The quickest way: press Power and Volume Down together
On most Samsung phones and tablets made in the last five years, hold down the Power button and the Volume Down button at the same time for about one second. You'll see a flash, hear a camera sound, and a notification will appear at the top of your screen. That notification confirms the screenshot was saved.
The screenshot lands in your Photos app, inside a folder called Screenshots. You can open it right away from the notification, or find it later by opening Photos and looking for that folder.
If nothing happens when you try this, your phone may be an older model or use a different method. The next sections cover other ways that work on different Samsung devices.
Key Takeaways
- Power button plus Volume Down is the standard method on most Samsung phones and tablets from 2019 onward.
- Your screenshot saves automatically to the Screenshots folder in your Photos app.
- Older Samsung phones may require holding Power and Home together, or swiping your palm across the screen.
- You can edit, crop, or share a screenshot when ready from the notification that appears after you take it.
- If a method doesn't work, check your phone's Settings under Advanced Features to see what screenshot options are available.
Using the side button on newer Galaxy phones
Samsung Galaxy S21 and newer models have a dedicated Side button (sometimes called the Power button) on the right edge. To take a screenshot, press this button and the Volume Down button together and hold for about one second.
This works the same way as the Power and Volume Down combination on older phones—you'll get the flash, the sound, and the notification. The screenshot saves to the same Screenshots folder.
Palm swipe method for older Samsung phones
Some older Samsung Galaxy phones and 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.
To use it, first check that it's turned on: go to Settings > Advanced Features > Motions and Gestures > Palm swipe to capture. Toggle it on if it's off. Then place the side of your hand on one edge of the screen and swipe across to the other side in one smooth motion. You should feel a vibration and see the screenshot notification.
This method works best on phones with larger screens and can take a few tries to get the motion right. If it doesn't work after a few attempts, the Power and Volume Down method is more reliable.
Power and Home button for older Galaxy models
Samsung phones released before 2018 often used a different button combination. If you have an older Galaxy phone, try holding the Power button and the Home button (the physical button at the bottom center of the phone) together for about one second.
You'll see the same flash and notification as with newer phones. The screenshot saves to your Photos app in the same way. If your phone doesn't have a physical Home button, this method won't work—use the Power and Volume Down combination instead.
What to do with your screenshot right after taking it
When the notification appears at the top of your screen, you have a few quick options. You can tap the notification itself to open the screenshot in your Photos app right away. You can also swipe down on the notification to see buttons for editing, cropping, or sharing the image.
If you want to edit the screenshot, tap the pencil icon in the notification. This opens a straightforward editor where you can draw, add text, or crop the image. When you're done, tap Save to replace the original or Save as copy to keep both versions.
To share the screenshot, tap the share icon (usually three dots or an arrow) in the notification. You can send it through text, email, social media, or any other app you have installed.
Finding screenshots you took earlier
Screenshots don't disappear after the notification goes away. Open your Photos app and look for a folder called Screenshots. All your screenshots are stored there in the order you took them, with the newest ones at the top.
You can also search for screenshots by opening Photos, tapping the search icon, and typing "screenshot". This shows all images with that word in the filename or folder name. From the Screenshots folder, you can delete, move, or share any screenshot the same way you would any other photo.
Troubleshooting when screenshots won't work
If you press the buttons and nothing happens, first check that you're holding both buttons at the same time for at least one second. Many people release too quickly. Try again and count to two before letting go.
If that doesn't work, go to Settings > Advanced Features and look for an option called Screenshots or Capture. Make sure it's turned on. Some Samsung phones also have a Screenshot toolbar option that you can enable—this adds a floating button to your screen that you can tap to take a screenshot instead of using buttons.
On some older phones, you may need to go to Settings > Accessibility > Dexterity and interaction to find screenshot options. If you still can't find a working method, your phone model may use a different combination—try searching "screenshot [your phone model]" online to find the exact steps for your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do screenshots save on my Samsung?
Screenshots save automatically to your Photos app in a folder called Screenshots. You can also find them by opening your file manager and looking in the DCIM or Pictures folder on your phone's storage. The Screenshots folder is usually the easiest place to find them.
Can I take a screenshot of just part of my screen?
Yes. After you take a full screenshot, tap the notification and then tap the crop or edit button. You can draw a rectangle around the part you want to keep and delete the rest. Some Samsung phones also let you hold Power and Volume Down longer to enter a partial screenshot mode where you can select the area before capturing.
Why does my screenshot sound like a camera?
Samsung phones play a camera shutter sound when you take a screenshot to let you know it worked. This sound respects your phone's volume settings—if your phone is on silent, the screenshot will be silent too. You can't turn off the sound separately from the camera shutter sound.
Can I take a screenshot if my phone is locked?
No. You must unlock your phone first before the screenshot buttons will work. This is a security feature to prevent someone else from capturing your screen without permission.
What's the difference between a screenshot and a screen recording?
A screenshot captures a single still image of what's on your screen at that moment. A screen recording captures video of everything you do on your screen for as long as you record. To record your screen on Samsung, swipe down twice from the top to open Quick Settings and look for Screen Recorder, then tap it to start.