Introduction

Capturing a screenshot on your Samsung Galaxy phone is one of the simplest yet most essential functions — whether you’re saving a conversation, sharing an image from an app, or keeping a record of payment details.
Samsung offers multiple ways to take screenshots, and depending on your phone model or One UI version (5, 6, or 7), the process can differ slightly.
This complete guide explains every possible method — button combinations, gestures, and advanced tools — so you can capture exactly what you need on any Samsung Galaxy device.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Take a Screenshot Using Hardware Buttons

The fastest and most universal method works on all Samsung Galaxy models.

For most devices (One UI 5, 6, and 7):

Go to the screen you want to capture.
Press Volume Down + Power (Side Key) simultaneously.
You’ll see a quick animation and hear a shutter sound.
The screenshot is automatically saved in:
Gallery → Screenshots folder.

📱 Menu path:
Gallery app → Albums → Screenshots

Troubleshooting:

If pressing both buttons opens Bixby or turns off the phone instead:

Go to Settings → Advanced Features → Side Key → Press and Hold → Power off menu
This ensures the button combo works properly for screenshots.

Step 2: Use Palm Swipe Gesture (Smart Capture)

If you prefer not to use buttons, Samsung’s gesture system lets you take screenshots with a simple swipe.

Open Settings
Tap Advanced Features
Tap Motions and Gestures
Toggle Palm swipe to capture → ON
Now swipe the edge of your hand from right to left or left to right across the screen.

💡 Works on One UI 4 and later, including One UI 6 & 7.

Step 3: Capture with Assistant Menu (Accessibility Shortcut)

For users who find physical buttons inconvenient, you can use an on-screen menu button:

Go to Settings → Accessibility → Interaction and Dexterity
Enable Assistant menu
A floating icon will appear on your screen. Tap it → then select Screenshot.

This is especially helpful if your volume or power keys are broken.

Step 4: Use the Smart Select Tool (One UI Exclusive)

Smart Select lets you capture specific parts of the screen — ideal for cropping or highlighting areas instantly.

Go to the screen you want to capture.
Swipe in from the right edge (to open Edge Panel).
Tap Smart Select.
Choose between Rectangle, Oval, or Animation (GIF).
Adjust the area → Tap Done → Tap Save or Share.

📍Menu path:
Settings → Display → Edge panels → Panels → Smart Select

Step 5: Capture Scrolling Screens (Long Screenshots)

If you want to capture a full web page or chat that doesn’t fit on one screen:

Take a normal screenshot (using any method above).
When the toolbar appears at the bottom, tap the Scroll capture icon (two arrows pointing down).
Continue tapping until you’ve captured everything.
The final image will automatically be stitched together and saved.

📍Menu path:
Settings → Advanced Features → Smart Capture → Enable Scroll Capture

✅ Available in One UI 3.1 and newer.

Step 6: Use the S Pen (for Galaxy Note, S21 Ultra, S22 Ultra, S23 Ultra, S24 Ultra)

If your phone includes an S Pen, you can capture part or all of the screen directly from the stylus menu.

Remove the S Pen or tap the Air Command icon.
Tap Screen Write.
It will instantly take a screenshot and open an editor for you to annotate.
Tap Save (bottom right).

📍Menu path:
Settings → Advanced Features → S Pen → Air Command

Step 7: Use Bixby Voice or Google Assistant

Even if you’ve disabled Bixby, you can still use a voice command to take a screenshot hands-free.

For Bixby (if enabled):

Say: “Hey Bixby, take a screenshot.”

For Google Assistant:

Say: “Hey Google, take a screenshot.”

This is helpful when your hands are busy or the phone is mounted on a tripod.

Troubleshooting / Common Issues

Screenshot Option Missing from Toolbar

If the toolbar doesn’t appear after taking a screenshot:

Go to Settings → Advanced Features → Screenshots and Screen Recorder
Toggle Show toolbar after capturing → ON

Palm Swipe Not Working

Ensure Motions and Gestures → Palm swipe to capture is turned on.
Remove any screen protector that may block touch sensitivity.

Scroll Capture Not Appearing

Scroll capture only works on scrollable pages — such as web pages, chats, or settings screens. It won’t appear on static images or app menus.

Additional Tips and Settings

Change Screenshot Format (JPG or PNG):
Go to Settings → Advanced Features → Screenshots and Screen Recorder → Screenshot format → choose JPG (smaller) or PNG (higher quality).
Automatically Delete Screenshots After Sharing:
Toggle Delete after sharing from toolbar → ON under the same menu to keep your storage clean.
Record Screen Instead of Screenshot:
One UI also offers built-in Screen Recorder:
- Swipe down from the top of the screen → Quick Panel → Screen recorder
- You can record video and take screenshots simultaneously.
Edit Screenshot Immediately:
After capturing, tap the pencil/edit icon on the toolbar to crop, draw, or add text instantly before saving.

Conclusion

Samsung’s One UI (versions 5, 6, and 7) provides some of the most versatile screenshot tools in Android.
From classic button combinations to gesture-based and S Pen methods, you can capture anything on your screen in seconds.
Whether you need a simple image or a scrolling page capture, these built-in tools ensure you’ll always have the flexibility you need — no third-party apps required.

By learning these methods once, you’ll be ready to handle every Samsung Galaxy model, from older Galaxy A-series to the latest Galaxy S and Fold devices.

FAQ

1. Where are my screenshots saved on Samsung Galaxy?
Go to Gallery → Albums → Screenshots, or use the My Files → Internal Storage → DCIM → Screenshots path.

2. Can I change the default save location for screenshots?
No. Samsung does not currently allow changing the save path without third-party apps or root access.

3. How do I take a screenshot without buttons?
Enable Palm swipe to capture or Assistant menu under Settings → Accessibility.

How to Take a Screenshot on Samsung Galaxy (All Models, One UI 6 & 7 Guide)