Screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones often disappoint users: blurry parts, compression artifacts or too little resolution. The problem is compounded by the fact that the manufacturer artificially limits the maximum quality in standard MIUI settings - ostensibly to save space. In fact, even budget models like the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 are able to take screenshots in screen resolution (up to 2400×1080), but this option is hidden deep in the system.
In this guide, we will analyze all ways to improve screenshots - from official settings to engineering menus and ADB-You'll learn how to get around the restrictions. MIUI, save screenshots in format PNG lossless, and why it is sometimes better to use third-party applications instead of built-in tools. AMOLED-screens (where color reproduction is distorted in screenshots) and models with high refresh rates (120/144 Hz).
Why Xiaomi screenshots are bad: 3 main reasons
Before you improve your screen quality, it’s important to understand what’s ruining your screenshots, and 80 percent of the time, one of these reasons is why you’re having a problem.
- 🔍 Software compression MIUI: By default, the system saves screenshots in format JPEG quality ~85 percent, which leads to artifacts on gradients and fine details. PNG In the settings, some firmware versions still apply additional compression.
- 📱 Resolution Limitation: Most devices have the maximum screenshot resolution fixed at the level 1080p, Even if the screen supports FHD+ or QHD. For example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra with screen resolution 3200×1440 by default, takes screenshots in 1080×2400.
- ⚡ Optimization for Social Media: In MIUI 14+ And we added an algorithm that automatically reduces the size of the file if you share a screenshot through Quick Share or messengers, which is convenient for fast sending, but it's detrimental to quality.
Another little-known factor is the color profile of the screen. AMOLED-displays (e.g., Xiaomi) 12T Pro or Redmi K60) Screenshots may look duller than the original because the system does not take into account settings DC Dimming or True Color when you capture an image. It's not a defect, it's a feature of the GPU.
⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F4 GT) post-update MIUI 14.0.5+ The "Screenshot Format" item in the settings is missing. This is a firmware bug. ADB-team.
Method 1: Change format and quality through standard MIUI settings
To start with, the official options are available without root rights or third-party utilities, and depending on the version of MIUI, the path to settings may differ, but the general logic is:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to Special Features → Improve Screenshots (on MIUI 13) or Additional → Screenshots (on MIUI 14).
- Select the Screenshot Format and install PNG instead of JPEG.
- Activate the High Quality option (if available).
On models with MediaTek processors (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) there may be no PNG option, in which case try to update the firmware to the latest version or use alternative methods from the following sections.
Are "Special Opportunities" Open in Settings?|Is there a point "Improving screenshots"?|Is the format selection available PNG?|The “High Quality” option is activated"?-->
| MIUI version | The path to settings | Available PNG? | Max, permission. |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12 | Settings → Additional → Screenshots | ✅ Yes. | 1080p (fixed) |
| MIUI 13 | Special Opportunities → Improvement of Screenshots | ✅ Yes (except MediaTek) | 1080p or 1440p (depending on model) |
| MIUI 14 | Settings → Additional → Screenshots | ❌ No, only through ADB) | 1080p (limited) |
| HyperOS | Settings → System → Screenshots | ✅ Yes. | Screen resolution (without restrictions) |
If your MIUI version doesn't have a PNG option, it doesn't mean you can't turn it on. Often this item is hidden because of regional firmware restrictions. The solution is to change the system region to India or Global via Settings → Additional → Region. After rebooting the screenshot settings menu, you can update.
Method 2: Using an engineering menu to unlock hidden options
The Engineering Menu (or MTK Engineer Mode for MediaTek devices) allows you to manually adjust screen capture options, including resolution and color biting.This method works on most Xiaomi devices, but requires caution - incorrect settings can lead to GUI crashes.
Instructions for Qualcomm devices (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro, POCO F5):
- Enter the code ##4636## in the phone application.
- Select Testing → Screen capture settings.
- Set options: Capture resolution: Native (100%) Color depth: 24 bit (or 32 bit if available) Format: PNG (lossless)
Save the settings and restart the device.
For MediaTek devices (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro):
- Install the MTK Engineer Mode app from Google Play.
- Open the Hardware Testing → Display section.
- Select Screen Capture Settings and install Resolution: Full HD+ Quality: Super Fine
⚠️ Note: Some devices with MediaTek Helio G-series (e.g. Redmi) 9A) Changing the settings in the engineering menu can cause the screen to lose color calibration.Before experimenting, back up the display settings via Settings → Screen. → Color profile.
What to do if the engineering menu does not open?
Method 3: ADB-commands to unlock maximum quality
If the standard settings and the engineering menu do not give a result, the most reliable method remains — ADB-It requires you to connect your phone to your computer, but it allows you to bypass any restrictions. MIUI, including lockdown PNG low resolution.
Preparation:
- Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
- Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack it into a folder on your PC.
- Connect the phone to your computer and confirm the trusted device.
The best tools for this task:
| Tool. | What's the point? | Platform | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Lightroom | Color correction, sharpening, noise removal | Android/iOS/PC | Medium |
| Snapseed | Locally Improved Details, Work with HDR | Android/iOS | Just |
| Topaz Gigapixel AI | Increase resolution to 600% without loss | PC | Hardly. |
| Photopea | Removal of artifacts, work with layers (free analogue of Photoshop) | Web/PC | Medium |
An example of step-by-step improvement in Snapseed:
- Open the screenshot in the app.
- Use the Details → Structure tool (set 30-40% for text or 15-20% for photos).
- Use Selective Correction to brighten dark areas (for example, if a screenshot is taken in a dark topic).
- Export to PNG with 100% quality.
⚠️ Attention: Do not abuse the tool Sharpness in editors - this leads to noise on homogeneous colors (for example, on a white background of chats.
Method 6: Alternative Screen Capture Methods
If none of the above methods helped, consider non-trivial approaches:
- 🎮 Scrcpy capture: This Android control software from PC allows you to take screenshots in the original screen resolution without compression. --bit-rate 50M --record file.png Advantage: works even on devices blocked by the bootloader.
- 📹 Screen recording followed by frame: Enable screen recording in maximum quality (1080p60 or 4K30), Then extract the desired frame through a video editor (for example, CapCut or Shotcut).
- 🖥️ Using Vysor or ApowerMirror: These programs mirror the screen on the PC and allow you to take a screenshot through the PrtSc key (quality depends on the speed of the Internet connection).
For devices with an unlocked bootloader, you can use Magisk modules such as Screenshot Quality Enabler. It forcibly turns on PNG saving and disables kernel-level compression. You can install the module through Magisk Manager: