Have you taken a screenshot of an important message, meme, or payment confirmation, and now you can’t find it? Android automatically saves screenshots to a standard folder, but its location depends on the version of the operating system, phone manufacturer, and even the installed launcher. In this article, we will look at all possible storage locations for screenshots - from Samsung Galaxy to Xiaomi Redmi, and also tell you how to find pictures if they “disappeared” after an update or reset.

Many users lose screenshots not because they are not on the phone, but because they simply do not know where search. For example, on Huawei i Honor the folder with screenshots may have a different name, but on Google Pixel it may be hidden in cloud storage. We have collected current methods for all popular brands and versions of Android (including Android 14), and also added tips for restoring deleted files.

If you often take screenshots, we recommend that you immediately set up a convenient save location - this will save time in the future. And if the pictures are lost after updating or transferring to a memory card, do not panic: in 90% of cases they can be returned without special apps.

1. The standard storage location for screenshots on Android

Default Android saves screenshots in the folder Pictures/Screenshots (or DCIM/Screenshots on some devices). This folder is created automatically the first time you take a screenshot and is accessible through any file manager. To find it:

1. Open the application "Files" (or Google Files, Mi File Manager etc.).

2. Go to section Internal memory (or Device memory).

3. Open the folder Pictures → Screenshots.

On some phones (for example, Samsung) the path may look like as DCIM/Screenshots, and on Xiaomi — Pictures/Screenshots or even MIUI/ScreenCapture. If you do not find the folder, check all possible options.

  • 📁 Samsung Galaxy: DCIM/Screenshots or Pictures/Screenshots
  • 📱 Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco: Pictures/Screenshots or MIUI/ScreenCapture
  • 🤖 Google Pixel: Pictures/Screenshots (synchronizes with Google Photos)
  • 🍎 Huawei/Honor: Huawei/Screenshots or Internal storage/Screenshots

If the folder is empty, but you definitely took screenshots, check cart in the file manager - sometimes the files go there automatically. You should also make sure that the pictures are not saved to memory card (more about this). below).

📊 What brand of your smartphone?
Samsung
Xiaomi
Huawei/Honor
Google Pixel
Other

The easiest way is to open standard application "Gallery". On most phones, screenshots are displayed in a separate album:

1. Launch the application Gallery (or Google Photos).

2. Find the tab Albums or Categories.

3. section Screenshots (or Screenshots).

If there is no album, try entering the query “screenshot” in the gallery search - the system will find all screenshots. On Samsung and OnePlus screenshots can be displayed together with ordinary photos, but they can be easily distinguished by the file name: it usually starts with Screenshot_ and contains the date (for example, Screenshot_20260515-123409.png).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, ColorOS from Oppo/Realme) screenshots are saved to the cloud by default. Check the synchronization settings in the application. Gallery.

If you use Google Photos, screenshots may be automatically uploaded to the cloud. To find them:

  1. Open Google Photos.
  2. Click on the search icon (magnifying glass).
  3. Enter “screenshot” or “screenshot”.

3. Where to look for screenshots if they are saved to the card. memory

If your phone has memory card (microSD)installed, screenshots can be saved there instead of internal memory. This depends on the default settings or your choice when you first take a screenshot. To check:

1. manager.

2. Go to section SD card (or Memory card).

3. Find the folder Pictures/Screenshots or DCIM/Screenshots.

If there is no folder, but you are sure that the screenshots were saved to the card, try connecting it to the computer via a card reader and checking manually. Sometimes files can be “lost” due to file system errors.

Phone brand Folder on the card. memory Notes
Samsung DCIM/Screenshots May require write permission
Xiaomi MIUI/ScreenCapture Sometimes duplicates files in internal memory
Huawei Huawei/Screenshots Can hide a folder without root access
Google Pixel Pictures/Screenshots Recommends internal memory

If the memory card is damaged or the phone does not see it, you can try to recover screenshots using apps like DiskDigger or Recuva (on a computer). But the chances depend on the degree of damage.

💡

Before removing the memory card, always use the “Safely Remove” function in the Android settings. will prevent data loss.

If you are too lazy to search for screenshots manually or it doesn’t work, use built-in search. filesOn most phones it works like this:

1. Open the file manager (for example, Google Files).

2. Click on the search icon (magnifying glass) in the top panel.

3. Enter "Screenshot" or "screenshot».

The system will show all files with the same name, including those located in non-obvious folders. This method is especially useful if you have changed the save location or are using custom firmware.

On Samsung and some other brands you can search for screenshots. via notification panel:

  1. Swipe down the screen to open notifications.
  2. Find the “Screenshot saved” notification and tap on it.
  3. The system will open the file directly in the gallery.
⚠️ Attention: If the search does not find screenshots, check whether file indexing is disabled in the settings. On some firmware (for example, MIUI), this function is disabled by default to save battery.

