How to take a screenshot on a Xiaomi phone: 5 working ways

Taking a screenshot on Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you encounter unexpected nuances. Depending on the model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 or older versions like Redmi 5A), the version of the MIUI firmware (12, 13 or 14) and even the state of the phone (whether the screen is unlocked, whether the sensor is working) — the process can be radically different.

In this article, we'll look at all the current ways to create screenshots on Xiaomi devices, including rare methods for non-standard situations: when buttons don't work, when you need to take a picture from a long page, or when the phone is connected to a computer. You'll also learn how to edit screenshots immediately after you create, where they are saved, and how to transfer them to a PC without losing quality. If you've ever encountered a screenshot that turns black, crops or doesn't save, here you'll find solutions to these problems.

1. Classical method: button combination

The most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi models released after 2016 is to simultaneously press the power buttons and reduce the volume, which is independent of the version of MIUI and works even on a locked screen (unless the settings are turned off).

How to do it right:

• 📱 Hold the phone in your right hand so that your thumb lies on the power button, and your index finger on the volume reduction key.
• ⏱️ Press both buttons at the same time and hold them for about 1 second (no longer, otherwise the phone may reboot).
• 🎨 You will hear the characteristic shutter sound (if the sound is not turned off) and see an animation of saving a screenshot.

On some models (such as the POCO F4 or Xiaomi 13T), the buttons are too close, and users often accidentally click only one of them.

• 🔄 Turn the phone over and hold it in your left hand.
• 👆 Use two hands: one to hold the phone, the other to press buttons.
• 🔧 Enable the function of Screen capture gesture in the settings (we will talk about it below).

⚠️ Note: On devices with mechanical buttons (e.g. Redmi) 9A) Pressing too much can lead to keys sticking.Push smoothly, without undue effort.

2. Three-finger gesture: quick screenshot without buttons

A proprietary feature of MIUI that eliminates the need to search for buttons is a gesture screenshot, just swipe three fingers across the screen from top to bottom, and the picture will be taken automatically, a technique that is especially convenient for devices with large screens (Xiaomi 12 Pro, POCO X3 Pro), where it is difficult to reach the buttons with one hand.

How to turn on and use:

1. Open Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
2. Find the screenshot with three fingers and activate the switch.
3. By default, the gesture works when carried out from top to bottom, but in some versions of MIUI you can choose a direction (left to right or right to left).

Advice for setting up:

• 🎯 If the gesture is triggered by chance (e.g., when scrolling a page), reduce sensitivity in settings or turn off the feature for specific applications (e.g., for games).
• 🔄 On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro), the gesture only works on the unlocked screen. To fix this, turn on the option to Allow on the locked screen.
• 🖼️ If you need to take a screenshot of a long page (for example, a chat in Telegram or an article in the browser), after a standard gesture, hold your finger on the screenshot thumbnail - the Scrolling option will appear.

3. Quick settings panel: screenshot in one tap

If you don't like remembering button combinations or gestures, you can add a special screenshot icon to the notification panel, which works on all versions of MIUI starting from the 10th and is suitable for devices with faulty power or volume buttons.

Instructions for setting:

1. Pull the notification curtain down with two fingers to open the full panel.
2. Slap the icon. ⚙️ Edit (or add tiles in older versions).
3. Find the Screenshot tile (usually hidden in the second row) and drag it to the active area.
4. Click Ready – now the icon will always be at hand.

Advantages of this method:

• ⚡ Faster than finding buttons, just one touch is enough.
• 🔧 It works even if one of the physical buttons is broken.
• 📱 Suitable for Xiaomi Pad tablets, where the button combination may not work.

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU) may not have screenshot tile, in which case use alternative methods or install a third-party app from Google Play.

4.Voice assistant: screenshot on command

If you’re busy or want to take a screenshot as quickly as possible, you can use Xiaomi’s voice assistant (formerly known as Xiao AI), which works on all devices with the assistant pre-installed (starting with MIUI 11) and requires no additional settings.

