The quickest way to screenshot on a Samsung tablet
On most Samsung tablets, press the Power button and Volume Down button at the same time and hold them for about one second. You will see a flash, hear a camera sound, and a notification will appear at the top of your screen confirming the screenshot was saved. The image goes directly to your Photos app in a folder called Screenshots.
This method works on nearly all Samsung tablets running Android 4.0 and newer. If you have a very old tablet or one with custom software, the button combination might differ slightly, but Power + Volume Down is the standard across Samsung devices.
Key Takeaways
- Press the Power button and Volume Down button together for one second to take a screenshot on any Samsung tablet.
- Your screenshot saves automatically to the Screenshots folder in your Photos app — you do not need to do anything else.
- If the button method does not work, you can use the Palm Swipe gesture or access the screenshot tool from your notification panel.
- Screenshots are saved as image files you can edit, share, or delete like any other photo on your tablet.
Where your screenshots are stored
After you take a screenshot, it appears in your Photos app under a folder labeled Screenshots. On most Samsung tablets, you can open Photos, tap the menu (three lines), and look for Screenshots in the list. The newest screenshot appears at the top.
You can also find screenshots by opening your file manager and navigating to Internal Storage > DCIM > Screenshots. From either location, you can share the image by text, email, or social media, or delete it if you no longer need it. Samsung also keeps a copy in your cloud storage if you have Samsung Cloud turned on.
Using the Palm Swipe method if buttons do not work
Some Samsung tablets support a gesture called Palm Swipe, where you swipe the edge of your hand across the screen from left to right (or right to left) to capture a screenshot. This feature is not turned on by default and must be enabled in Settings.
To turn on Palm Swipe, go to Settings > Advanced Features > Motions and Gestures > Palm Swipe to Capture. Toggle it on, then you can take screenshots by swiping your hand across the screen. Not all Samsung tablet models support this feature, so if you do not see it in your Settings menu, your tablet does not have it.
Taking a screenshot from the notification panel
You can also reach the screenshot tool directly from your tablet's notification panel. Swipe down from the top of your screen twice to open the full notification panel, then look for a button labeled Screenshot or Capture. Tap it, and your tablet will take a screenshot of the current screen.
This method is slower than the button combination, but it is useful if your Power or Volume buttons are broken or stuck. The screenshot still saves to your Screenshots folder automatically.
What to do if your screenshot does not save
If you pressed the buttons but no screenshot appeared, first check that you held both buttons for at least one full second. Many people release too quickly. Try again, counting to two while holding both buttons down.
If the screenshot still does not work, restart your tablet by holding the Power button until the shutdown menu appears, then tap Restart. After it turns back on, try taking a screenshot again. If buttons are physically damaged or stuck, use the Palm Swipe method or the notification panel method instead. If none of these work, your tablet may need service.
Editing and sharing your screenshots
After you take a screenshot, a small preview often appears at the bottom left of your screen for a few seconds. Tap it to open the screenshot when ready in an editor where you can crop, draw, or add text before saving. If you miss that preview, open your Photos app, find the screenshot in the Screenshots folder, and tap the edit button (pencil icon) to make changes.
To share a screenshot without editing, open Photos, find the image, tap the three-dot menu, and select Share. You can send it through text message, email, social media, or cloud storage. You can also delete screenshots you no longer need by selecting them and tapping the trash icon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a screenshot of just part of my screen?
Yes. After you take a full screenshot using Power + Volume Down, a preview appears at the bottom left. Tap it and select the crop tool to select only the area you want. You can also use the built-in screen capture tool in your notification panel, which sometimes offers a partial capture option depending on your tablet model.
Why does my screenshot sound like a camera?
Samsung tablets play a camera shutter sound when you take a screenshot for the same reason phones do — to notify you and anyone nearby that a capture has occurred. You cannot turn off this sound on most Samsung tablets, even if your device is on silent.
Where do I find the Screenshots folder if I cannot see it in Photos?
Open your file manager app, then navigate to Internal Storage, then DCIM, then Screenshots. If you still do not see a Screenshots folder, you may not have taken any screenshots yet. Take one using Power + Volume Down, and the folder will be created automatically.
Can I take a screenshot of a video while it is playing?
Yes, you can take a screenshot while a video plays, and it will capture a still image of that moment. However, some streaming apps like Netflix or Disney+ block screenshots for copyright reasons, so the screenshot may not work on protected content.
How much storage does a screenshot use?
A typical screenshot uses between 100 and 500 kilobytes of storage, depending on your tablet's screen size and resolution. You can take hundreds of screenshots before they use any noticeable amount of space, but if you take many, consider deleting old ones you no longer need.