How to take screenshots on Xiaomi: 7 ways for any situation

Taking a screenshot on a Xiaomi smartphone seems like an easy task — until you face unexpected limitations. Someone can not find saved pictures, someone does not work the usual combination of buttons, and owners of new models of Redmi or POCO do not know about the hidden capabilities of MIUI. This article will not just list the standard methods, but also reveal unique firmware chips that you will not find in the official instructions — for example, how to take a screenshot immediately with editing or capture a long scrolling page.

We tested all the methods on the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 (including global and Chinese firmware) and took into account the features of popular models, from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. If your smartphone behaves “not like everyone else” – at the end of the article there is a section with solving problems. And for automation enthusiasts, we added a bonus: how to set up screenshots by timer or voice command.

1. Classic method: power buttons + volume

The most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi models (including POCO, Black Shark and old Mi): simultaneously press the power button and the volume button for 1-2 seconds. Hold until there is a visual effect (usually the screen narrows with animation) or a characteristic shutter sound.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T or Redmi K60) The sensitivity of the buttons may vary if the screenshot is not taken the first time:

• 🔄 Try to press the buttons not at the same time, but with a minimum interval (first power, after 0.1 seconds - volume).
• ⏱️ Hold the combination longer (up to 3 seconds) – on new firmwares, the delay is increased to protect against accidental pressing.
• 🔧 Check if the buttons are switched off in Settings → Special facilities → Physical buttons.

Where to look for a saved screenshot? By default, files appear in the gallery in the Screenshots folder (or Screenshots in Russian localization: /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/.

Three finger gesture: faster than buttons

MIUI's signature feature is a gesture screenshot to activate:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
2. Turn on the swipe switch with three fingers.
3. Select the swipe direction (by default - down, but you can configure left / right).

Now, swipe the screen with three fingers in the right direction, and the screenshot will be taken instantly.

• ⚡ Faster than pressing buttons (especially on big screens).
• 🎯 Works in games and applications where power/volume buttons are busy (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile).
• 🔄 You can configure a double swipe to capture a long page (see Section 5).

⚠️ Note: If the gesture does not work, check it out:

• 🧹 Screen cleanliness – greasy spots or low-sensitivity protective glass can block the swipe.
• 📱 "For left-handed" mode in gesture settings (can invert direction).
• 🔄 Conflict with other gestures (e.g. Nova Launcher or Gesture Control).

Enable the function in settings | Check the direction of the swipe | Test on a clean screen | Disable conflicting applications-->

3. Quick settings panel: for those who like the menu

If you are more comfortable controlling your smartphone through the interface, use the notification panel:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find a screenshot icon (usually a scissors or a screen thumbnail) If it's not available, click on Edit (the pencil in the top right corner) and add it to the active tiles.
3. Slip the icon - the screenshot will be taken immediately.

This method is convenient when:

• 🔋 The battery is discharged, and you are afraid to accidentally turn off the phone with the power button.
• 🎮 Playing an emulator (such as MuMu Player) where physical buttons don't work.
• 👨‍💻 Connected to a TV by Miracast and control your smartphone remotely.

💡 Useful advice: In some versions MIUI The quick settings panel supports a long press on the screenshot icon – this will immediately open the editor for cropping or drawing.

4.Voice assistant: screenshots without hands

If your hands are busy or you want to feel like the hero of a futuristic movie, try voice commands. Google Assistant and Xiao AI (in Chinese firmware) are good at taking screenshots on demand.

For Google Assistant:

1. Activate the assistant with your voice (OK, Google) or hold the Home button.
2. Say, “Take a screenshot” or “Photograph the screen.”
3. Confirm the action (if required).

For Xiao AI (Chinese firmware):

1. Hold the power button to call an assistant.
2. Say in Chinese: "(jiétú - "screenshot").
3. Or in English, "Take a screenshot."

⚠️ Note: Voice screenshots may not work:

• 🔇 Do not disturb or when the microphone is turned off.
• 🌐 In some languages (for example, in the Russian localization Xiao) AI The team may not be recognized).
• 🔒 In banking applications or games with screenshot protection (for example, Wild Rift).

