Samsung Galaxy S5 Guide

How to take screenshot on Samsung Galaxy S5 without using any apps?

galaxy_s5_for_dummiesTaking screenshot on Samsung Galaxy S5 is very simple. Everyone can do it easily.

You do not need any apps.  You do not need to root your Galaxy S5. You do not need ADB. Actually, most third-party screenshot (screen capture) apps need a rooted Galaxy S5.

There are at least two methods to take screenshot on Galaxy S5. In this guide, I will show you both of them.

Taking screenshot on Samsung Galaxy S5 method 1: Power button + Home button

The first method to take screenshot on Samsung Galaxy S5 is to use the power button and the home button.

You need press and hold the two buttons (Power + Home)  simultaneously until you hear the camera shutter sound.  

Once the  screenshot is taken successfully, you will get visual confirmation near the border of the screen. A notification will also be created and  you can then directly check the screenshot by tap the notification.

You can access the screenshot from the Gallery app in Galaxy S5. All screenshots are sorted under Screenshots album in Galaxy S5.

The default location of screenshots is in the folder of  pictures/Screenshots  in the internal storage. So you can copy these PNG files to your PC directly if you want.

The most common problems with this method is timing. You need press and tap the two buttons almost simultaneously.

Because both buttons are assigned to other functions if pressed independently, if you press the buttons one by one, you will get different results:

  • Press and hold Power button too early (in other words, press Home button too late).  You will see the device options for you to restart Galaxy S5, enter airplane mode, power off, or silence your Galaxy S5.
  • Press and hold Home button too early (in other words, press Power button too late). You will  launch Google search or S voice.

To take screenshot on Samsung Galaxy S5 with this method, you need some practice. But once you get used to this method, it is blazingly fast (and simple).

One secret of using this method to take screenshot on Samsung Galaxy S5,  you can press and hold power button “slightly” earlier than pressing the Home button. The power button does wait a bit longer than Home button when being pressed.

Taking screenshot on Samsung Galaxy S5 method 2: Swipe your palm

The second method to take screenshot on Samsung Galaxy S5 is swiping your palm over the screen as shown below.

How to take screenshot on Samsung Galaxy S5 without using any apps?

Place the side of your hand on the screen and sweep it across the screen from the right to the left  to take a screenshot on Samsung Galaxy S5. You can also sweep from left to right if you want.

The screenshot taken is also saved in the Screeshots album (folder).

If you find you cannot take screenshot on Samsung Galaxy S5,  you may check whether this setting is turned on at: Settings–Motions and Gestures–Palm swipe to capture. Dragging the switch to right to turn it on.

The two method of taking screenshot on Samsung Galaxy S5 are applicable to most other Samsung Android phones. So if you have other Samsung Android phones, you can try these methods to take screenshot next time. It should work.

If you have any questions on capturing screen on Samsung Galaxy S5, please let us know in the comment box below.

More how-to guides , tips and tricks for using Samsung Galaxy S5 are available at Samsung Galaxy S5 how-to guides page.

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Comments

  3. Awriternot says

    This is driving me batty. I have the settings correct but can’t get this to work. I probably look like a fool swiping over & over. I have the Otterbox Commuter. Could it be because of the height/depth of the case interfering with your ability to swipe all the way across without hitting the edges? Maybe I’m grasping at straws but thought I’d ask… Lol

    Reply

  4. Awriternot says

    Correction… Otterbox Defender with built-in screen protector.. Perhaps the screen protector is the issue?

    Reply

  5. Satish says

    Well, the first method is the copy from iphone and it is not working in my phone (G900S) made for SK Telecom in South Korea… Does anyone experienced the same??

    Reply

  7. carie says

    Hi thr srcond option which palm swipe to capture is not working. I already turn on in the motion settings but yet not working. Please help. Thanks

    Reply

  8. kimberly nobles says

    I’ve tried to take a screen shot using the home and power button, but it’s not working. Do you have to turn on something I’m settings to make it work?

    Reply

  9. Awriternot says

    I finally got mine to work by starting almost flat with the side of my Palm inside the edge of the case, touching the screen. Then I dragged my hand across, but instead of my Palm parallel like the tutorial shows (pinkie & side of Palm touching screen), I did more of a sweeping motion to where my hand was pretty much facing down.

    Reply

  10. Nicka says

    How do I stop my S5 from taking unwanted screenshots while in my purse? I put my cell on the “sleep” screen (where its all black) and throw it in my purse. Later on- theres 22 screenshots I did not intentionally take. Is there a way to disable the screenshot function as I don’t want/ need it.

    Reply

  11. monica Shelton says

    When I send screen shots to others they can’t open file.” This is what they see

    Screenshot (03:13PM, Jun 21, 2014)
    One or more of the message components have been deleted by MMS Adaptation. Either the message was too large or the ponents were unsuitable for your handset.”

    Reply

  12. brina says

    I can’t believe I didn’t know this haha. They both have worked perfectly easily for me on the first try. As should it with everyone. Nice. The ease of this also explains when, sometimes, I randomly have a screen shot of a random screen in my gallery. Haha.

    Reply

  13. Jamila Williams says

    my hand-swipe feature does not work 🙁 seems more like a skilled task then the power/home button combo..that is working quick and efficiently…but I want to use the hand swipe feature. Just to clarify my hand is not supposed actually touch the screen right? Thanks!

    Reply

  16. Corrna says

    I don’t know how to use the screen shot where you have to use the home button and power button I’ve tried before and nothing so I just switched to sliding the palm on the screen but I don’t like it. 🙁

    Reply

  19. Ana says

    The swiping works to screenshot stuff but for some reason I cant screenshot my texts. Is there a reason why or is it just my phone?

    Reply

  20. Katie says

    I can’t screen shot texts using the hand swipe to capture either. I think it’s because the keyboard is up? any idea how to make the keyboard go away so I can see just the texts on the screen?

    Reply

  22. sam says

    After taking a screen shot why does it say saved to clipboard?? What is clip board and how can I change it so that it only saves in my gallery??

    Reply

  23. rossario says

    I cant screenshot pressing home+lock either I also cant swipe on the lock screen to screen cap it is that normal? Almost wish I kept my iphone 5 =/

    Reply

  24. anh says

    NONE of my screenshots will send in a text message. They all give the “one or more components have been deleted…..” message. Even after resizing they won’t send…

    Reply

  25. Leeyna says

    I like to use 2nd method – swipe the screen..but my problem is the screen keep moving when I swipe my palm..so I barely shot the part that I want..can help me how to make the screen static before I swipe?
    Plus, will the home button get any effect (such as be less sensitive for finger scanner) if we always push the home button?
    Thank you in advance 🙂

    Reply

  26. J says

    How do u take a screenshot of a video that’s playing on the S5? On my old phone, S2, there was a camera button you can press while the video was playing for fast capturing. The S5 does not have this feature and doing method 1 and 2 would take too much time.

    Reply

  27. Cole says

    Okay, I’ve tried many times to screen shot with the buttons, but no matter what it won’t work. I’m pressing them at the same time, I’m holding the power then clicking the other, and it just won’t work. I tried turning the swipe on and off, it’s working fine, but not the clicking.

    Reply

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