How to Take a Screenshot on Samsung

The article explains how to take screenshots on Samsung smartphones, including Galaxy and Note models, and tablets.

How to Screenshot on Samsung Galaxy Phones

Use this two-button shortcut for Galaxy S8 or later.

1. Press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously until you hear a shutter sound, or your screen indicates you captured a screenshot, which takes about one to two seconds.

   Do your best to hit both buttons at the same time. If you hit one or the other too early, it will initiate different functions and likely take you out of the screen you're trying to capture.

2. The Power button is on the right side of your device. The Volume Down button is on the left.

3. You'll get a notification at the bottom of your screen. Tap the edit icon to edit the screenshot. Tap the share icon to send it to other apps. The screenshot automatically saves to your default photo gallery app.

Capture Screenshots on Samsung Galaxy S7 or Older

This button shortcut will allow you to take screenshots on the Galaxy S7, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S5, Galaxy S4, and Galaxy S3 phones.

1. Press and hold the Home and Power buttons simultaneously until you hear a shutter sound, or your screen indicates you captured a screenshot, which takes about one to two seconds.

2. The Home button is the flat button below your phone's screen. The Power button is on the right side of your device.

3. Your phone will immediately go to the screenshot capture with image-edit options. You can also find the screenshot in your photo gallery.

How to Take a Screenshot on a Samsung Galaxy Tablet

Taking a screenshot on a Samsung Galaxy tablet is nearly identical to Galaxy phones. This button shortcut will work for Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 and later.

1. Press and hold the Home and Power buttons simultaneously until your or your screen indicates you captured a screenshot, which takes about one to two seconds.

2. The Home button is the oval button at the bottom of your device. The Power button also locks your screen and is located at the top right of your Samsung tablet.

3. You can find your screenshot in your photo gallery. Look for an album titled "Screenshots" if you don't see it right away.

4. If you need to take a screenshot using a Tab 2, use the same method as above but press the Volume Down button instead of the Power button.

How to Take a Screenshot on a Samsung Galaxy Note

The larger Samsung Galaxy Note phablets offer a way to capture more than what's just on your screen.

1. Press the Home and Power buttons simultaneously for one to two seconds if you're on a Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note 5, or Galaxy Note 7.

2. Starting with the Galaxy Note 8, there is no actual Home button, so press the Power and Volume Down buttons instead. You'll be able to tell right away if the screenshot was captured and can access it in your photo gallery.

How to Take a Screenshot Using an S Pen

You can also use your S Pen to take a screenshot on Samsung Note devices:

1. Press and hold the S Pen button.

2. While still pressing the S Pen button, tap the screen with your S Pen and hold it there for one to two seconds. The screen will flash or otherwise acknowledge that you captured a screenshot.

   If you want to capture more than what's on the screen, most Note devices offer "Scroll capture." You can find it in the options bar after a screenshot, generally at the bottom left.

How to Take a Screenshot on Samsung Using Palm Swipe

You can use this method on any Samsung device released from 2013 or later, including all Galaxy phones, Notes, and Tabs.

1. To enable this gesture, go to Settings > and scroll down to Advanced Features. (On older devices, go to Settings > Motion and gestures.)

2. Tap Motion and gestures, and make sure Palm swipe to capture is toggled on.

3. Place your hand vertically on either side of your Samsung device's screen. Pretend you're about to karate chop a piece of wood in half, and you've got the right-hand position.

4. Move your hand across the device screen. Your device will confirm the screenshot just as with the button shortcut method.

   You might have to try this a few times before you get it right.

The process is nearly identical for most Samsung devices, but watch out for those little differences, especially if you're using an older smartphone.