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 image saves automatically to your Photos app in a folder called Screenshots.

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, there are several other methods to try.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Power and Volume Down together for about one second to take a screenshot on most Samsung tablets.
  • Your screenshot saves automatically to the Screenshots folder in your Photos app.
  • If the button method doesn't work, you can use the Settings menu or swipe gestures depending on your tablet model and Android version.
  • After taking a screenshot, a toolbar usually appears at the bottom letting you crop, edit, or share the image right away.
  • Some Samsung tablets let you take a scrolling screenshot to capture content that extends beyond one screen.

Where your screenshots are saved

When you take a screenshot, Samsung tablets automatically save it to your device storage. Open your Photos app (sometimes called Gallery), and look for a folder named Screenshots. This folder holds all the images you've captured this way.

If you can't find the Screenshots folder, it may be hidden. In the Photos app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines or three dots) and look for an option to show hidden folders or all files. The exact menu location varies by Android version, but most Samsung tablets have this setting somewhere in the app's main menu.

The toolbar that appears after you screenshot

Right after you take a screenshot, a toolbar usually appears at the bottom of your screen for a few seconds. This toolbar gives you quick options to crop, edit, share, or delete the image without leaving the app you were using.

If you tap the crop icon, you can trim the edges or resize the image before saving. The edit option opens a straightforward editor where you can draw, add text, or highlight parts of the screenshot. The share button lets you send it directly to another app, contact, or cloud service. If you don't use the toolbar, it disappears after a few seconds and your screenshot is saved as-is.

Using the Settings menu method

If the Power + Volume Down combination doesn't work on your tablet, you can take a screenshot through the Settings app instead. Open Settings, go to Advanced Features (or Accessibility, depending on your Android version), and look for an option called Screenshots or Palm Swipe to Capture.

Once you enable this feature, you can take a screenshot by swiping the edge of your hand across the screen from left to right or right to left. This method works on many Samsung tablets, though not all models support it. If you don't see this option in Advanced Features, check under Accessibility or Motion and Gestures.

Taking a scrolling screenshot

Some Samsung tablets let you capture a long page or conversation that extends beyond what fits on one screen. After you take a regular screenshot using Power + Volume Down, look at the toolbar that appears. You should see an option that says Scroll Capture or Capture More.

Tap that option and the tablet will automatically scroll down and add more of the page to your screenshot. You can usually do this several times until you reach the end of the content. The final image saves as one long screenshot that you can scroll through in your Photos app. Not all Samsung tablets support this feature—it depends on your model and Android version.

Troubleshooting if screenshots aren't working

If you press Power + Volume Down and nothing happens, first check that your tablet isn't in a mode that blocks screenshots. Some apps, like banking or streaming services, prevent screenshots for security reasons. If you're in one of those apps, switch to a different app and try again.

Next, make sure you're pressing both buttons at exactly the same time and holding them for a full second. If you press them too quickly or separately, the tablet may interpret it as a volume adjustment instead. Try again slowly and deliberately.

If the button method still doesn't work, restart your tablet by holding the Power button until the shutdown menu appears, then tap Restart. After it powers back on, try taking a screenshot again. If it still fails, try the Settings menu method or the palm swipe method described above.

Editing and sharing your screenshots

Once a screenshot is saved in your Photos app, you can edit it anytime by opening the image and tapping the Edit button. Most Samsung tablets include a built-in editor that lets you crop, rotate, adjust brightness, add text, draw with a pen tool, or blur sensitive information.

To share a screenshot, open it in Photos, tap the Share button, and choose where you want to send it—email, messaging apps, cloud storage, or social media. You can also delete screenshots you no longer need by opening the image, tapping the menu icon, and selecting Delete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn't my screenshot saving?

Check that your tablet has enough storage space available. If storage is full, screenshots may fail silently. Also verify that the Photos app has permission to access your device storage. Go to Settings > Apps > Photos, tap Permissions, and make sure Storage is enabled.

Can I take a screenshot of a locked screen?

Yes. You can take a screenshot of your lock screen, home screen, or any other screen on your tablet using the Power + Volume Down method. The screenshot will save even if your tablet is locked, though you'll need to unlock it to view the image in your Photos app.

How do I take a screenshot without using buttons?

Enable Palm Swipe to Capture in Settings > Advanced Features (or Accessibility). Once turned on, swipe the side of your hand across the screen from left to right or right to left. This works on most newer Samsung tablets but may not be available on older models.

Where do I find the Screenshots folder if it's not showing?

Open your Photos app, tap the menu icon (three lines or three dots), and look for an option to show hidden files or all folders. The Screenshots folder should then appear. If you still can't find it, try searching for "screenshot" in the Photos app's search bar.

Can I take a screenshot while using certain apps?

Most apps allow screenshots, but banking apps, payment apps, and some streaming services block them for security. If you can't screenshot in a particular app, try switching to a different app and taking a screenshot there instead. The restriction is built into those apps, not your tablet.