The quickest way to screenshot on most Samsung tablets
On most Samsung tablets, press the Power button and Volume Down button at the same time and hold them for about a second. You'll see a flash on the screen and hear a camera sound — that's your screenshot being saved. The image goes straight to your Photos app or Gallery, usually in a folder called "Screenshots".
This method works on nearly all Samsung tablets made in the last five years. If you're using an older model or it doesn't work, there are other ways to capture your screen that we'll cover below.
Key Takeaways
- Press Power and Volume Down together for one second to take a screenshot on most Samsung tablets.
- Your screenshot saves automatically to your Photos app or Gallery in a Screenshots folder.
- If the button method doesn't work, you can use the Palm Swipe gesture or access screenshot tools through your Settings menu.
- You can edit or share your screenshot when ready after taking it by tapping the preview that appears at the bottom of your screen.
Where your screenshots are stored
After you take a screenshot, a small preview appears at the bottom left of your screen for a few seconds. You can tap that preview to open the image right away, or ignore it and find the screenshot later in your Photos app.
Open your Photos app or Gallery app and look for a folder labeled "Screenshots" — that's where Samsung automatically sorts them. If you don't see a Screenshots folder, check the main photo library or search for "screenshot" to find recent ones. You can move, delete, or share screenshots from there just like any other photo.
Using Palm Swipe if buttons don't work
Some Samsung tablets 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 isn't turned on by default, so you'll need to enable it first.
Go to Settings > Advanced Features > Motions and Gestures and look for Palm Swipe to Capture. Turn it on. Once it's enabled, place the side of your hand on the screen and swipe across — your tablet will take a screenshot. This works best when you use the fleshy edge of your palm rather than your fingers.
Taking a screenshot through the Settings menu
If the button method and Palm Swipe aren't working, you can also reach screenshot tools through your tablet's settings. Open Settings and search for "screenshot" — you should see options for how your tablet captures the screen.
Some Samsung tablets also let you access a screenshot tool from the Quick Settings panel. Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open Quick Settings, and look for a "Screenshot" button or tile. Tap it to capture what's on your screen at that moment.
Editing your screenshot right after you take it
When the preview appears at the bottom of your screen after taking a screenshot, you have a few seconds to tap it. This opens the image in an editor where you can crop, draw on it, or add text before saving.
You can draw lines or shapes with your finger, highlight areas, or add text boxes. Once you're done editing, tap Save or Done to keep your changes. If you don't edit it, the original screenshot saves automatically to your Photos app anyway.
Troubleshooting if screenshots aren't working
If pressing Power and Volume Down doesn't take a screenshot, make sure you're pressing both buttons at exactly the same time — pressing one slightly before the other won't work. Hold them for about one full second, not just a quick tap.
If that still doesn't work, restart your tablet and try again. Sometimes a software glitch prevents the screenshot function from responding. If restarting doesn't help, check that you have enough storage space — tablets need a small amount of free space to save screenshots. Go to Settings > Storage to see how much space you have left. If you're running very low, delete some old files or photos to free up room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a screenshot of just part of my screen?
Yes. After you take a full screenshot using Power and Volume Down, tap the preview at the bottom and use the crop tool to select only the area you want. You can also use the Palm Swipe method and then crop the result. Some Samsung tablets have a "Partial Screenshot" option in Settings that lets you draw a box around the area you want to capture before taking the shot.
Where do I find my screenshots if the Photos app doesn't show them?
Open your file manager and navigate to Internal Storage > Pictures > Screenshots. You can also open the Photos app, tap the menu (three lines), and look for "Screenshots" as a separate album. If you still can't find them, search for a recent screenshot by date in your Photos app.
Can I take a screenshot without using buttons?
Yes, if you enable Palm Swipe to Capture in Settings. You can also use the Quick Settings panel to find a Screenshot button, or use voice commands if your tablet has Bixby or Google Assistant enabled. The button method is usually fastest, but these alternatives work if your buttons are damaged.
Why is my screenshot blurry or low quality?
Screenshots capture at your tablet's screen resolution, so they should be sharp. If they look blurry, it might be because you're zoomed in on the image when viewing it. Open the screenshot in your Photos app and zoom out to see the full quality. If the image is genuinely low quality, try taking another screenshot — sometimes a one-time glitch causes a poor capture.