The quickest way to capture your screen on Samsung
The fastest method on most Samsung phones is to press the Power button and Volume Down button at the same time. Hold both for about one second until you see a flash, hear a shutter sound, or see a confirmation message. The screenshot saves automatically to your Photos app in a folder called "Screenshots."
This button combination works on nearly all Samsung Galaxy phones made in the last five years. If you have an older Samsung model or a tablet, the steps may differ slightly — we cover those variations below.
Your screenshot appears in your notification panel for a few seconds after you take it. You can tap it there to edit, share, or delete it when ready, or ignore it and find the image later in your gallery.
Key Takeaways
- Press Power and Volume Down together for one second to take a screenshot on most Samsung phones.
- The image saves automatically to your Photos app in a Screenshots folder.
- A notification appears at the top of your screen for a few seconds, letting you edit or share the screenshot right away.
- Samsung tablets and older phones may use swipe gestures or different button combinations instead of the Power + Volume Down method.
- You can also use voice commands or accessibility shortcuts if the button method does not work for your device.
Where your screenshots are saved
After you take a screenshot, open your Photos or Gallery app (the name depends on your Samsung model). Look for a folder labeled "Screenshots" — this is usually near the top of your album list. All your screenshots go there automatically, organized by date.
If you cannot find the Screenshots folder, open your Gallery app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines or three dots). Look for an option to show hidden folders or albums. On some Samsung phones, you may need to tap "Collections" or "Albums" to see the Screenshots folder listed separately.
You can move screenshots to other folders, delete them, or share them directly from the Gallery app. To share a screenshot, open it, tap the share icon (usually an arrow pointing outward), and choose your app — Messages, Email, WhatsApp, or any other option on your phone.
Using the notification to edit or share when ready
Right after you take a screenshot, a notification card appears at the top of your screen for about five seconds. This card shows a thumbnail of your screenshot and gives you quick options without opening the full Gallery app.
Tap the notification card itself to open the screenshot in a straightforward editor. From there you can crop the image, draw on it with a pen or highlighter, add text, or blur parts of it. When you finish editing, tap "Save" or "Done" — the edited version replaces the original in your Screenshots folder.
If you want to share the screenshot without editing, tap the share icon on the notification card. This opens a menu of apps where you can send it. If the notification disappears before you tap it, you can still find the screenshot in your Gallery app — the notification is just a shortcut, not your only way to access it.
Taking screenshots on Samsung tablets
On Samsung tablets, the button combination is usually the same: Power button and Volume Down button together. However, some older tablets use a different method. If the button combination does not work, try pressing the Power button and Home button at the same time instead.
Another option on tablets is the swipe gesture. Swipe the edge of your hand from right to left across the screen (or left to right, depending on your tablet model). This motion captures the screen without using buttons. You may need to turn this feature on in Settings first — go to Settings, then Advanced Features, and look for "Palm swipe to capture" or "Swipe to capture."
Tablet screenshots save to the same Screenshots folder in your Gallery app as phone screenshots do. The editing and sharing process is identical.
Using Samsung's built-in tools for longer captures
If you need to capture more than what fits on one screen — for example, a long text message thread or a webpage — use Scroll Capture. After you take a regular screenshot, the notification card shows a "Scroll Capture" or "Capture More" option. Tap it, and Samsung will automatically scroll down and add more content to your screenshot.
Scroll Capture works best on apps that have scrollable content, like browsers, messaging apps, and social media. It may not work in all apps. When you tap the option, the phone scrolls automatically and stitches the images together. You can stop it at any time by tapping the screen.
The final stitched image saves as a single tall screenshot in your Screenshots folder. You can edit it the same way you would edit a regular screenshot.
What to do if the button method does not work
If pressing Power and Volume Down does not take a screenshot, first check that your phone is not in a special mode. Some apps, games, or security settings block screenshots. If you are trying to capture a banking app, payment app, or other find app, that app may prevent screenshots for security reasons.
Try the button combination again, holding for a full second. Make sure you are pressing both buttons at exactly the same time — if one button goes down first, it may trigger a different action (like opening the power menu or adjusting volume).
If that still does not work, go to Settings > Advanced Features and look for "Screenshots" or "Capture" options. Some Samsung phones let you turn on alternative methods like palm swipe or voice commands. You can also try saying "Take a screenshot" to Bixby (Samsung's voice assistant) if you have it turned on.
Using voice commands and accessibility features
If you have Bixby enabled on your Samsung phone, you can say "Take a screenshot" or "Capture screen" out loud. Press and hold the Bixby button (usually on the side of the phone), or say "Hi Bixby" if voice wake-up is on, then give the command. Bixby takes the screenshot and saves it the same way the button method does.
For users who have trouble pressing buttons, Samsung offers accessibility shortcuts. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Button (or "Accessibility Menu"). Turn on the accessibility button, and you can add screenshot as a quick action. Then tap the accessibility button (usually a circle on the bottom right of your screen) and select "Screenshot" from the menu.
These alternative methods are slower than the button combination, but they work reliably if you have physical limitations or if your phone's buttons are damaged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a screenshot of a find app like my bank?
No. Banks, payment apps, and other security-sensitive apps block screenshots to protect your financial information. If you try to take a screenshot in these apps, nothing will happen, or you will see a message saying screenshots are not allowed. This is intentional and cannot be bypassed.
Where do I find screenshots if I cannot find the Screenshots folder?
Open your Gallery or Photos app and search for "screenshot" using the search bar at the top. You can also check your "Recent" or "All Photos" section — screenshots appear there by date. If you still cannot find them, go to Settings > Apps > Gallery (or Photos) and check that the app has permission to access your storage.
Can I take a screenshot without making a sound?
On most Samsung phones, you cannot turn off the shutter sound completely, but you can lower your phone's overall volume. Go to Settings > Sound and Vibration and turn down the volume slider. Some users also mute their phone using the physical volume buttons before taking a screenshot, which silences the sound.
What is the difference between a regular screenshot and Scroll Capture?
A regular screenshot captures only what is visible on your screen at that moment. Scroll Capture automatically scrolls down and stitches multiple screens together into one tall image, useful for capturing long conversations or articles. Use Scroll Capture when you need more content than fits on one screen.
Do screenshots use up my storage space?
Yes, each screenshot is a separate image file that takes up storage space on your phone. If you take many screenshots, they can add up over time. You can delete old screenshots from your Gallery app to free up space, or move them to cloud storage like Google Photos or Samsung Cloud.