How to Screenshot on Samsung: 2024 Guide

Taking a screenshot on your Samsung device is a handy skill that lets you capture and share what’s on your screen easily. Whether you want to save a chat, show a game high score, or keep important information, knowing how to take a screenshot is very useful.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to take a screenshot on Samsung devices using different methods. From key combinations to advanced tools like the S Pen and voice commands, we’ll cover all you need to know about how to screenshot on your Samsung phone.

Key Takeaways

A screenshot captures what’s on your phone screen so you can share it without needing an external device like a camera.
You can take a screenshot on Samsung devices by using key combinations like the Power and Volume Down buttons, or by using the Palm Swipe method.
If your device has an S Pen, you can use the Screen Write feature in the Air Command menu to take a screenshot.
You can also take hands-free screenshots using voice commands with Bixby or Google Assistant.
The Smart Select tool and Scroll Capture feature let you capture specific areas or extended content on your screen.
You can view and edit your screenshots using the Gallery app or Samsung Notes app, which offers tools for cropping, drawing, adding text, and applying filters.

How to Screenshot on Samsung

First of all, if you’re reading this guide, you might be wondering what’s a screenshot in the first place.

A screenshot is an image taken of wherever you’re viewing on your phone screen. This means that you can share this picture with anyone to show them the contents of your screen without needing to use an external device like a camera to get an image of what’s displayed.

In this guide, we’ll give you the step-by-step instructions for how to take a screenshot in all the different possible ways.

Using a Key Combination

For devices with a physical home button:

You’ll need to press the Home button (generally located on the lower center of the screen) and the Power button (generally found on the right side of your phone).
Once you have located the buttons, simply press them simultaneously and release both buttons.
The screen’s flash will tell you that you have successfully captured the screenshot.

Using Power and Volume Down Buttons

This is the typical way to take a screenshot when you don’t have a physical home button:

You’ll need to press the Power button (generally on the right-hand side of your phone) and the Volume Down button (on the left side). Keep in mind that the placement of these buttons might vary depending on which Samsung phone you are using.
Simultaneously press and release these two buttons.
Your screen will flash to show you that you have successfully captured the screenshot.

How to Screenshot on Samsung Using Power and Volume Down Buttons — Source: Samsung

Using Palm Swipe

To use a palm swipe to take a screenshot, you’ll need to activate it in the settings first. Keep in mind that this is not supported on all Samsung devices (for example, the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite).

Go to Settings.
Search for Palm swipe to capture.
Toggle it on.
Swipe the edge of your hand across the screen.
A flash on the screen will tell you that you have successfully taken a screenshot.

How to Screenshot on Samsung Using Palm Swipe — Source: Samsung

Using the S Pen

For Samsung devices that work with an S Pen, you can take a screenshot using it:

Take out the S Pen from your Samsung device.
Open up whatever you wish to screenshot on your screen.
Tap the Air command menu icon.
Select Screen Write.
This will immediately take a screenshot of your current screen.
You can also edit the screenshot using the S Pen by annotating or writing notes.
If you’ve edited it, simply tap Save in the top right-hand corner to store the edited screenshot in your gallery.

Using Bixby Voice or Google Assistant

For hands-free screenshots, you can use voice commands.

Activate Bixby or Google by saying “Hey Bixby” or “Hey Google”, respectively.
Once the assistant responds, you can tell them to “take a screenshot”.
If you ask Bixby to do this, you can even tell it to share directly to a social media platform or as a message.

Using the Smart Select Tool

To use the Smart Select tool, you need to add a shortcut to it to the Tasks Edge panel. First of all, here’s how to enable the Edge panel:

Go to Settings.
Go to Display.
Go to Edge Screen.
Go to Edge Panels.
Enable and configure it

Once you have access to the Edge panel, you can take screenshots by tapping on a button on your screen.

Here’s how:

To open the panel, swipe left on the Edge panel handle on the right side of the screen.
Swipe through the panels until you find the Smart Select option.
Select the shape of the screenshot you want to capture – Rectangle, Oval, Animation, or Pin to Screen.
Use your finger to drag and select the area of the screen you want to capture. Adjust the selection box as needed.
Once you’ve selected the area, tap Done or Save to capture the screenshot. You can then save it, draw on it, or share it directly from the menu.

Using “Scroll Capture”

If you want to take an extended screenshot of your screen to show the content below your immediate screen, follow these steps:

Take a screenshot in whichever method you prefer.
Once the screen flashes, a set of icons will appear at the bottom center of your screen.
Press the Scroll Capture icon (second one from the left).
The screen will automatically scroll down to capture the contents of the following screen.
To capture the bottom of the screen, long-click the Scroll Capture icon.
To complete the screen capture, press any section of the screen other than the toolbar.

How to Screenshot on Samsung Using Scroll Capture — Source: Samsung

How to View Your Screenshots

Using the Gallery App

Locate and tap the Gallery app icon on your home screen or app drawer.
In the Gallery app, tap on the Albums tab at the bottom of the screen.
Find and tap on the Screenshots album to view all your captured screenshots.

Using the My Files App

Locate and tap the My Files app icon on your home screen or app drawer.
In the My Files app, tap on Images under the Categories section.
Find and tap on the Screenshots folder to view all your captured screenshots.

How to Edit Your Screenshot

Using the Gallery App

Follow the steps above to find the Screenshots album.
Tap on the screenshot you wish to edit.
Once the screenshot is open, tap the edit icon (which usually looks like a pencil or paintbrush) at the bottom of the screen.
You can use the available tools to crop, draw, add text, apply filters, or make other adjustments to your screenshot.
After making your edits, tap Save or Done to save the edited screenshot.

Using the Samsung Notes App

Locate and tap the Samsung Notes app icon on your home screen or app drawer.
Tap the + icon to create a new note.
Tap the image icon, select Gallery, and then choose the screenshot you want to edit.
Use the tools in Samsung Notes to draw, annotate, or make other edits to your screenshot.
Once you have made your edits, tap Save to save the note with the edited screenshot.

The Bottom Line

Capturing your Samsung screen is simple and useful. Whether you use key combinations, the easy palm swipe, or advanced tools like the S Pen, knowing how to take a screenshot on Samsung devices is very helpful.

Voice commands with Bixby or Google Assistant make it even easier, while the Smart Select tool and Scroll Capture feature give you more options for screenshots. Viewing and editing your screenshots is also straightforward, using the Gallery app or Samsung Notes.

Learning these methods means you’ll always know how to screenshot on Android and can share what’s on your screen anytime.