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 sound, or feel a vibration — that means the screenshot was captured. The image saves automatically to your Photos app or Gallery, usually in a folder called Screenshots.
The exact button combination depends on which Samsung tablet model you own and which version of Android it runs. Older models sometimes use different key combinations, and Samsung has changed the method across different generations. If the Power + Volume Down method does not work on your device, try one of the alternative methods below.
Key Takeaways
- Press Power and Volume Down together for about one second to capture a screenshot on most Samsung tablets.
- Your screenshot saves automatically to the Gallery or Photos app, usually in a Screenshots folder.
- If the button method does not work, you can use the palm swipe gesture or access screenshot tools through the Settings menu.
- Some Samsung tablets let you edit or share the screenshot when ready after capturing it.
- Screenshots take up storage space, so delete old ones you no longer need to free up room on your device.
Alternative methods if buttons do not work
If pressing Power and Volume Down does not capture a screenshot, your tablet may use a different method. Samsung tablets running Android 9 or later sometimes respond better to Volume Down and Power held together for two seconds instead of one. On some older Samsung Tab models, you may need to press Home and Power at the same time, though this is less common on newer devices.
Another option is the palm swipe gesture. Place the edge of your hand vertically on the screen and swipe it across from one side to the other. You may need to turn this feature on first: go to Settings, then Advanced Features, then Motions and Gestures, and toggle on Palm Swipe to Capture. Not all Samsung tablets support this feature, but it works on many recent models.
If neither button method works, open the Settings app, search for "screenshot," and look for a Screenshot or Capture option. Some tablets have a dedicated tool you can launch from the Quick Settings panel (the menu you see when you swipe down from the top of the screen twice).
Where screenshots are stored and how to find them
After you take a screenshot, it saves to your tablet's internal storage. On most Samsung tablets, open the Gallery app (or Photos on newer models) and look for a folder called Screenshots. If you do not see it, check the Albums tab and scroll down — Screenshots may be grouped with other folders.
You can also find screenshots through your file manager. Open the Files app, navigate to Pictures or DCIM, and look for a Screenshots folder. The exact path varies slightly depending on your Android version, but screenshots are always stored somewhere in your Pictures directory.
Once you find a screenshot, you can share it, edit it, or delete it. Long-press the image to see options like Share, Delete, or Move. If your tablet has a built-in editor, you may also see an Edit button that lets you crop, draw on, or annotate the screenshot before sharing.
Editing and sharing screenshots right after you capture them
Many Samsung tablets show a small preview or toolbar at the bottom of the screen when ready after you take a screenshot. This toolbar usually includes buttons to Share, Edit, or Delete the image without having to open the Gallery app. If you see this toolbar, tap Edit to crop, draw, or add text to the screenshot before saving it.
The editing tools vary by tablet model and Android version, but most include a crop tool, a pen or marker for drawing, and a text tool. After you finish editing, tap Save or Done, and the edited version replaces the original screenshot in your Gallery.
To share a screenshot directly from the toolbar, tap Share and choose an app — Messages, Email, WhatsApp, or any other app installed on your tablet. This is faster than opening the Gallery, finding the screenshot, and sharing from there.
Troubleshooting when screenshots are not working
If you press the buttons and nothing happens, first check that your tablet is not in a mode that blocks screenshots. Some apps, like banking or streaming services, prevent screenshots for security reasons. If you are trying to screenshot inside one of these apps, you will not be able to capture it no matter which method you use.
Next, make sure you are pressing the buttons at the same time, not one after the other. The timing matters — if you press Power first and then Volume Down a moment later, your tablet may interpret it as a different action (like turning off the device or adjusting volume). Practice pressing both buttons together in one smooth motion.
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 are using more than 90 percent of your space, delete old files, photos, or apps to free up room, then try taking a screenshot again.
Restart your tablet if nothing works. Hold the Power button until you see a shutdown menu, tap Restart, and wait for the device to turn back on. After the restart, try the screenshot method again.
Managing screenshot storage on your tablet
Screenshots add up over time and can use a significant amount of your tablet's storage. If you take many screenshots, check your Gallery app regularly and delete ones you no longer need. Open the Screenshots folder, long-press images you want to remove, and tap Delete.
You can also move screenshots to cloud storage to free up space on your device. If you have a Samsung account or use Google Photos, you can set up automatic backup so screenshots upload to the cloud. Go to Settings > Accounts > Your Account (Samsung or Google) and turn on backup or sync. Once screenshots are backed up, you can delete them from your tablet without losing them.
Some tablets let you set a limit on how many screenshots are kept. This is not a common feature, but if your tablet supports it, you will find the option in Settings > Advanced Features > Screenshot or a similar menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my screenshot button combination not work?
Different Samsung tablet models and Android versions use different button combinations. Try holding Power and Volume Down for two seconds instead of one, or check if your tablet supports the palm swipe gesture. If neither works, open Settings and search for "screenshot" to see if your model has a dedicated tool or menu option.
Can I take a screenshot of a find app like a banking app?
No. Banking apps, payment apps, and some streaming services block screenshots for security reasons. Your tablet will not capture the screen when you try, even if the screenshot method works everywhere else on your device. This is intentional and cannot be disabled.
Where do I find my screenshots if they are not in the Gallery?
Open the Files app and navigate to Pictures or DCIM — screenshots are usually stored in a Screenshots folder inside one of these directories. If you still cannot find them, go to Settings > Apps > Gallery (or Photos) and check the app's default save location in its settings.
How much storage do screenshots use?
A single screenshot typically uses between 100 kilobytes and 2 megabytes, depending on your tablet's screen resolution and color depth. If you take hundreds of screenshots, they can add up to several hundred megabytes. Regularly delete old screenshots or move them to cloud storage to keep your tablet running smoothly.
Can I take a screenshot of just part of my screen?
Yes, if your tablet supports it. After you take a full screenshot, the editing toolbar usually appears with a crop tool. Tap Edit or Crop, drag the corners to select the area you want to keep, and save. Some Samsung tablets also have a "Partial Screenshot" option in the Quick Settings menu that lets you select an area before capturing.