The open nature of Android allows OEMs to modify the OS to their liking and differentiate it from other competing products. A perfect example of this being some OEMs like Samsung using hardware navigation buttons while other like Sony and Moto making use of on-screen navigation keys. The downside to this is that sometimes OEMs change some basic features that really should be unified across all Android devices.
The perfect example being the ability to take screenshots. The standard key combination to take a screenshot in Android is to press the Volume button and the Power button, simultaneously. However, OEMs in a bid to differentiate their product from the crowd, end up changing even this basic key combination.
Samsung’s latest and greatest flagship — the Galaxy S5 — is no exception to this rule. The Korean giant has conveniently changed the key combination to take a screenshot on the S5, which can confuse any new user. If you are one of them, read the steps below to know the various ways of taking a screenshot on the Galaxy S5.
Method 1
The first method is to simply press the Power button and the Home button, simultaneously. This is the standard key combination to take a screenshot on all Samsung based Android devices. Sadly, this button combination might not be obvious to users who are coming from a Sony, Motorola or an HTC made Android device.
Method 2
Thanks to Samsung’s kitchen sink approach, there is another way to take screenshots on the Galaxy S5. Simply swipe your palm from left to right on the S5’s display to take a screenshot. If for some reason the feature does not work, make sure that Palm swipe to capture feature is enabled under Motion and Gestures.
Keep in mind that this feature is quite finicky and it is recommended that users simply use the first method, which is more reliable.