How to take a screenshot with your voice:

1. Activate the voice assistant by saying OK, Google (if Google Assistant is set up) or holding the Home button (for Xiao AI).
2. Say one of the commands: Take a screenshot Take a screenshot

Wait for confirmation – the screenshot will be saved in the gallery.

Features of the method:

• 🗣️ It only works when you connect to the Internet (voice processing is required on Xiaomi or Google servers).
• 🔇 In noisy rooms, the assistant may not recognize the command - in this case, use text input (click on the microphone icon in the search bar and select the keyboard).
• 📵 On some models (Redmi) 9C) Voice assistant is disabled by default - turn it on in Settings → Annexes → Smart assistant.

5. Screenshot via ADB: for advanced users

If standard methods don’t work (for example, on a device with a broken screen or unofficial firmware), you can take a screenshot through the ADB command line. This method requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic knowledge of working with Android Debug Bridge, but it works in 99% of cases.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Platform Tools from the official Android website.
2. Turn on USB Debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times to unlock Developer Settings) Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging by USB
3. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
4. Take a screenshot command: adb exec-out screencap -p > screenshot.png The file will be saved in the folder with Platform Tools.

When this method may be useful:

• 🔧 On devices with a broken screen (if the sensor is unresponsive, but the image is still there).
• 📱 On phones with custom firmware, where standard functions are disabled MIUI.
• 🖥️ To automate screenshots (for example, for testing applications).

⚠️ Attention: When in use ADB On devices with a locked bootloader (Bootloader), some commands may not be executed. In this case, you need to unlock through the official Xiaomi website.

adb shell input keyevent 80 Unlock screen (if necessary)


adb shell sleep 2 && screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.png

This will give you time to load the interface.-->

6.Editing and managing screenshots

After you take a screenshot, MIUI automatically offers tools to edit it. Within 5 seconds, a thumbnail appears in the lower right corner, tap it to open the action menu.

• ✏️ Editing: cropping, adding text, drawing, blurring individual areas.
• 📤 Share: fast sending to messengers or social networks.
• 🗑️ Delete: If you don't need a screenshot.
• 📂 View all screenshots: go to the Screenshots folder in the gallery.

Where the screenshots are stored:

Tips for working with screenshots:

• 🔍 To quickly find a screenshot, open the Gallery and search for a screenshot or screenshot.
• 📲 To transfer to the PC, connect the phone to USB, Select File Transfer Mode and copy files from the folder Pictures/Screenshots.
• 🗃️ To save space, enable automatic screenshot compression in Settings → Warehouse → Make room → Crush screenshots.

💡

Long screenshots (scroll) don't work in all apps. Chrome and Mi Browser feature is available, but Instagram or TikTok is not.

Solving Screenshot Problems

Sometimes screenshots on Xiaomi are unexpected: they don't save, they turn black or they're cropped. Here are the most common problems and solutions.

Problem 1: Screenshots are not saved in the gallery.

• 🔄 Restart your phone – often helps when crashes MIUI.
• 📁 Check the folder. Pictures/Screenshots File Manager (sometimes the gallery is not automatically updated).
• 🛠️ Clear the Gallery app cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

Problem 2: The screenshot is black.

• 🔒 This happens when you try to take a picture in secure applications (banks, encrypted messengers). No solution - Android restriction.
• 🎮 In games, the black screenshot may be because of the Game Turbo turned on.
• 🔄 If black screenshots appear by accident, check if the power saving mode is turned on – it can block screen capture.

Problem 3: The three-finger gesture doesn't work.

• ⚙️ Make sure the function is included in the settings → Additional functions → Gestures → Screenshot with three fingers.
• 👆 Check if the gesture conflicts with other functions (e.g., Swipe for navigation).
• 📱 In some models (POCO M3) The gesture only works after updating. MIUI last-minute.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi