Taking a screenshot on Samsung Galaxy smartphones has become an intuitive process, but the variety of models and versions of the One UI shell sometimes makes its own adjustments. Users are often looking for quick ways to save important information, be it correspondence, a plane ticket, or an interesting article in the browser. Modern devices of the Korean giant offer many methods for performing this task, going far beyond the standard key combination.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the current methods that work on the flagship series S24, S25 and more affordable models A-Series. You'll learn not only classic techniques, but also advanced features like taking long screenshots or using the S Pen stylus for maximum efficiency.
Mastery of these skills greatly simplifies interaction with the device. Screenshot allows you to instantly capture visual information without having to take screen photos with another camera, saving at the same time, maximum image quality.
Classic method using physical buttons
The most common and universal method that works on the vast majority of devices running Android, including smartphones Samsung Galaxy. It does not require preliminary setup and is available immediately after turning on the phone. The method is reliable even in cases where the touch screen temporarily does not respond to gestures.
To take a picture, you must simultaneously press and release the Volume down and Power (side button). It is important to maintain synchronicity: the press should be short-term, almost instantaneous. If you hold down the buttons for too long, instead of taking a screenshot, the shutdown menu may appear or the voice assistant may start Bixby.
⚠️ Attention: On some older models or in certain operating modes (for example, in games), the response to the buttons may be slightly delayed. Do not hold your finger on the buttons for more than one second to avoid activating other functions.
After the action is successfully completed, you will hear the characteristic camera shutter sound (if the sound is not muted) and the screen will blink. A thumbnail will appear at the bottom of the display, allowing you to quickly edit or share the image. This is a basic skill that every owner of Samsung smartphone.
☑️ Checking readiness for a screenshot should know
Palm screenshot: gestures and settings
One of the unique features of the One UI shell is the ability to create screenshots using the palm swipe gesture. This feature is especially useful when the device is in a case with thick buttons or when the user prefers one-handed operation. The technology uses proximity sensors and a touchscreen to recognize wide touches.
To activate this option, you need to go to the device settings. Find the section Additional functions and select item Movements and gestures. Here you need to find the switch Palm screenshot and move it to the active position. After turning on, you can swipe the edge of your palm across the screen from left to right or from right to left, as if you were wiping dust from the surface.
For better gesture recognition, try to hold your palm level and touch the screen with the entire side surface, and not just with the little finger. The movement should be confident and fast.
It is worth noting that the gesture may not work if the screen is displaying content that does not support scrolling, or if you are in a secure application (for example, banking). Also, sensitivity may decrease when using non-original protective glasses of large thickness.
Using the Smart Panel
In the latest versions of the One UI firmware, Samsung has implemented and improved the so-called smart panel. This is a side menu that appears when you swipe from the edge of the screen, providing quick access to frequently used applications and tools, including the screenshot function.
To access this tool, you need to swipe from the side of the screen (usually from the bottom up or just from the side, depending on your navigation settings). In the menu that opens, find the Screenshot icon (often looks like scissors or a camera). Clicking on it will instantly create a snapshot of the current image. This is especially convenient when the buttons are physically damaged or the device is lying on the table.
The functionality of the panel can be flexibly configured. You can add a widget there to take screenshots of a specific area or even set up macros. This makes working with Galaxy S24 Ultra or A55 more ergonomic, eliminating the need to reach for the buttons on the case.
⚠️ Attention: The smart panel may be disabled by default on some models or in energy saving modes. Check the settings in the
Additional functions → Smart panelsection to make sure that it is active.
Long screenshot: capture the entire page
Often one screen is not enough to save the entire article, messenger conversation or table. For such cases, Samsung provides a function Long screenshot (Scroll capture). It allows you to “stitch” several screens into one long picture automatically.
First, take a regular screenshot in any convenient way (using buttons or your palm). Immediately after the thumbnail appears at the bottom of the screen, look for the down arrow button (or icon ⬇️). Press it until the entire desired area is covered. The process will stop automatically when it reaches the end of the page.
