How do I take a screenshot on my Samsung phone?

Tips
1

I just switched to a Samsung phone after using other brands for years and I can’t figure out the correct way to take a screenshot. I’ve tried pressing different button combinations and looking through the settings, but nothing is working consistently. Can someone explain the exact steps or different methods to capture the screen on recent Samsung models?

2

Yeah Samsung loves hiding simple stuff behind 3 different ways.

Most common screenshot method on Samsung phones:

  1. Button combo
    • Open what you want to capture
    • Press Power / Side key + Volume Down at the same time
    • Press once, quick tap, then release
    • Screen flashes and you see a toolbar at the bottom
    If you hold the buttons too long it triggers the power menu or restarts, so timing matters.

  2. Palm swipe (if enabled)
    • Go to Settings → Advanced features → Motions and gestures
    • Turn on “Palm swipe to capture”
    • Place the side of your hand on one edge of the screen
    • Swipe across the screen in one smooth motion
    You get the same flash and toolbar.

  3. Using the Assistant menu (accessibility option)
    Good if the buttons feel awkward.
    • Settings → Accessibility → Interaction and dexterity
    • Turn on “Assistant menu”
    • A small floating icon shows up
    • Tap it → tap “Screenshot”

  4. Scroll screenshot (long pages)
    After a normal screenshot, look at the toolbar at the bottom.
    Tap the double‑down arrow icon to capture more of the page.
    Keep tapping until you reach the end or it stops.

Where to find your screenshots
• Open Gallery app → Albums → “Screenshots”
or
• My Files → Internal storage → DCIM → Screenshots

If the button combo does nothing:
• Check Settings → Advanced features → “Side key”
• Make sure double press or press and hold is not messing with the timing
• Restart the phone and try again

Once you get used to the Side key + Volume Down, your muscle memory kicks in and you stop thinking about it. Took me a day after switching from another brand, felt kinda dumb before that lol.

3

One thing I’ll push back on from @yozora a bit: Samsung doesn’t just “hide” stuff, they scatter it everywhere like an Easter egg hunt. The button combos are fine, but there are a few non‑button tricks that might fit better if you’re coming from other brands.

Here are some alternatives that don’t rely on the hardware keys:

1. Screenshot from the Quick Panel

If you hate timing button presses:

  1. Pull down from the top of the screen twice to open the full Quick Panel.
  2. Look for a “Screenshot” or “Screen capture” tile.
  3. If you don’t see it, tap the three‑dot menu → “Edit buttons.”
  4. Drag “Screenshot” into the active tiles.
  5. Now you can just tap that tile to capture, no juggling buttons.

This is super handy when you’re holding the phone awkwardly or using one hand.

2. S Pen (if you have a Galaxy Note / S Ultra)

If your Samsung has an S Pen:

  1. Pull out the S Pen to open Air Command.
  2. Tap “Screen write.”
  3. It instantly takes a screenshot and opens an editor so you can draw, crop, or write.
  4. Save from there.

This is way more precise than the default toolbar, especially if you like annotating screenshots.

3. Use Bixby / Voice command

Not for everyone, but it works:

  • With Bixby set up: say “Take a screenshot.”
  • With Google Assistant: hold the navigation gesture/button, then say “Take a screenshot.”

Nice when your fingers are busy or the phone is plugged into a weird spot and the buttons are hard to reach.

4. Change the Side key behavior so screenshots are easier

If your timing is getting messed up by long‑press power behavior:

  1. Go to Settings → Advanced features → Side key.
  2. Set:
    • “Press and hold” to “Power off menu” or “Wake Bixby,” depending what you prefer.
  3. Then practice a quick tap of Side key + Volume Down. If the phone keeps opening something else, tweak that Side key setting until it stops fighting you.

5. Instant share & edit options after screenshot

After you take any screenshot:

  • That toolbar at the bottom is not just decoration:
    • Pencil icon: quick edit / crop.
    • Share icon: send directly to chat/email without opening Gallery.
    • The “pin” icon (on some models): lets you pin the screenshot on screen.

Using that toolbar saves you from hunting through Gallery every time.

6. Verify the gesture stuff is actually working

Palm swipe sometimes feels flaky. If it’s not working:

  • Make sure:
    • You’re not using the edge of your fingertips, but the side of your hand.
    • You start swiping from off the screen edge, not the middle.
    • Power Saving mode / some battery savers can sometimes make gestures laggy.

Personally, I’d set up:

  • Button combo for quick reflex screenshots.
  • Quick Panel tile for when the phone is in a weird grip.
  • S Pen / Bixby only if you actually use them, otherwise they just get in the way.

Once your muscle memory kicks in, you’ll stop thinking about it and start accidentally screenshotting everything like the rest of us.