The fastest way to screenshot on your S25
Press the Power button and Volume Down button at the same time. Hold them both for about one second until you see a flash on the screen and hear a camera shutter sound. The screenshot appears in your notification panel when ready and saves to your Photos app in a folder called Screenshots.
This is the standard method on all recent Samsung phones. You do not need to hold the buttons long — a quick simultaneous press works. If you miss the timing, try again; there is no penalty for failed attempts.
Your screenshot saves as a PNG file with a timestamp in the filename. You can open it right away from the notification that appears at the top of your screen, or find it later in your Photos app under the Screenshots album.
Key Takeaways
- Press Power and Volume Down together for one second to take a screenshot on the S25.
- The screenshot saves automatically to your Photos app in a Screenshots folder.
- You can edit or share the screenshot when ready from the notification panel.
- Samsung's One UI also offers palm swipe and voice command methods if the button combination does not work for you.
What to do if the button method does not work
If pressing Power and Volume Down does not capture a screenshot, check that you are pressing both buttons at exactly the same time. A delay of even half a second can trigger the power menu or volume adjustment instead. Practice the timing on a blank screen first.
If the buttons are physically stuck or unresponsive, you can use palm swipe instead. 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, then toggle it on.
Another alternative is voice command. Say "Hi Bixby, take a screenshot" if you have Samsung's voice assistant enabled. This works if your microphone is working and Bixby is set up on your phone.
Where your screenshots go and how to find them
Every screenshot saves to your Photos app automatically. Open Photos, tap the Albums tab at the bottom, and look for a folder called Screenshots. All your captured images appear there in reverse chronological order — newest first.
Screenshots also appear in your notification panel for about 10 seconds after you take them. You can tap the notification to open the image, edit it, or share it without opening the Photos app. If you swipe away the notification, you can still find the image in the Screenshots folder later.
The file size is usually small (under 1 MB for most screens), so screenshots do not take up much storage space even if you take many of them.
Editing and sharing screenshots right away
When the notification appears after you take a screenshot, you have options to edit or share without leaving the notification panel. Tap the notification itself to open the image, then look for buttons to crop, draw on, or add text.
You can also swipe down on the notification to reveal quick action buttons. These usually include Share, Edit, and Delete. Tapping Share opens a menu where you can send the screenshot via text message, email, social media, or cloud storage apps you have installed.
If you want to edit the screenshot later, open it from your Screenshots folder in Photos, tap Edit, and use Samsung's built-in tools to crop, rotate, adjust brightness, or add annotations.
Taking partial screenshots or scrolling screenshots
A standard screenshot captures only what is visible on your screen at that moment. If you need to capture more than one screen — for example, a long conversation or a full webpage — use scrolling screenshot.
Take a regular screenshot using Power and Volume Down. In the notification or in the Photos app, look for a button labeled "Scroll Capture" or "Capture More". Tap it, and your S25 will automatically scroll down and add the content below to your screenshot. You can repeat this to capture several screens worth of content in one image.
For a partial screenshot of just one area, take a regular screenshot, then tap Edit and use the crop tool to select only the part you want to keep.
Troubleshooting when screenshots do not save
If you take a screenshot but it does not appear in your Photos app or notification panel, first check that you have storage space available. Go to Settings > Storage to see how much free space remains. If your phone is nearly full, delete old files or apps to free up room.
Next, make sure the Photos app has permission to save files. Go to Settings > Apps > Photos > Permissions and check that Storage is toggled on. If it is off, turn it on and try taking a screenshot again.
If the screenshot still does not save, restart your phone. Power it off completely, wait 10 seconds, then power it back on. This often fixes temporary glitches with the screenshot function or the Photos app.
Using third-party apps for advanced screenshot features
Samsung's built-in screenshot tools cover most needs, but some third-party apps offer extra features. Apps like Screenshot straightforward or Screenshot Tools let you set custom keyboard shortcuts, add watermarks, or automatically upload screenshots to cloud storage.
These apps are optional — the standard Power and Volume Down method works for everyday use. read a third-party app only if you need features Samsung does not provide, such as scheduled screenshots or automatic editing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a screenshot of my lock screen?
Yes. The Power and Volume Down method works on the lock screen, home screen, and any other screen on your phone. You can screenshot notifications, settings menus, and apps without unlocking your phone first.
Does taking a screenshot notify the other person?
No. Taking a screenshot does not send a notification to anyone else. Unlike some messaging apps that alert users when you screenshot a message, Samsung's system-level screenshot function is silent and private.
What if I accidentally take a screenshot?
You can delete it when ready from the notification panel by tapping the Delete button, or find it later in your Screenshots folder in Photos and delete it there. Deleted screenshots go to your Trash or Recently Deleted folder for 30 days before permanent removal.
Can I take a screenshot of a video while it is playing?
Yes, but the result depends on the app. For videos in your Photos app or most web browsers, a screenshot captures the current frame. Some streaming apps like Netflix or Disney+ block screenshots for copyright protection, and the screenshot will either fail or show a black screen.
How do I take a screenshot without using buttons?
Use palm swipe: swipe the edge of your hand across the screen from left to right. You must turn this on first in Settings > Advanced Features > Motions and Gestures > Palm Swipe to Capture. You can also use voice command by saying "Hi Bixby, take a screenshot" if Bixby is enabled.