Why may a long screenshot not work?
The function is not supported in the current application (for example, YouTube or Maps). Also, the limit may be the maximum resolution of the final file or the lack of RAM to process a large image.
The resulting image will have a non-standard aspect ratio. When sending to instant messengers (for example, Telegram or WhatsApp), make sure that the compression quality allows you to read small text, since details may be lost if the preview image is greatly reduced. For important documents, it is better to save the original in the gallery.
Working with the S Pen stylus on the Note and Ultra series
Owners of flagship models Galaxy Note, Ultra and FE with a built-in stylus have in their arsenal the most powerful tools for working with the screen. The S Pen allows you not only to take pictures, but also to immediately edit them, cut out objects or create handwritten notes over the image.
To take a screenshot, remove the stylus and press the button Air Command (usually a menu appears automatically). Select option Create a note or Screenshot. A unique feature is the ability to select a mode Smart Select, which allows you to select a rectangular or oval area, and then save only it, cutting off the excess at the creation stage.
In addition, S Pen supports function Screen Off Memo. Even if the screen is off, removing the stylus allows you to instantly start writing on a black screen. While not exactly a screenshot in the traditional sense, it is a powerful tool for capturing thoughts that is integrated into the same ecosystem of Samsung Notes.
| Device model | S Pen support | Bluetooth functions | Charging stylus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S24 Ultra | Included | Yes (Air Actions) | Inside the body |
| Galaxy S23 / S22 | Separate | Yes | No (passive) |
| Galaxy A55 / A35 | No | — | — |
| Galaxy Note 20 | Included | Yes | Inside the case |
Voice control and Bixby assistant
For In situations where your hands are full or the device is in an awkward position, you can use the voice assistant. On Samsung smartphones this is predominantly Bixbyalthough Google Assistant it can also execute this command, but with fewer integration options with the system.
To take a screenshot with your voice, just say: “Hi Bixby, take a screenshot” (or “Hi Bixby, take a screenshot” if configured Russian language and corresponding commands). The assistant will instantly perform the action and save the file. This can be useful when recording screen video where touching would interrupt the recording.
To activate voice control, you must first configure triggers in the section Settings → Bixby. Make sure screen and microphone permissions are granted, otherwise the command will fail. Voice control is a great example of how Digital Accessibility is being integrated into everyday smartphone functions.
Voice commands are the perfect way to take a screenshot when physically touching the buttons is not possible, for example, when recording a screen or playing games.
Where to look for and how to edit saved images
All created images are automatically saved in the device gallery. The standard application is called - Gallery. A separate folder has been created inside it Screenshots (Screenshots), where images are sorted by creation date. This allows you to quickly find the desired file among thousands of photos.
Immediately after taking a screenshot, a toolbar appears. It allows you to:
- ✂️ Crop image by removing unnecessary edges or confidential information.
- 🎨 Draw or add text on top of the image for explanations.
- 📤 Share with a file via instant messengers, email or cloud storage.
- 🗑️ Delete snapshot if it was unsuccessful.
If you did not have time to edit the screenshot at the time of creation, do not worry. Open an image in the Gallery, click on the pencil icon, and the same editing tools will be available to you. Samsung's system also offers automatic quality enhancement and background removal on new models.
Why can't I take a screenshot in the banking app?
This is a security protection. Banking applications and some instant messengers (incognito mode) block the creation of screenshots at the Android system level to prevent the theft of confidential data. There is no way around this using standard means.
Is it possible to take screenshots in split screen mode?
Yes, Samsung allows you to take pictures even when the screen is split between two applications. The screenshot will save the view of both windows. However, the “Long Screenshot” function in split screen mode usually does not work.
How much do screenshots weigh and do they take up a lot of space?
A regular screenshot takes up little space (from 100 KB to 2 MB depending on the resolution and content). A long screenshot can weigh 5-10 MB. When actively used, they do not critically affect the memory capacity.