How to Take a Screenshot on a Samsung Galaxy Phone

Taking a screenshot is a quick and easy way to save items on your phone, instead of trying to jot it down by memory or copying it into the Notes app. Sharing funny memes and social media posts, or saving a product you want to buy, can be done more easily once you know how to use this feature.

When it comes to learning how to screenshot on a Samsung phone, there are a few methods to know about which suit different preferences and accessibility needs. This guide will take you through each option step-by-step and help you find the ideal method for your Samsung Galaxy device.

If you don’t already own a Galaxy phone, or you’re looking to change up your existing model, check out our selection of top-of-the-range handsets.

Taking a screenshot on a Samsung Galaxy phone

Depending on the Samsung Galaxy model you own, as well as your personal preferences, the way in which you can take screenshots will differ.

As soon as you take a screenshot on your Samsung Galaxy phone, you will see the display flash or hear a camera shutter sound to indicate that the screenshot has been captured; similar to when taking a photo. You might then be wondering what happens after you take a screen grab? Head to the Gallery app and open the Screenshots folder to easily find all your images.

Using the Power key or Volume buttons

The most common way to screenshot on a Samsung phone is using the Power and Volume Down buttons, which are positioned on the right side of most devices. On phones with a Bixby button, the Power and Volume keys will be positioned differently.

1. Make sure the page you want to capture is open and positioned correctly.
2. Press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously.
3. The screen will flash, or you will hear a camera shutter sound to indicate that the screenshot has been taken successfully.

Using the Palm Swipe feature

Instead of co-ordinating which buttons you need to press, Samsung built in an alternative screenshot method which can be done by setting up a simple gesture.

1. Go to Settings > Advanced features > Motions and gestures.
2. Turn on Palm Swipe.
3. Re-open the screen you want to capture and ensure it is positioned accurately.
4. Place the side of your hand on the screen and swipe across, in either direction.
5. The screen will flash when the screenshot has been taken.

Using voice commands

On Samsung phones, you can use both Bixby and Google Assistant to take a screenshot by activating voice commands; a great option if you're hands-free.

1. Open and correctly position the screen you want to capture.
2. Say ‘Hey Google’ or ‘Hi Bixby’ depending on your device.
3. Ask the voice assistant to ‘Take a screenshot’.
4. The screen will flash and save the screenshot in the gallery.

Using the physical Home key

When taking a screenshot on older Samsung phones that still have a physical Home key, try pressing it simultaneously with the Power button.

1. Open the page you want to capture and position it correctly.
2. Press and hold the Power and Home buttons simultaneously.
3. The screen will flash when the screenshot is taken.

Using an S Pen

Some devices such as the Galaxy S23 Ultra and S24 Ultra come with an S Pen, which can be used to take screenshots.

1. Tap ‘Smart select’ or ‘Screen write’ in the S Pen menu, using the S Pen.
2. Select which part of the screen you want to capture.

Using the Smart Select tool

It’s possible to capture more specific parts of the screen using the Smart Select tool, which first requires the Edge panel feature to be enabled.

1. Go to Settings > Display.
2. Tap ‘Edge panels’ and then ‘Panels’ to turn on Smart Select.
3. Re-open the content that you want to screenshot on the display.
4. Swipe down to access the ‘Quick Settings’ panel.
5. Tap the rectangular ‘Smart Select’ icon.
6. Choose which shape you want to capture.
7. Draw around the area that you want to capture and press ‘Done’.
8. You can now edit and share your screengrab that appears on screen.

Using the Samsung Scroll Capture feature

For capturing longer pages such as articles that require scrolling, the Scroll Capture feature is extremely useful.

1. Make sure the full content you wish to capture can be scrolled through.
2. Press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously.
3. Once the screenshot has been taken, tap on the ‘Scroll Capture’ option at the bottom of the screen.
4. Continue tapping the button until you have captured everything you need.
5. Save the screenshot to the Gallery.

Now that you have learnt how to screenshot on a Samsung Galaxy phone, you can try your hand at editing your saved images. There are multiple free photo editing apps to explore if you want some additional tools alongside the phone’s built-in features.