How do I take a screenshot on my Samsung Galaxy device?

The most common way to take a screenshot on a Galaxy phone or tablet is by pressing the power and volume down keys at the same time. However, where these buttons are found and the method for taking a screenshot will differ depending on the settings you have enabled and the device you are using. See the images below to determine which buttons are on your device. Continue to find out how to take a screenshot on your device.

Four images showing button configuration of devices – 1. Power key, 2. Volume keys, 3. Bixby button, 4. Physical home key

Please note: Galaxy tablets use the same button combinations as Samsung phones. Follow the steps that most closely resemble your tablet.

1 Power/side key
2 Volume keys (depending on your device they may be on the right or left)
3 Bixby button
4 Physical home key

Once you have taken the screenshot, it will be automatically saved in the Screenshots album in the Gallery app. You can then move the screenshot from this album to any other album on your phone or tablet. 

To access this album:

1 Open the Gallery app
2 Tap Albums
3 Tap Screenshots

Please note: Taking a screenshot is prevented in certain places on your devices and by certain apps, such as banking apps. You will receive a message saying 'Can't take screenshot due to security measure' if screenshots are not allowed. This is a security measure and is designed to protect your information.

Most phones and tablets include the palm swipe feature. If enabled, you can take a screenshot by swiping the edge of your hand across the screen from one side to the other.

Swipe palm to take a screenshot

Enabling palm swipe to capture

1 Swipe up on the home screen to access your apps
2 Tap Settings
Tap Settings
3 Tap Advanced features
Advanced features selected in settings
4 Tap Motions and gestures
Motions and gestures selected in Advanced features
5 Tap the switch next to Palm swipe to capture to turn the feature on and off
Palm swipe to capture selected in Motions and gestures

Depending on the model and available software for your phone the method used to take a screenshot may vary. The two most common methods are outlined below:

  • Press and release the power/side key and the volume down key simultaneously. This should be a brief push rather than a hold, as a long hold can open the power menu. The screen will flash and your screenshot will be saved.
  • Press and hold the power key and the volume down key simultaneously until the screen flashes. Your screenshot will then save.

Please note: if your device has a Bixby button your volume and power keys are located in different places, please read the next section to find out how to take a screenshot.

Press and hold the volume down and power key to take a screenshot

If your device has a Bixby button your power and volume keys are located in different places. Press and hold the power key and the volume down key simultaneously. The screen will flash and your screenshot will be saved. If this does not work try a brief tap rather than a hold of the power and volume down buttons.

Press and hold the the volume down and power key to take a screenshot

Press and hold the power key and the home key simultaneously. The screen will flash and your screenshot will be saved.

Press and hold the power and home key to take a screenshot

If you have a device with an S Pen there are two ways in which you can take screenshots easily:

1 Remove the S Pen from the device holder, tap smart select in the S Pen menu and select the part of the screen you want to capture.
Use S pen to select smart screen and part of screen you want to screenshot
2 Remove the S Pen from the device holder, tap screen write in the S Pen menu and select the part of the screen you want to capture.
Use S pen to select screen write and part of screen you want to screenshot

If you experience issues when trying these screenshot techniques then try a settings reset.

1 Open Settings.
Settings app icon
2 Select General management.
General management selected in Settings menu
3 Select Reset.
Reset selected in General management
4 Select Reset all settings.
Reset all settings selected
5 In Reset all settings tap Reset settings.
Reset all settings selected

If you're experiencing unusual behaviour on Samsung mobiles, tablets or wearables, you can send us an error report or ask us a question in the Samsung Members app.

This allows us to take a closer look at what is happening. The data is anonymised and only held for the duration of the investigation. Find out more about sending an error report through the Samsung Members app.

For further support, please visit Samsung Support.

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