How do I take a screenshot on Android?
Open the screen you want to save, then press Power and Volume down at the same time and let go quickly. The screen usually flashes and a small preview appears. Open Photos (or Gallery) and look in Screenshots. On Samsung you can also swipe the edge of your hand across the screen if Palm swipe is on. On many Motorola phones you can touch and hold with three fingers.
Steps to check
Use Power and Volume down
Open the screen you want to capture. Press the Power (Side) button and Volume down at the same time, then release both quickly. Do not hold them for several seconds, or you may open the power menu or trigger another shortcut instead. You should see a brief flash or animation, and a preview near the bottom or top of the screen.
- Samsung Press Volume down and the Side (Power) button together, then release. A toolbar may appear so you can scroll capture, draw, or share.
- Pixel Press Power and Volume down together. You can also say "Hey Google, take a screenshot."
- Motorola Press and hold Power and Volume down together until the screen is captured.
If buttons are hard, try another built-in way
On many phones you can take a screenshot from Recents: swipe up and hold (gesture navigation) or tap Overview (three-button navigation), select the app card, then tap Screenshot. On Pixel, you can also press and hold Power and tap Screenshot if that option appears. On Samsung, turn on Palm swipe to capture under Settings → Advanced features → Motions and gestures, then swipe the edge of your hand across the screen. On Motorola, touch and hold three fingers on the screen (turn on Three finger screenshot in Settings if needed).
Capture a longer page (scrolling screenshot)
After the normal screenshot, look at the preview. On Android 12 and up, tap Capture more when the screen can scroll, then adjust what to keep. On Samsung, tap Scroll capture on the toolbar and keep tapping until you have enough. Names can differ by phone.
Find, share, or edit the screenshot
Tap the preview right away to share or edit. Later, open the Photos app, then Collections (or Library) → On this device → Screenshots. On some phones, use Gallery → Albums → Screenshots instead. From there you can share, crop, or delete.
- Samsung Screenshots usually open in Gallery. The toolbar after capture also lets you share or edit before you leave the screen.
If nothing happens
Try the button combo again with a quicker press-and-release. Take the case off if it blocks the buttons. Some apps and secure screens block screenshots on purpose (banking, streaming, work profiles). If Power and Volume down never work on your model, check your phone maker's support page for that exact phone.
Normal vs. not
Usually normal
A quick flash, a preview thumbnail, and the image appearing in a Screenshots album within a few seconds.
Worth a closer look
No flash and no image after several tries with the case off, or screenshots failing in every app. Contact your phone maker's support.
Common questions
- Where did my screenshot go?
- Open Photos → Collections (or Library) → On this device → Screenshots. Older phones may use Gallery → Albums → Screenshots.
- Why can't I screenshot this screen?
- Some apps block screenshots for privacy or security. That is normal for banking, some streaming apps, and certain work profiles.
Related questions
Sources we checked
- Take a screenshot or record your screen on your Android device (Android Help (Google))
- Take a screenshot on your Pixel phone or tablet (Pixel Phone Help (Google))
- How to take a screenshot on a Samsung phone or tablet (Samsung)
- Record and capture your Galaxy phone or tablet's screen (Samsung)
- Take a screenshot (Motorola Support)
Menu names can differ by phone brand and Android version. See our editorial policy for how we check steps.