How to screenshot on a Samsung phone

Samsung Galaxy S22 Display
A Samsung Galaxy S22 (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Being able to take a screenshot can be incredibly useful, whether you’re using the tool as a quick way to save a picture, message or piece of information, or a way to illustrate helpful how-to articles such as this one.

But not all phones take screenshots in the same way. In fact, not even all Samsung phones do. The screenshot-taking method on devices in the newly released Samsung Galaxy S23 line, for instance, is different to the method used by older Samsung models.  

The good news, though, is that capturing a screenshot is always a simple process – regardless of the handset you own – and below, we've detailed all the possible methods of taking a screenshot with a Samsung phone, starting with the most commonly used one. 

Steps for how to screenshot on a Samsung phone

  1. Press the power and volume down keys simultaneously OR
  2. Press the power and home key simultaneously OR
  3. Swipe the edge of your hand across the screen OR
  4. Use screen write or smart select on the S Pen menu

Step by step guide for how to take a screenshot on a Samsung phone

Need more detailed information? Here are all the methods for screenshotting with a Samsung phone, followed by information on scrolling screenshots and how to view and edit your captured image.

1. Press the power and volume down keys

(Image: © Samsung)

Many recent Samsung phones – including those in the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S21 lines – let you take a screenshot simply by pressing the volume down and power buttons at the same time. In fact, if your phone has both of these buttons then this method should work.

You’ll know a screenshot has been taken as your display will flash, likely accompanied by a sound if you don’t have your phone muted.

If your phone doesn’t have a Bixby button then this should just be a quick tap rather than holding the buttons, as the latter is likely to open the power menu. On handsets with a Bixby button, a longer hold is more likely to get the job done.

2. Press the power and home keys

(Image: © Samsung)

For Samsung phones with a physical home key under the display, you simply press and hold that button and the power button at the same time to take a screenshot. You can let go when the screen flashes.

This method is mostly used on older Samsung handsets.

3. Swipe your hand

(Image: © Samsung)

In addition to pressing one of the button combinations above, many Samsung phones also let you swipe the edge of your hand across the screen (from left to right) to take a screenshot.

As with other methods, your screen will flash when the screenshot has been taken, and in theory, this could be the fastest and slickest way to take a screenshot – except in practice we find it a bit hit-and-miss, so it might take a while to consistently get the technique right.

You may also need to enable this gesture control before you can use it. To do that, head to Settings > Advanced features > Motions and gestures, then tap the toggle next to ‘Palm swipe to capture.’

4. Use the S Pen

(Image: © Samsung)

As well as one or more of the methods above, owners of Samsung phones with S Pens – such as the Galaxy Note line and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra – can use their stylus to take a screenshot.

There are two ways to do this. One is to remove the S Pen from its holder, then open the S Pen menu and tap ‘smart select.’ Then simply select the part of the screen that you want to capture.

The other method is to tap ‘screen write’ in the S Pen menu, and then select the part of the screen you want to capture.

These methods are handy if you don’t want to capture the whole screen.

Step by step guide for how to take a scrolling screenshot on a Samsung phone

If you want to capture more than one full screen of information, then you’ll need a scrolling screenshot. To take one of these, use one of the button or gesture methods above, then notice the icons that briefly appear at the bottom of the display when the screenshot is taken.

One of these should be a picture of two downward arrows in a box – it may also say ‘scroll capture.’ Tap this, and your screenshot will scroll down to capture more of the page. If you still need to capture more then just keep tapping it until you’ve got everything you need. If that icon doesn’t appear then you’ve likely captured everything already.

Step by step guide for how to view and edit screenshots Samsung phone

When you take a screenshot, you’ll see a number of icons briefly appear at the bottom of the display, along with a thumbnail of the screenshot itself. Tap the thumbnail to open it – or just head to the gallery app.

To edit, hit the edit button or pencil icon while viewing the screenshot, or - if you want to annotate it - hit the icon that looks like a pencil next to a square that appears when you take a screenshot.

Looking to take screenshots on another device? Check out our how to screenshot on Android and how to screenshot on an iPhone guides.

TOPICS

James is a freelance phones, tablets and wearables writer and sub-editor at TechRadar. He has a love for everything ‘smart’, from watches to lights, and can often be found arguing with AI assistants or drowning in the latest apps. James also contributes to 3G.co.uk, 4G.co.uk and 5G.co.uk and has written for T3, Digital Camera World, Clarity Media and others, with work on the web, in print and on TV.

With contributions from
Read more
'Circle to Search' on a Galaxy S25 Ultra can now identify a song you sing, hum, or play.
Samsung’s clever new ‘Circle to Search’ trick could help you figure out that song that is stuck in your head
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra next to the Samsung Galaxy S25 on an orange background
Samsung Galaxy AI compatibility explained: which phones have which features?
iMac (24-inch, 2021)
Best screenshot tool for Mac of 2025
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra HANDS ON
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra’s S Pen just got a tech downgrade
The Samsung Galaxy S21 series of phones lying face down.
Samsung announces One UI 7 is coming to older phones after all, but the launch is still a mess
Samsung Galaxy S25 in every color corner to corner touching near the cameras
Samsung Galaxy S25 cameras: every lens on every model
Latest in Samsung Phones
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra could have even smaller bezels - and that could mean an even bigger display
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra on an orange background
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is still full price and I don't know what Samsung's playing at
An image of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra from a hands-on event
Will Samsung's new Galaxy AI features come to older devices? Here's what we know
'Circle to Search' on a Galaxy S25 Ultra can now identify a song you sing, hum, or play.
Samsung’s clever new ‘Circle to Search’ trick could help you figure out that song that is stuck in your head
An image of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra from a hands-on event
We celebrate the Samsung Galaxy S25 launch event with a special episode of our podcast
Samsung Galaxy S24 hands on handheld back straight white
Samsung Galaxy S25 AI leak teases major Gemini upgrades and new morning briefings
Latest in How Tos
ChatGPT app on an iPhone
5 things you should ask ChatGPT today – oh, and 1 you should never ask it!
This City Is Ours
How to watch This City Is Ours online – stream Sean Bean crime drama from anywhere
Canada's Val Sweeting competes during the LGT World Womens Curling Championship match for third place ahead of Canada's showing at the Women's Curling World Championships 2025
Women's Curling World Championships live stream: how to watch Uijeongbu 2025 online, schedule, streaming guide
Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England, reacts during a training session at St George's Park on March 17, 2025 in Burton upon Trent, England.
England vs Albania live stream: How to watch 2026 World Cup qualifier online and from anywhere today, team news
Smartphone with new logo X twitter app background. Application twitter old blue bird change X black and white new.
How to delete all your tweets on X
ChatGPT Voice mode
How to add ChatGPT or Gemini voice mode to your iPhone Action button (while you wait for Siri's big upgrade)