How to Take a Screenshot on Android

If you want to save something on your phone screen, such as a message, a travel detail, or an online receipt, a screenshot is an easy way to do it. If you are wondering how to screenshot on Android, the steps are usually simple and take only a moment.

Most Android phones use the same button combination, although the exact options can vary by manufacturer. Samsung Galaxy phones have a few additional ways to take and edit screenshots, which we cover below.

Step 1: Take a screenshot with the buttons

On most Android phones, you can take a screenshot by pressing two buttons at the same time.

1. Open the screen you want to capture.
2. Press and hold the Power button and Volume down button together briefly.
3. Release both buttons when the screen flashes or you see a screenshot preview.
4. If a preview or toolbar appears, tap it to edit or share the image. Otherwise, the screenshot is saved automatically.

Try to press the two buttons at the same time rather than holding them for several seconds. Holding the Power button for longer may open the power menu or activate another feature, depending on your phone.

Tip: If the buttons are awkward to press together, rest the phone on a table and use one finger on each button. A quick, simultaneous press usually works best.

Step 2: Take a screenshot on a Samsung Galaxy phone

Samsung Galaxy phones generally use the same button shortcut: Side button (or Power button, depending on model) plus Volume down.

1. Open the screen you want to capture.
2. Briefly press the Side button and Volume down button together.
3. Release them as soon as the screen flashes or the screenshot toolbar appears.
4. Tap a toolbar option if you want to capture more, crop, draw on, or share the screenshot.

Samsung’s names and toolbar options can vary by Galaxy model and One UI version. If your buttons have different labels, look for the button on the side of the phone that normally locks the screen.

Good to know: Some Samsung phones also support a palm-swipe gesture. If it is available on your model, open Settings and search for Palm swipe to capture. You can turn it on there; the setting may be under Advanced features or Motions and gestures, depending on your software version.

Step 3: Capture more of a page with a scrolling screenshot

A regular screenshot captures only what is visible on the screen. Some Android phones let you capture a longer page by scrolling down automatically.

1. Open a page or conversation that you want to capture.
2. Take a screenshot using the button shortcut.
3. When the screenshot preview appears, look for Capture more, Scroll, or a scrolling screenshot icon.
4. Tap it and follow the on-screen prompt to include more of the page.
5. Tap Save or wait for the capture to finish, if prompted.

Not every app or screen supports scrolling screenshots. The option may also have a different name on Samsung Galaxy phones, such as Scroll capture in the screenshot toolbar.

Careful: A scrolling screenshot may include more private information than you intended, especially in a long message or account page. Review the full image before sharing it.

Step 4: Find your screenshot

Your screenshot is usually saved automatically in your phone’s photo gallery.

1. Open Photos or your phone’s Gallery app.
2. Look for Screenshots in the collections, albums, or library area.
3. Tap the screenshot to open it.
4. If you cannot see it straight away, check the app’s Albums or On this device section.

On Google Photos, screenshots may appear in the Collections area under Screenshots, or in the main Photos view in date order. Samsung Galaxy users can usually find them in the Gallery app under Albums > Screenshots.

Step 5: Crop, mark up, or share your screenshot

You can tidy up a screenshot before sending it to someone. Cropping removes unwanted edges, while markup tools let you draw attention to a particular part of the image.

1. Open the screenshot from Photos or Gallery.
2. Tap Edit or the pencil icon.
3. Use the crop handles to remove parts you do not need.
4. If available, use the drawing or text tools to add a note or highlight.
5. Tap Save or Save copy, depending on the app.
6. To send it, tap Share and choose an app, such as Messages, email, or WhatsApp.

The editing options differ between Google Photos, Samsung Gallery, and other gallery apps. If you want to keep the original unchanged, choose Save copy when that option is available.

Step 6: Try another method if the buttons do not work

Some Android phones offer an alternative way to take a screenshot. The method depends on the manufacturer and software version.

1. Open Settings.
2. Use the search field at the top of Settings and search for Screenshot.
3. Check whether your phone offers a gesture, accessibility shortcut, or quick settings option.
4. If you use Google Assistant or Gemini, you can also try asking it to take a screenshot, if that action is supported on your device.

On some phones, the Recent apps screen includes a Screenshot option for the app you are viewing. Open Recent apps and check the available buttons below the app preview.

Troubleshooting: If your screenshot will not save

The button combination does nothing. Make sure you are pressing Power (or the Side button) and Volume down together briefly. Check that neither button is stuck, and try again from your phone’s Home screen.

The phone opens the power menu instead. You may be holding the Power button too long. Press both buttons together and release them quickly.

I cannot take a screenshot in one particular app. Some apps block screenshots on certain screens for privacy or security reasons. If you see a message saying screenshots are not allowed, the restriction is set by the app or service.

I cannot find the screenshot. Check both Photos and Gallery, then look for the Screenshots album. If you use a file manager, you may also find images in a folder named Pictures/Screenshots.

The screenshot looks different from what I expected. Some screens hide sensitive information or change their appearance while being captured. Check the image before sending it.

Save what is on your screen

Once you know the button shortcut, taking a screenshot on Android is quick and straightforward. Remember that most phones use Power plus Volume down, and Samsung Galaxy devices may offer extra tools such as Palm swipe and Scroll capture.

If the instructions do not match your phone, search for Screenshot in Settings or check the support page for your phone’s manufacturer.