The quickest way to capture your screen

On most Samsung tablets, you take a screenshot by pressing the Power button and Volume Down button at the same time. Hold both for about a second until you see a flash, hear a shutter sound, or see a notification at the top of the screen. The screenshot saves automatically to your Photos app or Gallery.

The exact button combination depends on which Samsung tablet model you own and which version of Android it runs, but Power + Volume Down works on nearly all current Samsung tablets. If that doesn't work on your device, try Power + Home button instead — older models sometimes use that combination.

Once you've taken the screenshot, you can find it in your Photos app, Gallery app, or in a folder called Screenshots. From there you can share it, edit it, or delete it.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Power and Volume Down together for about one second to capture your screen on most Samsung tablets.
  • The screenshot saves automatically to your Photos or Gallery app in a Screenshots folder.
  • If Power + Volume Down doesn't work, try Power + Home button on older Samsung tablet models.
  • You can share, edit, or delete screenshots directly from your Photos app without opening a separate tool.
  • A visual notification or sound confirms the screenshot was taken successfully.

Where your screenshots are stored

Samsung tablets save screenshots to your internal storage in a dedicated folder. Open your Photos app or Gallery app and look for a folder labeled Screenshots. All your captured images appear there in the order you took them, with the newest ones at the top.

If you use Google Photos or another cloud storage app, you can back up your screenshots automatically so they don't take up space on your tablet. Check your Photos app settings to turn on backup — this way your screenshots sync to the cloud and stay safe if you lose or reset your device.

Using the Palm Swipe gesture (some models)

Some newer 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 not turned on by default.

To enable it, open Settings, tap Advanced Features, then look for Motions and Gestures or Palm Swipe to Capture. Toggle it on. Once active, you can swipe your palm across the screen to capture without using buttons. This method works best when you hold your tablet in landscape mode.

Not all Samsung tablet models support this feature — if you don't see it in your settings, your tablet model doesn't have it. The button method will always work as a backup.

Taking a partial screenshot or scrolling screenshot

After you take a regular screenshot, a toolbar appears at the bottom of your screen for a few seconds. Tap Crop to capture only part of the screen, or tap Scroll Capture to capture a longer image that extends beyond what's visible on your display.

For a partial screenshot, tap Crop and then drag the corners of the box to select only the area you want. For a scrolling screenshot, tap Scroll Capture and the tablet will automatically scroll down and add more content to your image — useful for capturing long web pages or conversations.

These options disappear after a few seconds, so act quickly. If you miss the toolbar, take another screenshot and use the options before they vanish.

Sharing screenshots directly from the capture menu

The toolbar that appears after you take a screenshot includes a Share button. Tap it to send your screenshot when ready to Messages, Email, WhatsApp, or any other app on your tablet without opening Photos first.

This is faster than taking a screenshot, opening your Photos app, finding the image, and then sharing it. You can also edit the screenshot before sharing by tapping the pencil icon in the toolbar — this opens a straightforward drawing tool where you can add marks, arrows, or text.

What to do if screenshots aren't working

If pressing Power + Volume Down doesn't capture anything, first make sure you're holding both buttons at the same time for at least one second. A common mistake is pressing them too quickly or separately.

If that doesn't work, restart your tablet by holding the Power button until the shutdown menu appears, then tap Restart. After the tablet restarts, try the screenshot buttons again. If screenshots still don't work, try the Power + Home button combination instead — your tablet model may use that.

Check that your tablet has storage space available. If your internal storage is full, screenshots may fail silently. Open Settings, tap Storage, and see how much free space you have. If you're low on space, delete 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, tap the Crop button in the toolbar that appears at the bottom. Drag the corners of the selection box to choose only the area you want, then tap Save. The cropped image saves as a new screenshot.

Where do I find my screenshots if I can't see them in Photos?

Open your Gallery app instead of Photos — some Samsung tablets use Gallery by default. Look for a Screenshots folder. If you still can't find them, open Settings, tap Apps, and search for a file manager app. Navigate to Internal Storage, then DCIM or Pictures, and look for a Screenshots folder there.

Can I take a screenshot without using buttons?

Yes, if your tablet supports Palm Swipe to Capture. Go to Settings, tap Advanced Features, find Motions and Gestures, and turn on Palm Swipe to Capture. Then swipe the edge of your hand across the screen. Not all Samsung tablets have this feature.

Do screenshots use up my storage space?

Yes, each screenshot takes up a small amount of storage — usually between 100 and 500 kilobytes depending on your screen resolution. If you take many screenshots, they can add up. Delete old ones you don't need, or back them up to cloud storage and remove them from your tablet.

What's the difference between Power + Volume Down and Power + Home?

Most current Samsung tablets use Power + Volume Down. Older models sometimes use Power + Home instead. If one combination doesn't work, try the other. Check your tablet's user manual or Samsung's support page for your specific model to confirm which buttons to use.