How do i do a screenshot on my tablet

This article explains how to take screenshots on an Android phone or tablet. Instructions apply to devices running Android version 4.0 or later.

Ask Google to Do It

Google Assistant will do the work for you. Just say, "OK, Google - take a screenshot." It will take the shot and send you immediately to quick share and messaging options, including social media apps you have installed, to quickly send the shot to someone else.

If you prefer to save it on your device, look for the option under Apps to Upload to Photos.

Press the Power and Volume Down Buttons Simultaneously

Google introduced the screenshot feature with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). To take a screenshot, follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to the screen you want to record with a screenshot.

  2. Press the Power and Volume Down buttons quickly at the same time. (Getting this right might take some practice.) The screen might flash or appear to shrink slightly to indicate the screenshot has been taken.

  3. Look for the screenshot in your photo gallery or in a screenshots folder.

    How do i do a screenshot on my tablet
    How do i do a screenshot on my tablet

Use Your Phone's Built-in Shortcuts

Some phones come with built-in apps and gestures. For example, on some Samsung devices, swipe the edge of your palm across the screen from right to left.

How to Screenshot on Samsung Note 10

How do i do a screenshot on my tablet
How do i do a screenshot on my tablet

Install an App for Screenshots

If you don't have Android 4.0 or later on your phone, or if it doesn't have a built-in screenshot feature, install an Android app. Here are a few to try:

  • Screen Capture Shortcut Free takes screenshots after a delay or when you shake the phone.
  • No Root Screenshot It offers a widget and allows you to annotate, crop, and share screenshots.
  • Screencap Root Screenshots (requires rooting).

For more, search the Google Play Store for screenshot, screen grab, or screen capture.

Use Android Studio

You can take an Android screen capture on any compatible device by installing Android Studio from Google on your computer. This software development kit is used by developers to create and test Android apps, but it's freely available to everyone.

You'll also need the Java SE Development Kit and, in some cases, USB drivers for your device (check for these on the manufacturer's website). Then, plug in the phone, run the Dalvik Debug Monitor (included in Studio), go to the Debug Monitor menu, and click Device > Screen Capture. This is a clunky way to take screenshots, but if nothing else works or you have Studio already set up, it's easy to use.

There are a lot of different Samsung tablets on the market right now, and as a result, it might be frustrating trying to track down tutorials that apply to your specific tablet's model. 

All you want to do is take a screenshot – how are you supposed to know which internet tutorial works for which tablets?

We'll let you in on a little secret: there's one method of screenshotting that works for all Samsung tablets, no matter which model you have.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (From $129.99 at Samsung)

How to screenshot on any Samsung tablet

1. Open the content you wish to screenshot. This might be anything from text messages or social media to images or apps.

2. Locate the power button and volume buttons on your Samsung tablet.

How do i do a screenshot on my tablet

Samsung Galaxy Tab A (8-inch)

$149.99 from Best Buy

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Chrissy Montelli

Chrissy Montelli is a writer and content creator originally from Long Island, NY. She is the author of two poetry chapbooks, Heart Float (Bottlecap Press) and Going to Ithaca (Ghost City Press), as well as various online publications.

How do I do a screenshot on my Samsung tablet?

You can capture a screenshot by quickly pressing and holding the Power and Volume down keys at the same time. If you don't press them simultaneously or if you hold them for too long, a screenshot will not be taken. Instead, the Power menu or Bixby will launch.

Where do screenshots go on a tablet?

Open your gallery or file manager app of choice and look for the “Screenshots” folder. The one weird exception is Google Photos on Samsung Galaxy devices. While there is a “Screenshots” folder on Galaxy devices, it doesn't show up in the Google Photos app for some reason. Screenshots appear in the “Camera” folder.

How do I take a quick screenshot?

Press Ctrl + PrtScn keys. The entire screen changes to gray including the open menu. Select Mode, or in earlier versions of Windows, select the arrow next to the New button. Select the kind of snip you want, and then select the area of the screen capture that you want to capture.