Smartphones of the Samsung Galaxy A5series, released in different years (models 2015, 2016 and 2017), remain popular due to their balance between performance and price. However, users are often faced with the need to save a screen image, be it a conversation, a recipe, or important information from an application. The process of taking a screenshot may vary depending on the version of the operating system and the installed shell. You will learn not only about standard key combinations, but also advanced functions such as creating long screenshots and using the sidebar. Android and installed shell TouchWiz or Samsung Experience.
In this material we will analyze in detail all the available methods for capturing display images. You'll learn not only about standard keyboard shortcuts, but also advanced features like taking long screenshots and using the sidebar. System flexibility allows you to choose the most convenient option for the specific situation of using your device.
Regardless of whether you are the owner of an old model or an updated device, understanding the mechanics The operation of the image capture system will save you time. We will also touch on the issues of storing files and solving typical problems when the button does not respond or the picture is not saved in the gallery.
The classic method using physical buttons
The fastest and most reliable way to take a screenshot on any device Samsung is using hardware buttons. This method works on all versions Galaxy A5, regardless of the year of release. You need to simultaneously press the power (lock) button and the “Home” button.
It is important to maintain the synchronization of pressing. If you press the power button before or after the Home button, the system will perceive this as a normal screen lock or return to the home screen. Short press Should last about one second until you hear the characteristic camera shutter sound and see the screen flash.
On Models Samsung Galaxy A5 2016 and later that have the Always On Display feature, the visual indicator may be more noticeable. After successful capture, a notification panel with a thumbnail image will appear at the top of the screen, allowing you to quickly edit or share the file.
⚠️ Attention: Do not hold the buttons for too long (more than 2-3 seconds). Pressing the power and Home buttons for a long time simultaneously on some firmware can force a reboot of the device, which will lead to the loss of unsaved data.
☑️ Taking a screenshot correctly
If you have a model Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) with an updated interface, the logic remains the same, but the confirmation animation may differ. The system automatically saves the file in PNG format to the “Screenshots” folder inside the gallery. This is a universal method that works even in safe mode or when the touch layer freezes.
Using gestures and the Edge sidebar
For users who prefer touchless control or whose physical buttons are worn out, the company Samsung has implemented software methods. One of the most convenient tools is the panel Edge Panel. This feature allows you to open the quick action menu by swiping from the edge of the screen.
To activate this feature, go to your device settings. Find the section Display and select item Edge panels. Make sure the switch is active. Next, go to the “Panels” menu and check the “Tasks” or “Tools” box, where the screenshot icon is located.
- 🖐️ Swipe from the right or left edge of the screen inward to open panel.
- 📸 Click on the “Screenshot” icon (usually looks like scissors or a camera).
- ✂️ Use the frame that appears to highlight a specific area if you don’t need the entire screen.
This method is especially useful when you need to take a series of screenshots in a row, as it does not require manipulation with buttons on the body. In addition, the panel allows you to go straight to editing, adding text or drawings on top of the image before saving.
If swiping does not work, check the screen edge sensitivity in the display settings. Sometimes the protective glass can interfere with gesture recognition.
Function for creating long screenshots (Scrolling)
One of the most popular functions in modern shells Android is the ability to create “long” screenshots. This is an indispensable tool for saving long conversations in instant messengers, articles in the browser or news feeds. On Samsung A5 this function is available starting with certain software updates.
First, take a regular screenshot in any convenient way (buttons or panel). Immediately after the toolbar appears, at the bottom of the thumbnail you will see a button with two down arrows or the text Scroll (Scroll capture). Clicking on it will cause the screen to automatically scroll down and “add” a new area to the image.
You can press this button repeatedly until you capture all the necessary content. Once you're done, simply tap the screen anywhere or click the "Done" button to save the final file. Resolution This image will be standard in width, but in height it can be several times higher than the display resolution.
| Content type | Recommended method | Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Single application window | Buttons (Power + Home) | Maximum speed |
| Long article or chat | Scrolling function | Saving context |
| Confidential data | Selecting an area (Edge) | Hide unnecessary items |
| Video or animation | Screen recording (via panel) | Dynamic content |
It is worth considering that the scrolling function may not work correctly in some applications that use non-standard methods for rendering lists. In such cases, the system will automatically stop scrolling when it reaches the end of the scrollable area.
