A ​​screenshot (screenshot) on Android is one of the most popular functions that comes in handy every day: from saving important correspondence to fixing errors in applications. It would seem that it could be simpler - press two buttons, and you're done! But in practice, users are faced with a lot of nuances: for some reason the standard combination does not work, screenshots are saved in an unknown folder, and on some models (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei) instead of the usual Power + Volume Down you need to use gestures or voice commands.

In this article we will look into all possible ways to take screenshots —from basic to hidden, including setting up saving, editing and automation. We will pay special attention to: why screenshots are not saved, how to change the format from common problems: why screenshots are not saved, how to change the format from .png to .jpg, and what to do if the smartphone does not respond to button presses. And at the end you will find FAQ with answers to the most unexpected ones questions -for example, how to take a screenshot on a locked screen or in games with disabled buttons.

1. Standard method: combination of buttons

The most universal method that works on 99% Android devices is simultaneous pressing of the buttons Power and Volume down you need to hold down the buttons. However, even here there are pitfalls: 99% of Android devices

  • 🔹 On Samsung Galaxy (series S22, S23, A54) sometimes you need to hold down the buttons 1-2 seconds —a short press may not work.
  • 🔹 On Google Pixel (6/7/8 series) a screenshot is taken instantly, but if you hold the buttons longer than 3 seconds, triggers Fastboot Mode.
  • 🔹 On Xiaomi i Redmi (MIUI 14+) a screenshot thumbnail with editing options may appear - you can swipe it to the left to cancel saving.

If the combination does not work, check:

  1. Whether hardware buttons in the settings (Settings → Accessibility → Power button).
  2. Is the mode turned on Do not disturb or Game mode —they can block screenshots.
  3. Is third-party software installed to control gestures (for example, Edge Gestures or Fluid Navigation).
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On some smartphones (for example, OnePlusyou can take a screenshot triple click on the screen - check in Settings → Gestures and movements.

2. Screenshot with a gesture (without buttons)

Manufacturers are actively implementing buttonless methods, especially on devices with curved screens (Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Oppo Find X6Here are the most common gestures:

Brand Gesture Where to turn it on
Samsung Swipe the edge of your palm across the screen (from right to left or left to right) Settings → Advanced → Movements and gestures → Palm screenshot
Xiaomi/Redmi Triple tap the screen with three fingers Settings → Accessibility → Screenshot gesture
Huawei/Honor Rap the screen with your knuckles (double knock) Settings → Smart control → Motions → Screenshot
Google Pixel There is no built-in gesture, but can be configured via Assistant (voice command) Settings → Google → Settings Assistant → Commands

⚠️ Attention: Gestures may conflict with other functions. For example, on Xiaomi triple tap opens Split Screen by default. To avoid confusion, check the priority of gestures in the settings.

📊 Which screenshot method do you use most often?
Power+Volume buttons
Palm gesture
Voice command
Special application

3. Voice commands and Google Assistant

If you have Android 10 and above, you can take screenshots voice. data-i="112">Activate - without a single touch. To do this:

  1. Activate Google Assistant (long press the button Home or say "Okay, Google").
  2. Say command: "Take a screenshot" or "Screenshot".
  3. Assistant will confirm the action and save the file to the folder Pictures/Screenshots.

On Samsung s Bixby the algorithm is similar, but the command sounds like: "Hi Bixby, take a screenshot". The main advantage of the method is works even on a locked screen (if the option Voice unlocking).

How to take a screenshot in games with disabled buttons?

In games with immersive mode (for example, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) standard button combinations may not work. Solutions:

1. Use quick settings panel (swipe down from the top edge of the screen → "Screenshot" icon).

2. Configure gesture in the game settings (for example, in MIUI Game Turbo you can assign a screenshot to a double click on the back panel).

3. use external keyboard and use PrtSc (works on Samsung DeX and Android with OTG support).

4. Screenshot through the notification panel

The fastest way is to use quick settings panel. Algorithm:

  1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification curtain.
  2. Find the icon Screenshot (if it is not there, click Edit and add it to the active elements).
  3. Tap on the icon - a screenshot will be taken instantly.

On some firmware (for example, ColorOS on Oppo/Realme), the panel offers advanced options:

  • 📱 Long screenshot (scrolling the page into one file).
  • ✏️ Edit (cropping, drawing, adding text).
  • 📤 Share (sending to instant messengers directly).

