or share screenshots from the Photos app. Tap and hold a screenshot to select it, then choose Delete, Share, or Move to Album. If you want to keep screenshots organized, create a new album and move important ones there so they do not get lost among other photos.
If you cannot find your screenshots, check your tablet's file manager. Open Files or My Files, navigate to Pictures or DCIM, and look for a Screenshots folder. Some tablets save them there instead of the main Photos app.
Troubleshooting When Screenshots Do Not Save
If you take a screenshot but it does not appear in your Photos app, check your storage first. Go to Settings, then Storage or Device Care, and see how much space is available. If your tablet is almost full, it may not have room to save new screenshots. Delete old files or photos to free up space, then try again.
You can also check permissions. Go to Settings, then Apps or process Manager, find Photos or Gallery, and tap Permissions. Make sure Storage or Files permission is turned on so the app can save screenshots. If it is off, toggle it on and try taking another screenshot.
If screenshots still do not appear, restart your tablet. Hold the Power button until a menu appears, tap Restart or Power Off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on. This clears temporary glitches that sometimes prevent screenshots from saving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a screenshot while using an app?
Yes, the screenshot method works in almost any app. The entire screen captures, including the app you are using. Some apps like banking or payment apps may block screenshots for security reasons, and you will see an error message if you try.
Does taking a screenshot use up my tablet's storage?
Screenshots do use storage, but not much. A typical screenshot is between 100 and 500 kilobytes, so you can take hundreds before noticing a difference. If storage becomes an issue, delete old screenshots you no longer need.
Can I take a screenshot of my entire conversation or web page if it is longer than one screen?
A single screenshot captures only what is visible on your screen at that moment. To capture a long conversation or webpage, take multiple screenshots as you scroll, or use your browser's built-in tools. Many browsers have a "Capture Page" or "Save as PDF" option that records the entire page in one file.
What if my tablet does not have a Power button on the side?
Some tablets have the Power button on the top or bottom edge instead. Look for a small button or indentation on all edges of your tablet. If you still cannot find it, search "[your tablet brand and model] power button" to see a photo of where it is located.
Can I take a screenshot without using buttons?
Yes, if your tablet supports it. Check Settings for a screenshot tool in Quick Settings or Advanced Features. You can also use voice commands on some tablets by saying "Take a screenshot" if Google Assistant is enabled. Palm swipe is another button-free option if your tablet supports it.