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 shutter sound (if your sound is on). The screenshot saves automatically to your Photos app or Gallery.
This method works on nearly all Samsung tablet models from the last several years. If you're using an older tablet or a Samsung model with a physical home button, the steps may differ slightly — scroll down to the section on older models for those instructions.
The screenshot appears in a folder called Screenshots inside your Gallery or Photos app, separate from your regular photos. You can edit, share, or delete it right from there.
Key Takeaways
- Press Power and Volume Down together for one second to take a screenshot on most Samsung tablets.
- The screenshot saves automatically to a Screenshots folder in your Gallery or Photos app.
- Older Samsung tablets with a home button use Power and Home button instead.
- You can edit screenshots when ready after taking them using the toolbar that appears on screen.
- If the button method doesn't work, use the Settings menu or palm-swipe gesture as an alternative.
Where your screenshot goes and how to find it
After you take a screenshot, a small toolbar appears at the bottom of your screen for a few seconds. This toolbar lets you edit, share, or delete the screenshot right away. If you don't tap anything, the screenshot is saved and the toolbar disappears.
To find your screenshot later, open your Gallery app (or Photos on newer models) and look for a folder labeled Screenshots. All your screenshots are stored there in the order you took them, with the newest ones first.
You can also search for screenshots by opening the Gallery app, tapping the search icon, and typing "screenshot." This works even if you've taken dozens of them.
Using the palm-swipe method 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 is called Palm Swipe to Capture and is turned off by default on most models.
To turn it on, open Settings, go to Advanced Features (or Motions and Gestures on older models), and look for Palm Swipe to Capture. Toggle it on. Once it's enabled, you can take a screenshot by swiping the side of your hand across the screen — the same hand you're holding the tablet with works best.
This method is useful if your Power or Volume buttons are broken, but it takes practice to get the motion right. If the swipe doesn't work the first time, try swiping a bit slower or with the fleshy edge of your hand rather than your fingers.
Taking a screenshot on older Samsung tablets with a home button
If your Samsung tablet has a physical home button at the bottom of the screen, use Power and Home instead of Power and Volume Down. Press both buttons at the same time and hold for about a second. The screenshot saves the same way — to your Gallery's Screenshots folder.
Some very old Samsung tablets (Galaxy Tab models from 2010–2012) may require a different combination. If Power and Home doesn't work, try Power and Volume Up instead. Check your tablet's manual or search for your specific model number online if neither combination works.
Editing and sharing your screenshot right away
When you take a screenshot, a toolbar appears at the bottom with options to crop, draw on, or erase parts of the image. You can also share it directly to messaging apps, email, or social media without saving it first. Tap the pencil icon to draw or highlight, the crop icon to trim the edges, or the share icon to send it somewhere.
If you want to edit the screenshot later, open your Gallery, find it in the Screenshots folder, tap it, and look for an edit button (usually a pencil icon). From there you can crop, rotate, adjust brightness, or add text and drawings.
What to do if your screenshot button combination isn't working
If pressing Power and Volume Down doesn't take a screenshot, first 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 — too quick and the tablet may just adjust the volume instead.
If that doesn't help, restart your tablet by powering it off completely and turning it back on. Sometimes a software glitch prevents the screenshot feature from responding. If restarting doesn't fix it, try the palm-swipe method instead (if your tablet supports it), or use the Settings menu approach described below.
As a last resort, open Settings, go to Accessibility, and look for Accessibility Menu or Assistant Menu. Enable it, and a floating button will appear on your screen. Tap that button and look for a screenshot option — this works on most Samsung tablets even if the button method fails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my screenshot button combination not working?
The most common reason is pressing the buttons at slightly different times instead of simultaneously. Make sure you press Power and Volume Down together and hold for a full second. If that doesn't work, restart your tablet — a software glitch may be blocking the feature.
Can I take a screenshot of just part of my screen?
Yes. After taking a full screenshot, use the crop tool in the editing toolbar to select only the area you want. You can also use the palm-swipe method and then crop when ready, or use the Accessibility Menu to access a partial screenshot option if your tablet supports it.
Where do screenshots go if I don't see them in my Gallery?
Check the Screenshots folder inside your Gallery app — it's usually separate from your regular photos. If you still can't find them, open the Gallery app, tap the search icon, and search for "screenshot." You can also check your file manager under the Pictures or DCIM folder.
Can I change where screenshots are saved?
On most Samsung tablets, screenshots save automatically to the Screenshots folder and you cannot change this location. However, you can move or copy screenshots to other folders after taking them by opening the Gallery, selecting the screenshot, and using the move or copy option.
Does taking a screenshot use up storage space?
Yes, each screenshot is a full image file that takes up storage space on your tablet. If you take many screenshots, they can add up over time. You can delete old screenshots from the Gallery app to free up space, or move them to cloud storage like Google Drive or Samsung Cloud.