5. Photo, OneDrive, MI Cloud

Many phones automatically upload screenshots to the cloud. If you don't find them in your local storage, check the following services:

  • ☁️ Google Photos: "Screenshots" album or search for "screenshot".
  • 📁 Samsung Cloud (for Galaxy): "Gallery" section → "Screenshots".
  • 🌐 MI Cloud (for Xiaomi): "Photo" tab → filter by file type.
  • 🔵 OneDrive (for Microsoft Launcher): "Camera" or "Screenshots" folder.

To check if automatic upload is enabled:

  1. Open the cloud service settings (for example, Google Photos).
  2. Find the "Backup and Sync" section.
  3. Make sure the option is enabled and screenshots are not excluded from the upload.

If you deleted a screenshot from the gallery, but it was uploaded to the cloud, it can be restored within 30-60 days (depending on the service) through the cloud recycle bin storage.

How to recover a screenshot from the Google Photos recycle bin?

Open Google Photos → Recycle Bin → select the file → click "Recover". The file will be returned to the main gallery and on the device (if there is space).

6. screenshots are gone: recovering deleted files

If you accidentally deleted a screenshot or it disappeared after resetting the settings, try the following recovery methods:

1. Check the trash in the file manager or gallery (files are stored there for 7-30 days).

2. Use recovery apps:

- DiskDigger (Android, requires root for deep scanning).

- Recuva (Windows, if you connect the phone as a drive).

- EaseUS MobiSaver (specialized software for mobile devices).

3. Check your backups v Google Drive or Samsung Cloud (if synchronization was enabled).

To restore without root access:

  1. Install DiskDigger from Google Play.
  2. Select the “Without root access” section (limited scanning).
  3. Tick file types: .png i .jpg.
  4. Wait for the scan to complete and save the found screenshots.
⚠️ Attention: The more you use the phone after deleting file, the lower the chances of recovery. New data may overwrite deleted screenshots.

Do not save new data to the phone|Disable automatic synchronization|Use a card reader for microSD|Check the recycle bin in cloud services-->

7. How to change the location where screenshots are saved

If you are not satisfied with the standard folder for screenshots, you can change it. The methods depend on the version of Android and firmware:

On pure Android (Pixel, Motorola, Nokia):

  1. Install a file manager that supports changing paths (for example, Solid Explorer).
  2. Create a new folder (for example, MyScreenshots in the internal memory).
  3. Use a screenshot app (for example Screenshot Easy), where you can specify a custom path.

On Samsung (One UI):

  1. Open Settings → Additional features → Screenshots and screen recording.
  2. Select Save folder and specify a new one.

On Xiaomi (MIUI):

  1. Run the application Screenshot (or take a screenshot).
  2. In the notification, tap “Share” → “Save to...” and select a folder.

On some phones (for example, Huawei) you can only change the save path using third-party applications or root access.

8. Common problems and solutions

Problem 1: Screenshots are not saved.

Solution: Check the free space on the device (you need at least 100-200 MB). make sure that the screenshot application has permission to write to memory (Settings → Applications → Permissions).

Problem 2: Screenshots are saved in low quality.

Solution: On some phones (for example Xiaomi), screenshots are compressed by default. To disable this, go to Settings → Advanced → Screenshot → Image quality and select "Original".

Problem 3: Screenshots are not displayed in the gallery, but are in the file manager.

Solution: Update the media database Android:

  1. Install the application Rescan Media from Google Play.
  2. Run a scan - this will force the system to re-index the files.

Problem 4: Screenshots are saved with black fields (on phones with cutout).

Solution: Use third-party screenshot applications (for example, Screenshot Touchthat allow you to crop unnecessary areas automatically.

💡

If screenshots are not saved after updating Android, try clearing the cache of the Gallery application and restarting the phone.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Can I take a screenshot without notification?

Yes, but only using third-party applications (for example, Screenshot Easy or Super Screenshot).They allow you to turn off the shutter sound and notifications. On some firmware (for example, MIUIthis can be configured in the screenshot settings.

Why are screenshots saved in .png format and not .jpg?

Android saves screenshots in .pngby default because this format supports transparency and preserves text quality better. However, .png takes up more space than .jpg. To change the format, use applications like Screenshot Type.

Where can I find screenshots from games?

Screenshots from games are usually saved in the same folders (Pictures/Screenshots), but may have different names (for example, Game_Screenshot_20260515.pngIf the game uses its own snapshot mechanism (for example, PUBG Mobile), check the game folder in Android/data/.

Is it possible to restore a screenshot after resetting the phone to factory settings?

If the screenshots were synchronized with the cloud (Google Photos, MI Cloud etc.), they can be restored after logging into your account. If not, chances are. are minimal, since a reset completely clears the internal memory. In this case, only professional recovery software will help (for example, Dr.Fone).

How to take a screenshot on Android without buttons (gestures)?

Most modern phones support gestures:

  • 👉 On Samsung: swipe the edge of your palm across the screen (turned on in Settings → Additional functions → Movements and gestures).
  • 👉 On Xiaomi: use three-fingered swipe down (setting in Settings → Advanced → Screenshot).
  • 👉 On Google Pixel: hold down the power button → select “Screenshot”.