Galaxy Note Tips & Tricks

3 fast ways to create screenshot in Galaxy Note (Note II, Note 3 and Note 8.0 as well) without using any apps

You have different ways to take screenshot on your Galaxy Note devices.

By 57 Comments · ·

Update:  you can also use these 3 methods to take screenshot on your Samsung Galaxy note 3 and Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition. The methods works on all Galaxy Note family products.

Update 2: for Galaxy Note 4, the S pen method does not work. Please check this guide on how to take a screenshot on Galaxy Note 4.

Update 3: Galaxy Note 5 introduced a few nice features to make it even easier to take screenshot on Galaxy Note 5. You can even take screenshot that covers multiple screens.  Please follow this guide to take screenshot on Galaxy Note 5. 

Update 4: If you want to use the scroll capture feature (one screenshot covering multiple screens) in Galaxy Note 5, please follow this scroll capture guide.

yes, there are a lot of screenshot apps in the Android market (Play Store). But do you know you do not need any of them in your Galaxy Note, Galaxy Note II, Galaxy Note 10.1 and Galaxy Note 8.0 to take a screenshot? The following 3 methods are also applicable for Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition.

With Galaxy Note, you have three different ways to take screenshot.

use-s-pen-to-capture-screenshot-in-galaxy-note
Using S Pen i to capture screenshot for Galaxy Note
Table of Contents hide
1) Method 1: use S pen
2) Method 2: use Home Key + Power Key
3) Method 3: Use your palm

Method 1: use S pen

Holding the S pen button, then tap and hold to the screen. This is unique to Galaxy note. Other two methods apply to Galaxy S II and a few other Galaxy models. But this method need S pen, so it is exclusive to Galaxy Note. The best thing about this method is that  after the screenshot is captured, you are prompt to edit this screenshot (as you are holding S Pen now). Quite smart design!

Method 2: use Home Key + Power Key

Tapping and holding Home key and the Power/Lock key simultaneously. In the practical operation, you can  press and hold the Home key first, then quickly press the Power key.  This method  is mentioned in the Galaxy SII’s manual, but not in Galaxy Note’s manual. But anyway, it works. Actually it works on most Samsung Android phones.

This method does not work on Galaxy Note 10.1 because there is no Home button on Note 10.1.

sweep-palm-to-capture-screenshot-in-Galaxy-note
Use your Palm to capture screenshot on Galaxy Note

Method 3: Use your palm

Sweeping your palm across the screen to capture a screenshot. This is mentioned in the Galaxy Note User Manual and it sounds quite new. In the practical operation, you need sweep slowly. Sometimes, the phone may think you are trying to touch some location.

So, now try it on your Galaxy Note, Galaxy Note II, Galaxy Note 10.1 and Galaxy Note 8.0 to take some screenshots.

You can also try the same methods  to take screenshot on your Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Samsung Galaxy note 10.1 2014 edition.

More tips on Galaxy Note, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Note 8.0 and Galaxy Note 10.1 can be found in Tips and Tricks page.

Galaxy Note 3 online manual (HTML edition) is available here.

If you want to download the PDF version of Galaxy Note 3, Note Ii, Note 8.0. Note 10.1, or read the PDF version on line, you can find all of them in this User Manual page.

You may also want to read these S Note tutorials.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. gwenna says

    swiping of the hand is not working and the NOTE doesn’t have a home button. Is there something else I can try? I really don’t want to have to get the S out every time.

    Reply

  7. VIktor says

    Note 3 – all 3 works. I keep my gestures off so 3-rd method is not for me. But Power+Home and Stylus are my fav ways.

    The is one more way with stylus – Click the button and select ‘Screen Write’ and without writing anything click save. My fav feature because it takes a screenshot and allows you to outline or underline an area which you want people to see.

    Reply

  13. bodhi says

    thanks for the tips, I am new to the android, so here is where are screen captures are saved on the phone
    Files are saved in the Apps➔ My Files➔ All➔ Device storage ➔ Pictures ➔ Screenshots folder. You can also find them in your Gallery in the Screenshots album

    Reply

  15. Oc Jaman Ali says

    Oh! I spent DAYS finding lame app’s on the app store. I had started to hate my note. I newly switched from blackberry’s to an android phone. U just made me love my phone !! Thanks alot. Really helpfull

    Reply

  17. robert silvano says

    all tips are working..got my note 2 jb version just 2 weeks ago..thank you for the tips, downloading the manual now.. 😉

    Reply

  20. isai azael villarreal patlan says

    GREAT!! awesome article.
    Hahahaha

    I have been using my galaxy note from about 4 moths.. and i didn´t knew about the palm trick!! Is amazing!!

    yet.. it would be nice to have the same after disp.. as the s-pen snaphsot , mostly you need to sent or do something with the snap, as soon as it is taken.
    But the trick is great!!

    thank you so much, !! greetings!

    Reply

  24. nandop89 says

    My not is runnin ICS 4.0.4(US) and I believe it was possibly disabled when it upgraded? I’m very disappointed btw. I believe we need to expadite this to Samsung, i find method 2 to be a massive help than 1 or 3

    Reply

  26. wimhvh says

    ICS – problem is nonsense.
    I thought I had problem with screenshots.
    Melvin this to my link to my reply. you have no app needed for making screenshots with samsung note.
    read this but everything works just super. !

    Even after the
    Wipe data / factory reset.
    and factory reset

    see link screenshots works so super good. for me.!
    https://www.allaboutgalaxynote.com/3-…sing-any-apps/

    Reply

  29. JBMGJJA says

    After the update to 4.0.3 on galaxy note the 2nd way (home + power key) does not work anymore for me.

    Reply

  30. dvizzle says

    i have a galaxy note with ics, incredible phone 🙂 they have changed ‘method 2’ – no longer home button, now down volume button. but my struggle is trying to take a screenshot of a paused video from my gallery, no methods work? can you help???

    Reply

  31. V says

    Great tips! The palm trick works great. The home and power trick still results in my screen turning off. I guess I have to get the timing just right.

    Reply

  32. Sanjay R Nath says

    I had some financial crisis and couldnt get my note before! I jut ordered and waiting to get delivered ! Im starting to fall in love with your website .

    Reply

  33. spiderman says

    u r gr8 dude… All 3 tricks for taking screenshots are good especially the first nd 3rd trick for note. U rocks

    Reply

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