Why is the scroll button grayed out?
The Scroll button becomes gray and inactive if there is no content on the current screen that can be scrolled down. This can also happen in games or applications with a fixed window size.
Voice control via Google and Bixby
Modern smartphones allow you to control the system by voice, which is extremely convenient when your hands are busy or the device is lying on the table. On Samsung Galaxy A5 you can use both the built-in assistant Bixby (on new models) and the voice assistant from Google.
To use Google Assistant make sure that the “Ok Google” function is enabled in the application settings. Just say the phrase: “Okay Google, take a screenshot.” The system will recognize the command, capture the screen and show the result. This works even if the screen is locked (when setting up Voice Match).
If you have Bixbyinstalled on your device, the process is similar. Activate the assistant with the button or phrase “Hi Bixby” and say “Take screenshot.” Voice commands are processed at the system level, so they work in almost any application, except those where access to the screen is limited by security policies (for example, banking applications in incognito mode).
⚠️ Attention: Voice commands require an active Internet connection to process the request on Google or Samsung servers. In airplane mode, this method may not work.
Where are screenshots stored and how to manage them
After taking a screenshot, the file is automatically saved to the internal memory of the device. The standard path to the folder looks like Internal memory/Pictures/Screenshots. In the gallery, these images are usually grouped into a separate album called “Screenshots.”
Files are managed through the standard "Gallery" application or file manager My files. You can view, delete, move or send pictures via social networks and instant messengers directly from the viewing interface. Metadata files contain information about the date and time of creation, as well as the resolution of the original image.
If the device memory is full, new screenshots may not be saved. In this case, the system will issue a notification about a recording error. It is recommended to regularly clear the folder of unnecessary images or transfer them to a memory card microSDif your model Samsung A5 supports this feature.
- 📂 Open the "My Files" application.
- 🖼️ Go to the "Images" -> "Screenshots" section.
- 🗑️ Select unnecessary files and click "Delete".
To free up space You can also use the Optimize feature in your device settings, which finds duplicate images and suggests deleting them. This helps maintain system performance at a high level.
Regularly cleaning the folder with screenshots prevents memory overflow and speeds up the gallery.
Problem solving: if a screenshot is not taken
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where pressing buttons does not lead to the desired result. The screen does not blink, there is no sound, and the file does not appear. Most often this is due to a software glitch or limitations of a specific application.
The first thing to check is whether you are in an application with a higher level of security. Bank clients, applications for streaming protected content (Netflix, Kinopoisk) and browsers in incognito mode block the ability to create screenshots at the system level. In such cases, you will receive a notification that the action is prohibited by the security policy.
If the problem occurs in all applications, try restarting the device. This will clear RAM and restart system services responsible for processing keystrokes. Also check to see if Do Not Disturb mode or accessibility features are enabled that could intercept button presses.
⚠️ Note: The interface and menu names may vary slightly depending on the Android version and regional firmware of your Samsung A5. If you do not find the specified option, use the search in the settings.
In rare cases, the problem may be physical: the Home button is stuck or the power button cable is broken. If the buttons are pressed without a tactile response (click), the module may need to be replaced by a service center. Before visiting the service, you can use the software methods (Edge panel or voice) described above.
What to do if the Home button is broken?
If the physical Home button does not work, activate the “Virtual Button” in the Accessibility section. A software button will appear on the screen, duplicating the functions of the hardware, including calling up the menu and taking screenshots in combination with power.
Why is the screenshot saved in black?
A black screenshot is usually obtained when trying to take protected content (video with DRM protection) or when the graphics driver fails. Try rebooting your phone. If the problem is only in one application (for example, a video player), then this is normal protection against piracy.
Is it possible to change the format for saving a screenshot?
By default, the Samsung system saves screenshots in PNG format for maximum quality. You cannot change the format to JPG through standard settings, but you can use third-party applications from Google Play that intercept the system snapshot and convert it.
Where can I find deleted screenshots?
If you accidentally deleted a screenshot, check the trash in the Gallery application. The files are stored there for 30 days before being permanently deleted. You can restore them by clicking “Restore” in the trash menu.
How to take a screenshot in game mode?
In game mode (Game Launcher), the notification panel may be hidden. Use a combination of buttons or customize the sidebar of the game launcher by adding a tool for taking screenshots so as not to minimize the game.