Taking a screenshot on your Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is one of those daily tasks you'll use all the time. Whether you're saving a funny meme, capturing an important detail from a webpage, or sharing a snippet of a conversation, there are more ways to do it than you might think. The newest One UI 8.5 software on the S26 Ultra makes it even more intuitive.
Press the Button Combo
The universal method that works on almost every phone is the button press. On your Galaxy S26 Ultra, simply press the Side/Power button and the Volume Down button at the same time. Hold them for just a split second and then release. You'll see a quick animation, hear a shutter sound (if your sound is on), and a small toolbar will pop up at the bottom of your screen.
This method is reliable and works from any screen, even your lock screen. It's the one I'd start with if you're new to the phone.
Enable and Use Palm Swipe
This is a classic Samsung feature that feels like a magic trick once you get the hang of it. First, you need to turn it on. Swipe into Settings > Advanced features > Motions and gestures and tap on Palm swipe to capture. Flip the switch to the on position.
Now, to take a screenshot, simply place the side of your hand vertically against the edge of the screen and swipe across from left to right or right to left. It doesn't require a lot of force, just a firm, smooth motion. This is perfect when you're holding the phone in one hand and your thumb can't reach both buttons.
Add the Screenshot Tile to Quick Settings
For a simple tap-to-capture method, use your notification panel. Swipe down from the top of your screen twice to expand your full Quick Settings menu. Look for a tile labeled Screenshot. If you don't see it, tap the three-dot menu or pencil icon to edit your tiles, then drag the Screenshot tile into your active panel.
Once it's there, you can take a screenshot from any app just by pulling down your shade and tapping that tile. It's a great alternative if you find the button combo awkward.
Capture Scrolling Content
This is one of the most useful features for the S26 Ultra's tall display. After you take a screenshot using any method, look for the toolbar that appears. Tap the icon that looks like two downward arrows, this is the scroll capture button. Your screen will automatically scroll down and capture the next segment.
You can keep tapping that button to continue capturing a very long webpage, email, or chat thread. It stitches everything into one tall image, so you don't have to take multiple separate screenshots.
Use the Edge Panel for Smart Selections
The Edge panel on your S26 Ultra is a hidden powerhouse for screenshots. Make sure it's enabled by going to Settings > Display > Edge panels and toggling it on. Then, swipe the transparent tab on the side of your screen to open the panel.
Switch to the Smart select panel. Here, you can choose to capture a rectangle, an oval, or even create an animated GIF. This is ideal when you only need a specific part of the screen, not the whole thing. You can also pin the captured image to the screen for reference.
Ask Bixby or Google Assistant
When your hands are literally full, just use your voice. Say "Hey Bixby, take a screenshot" or "Hey Google, take a screenshot." Your phone's assistant will capture the current screen and save it directly to your Gallery. It's a hands-free solution that works surprisingly well.
Make sure your preferred assistant is set up and listening for the wake word. You can check this in your phone's Settings under Apps for each assistant.
Edit and Manage Your Screenshots
Immediately after taking a screenshot, that bottom toolbar gives you quick options to Edit, Share, or Delete. Tapping Edit opens a robust markup tool where you can crop, draw, add text, or blur sensitive info. If you skip the toolbar, all your screenshots are automatically saved.
You can find them in the Samsung Gallery app. Go to the Albums tab and look for the Screenshots album. From here, you can organize, share in bulk, or free up space by deleting old ones.
Customize Your Screenshot Preferences
If you want to change how screenshots behave, there's a dedicated settings menu. Head to Settings > Advanced features > Screenshots and screen recorder. Here, you can change the image format to save space, hide the toolbar automatically, or adjust the sound settings.
For instance, if you take a lot of screenshots and find the toolbar distracting, you can set it to disappear after a few seconds. These small tweaks can make the process feel much smoother for your specific habits.