Long screenshot on Xiaomi MIUI 12: 5 proven ways and problem solving

Why You Need a Long Screenshot and How It Works in MIUI 12

Making long screenshots (or scrolling screenshots) on Xiaomi smartphones with a MIUI 12 shell opens up new possibilities for storing information. This feature allows you to capture not only the visible part of the screen, but also the entire content of the page from start to finish. It is especially useful for saving long correspondence in messengers, web pages with a lot of text or lists of products in online stores.

Unlike standard screenshots, which capture only the current frame, a long screenshot automatically scrolls down the page, capturing all the content. In MIUI 12, this feature is implemented at the system level, but has its own features: it does not work in all applications and requires the correct sequence of actions. For example, in the Chrome browser or Mi Browser, a long screenshot is created without problems, and in some games or banking applications it can be blocked for security reasons.

It’s important to understand that MIUI 12 doesn’t support this feature equally on all Xiaomi models. On flagships like Mi 10 or Mi 11, the capture algorithm works faster and more stable than on budget devices in the Redmi Note series. Also affected by the firmware version: early MIUI 12.0.x builds may have encountered bugs with cropping the bottom of the screenshot, which were fixed in the 12.5+ updates.

Method 1: Standard long screenshot function in MIUI 12

The easiest way is to use the built-in shell feature, which is available in most system and third-party applications, but there are nuances: for example, on Telegram or WhatsApp, a long screenshot works without restrictions, and on VK or Instagram, it can only capture part of the tape.

To take a long screenshot in the standard way:

1. Open the desired application or web page and scroll all the way to the top.
2. Take a regular screenshot with a combination of buttons Volume down + Power (or swipe with three fingers if this feature is enabled in the settings).
3. And as soon as you take the screenshot, you'll see a thumbnail at the bottom of the screen.
4. In the editor that opens, select the option “Scroll” (or “Long Screenshot” – the name depends on the version of MIUI).
5. Wait for the system to automatically scroll through the page and capture all the content, and if necessary, manually stop the process with the "Done" button.

If the Scrolling option is inactive or not, it means that the app does not support long screenshots, in which case try the alternative methods described below.

Scroll the page to the very beginning.

Make sure the content is fully loaded (no “uploading” when scrolling)

Close pop-ups or banners that may interfere with capture

Check that the screenshot settings have enabled the "Scroll" function-->

Method 2: Using gestures to capture quickly

MIUI 12 has a hidden ability to take long screenshots with gestures, but it doesn’t work on all models, and it’s convenient because it doesn’t require physical buttons to be pressed and allows you to take a picture with one hand.

Algorithm of action:

1. Activate the gesture function for screenshots: go to Settings → Additional Features → Gestures → Screenshot swipe down and turn on the option.
2. Open the app and swipe down the screen with three fingers (or two if configured differently).
3. After the screenshot appears, tap it and select "Scroll".

If the gesture doesn't work, check:

• 🔧 Screen sensitivity settings (in Settings) → Display. → Sensitivity of touch).
• 📱 Lack of protective film or cover that interferes with gesture recognition.
• 🔄 Rebooting the device – sometimes helps to reset temporary sensor failures.

Volume + power buttons

Three-finger swipe gesture

Voice assistant (e.g., “OK, Google, take a screenshot”)

Special annexes

Another option-->

Method 3: Long screenshot via Reading mode in Mi Browser

If you need to save a long web page but the standard feature doesn’t work, use the built-in read mode in Mi Browser.This method is guaranteed to capture all text content, eliminating ads and unnecessary design elements.

Instructions:

1. Open the page in Mi Browser and wait for the full load.
2. Slip on the icon "Reading Mode" (book in the upper right corner).
3. Take a regular screenshot (Loudness down + Nutrition).
4. Open the thumbnail and select "Scroll." In read mode, the function is more stable.

The advantage of this method is that it captures text without unnecessary elements, but it is only suitable for web pages and does not work in applications.

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If Mi Browser isn’t installed, download it from Google Play or AppGallery.This feature isn’t available on Chrome or Firefox without additional extensions.

Method 4: Third-party applications for advanced users

If the built-in methods don't work, you can use third-party tools, and they offer advanced features: editing screenshots, delay capture, saving in different formats. Popular applications:

• 📱 LongShot – Supports automatic scrolling and manually adjusting capture areas.
• 🖼️ Scroll Capture – optimized for social networks and instant messengers.
• 🌐 Stitch & Share – allows you to sew multiple screenshots into one long screenshot.

Before installation, check:

• 🔒 Application permissions (access to storage, overlay over other windows).
• 📊 User reviews – some utilities may contain advertising or paid features.
• 🛠️ Compatible with your Xiaomi model (as described on the app page).

Important: Long screenshot apps may conflict with MIUI 12 security features, such as “Privacy Protection” or “Battery Optimization.” If screenshots are not saved, add the utility to the exceptions in the Battery settings → Battery Optimization.

Method 5: Manually combine screenshots (if automatic scrolling doesn't work)

If none of these methods worked, you can create a long screenshot manually by combining a few of the usual ones, which is time-consuming but reliable and works 100 percent of the time.

Procedure:

1. Take a series of screenshots, scrolling down the page so that each next frame overlaps the previous one by 20-30%.
2. Use a glue app like PhotoScan (from Google) or FotoRus.
3. In the editor, select the option "Collage" or "Sew images" and upload all screenshots in order.
4. Set the boundaries and keep the results.

For accurate alignment, use programs on your PC, such as Photoshop (the “Photomerge” tool) or free GIMP. They allow you to automatically align screenshots across common elements.

Table: Compatibility of long screenshots with popular applications in MIUI 12

If your app isn't in the table, try taking a test shot, and sometimes support depends on the program version or MIUI regional settings.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

When creating long screenshots, Xiaomi users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

⚠️ Attention: If after clicking on Scrolling, the screen starts to twitch or the capture breaks, this may be due to hardware acceleration in the application. Try turning it off in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times to unlock).

Problem 1: The “scroll” option is inactive.

• 🔹 Check if the app supports long screenshots (see table above).
• 🔹 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (in older builds, the function could be disabled).
• 🔹 Restart the device – sometimes helps to reset temporary crashes.

Problem 2: The screenshot is cut in the middle.

• 🔹 Make sure the page is fully loaded (no animations or "lazy").
• 🔹 Try to capture the content in parts and glue it manually.
• 🔹 Turn off Adaptive Brightness in the display settings – it may interfere with correct capture.

Problem 3: A long screenshot is kept in low resolution.

• 🔹 In camera settings (Settings) → Additional functions → Screenshots) select format PNG instead JPEG.
• 🔹 Use third-party apps with quality settings (e.g. LongShot).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A POCO M3) Long screenshots may not be saved due to memory limitations, in which case only manual gluing or PC use will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about long screenshots on Xiaomi

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Long screenshots in MIUI 12 are the most stable in system applications and the browser. For third-party programs, use specialized utilities or manual gluing.