Before You Begin
Taking a screenshot on the Galaxy Z Flip7 works much like it does on other Samsung Galaxy phones, but the foldable design adds a couple of extra options. The phone runs Samsung’s One UI, which has included several screenshot methods for years. No special app or setting is required to get started; every method described here uses built-in software.
You should know your device’s software version, but the steps below apply to the version of One UI that ships with the Galaxy Z Flip7. If Samsung releases a major update later, menu names may shift slightly, but the core actions (button presses, gestures, voice commands) remain the same.
The Main Method: Physical Buttons
The most reliable way to capture the screen is pressing two physical buttons at the same time.
- Locate the Side Key – This is the button on the right edge of the phone. It serves as both the power button and the fingerprint sensor.
- Locate the Volume Down key – This is directly below the Side Key on the same edge.
- Press and hold both buttons simultaneously – Press the Side Key and the Volume Down key at the same time. Hold them for about half a second.
- Release – You will hear a shutter sound (if your phone is not in silent mode), see a brief animation, and the screenshot thumbnail will appear in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
This method works whether the phone is fully open or partially folded in Flex Mode. It also works from the cover screen when the phone is closed, because the physical buttons are always accessible on the hinge side of the device.
Note: Do not press the Side Key alone – that activates Bixby or turns off the screen. Do not press Volume Down alone – that changes the volume. Both must be pressed together for a screenshot.
Alternative Methods
Palm Swipe Gesture
Samsung’s palm swipe gesture has been available on Galaxy phones for many generations. It works well on the Z Flip7 because the large main screen provides plenty of space for the gesture.
- Go to Settings > Advanced Features > Motions and Gestures.
- Make sure Palm swipe to capture is turned on. (It is usually enabled by default.)
- On the screen you want to capture, place the side of your hand (the edge of your palm below your pinky finger) vertically along either the left or right edge of the display.
- Swiftly swipe your hand across the screen to the opposite edge.
You should see the same screenshot animation and thumbnail as the button method. This gesture works best when the phone is open flat on a table or held in one hand with the other hand free for the swipe. It is less practical when you are holding the phone with both hands or when the phone is folded.
Using the Cover Screen
Because the Z Flip7 has a cover screen on the front (the outer display visible when the phone is folded shut), you have a unique option: you can take a screenshot of the cover screen itself, or you can take a screenshot of the main screen while the phone is closed.
To capture the cover screen:
- Press the Side Key and Volume Down buttons together while the phone is closed. The cover screen image is captured.
To capture the main screen while closed:
- This is not directly possible because the main screen is folded and turned off. The cover screen is the active display when the phone is closed. To capture the main screen, you need to open the phone and use one of the standard methods.
Voice Command with Bixby
If you use Bixby regularly, this is a hands-free option.
- Say “Hi, Bixby” or press and hold the Side Key (if you have Bixby set as the Side Key action).
- Say “Take a screenshot.”
- Bixby captures whatever is currently on the screen and saves it to the gallery.
Bixby needs to be set up and active for this to work. The voice command is convenient when your hands are full, such as when you are reading a recipe on the cover screen while cooking.
Using the Notification Panel Toggle
Samsung includes a screenshot toggle in the quick settings panel of the notification shade.
- Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification panel.
- Swipe down again to expand the full quick settings panel.
- Look for the Screen capture icon (it looks like a camera or a square with a dotted outline, depending on your One UI version).
- Tap it to take a screenshot of the current screen.
If the toggle is not visible, you can edit the quick settings panel by tapping the pencil or three-dot menu icon, then drag the Screen capture toggle onto the active panel.
Using the Edge Panel
The Edge Panel is a Samsung feature accessible from a handle on the side of the screen. You can add a screenshot tool to it.
- Swipe inward from the Edge Panel handle (usually on the right side of the screen). If the Edge Panel is not enabled, go to Settings > Display > Edge screen > Edge panels and turn it on.
- Swipe through the available panels until you find the Smart Select panel. (If it is not there, tap the Edit button, which looks like a pencil, and add it.)
- Tap the Smart Select icon. A toolbar appears at the bottom of the screen.
- Choose either Rectangle or Oval to capture a specific area, or choose Full screen to capture everything.
- Adjust the selection handles if needed, then tap Done or Save.
This method is especially useful on the Z Flip7 when you want to capture only a portion of the screen, such as a conversation or a product image, without editing the full screenshot later.
Where Screenshots Are Saved
All screenshots go to the Screenshots album inside the Gallery app. You can also find them in a folder called DCIM/Screenshots in the phone’s internal storage when connected to a computer. The folder is structured the same whether you use the main screen or the cover screen.
Common Problems
Button Press Does Not Work
If pressing the Side Key and Volume Down together does nothing, check a few things:
- Are you pressing both buttons at the exact same time? Even a slight delay causes the phone to register two separate actions (volume change or Side Key menu).
- Is the volume key set to something other than volume? In rare cases, if you have customized key mappings via third-party apps, the buttons may not respond as expected. Try using the notification panel toggle instead.
- Restart the phone. A temporary software glitch can disable button combos until the device is rebooted.
Palm Swipe Does Not Work
- Make sure the gesture is enabled in Settings under Motions and Gestures.
- Try swiping faster and with a firmer contact. The phone needs to detect the edge of your hand crossing the screen from one side to the other.
- If you are using a thick case or a screen protector with a raised lip, the gesture might not register correctly on the edges.
Screenshot Thumbnail Disappears Too Fast
After taking a screenshot, a small thumbnail appears in the bottom-left corner for a few seconds. If you want to edit or share the screenshot immediately, tap that thumbnail. If it disappears before you tap it, you can find the screenshot in the Gallery app under the Screenshots album.
Cover Screen Screenshot Saves a Black Image
If you try to capture the cover screen but get a black or blank image, the cover screen may have been off or in an inactive state. Make sure the cover screen is lit and showing content before pressing the buttons. The cover screen wakes up when you press the Side Key briefly or when a notification arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a scrolling screenshot on the Galaxy Z Flip7?
Yes. After taking a normal screenshot with any method, tap the scroll arrow (usually a downward-facing arrow or a rectangle icon) that appears in the toolbar at the bottom of the thumbnail. The phone will automatically scroll down and capture more content. You can tap the arrow repeatedly to extend the capture further.
Does the Galaxy Z Flip7 have a built-in screen recorder?
Yes. Samsung provides a screen recorder in the quick settings panel. It records video of your screen, but it is separate from the screenshot function. The screen recorder toggle is called Screen recorder and can be added to the notification panel.
Can I take a screenshot using the cover screen while the phone is folded?
You can take a screenshot of the cover screen itself using the button method while the phone is closed. You cannot take a screenshot of the main screen while the phone is closed because the main screen is off and folded. To capture the main screen, open the phone first.
Conclusion
The Galaxy Z Flip7 gives you several ways to capture your screen, and no single method is right for every situation. The physical button combo is the fastest and most consistent, working on both the main screen and the cover screen. The palm swipe is a good backup when you want to avoid pressing buttons. Voice commands and the notification toggle add convenience in specific scenarios. Try each method a few times to see which one fits naturally into your daily use, especially given the unique foldable form factor.
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