The notification panel is fully expanded (two swipes down)

The "Screenshot" icon has been added to active elements

Restrictions for applications have been disabled (for example, in banking applications, screenshots can be blocked)-->

5. data-i="172">Many applications (banks, messengers with secret chats, some games)

Many applications (banks, instant messengers with secret chats, some games) block the ability to take screenshots for security reasons, for example, in SberBank Online or Telegram ("Secret Chat" mode) when you try. take a picture, the screen will simply blink, but the file will not be saved.

Workarounds:

  • 📸 Use second camera (take a photo of the screen with another device).
  • 🖥️ Connect your smartphone to the PC via ADB and take a screenshot with the command: 
    adb exec-out screencap -p > screenshot.png
  • 🔄 Enable developer mode and disable protection: 
    Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times)

    Settings → System → For developers → Disable "Prohibit screenshots"

    ⚠️ Attention: This reduces security! Do not use the method for applications with financial data.

On Samsung Knox i Huawei AppGallery these workarounds do not work - the protection is built in at the firmware level.

6. Where are screenshots stored and how to change the save folder

By default, screenshots are saved in the following folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

But on some devices the path may be different:

Brand Default path Can this be changed?
Samsung /DCIM/Screenshots/ Yes, through My Files or Gallery
Xiaomi /Pictures/Screenshots/ Yes, in the application settings Gallery
Google Pixel /Pictures/Screenshots/ No, only through third-party applications
Huawei /Huawei/Screenshots/ Yes, through Files → Settings → Default folders

To change the save folder:

  1. Install a file manager that supports changing paths (for example, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
  2. Go to Settings → Default folders and select a new directory.
  3. Or use the application Screenshot Easy (there is an option to customize the path).
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On Android 13+ to change the folder for saving screenshots, permissions to access the storage (manually in the application settings) are required.

7. Problems with screenshots and their solutions

Let's look at TOP-5 errors and ways to fix them:

  • 🚫 Screenshots are not saved

    Reasons:

    • Run out of space on the device (check in Settings → Storage).
    • The folder Screenshots is damaged (rename it or create a new one).
    • Third-party software is blocking saving (check Clean Master, DU Speed Booster).
  • 🔇 No sound when taking a screenshot

    Enable system sounds in Settings → Sound → System sounds or check if it is disabled Silent mode.

  • 🖼️ Screenshots are saved in low quality

    This is a firmware limitation. On Samsung you can change the quality in Camera settings → Saving screenshots (if there is an option).

  • ⚡ The screen blinks, but the screenshot is not created

    Problem in shell. Try:

    • Restart device.
    • Clear application cache Gallery or Photo.
    • Update firmware (on Xiaomi bugs with screenshots are often fixed in weekly updates).
  • 🔒 You cannot take a screenshot in a specific application

    See section 5 about protected applications.

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If screenshots are saved upside down, check the auto-rotate settings (Settings → Display → Auto-rotate) or turn it off before taking a picture.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to do this screenshot on the locked screen?

Yes, but only if:

  • Use voice assistant (Google Assistant or Bixby).
  • Configured gesture (for example, double tap on Huawei).
  • Connect the device to the PC and use ADB.

⚠️ On most smartphones, standard button combinations on the locked screen do not work for reasons security.

How to take a screenshot of a scrolling page (long screenshot)?

The function is available on:

  • Samsung: after the standard screenshot, tap on the thumbnail → Scroll.
  • Xiaomi: a button will appear in the notification panel after the screenshot Long shot.
  • Huawei: use Smart Screenshot in Quick Panel.

For other devices install LongShot or Scroll Capture from Google Play.

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

.png is used by default because:

  • Supports transparency.
  • Does not compress lossy images (important for text and graphics).

To save in .jpg:

  1. Open the screenshot in Gallery.
  2. Click Edit → Save As and select format.
  3. Or use Photo & Picture Resizer to convert.
Is it possible to recover a deleted screenshot?

Yes, if:

  • You have auto-reservation on Google Photos (check your cart).
  • Use DiskDigger or Recuva (for rooted devices).
  • The screenshot was synchronized with the cloud (Yandex.Disk, Dropbox).

⚠️ Without backup recovery impossible —files are deleted from memory forever.

How to disable the notification about taking a screenshot?

On most devices, the notification is disabled as follows:

  1. Open the application settings Gallery or Photo.
  2. Find the section Notifications.
  3. Disable the option Screenshots.

On Samsung One UI the other way: Settings → Notifications → Advanced → Screenshots.