ThisCalculator

Everyday

Samsung Galaxy Tablet Screenshots & Screen Recording

Updated · Standard formula, shown below

Samsung Galaxy Tablet Screenshots & Screen Recording

This guide shows you how to capture still screenshots and record your screen on any Samsung Galaxy tablet running One UI (Android 9 and newer). You’ll learn the button combos, palm swipe gesture, and the built-in screen recorder, plus how to find and share your captures. No extra apps or special equipment are needed.

What You’ll Need

  • A Samsung Galaxy tablet (Tab S, Tab A, Tab Active series)
  • Your tablet’s screen unlocked
  • For screen recordings: enough free storage space (a few minutes of video uses about 50–100 MB depending on resolution)

Step-by-Step

Take a Screenshot (Three Ways)

  1. Button method: Press and hold the Power button (on the side or top) and the Volume Down button at the same time. Release both when you see a flash or hear a shutter sound. The screenshot is saved automatically.
  2. Palm swipe method (if enabled): Go to Settings > Advanced Features > Motions and Gestures and turn on Palm swipe to capture. Then, with the side of your hand (pinky edge), swipe across the screen from left to right or right to left. Make sure your hand touches the screen fully.
  3. Using the S Pen (on supported models): If your tablet has an S Pen, hover the pen over the screen, press the button on the pen, and tap Screen write. You can then draw or write on the screenshot before saving.

Record Your Screen

  1. Swipe down twice from the top of the screen to open the full Quick Settings panel.
  2. Look for the Screen recorder icon (a circle with a dot inside). If you don’t see it, swipe left to find it, or tap the + (edit) button to add it to your Quick Settings.
  3. Tap Screen recorder. A pop-up will ask what you want to record:
    • Sound on – records audio from the microphone and/or system sounds.
    • Sound off – records video only.
    • Show touches – displays a small dot where you tap (useful for tutorials).
  4. Tap Start recording. A countdown (3-2-1) appears, then recording begins.
  5. To stop, tap the red notification bar at the top of the screen, or open the notification shade and tap the Stop button. The video is saved in your Gallery.

Find Your Captures

  1. Open the Gallery app.
  2. Screenshots are in the Screenshots album (under Pictures).
  3. Screen recordings are in the Screen recordings album (under Movies).
  4. You can also find them in the My Files app under Internal Storage > DCIM > Screenshots (or Movies).

Common Mistakes

  • Pressing buttons too quickly: If you press Power first and then Volume Down, you might trigger the power menu or adjust volume instead. Press them simultaneously.
  • Palm swipe not working: The gesture is disabled by default on many models. You must enable it in Settings first.
  • Screen recorder icon missing: The icon may be hidden in the Quick Settings overflow. Tap the three-dot menu or the pencil icon to edit and drag it into view.
  • Recording with no sound: If you select “Sound offâ€� or forget to grant microphone permission, the video will be silent.
  • Screenshots not saving: If storage is full, the screenshot may fail. Check your available space.

Tips

  • Edit right after capturing: After taking a screenshot, a toolbar appears at the bottom with options to crop, draw, or share immediately.
  • Use the scroll capture: On the screenshot toolbar, tap the scroll capture icon (a rectangle with a down arrow) to capture a long page (like a website) in one go.
  • Change screen recorder settings: Before recording, tap the gear icon next to the Screen recorder toggle to adjust video resolution (up to 1080p) and selfie camera size.
  • Record internal audio only: If you want to record app sounds without background noise, choose “Media audioâ€� in the sound options (this may be called “Sound onâ€� but you can select the source).
  • Use the S Pen for precise annotations: On supported models, the S Pen is great for marking up screenshots.

Troubleshooting

Button screenshot not working

  • Check if the buttons are stuck or if the case is blocking them.
  • Restart the tablet (hold Power + Volume Down for 10 seconds to force reboot).
  • If it still fails, go to Settings > Advanced Features > Motions and Gestures and ensure “Palm swipe to captureâ€� is on – use that instead.

Screen recorder won’t start

  • Make sure no other screen recording app is running (like a game’s built-in recorder).
  • Grant the Screen recorder permission to access audio if you want sound. Go to Settings > Apps > Screen recorder > Permissions.
  • If the button is grayed out, close some background apps to free up memory.

Recording has no audio

  • Re-record with “Sound onâ€� and ensure the microphone permission is allowed.
  • Some apps (like DRM-protected streaming services) block audio recording – this is a copyright protection, not a bug.

Screenshots are blurry or black

  • If you’re trying to capture a video playing, the screen may be black due to DRM. Use the screen recorder instead if the app allows it.
  • Ensure the screen is bright enough – very low brightness can make screenshots look dark.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do screenshots go on a Samsung tablet?

They are saved in the Gallery app under the Screenshots album, and also in My Files > Internal Storage > DCIM > Screenshots.

Can I take a screenshot without pressing buttons?

Yes. Enable Palm swipe to capture in Settings > Advanced Features > Motions and Gestures, then swipe the edge of your hand across the screen.

How do I record my screen with internal audio?

When starting the screen recorder, tap the sound option and choose Media audio (or “Sound on� and then select the source). This records app sounds without microphone noise.

Does screen recording capture my face?

No, by default it only captures the screen. You can add a selfie camera overlay by tapping the gear icon before recording and enabling the front camera.

Can I edit a screenshot after taking it?

Yes, the toolbar that appears after capturing lets you crop, draw, or share. You can also edit later in the Gallery app.

Why is my screen recording missing sound?

Either you selected “Sound off�, the microphone permission wasn’t granted, or the app you’re recording blocks audio capture. Check permissions and re-record with “Sound on�.

Related

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.