How to Take a Partial Screenshot on Xiaomi: A Step-by-Step Guide with Hidden Features

Taking screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones has long been a common feature, but not all users know that you can take selective screenshots — capturing only the right area instead of the entire display. This feature is especially useful when you want to save a fragment of correspondence, part of a map or a specific interface element without unnecessary information. Depending on the device model and the version of MIUI, the ways to implement a partial screenshot may vary.

In this article, we’ll break down all the current techniques, from standard firmware features to hidden gestures and third-party apps. You’ll learn how to take selective screenshots on the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T And you'll get some tips on how to optimize the process, and you'll get some more information on the undocumented Scrolling Screenshot feature. MIUI 15 that lets you capture long pages with automatic scrolling.

Standard method: Partial Screenshot tool in MIUI

Since MIUI 12, Xiaomi has built a custom screen capture tool that runs on most modern models, including the Redmi Note series, POCO X/F and the flagship Xiaomi 12/13/14.

1. Take a regular screenshot with a combination of buttons Volume down + Power (or a "Three-finger down" gesture if activated).
2. In the preview that appears in the lower right corner, tap on the icon "Cut" (scissors).
3. Select the desired area of the screen, dragging the corners of the frame.
4. Click Ready → Select the action: save, share or edit.

This method is universal, but has a limitation: it only works with static content. If you need to capture a scrolling page (such as a chat on Telegram or Instagram feed), alternative solutions will be required.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 11 and older screenshot clipping may not be available, in which case use the long screenshot method (described below) or third-party apps.

Secret function: long (scrollable) screenshot

MIUI 14 and 15 have the ability to create long screenshots with automatic scrolling, the perfect solution for capturing web pages, correspondence or lists. The feature does not work on all applications (Chromium, Telegram, WhatsApp, Mi Browser and some system menus are supported), but it is worth trying out:

1. Take a regular screenshot in any way.
2. In the preview of the screenshot, tap the icon "Scroll" (two arrows down).
3. Wait for the screen to automatically scrolle – the system will collect all the parts in one long shot.
4. Cut the extra snippets with the built-in editor.

If the scroll icon is not active, try:

• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes the function is blocked due to a lack of RAM.
• 📱 Update the app you’re trying to take a screenshot of (e.g. Telegram should be version 9.0)+).
• 🔧 Enable the option to Allow Scrolling Screenshots in Settings → Additionally. → Special facilities → Screen improvements.

Gestures and hotkeys for advanced users

If you are tired of pressing buttons every time, configure alternative ways to call the screenshot menu:

1.Three-fingered conduction down.

The fastest method that works on all devices with MIUI 10 and newer:

1. Go to Settings → Gesture Management → Screenshots.
2. Activate the option of Trifinger conduction down.
3. Test the gesture on the main screen - the screenshot menu should appear.

Double touch of the back side

A little-known feature available on models with MIUI 12.5+:

1. Open the settings → Additional → Physical buttons.
2. Choose a double touch of the back side.
3. Set up a screenshot.

Now it is enough to touch the back of the smartphone twice to take a screenshot.

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If the three-finger gesture conflicts with other functions (such as face unlock), disable conflicting options in Settings → Lock screen → Additional settings

3. Voice commands

For owners of devices with Google Assistant:

• 🎤 Say, OK, Google, take a screenshot".
• 🤖 Or: “Xiaomi Assistant, Screenshot” (requires settings settings) → Voice assistant).

⚠️ Warning: Voice commands may not work in restricted games or applications (such as banking programs.

Party of the enhanced capabilities annex

If the built-in MIUI features don’t suit you, consider specialized utilities that offer additional options: delayed capture, annotations, cloud-based saving, and even text recognition (OCR).

Installing third-party applications requires permission to Overlay over other windows:

1. After installation, open the application settings.
2. Follow the permission instructions (usually you need to go to Settings → Apps → Special Access → Overlay).
3. Activate a floating button or gesture for a quick call.

Editing and optimizing screenshots

Once you've created a partial screenshot, you often need to trim it, add it, or hide sensitive information, and MIUI has a built-in editor, but it's limited.

Built-in MIUI editor

Basic functions:

• ✂️ Pruning and turning
• 🖌️ Brush and marker (3 colors, thickness adjustment)
• 📝 Text notes (5 fonts)
• 🔲 Blurring of areas identified

To open the editor, tap the screenshot preview and select Edit.

Applications for Advanced Editing

For professional processing we recommend:

• 🎨 Snapseed – accurate color correction, mask, brush.
• 🖼️ PhotoRoom – Removing background, adding shadows.
• 🔍 Markup Hero – annotations for documents (arrows, figures).

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Always check the resolution of the screenshot saved. MIUI uses compression up to 80% of quality by default, which can spoil fine details. To maintain original quality, use the PNG format instead of JPG.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

Even with the detailed instructions, users have difficulty creating partial screenshots, and we will analyze the typical errors and ways to fix them:

1. The three-finger gesture doesn't work.

Possible causes:

• 🔧 Gesture disabled in settings (Settings) → Gesture management).
• 📱 Conflict with other gestures (e.g. SwiftKey or Nova Launcher).
• 🔄 Requires a device restart after the update MIUI.

2 Scrolling screenshot ends

If a long screenshot is interrupted in the middle:

• 📶 Check the stability of the Internet connection (in web applications).
• 🔋 Battery charge should be above 15% – at low charge the function is turned off.
• 🔄 Try to take a screenshot in safe mode (hold the power button). → "Safe regime").

3. Screenshots are kept in low quality

To improve quality:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → Screenshots.
2. Select the image format: PNG (instead of JPG).
3. Turn off the storage optimization option.

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If the screenshots are missing from the gallery, check the folder. /Pictures/Screenshots/ through any file manager. MIUI It hides them from standard viewing.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions