How to Take a Screenshot on Android (Every Phone Brand)
On most Android phones, you take a screenshot by pressing the Power button and Volume Down button at the same time for about one second. The screen flashes and a preview appears where you can edit or share. Here’s how it works on every major brand. On an iPhone? See how to screenshot on iPhone instead.
Standard method (most phones)
- Press Power + Volume Down together and hold for ~1 second.
- Release when the screen flashes.
- Tap the preview to edit, or find it in your Photos / Gallery app.
Brand-specific shortcuts
| Brand | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Samsung | Power + Volume Down, or palm swipe across the screen (if enabled) |
| Google Pixel | Power + Volume Down, or swipe up → Screenshot |
| OnePlus | Power + Volume Down, or three-finger swipe |
| Xiaomi / Redmi | Power + Volume Down, or three-finger swipe down |
Scrolling screenshot (capture a full page)
- Take a normal screenshot.
- Tap the “Capture more” / scrolling icon in the preview toolbar.
- Keep tapping until you’ve captured the full page, then tap Done.
This is great for long chats, web pages, and receipts. Prefer video? See how to screen record on Android.
Where Android screenshots go
Screenshots save to your Gallery/Photos app in a Screenshots folder, and are also accessible from the notification shade right after capture.
To find them:
- Open Photos (Google) or Gallery (Samsung/others).
- Look for a Screenshots album or folder.
Customizing your screenshot buttons
If Power + Volume Down doesn’t work (or you want a different shortcut):
- Samsung: enable Palm swipe in Settings → Advanced features → Motions and gestures.
- OnePlus/Xiaomi: enable three-finger swipe in Settings → Gestures.
- Any Android: the Power + Volume Down combo works on virtually all modern phones.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Opens the power menu instead | Hold both buttons for a full second — a quick tap just opens the menu |
| Only captures part of a long page | Use the scrolling/“Capture more” option |
| Screenshot is black | Some apps (banking, streaming) block screenshots |
| Can’t find it | Check the Screenshots folder or the notification shade |
FAQ
Where do Android screenshots go?
They save to your Gallery/Photos app in a Screenshots folder, and are also accessible from the notification shade right after capture.
What if Power + Volume Down opens the power menu instead?
Some phones use Power + Volume Up, or Power + Home (older Samsung models). Hold the buttons for a full second — a quick tap opens the power menu instead.
How do I take a scrolling screenshot?
Capture normally, then tap the “Capture more” or arrows icon in the preview to extend the screenshot down the page.
Which buttons take a screenshot on Samsung?
Power + Volume Down, or a palm swipe across the screen if you enable it in Settings.
How do I take a screenshot on a Google Pixel?
Press Power + Volume Down, or swipe up from the bottom and tap Screenshot.
Why is my Android screenshot black?
Some apps block screenshots for security (banking apps, streaming services). This is app-level and can’t be overridden.
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