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, then release both. The screen will flash, you'll hear a camera shutter sound, and a thumbnail will appear in the corner. That's your screenshot — it's saved to your Photos app automatically.
The exact buttons depend on which Samsung tablet model you own, but this Power + Volume Down method works on the vast majority of current Galaxy Tab devices. If that combination doesn't work on your tablet, the next section covers the alternatives.
Your screenshot is saved as an image file in the Pictures or Screenshots folder on your tablet. You can find it by opening the Files app, or by opening Photos and looking for the most recent image.
Key Takeaways
- Press Power and Volume Down together to screenshot on most Samsung tablets; the image saves automatically to your Photos app.
- If Power + Volume Down doesn't work, try Power + Home button, or use the palm swipe gesture if your tablet supports it.
- Screenshots appear as a thumbnail in the corner of your screen; tap it to edit, share, or delete before it disappears.
- All screenshots are stored in your Pictures or Screenshots folder and can be found through the Files app or Photos app.
What to do if Power + Volume Down doesn't work
Some older Samsung tablets use Power + Home button instead. Press both buttons at the same time and hold for a moment. If your tablet has a physical Home button (a circle at the bottom of the screen), this is the combination to try first.
If neither of those works, check whether your tablet supports the palm swipe gesture. Place the edge of your hand vertically across the screen and swipe from one side to the other in one smooth motion. Not all Samsung tablets have this feature enabled by default — you may need to turn it on in Settings.
To enable palm swipe screenshots, go to Settings > Advanced features > Motions and gestures > Palm swipe to capture. Toggle it on, then try swiping the edge of your hand across the screen from left to right or right to left.
How to find and manage your screenshots
After you take a screenshot, a small thumbnail appears in the bottom corner of your screen for a few seconds. Tap that thumbnail to open a quick menu where you can crop, draw on, or when ready share the image. If you don't tap it, the screenshot is still saved — it just closes the menu.
To find all your screenshots later, open the Files app and navigate to Pictures > Screenshots. On some Samsung tablets, they may be in DCIM > Screenshots instead. You can also open the Photos app and scroll to the most recent images — screenshots usually appear there automatically.
If you want to delete a screenshot, find it in the Files app or Photos app, press and hold it, and tap Delete. Deleted screenshots go to your Trash or Recently Deleted folder for 30 days before being permanently removed.
Editing and sharing screenshots right away
When the thumbnail appears in the corner after you screenshot, tap it to open the editing toolbar. You can crop the image, draw or write on it with different colors and pen styles, add text, or blur parts of the image. These tools let you mark up the screenshot before you save or share it.
From the same menu, tap the share icon to send the screenshot directly to another app — Messages, Email, Google Drive, or any other app on your tablet. You can also tap Save to keep the edited version, which replaces the original screenshot.
Troubleshooting when screenshots won't work
If you press the buttons and nothing happens, make sure your tablet isn't in a mode that blocks screenshots. Some apps, like banking or streaming apps, prevent screenshots for security reasons. If you're inside one of those apps, exit it and try screenshotting your home screen instead.
If your tablet is very low on storage, it may not be able to save screenshots. Check your storage by going to Settings > About tablet > Storage. If you're above 90% full, delete some files or apps to free up space, then try again.
Restart your tablet if screenshots still aren't working. Hold the Power button until the power menu appears, tap Restart, and wait for the tablet to turn back on. Then try the Power + Volume Down combination again.
Using Samsung DeX to screenshot your desktop view
If your Samsung tablet supports Samsung DeX, you can connect it to a monitor or use the desktop view on the tablet itself. Screenshots taken while in DeX mode work the same way — Power + Volume Down — but they capture the desktop layout instead of the tablet interface.
To enable DeX on your tablet, swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open the full Quick Settings panel, then look for Samsung DeX or DeX. Tap it to switch to desktop mode. Screenshots taken in this mode are saved to the same Pictures folder as regular screenshots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do my screenshots go after I take them?
Screenshots are saved automatically to your Pictures or Screenshots folder. Open the Files app and look for a Screenshots folder, or open Photos and scroll to your most recent images. They're also backed up to your Samsung Cloud if you have that enabled.
Can I screenshot a full page or long document?
Yes. After you take a screenshot, tap the thumbnail that appears in the corner and look for a Scroll capture or Capture more option. Tap it and your tablet will scroll down automatically, capturing more of the page. You can then save the extended screenshot as one long image.
Why does my screenshot show a blank or black screen?
Some apps block screenshots for security. If you're inside a banking, payment, or streaming app, exit it first. If you're on your home screen and still see a blank screenshot, try restarting your tablet and checking that you have enough storage space available.
Can I take a screenshot without using buttons?
Yes, if your tablet supports palm swipe. Go to Settings > Advanced features > Motions and gestures > Palm swipe to capture and turn it on. Then swipe the edge of your hand across the screen. You can also use the Quick Settings panel — swipe down twice and look for a Screenshot button.
How long does the thumbnail stay on screen after I screenshot?
The thumbnail appears for about 5 to 10 seconds. If you tap it, you can edit or share the screenshot. If you don't tap it, the screenshot is still saved to your Pictures folder — the thumbnail just closes automatically.