Screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones are not just about saving the screen, but a whole arsenal of tools for work, learning and communication. Whether you want to save an important message on WhatsApp, share the result in a mobile game or fix an error in the application — the ability to quickly take screenshots saves time and nerves. But if two buttons are enough on an iPhone, then owners of Redmi, POCO or Black Shark often face confusion: for some reason the usual combination does not work, the toolbar disappears or the screenshot is saved in an unknown folder.
In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to create screenshots on Xiaomi devices, from classic buttons to hidden MIUI features and even voice commands. You’ll learn how to take long screenshots (scrollable pages), where to look for saved files, and why sometimes a screenshot doesn’t work. Instructions are checked on MIUI 12-15 and Android 10-14, including the latest flagships like Xiaomi 14 Ultra and budget models like Redmi Note 13.
1. Classic method: power and volume buttons
The most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones – regardless of the model and firmware version.
- Find the power button (usually on the right) and one of the volume buttons (up or down – it doesn’t matter).
- Press them simultaneously and hold for about 1 second until you hear the characteristic shutter sound (if the sound is on) or see the save animation.
⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5 Or Black Shark 5, the power button can be sensitive to the duration of the press, and if you hold it for longer than 2 seconds, you turn on the off menu instead of a screenshot.
☑️ Check before screenshot buttons
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If you have a case with button cutouts, try removing it - sometimes it interferes with synchronous pressing.
Where to look for a screenshot? By default, files are saved to the DCIM → Screenshots or Pictures → Screenshots folder. To quickly open the last shot, pull down the notification bar and tap on the thumbnail (will appear immediately after you create).
2. Three-finger gesture - quick screenshot without buttons
The MIUI feature is the ability to take screenshots with one movement across the screen, which is convenient when one hand is busy or power buttons are difficult to access (for example, on large smartphones like the Xiaomi 13T Pro).
To activate the gesture:
- Go to Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
- Find the "Three Fingers Screenshot" ** and switch on the switch.
- Test: swipe down the screen with three fingers (not necessarily at the same time, the main thing is a quick swipe).
🔹 nuance:
- 📱 The gesture works only on the unlocked screen – on the blocked one, it can conflict with the unlocked fingerprint.
- ⚙️ In some firmware (MIUI 14+) You can adjust the direction of the swipe: down, up or left / right.
- 🚫 If the gesture does not work, check if it is turned off in the Developer Settings (item "Disable gestures"). MIUI»**).
3. Quick settings panel: screenshot in one tap
If you don't feel comfortable remembering button combinations or gestures, MIUI has an alternative: a virtual screenshot button in the notification curtain, a technique that is particularly useful for smartphone owners with broken physical buttons.
How to add a button:
- Pull down the notification bar to open quick settings.
- Slip on the Edit icon** (pencil in the lower right corner).
- Find the “Screenshot” (scissor icon) in the list and drag it to the active area.
- Save the changes.
Now, to take a screenshot, it is enough:
- Open the desired screen (for example, a chat in Telegram or a page in the browser).
- Pull the curtain down and click on the screenshot icon**.
⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X5) When you press the button, you have a delay of 1-2 seconds before saving, and don't close the app or lock the screen, otherwise the screenshot will be empty.
What to do if the screenshot button is missing from the curtain?
4.Voice assistant: screenshot on command
If your smartphone supports Xiaomi’s voice assistant (or Google Assistant), you can take hands-free screenshots, which is convenient when you’re busy (like cooking a prescription on the screen) or if your phone’s screen is broken (but voice input is working).
Instructions for the Xiaomi voice assistant:
- Activate the assistant with a long press on the Home button or say “OK, Google” (if you use Google Assistant).
- Tell one of the commands: “Take a screenshot”, “Screenshot” “Photograph the screen” (does not work on all models)
🔹 Limitations:
- 🎤 Voice commands only work in Chinese or global MIUI On custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) it may not work.
- 🔇 In noisy places (streets, transport), the assistant may not recognize the command.
- 📵 On a locked screen, voice commands are disabled by default (for security reasons).
Important: On models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro), the voice assistant may conflict with game modes. If a screenshot is not taken while playing, try saying the command twice or using another method.
5. Long screenshot (scrollable page)
A typical screenshot captures only the visible part of the screen, but what if you want to save an entire web page, correspondence in the messenger or a list of products in AliExpress? MIUI has a function “Long screenshot” (or “Scrollable screenshot”).
How to do this:
- Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
- Immediately after the thumbnail appears in the lower right corner of the screen, tap on it.
- In the editor that opens, find the “Scroll” button** (an icon with two arrows down).
- Wait for the system to automatically scroll through the page and connect the pieces into one long shot.
- Save the result with the "Ready" button.
📊 Comparison of long screenshots on different models:
| Model | Max. Screenshot length. | Support for vertical scrolling | Support for horizontal scrolling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 14 / 14 Pro | up to 10 screens | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes (browser) |
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | up to 7 screens | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. |
| POCO F4 GT | up to 5 screens | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. |
| Black Shark 5 Pro | up to 3 screens | ✅ Yes, only in games) | ❌ No. |
⚠️ Note: The long screenshot feature does not work in some apps where screen scrolling is prohibited (e.g., banking apps or Netflix), and it can crash on web pages with dynamic content (e.g., TikTok or Instagram feeds).
6. Screenshot in games and full-screen applications
Gamers on Black Shark or POCO F often face a problem: when trying to take a screenshot in the game (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile), instead of taking a screenshot, a notification appears “Screenshots are forbidden”**.
Ways to take a screenshot in the game:
- 🎮 Use the play center MIUI: Open the game and call the game toolbar with a swipe from the left edge of the screen. Tap on the screenshot icon** (if not, add it to the game center settings).
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Vysor
Black Shark
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🔧 Setting up the gaming center:
- Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Game Center.
- Turn on the switch and add the game to the list.
- In the game settings, activate the option “Allow screenshots”**.
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On Black Shark and POCO with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, screenshots in games can be saved to a separate Games/Screenshots folder.
7 Where screenshots are stored and how to find them
By default, all screenshots on Xiaomi are saved in the Pictures/Screenshots or DCIM/Screenshots folder. However, depending on the way you create and the phone model, the location may vary. Here's how to quickly find your shots:
Search methods:
- 📂 Through Explorer: Open the Files Application → Images → Screenshots.
- 🔍 Through the gallery: in the Gallery album, select the category "Screenshots»**.
- 🖼️ Through notification: immediately after creating a screenshot, tap on the thumbnail in the curtain - the editor will open with the option "Show in the folder»**.
- 🔎 Through Search: Enter Screenshot or.png in Explorer.
📌 If the screenshots go missing:
- Check if the option “Autoclean” is included** in Settings → Storage → Waste Cleanup.
- Make sure that the phone has enough memory (if space is scarce, the system can delete old screenshots).
- On some models (Redmi 10A), screenshots are saved by default to the Xiaomi cloud. Check the Mi Cloud folder → Screenshots.
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To prevent screenshots from getting lost, set up automatic backup in Google Photos or Mi Cloud. Go to Settings → Accounts → Backup.