5. Long Screenshots: How to Capture the Entire Page

A standard screenshot cuts off what doesn't fit on the screen. But MIUI has a scrolling screenshot feature that saves all the content from the beginning to the end of the page, and it works in browsers, instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), and even some apps (Twitter, Reddit).

How to do this:

1. Take a regular screenshot in any way (buttons, gesture or through the panel).
2. Immediately after the appearance of the screenshot in the lower right corner, tap it.
3. In the editor that opens, select the Scroll option (or Scroll in English).
4. Wait until the system automatically scrolls the page and connects the frames.
5. Save the result – the file will be in.png format with extended resolution (for example, 1080×5000).

🔧 If the “scroll” option is inactive:

• 📱 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (the function appeared in the MIUI 12 and newer).
• 🌐 Check if the app supports scrolling (for example, on Instagram or TikTok this is blocked).
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes helps with feature failures.

⚠️ Note: Long screenshots may not be saved if:

• 📜 The page contains dynamic content (e.g., an infinite Facebook feed).
• 🔒 The app blocks screenshots (banks, some games).
• 📱 Less than 10% charge on the phone – the system interrupts the process.

6. Screenshots with editing: drawing and cutting on the fly

MIUI allows you to edit a screenshot immediately after you create it, without opening individual applications.

1. Take a screenshot of it any way you want.
2. Slip the thumbnail in the lower right corner (appears for 3-5 seconds).
3. In the open editor tools are available: ✂️ Trimming – changing the boundaries of the screenshot. 🖌️ Drawing - brushes, markers, eraser. 📝 Text - Adding inscriptions (you can choose font and color). 🔲 Mosaic – blurring confidential data. 🎨 Filters - change in brightness, contrast.

Save.

💡 Useful Editor's Chips:

• 🔍 Scale up with two fingers to more accurately trim or smear small details.
• 🔄 Click on the arrow Back in the editor – cancel the last action (runs up to 5 steps back).
• 📤 In the upper right corner there is a share button – you can immediately send a screenshot to the messenger or cloud.

⚠️ Note: If the screenshot is missing after editing:

• 🗑️ Check the Recycle Bin folder in the gallery - sometimes files move there.
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the editor “hangs” while saving.
• 📁 Use the file manager and search for the file by date of creation.

💡

To speed up the process, set up quick actions in the editor: after the first edit of the screenshot, the system will remember your favorite tools (for example, a mosaic or crop) and will offer them first.

7. Secret chips: timer, voice, ADB and more

For advanced users, Xiaomi offers non-obvious ways to create screenshots that few people know about.

1.A screenshot of the timer

If you need to prepare for the shot (for example, expand the menu or open the desired screen), use a delayed screenshot:

1. Open the clock. → Timer.
2. Set a time (e.g., 3 or 5 seconds).
3. Start the timer and quickly take a screenshot in any way - the picture will be created after counting.

2. Screenshots via ADB (for developers)

If the sensor is not working or you need to take a picture on a locked screen:

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.png

The file will be saved in the root folder of the device. Use:

adb shell screencap -p | perl -pe's/\x0D\x0A/\x0A/g' > screenshot.png

3. Voice command for Xiao AI (Chinese firmware)

In the Chinese versions of MIUI, you can configure voice control for screenshots:

1. Open Settings → Xiao AI → Voice commands.
2. Add a new command, such as “Screenshot”.
3. Put her in the action of Screenshot.
4. Now, it's enough to say: «» (Xiǎo ài tóngxué, jiétú).

4. Screenshots in Safe Mode (Safe Mode)

If the phone is slurring and does not respond to the buttons:

1. Press the power until the turn off menu appears.
2. Hold off – you will be prompted to switch to Safe Mode.
3. In Safe Mode, take a screenshot in the standard way (buttons or gestures).

⚠️ Warning: Safe Mode disables all third-party apps, so screenshots from games or instant messengers may not work.

💡

Voice commands and ADB are the most reliable ways to get a sensor or buttons down, but they require some pre-tuning.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions