How to take a screen photo on Xiaomi phone: all the ways for 2026

Xiaomiโ€™s screenshot is one of the most popular features users use every day, from saving important correspondence to fixing bugs in apps. MIUI 5 different ways to create screenshots are available, including hidden features for models with a AMOLED-In this article, we will analyze each method taking into account the features of different lines - from the budget Redmi Note to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

If youโ€™ve just moved from an iPhone or other Android device, the standard button combination may not work โ€” itโ€™s different in MIUI than pure Android. And older models (like the Redmi 4X or Mi A1) often find that screenshot gestures are simply not in the settings, and weโ€™ll tell you how to turn these features on manually and what to do if the screen doesnโ€™t respond to taps.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi models โ€“ from Redmi 9A to Xiaomi 13T Pro. To create a screenshot at the same time press:

  • ๐Ÿ”˜ Power button (right) + volume-reduce button (left)
  • ๐Ÿ•’ Hold them for 1-2 seconds until the screen blinks and save animations appear.
  • ๐Ÿ“ The finished screenshot is automatically saved in the folder DCIM โ†’ Screenshots or Pictures โ†’ Screenshots

On some models (e.g. POCO F5 or Redmi K60), the combination may not work the first time due to accidental press protection.

  1. Check if physical buttons are locked in the settings (Settings โ†’ Special Features โ†’ Physical buttons).
  2. If the screen is not responding, try pressing the combination with a longer delay (up to 3 seconds).

๐Ÿ’ก

On models with an infrared port (such as the Redmi Note 11 Pro+), holding buttons longer than 5 seconds can activate Fastboot mode.

2. Screenshot by gesture (three fingers)

The gesture screenshot feature is available on most devices with MIUI 10 and later, but it is disabled by default.

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Additional settings โ†’ Buttons and gestures โ†’ Screenshot.
  2. Turn on the "Gestural Screenshot" switch.
  3. Choose: Swipe down with three fingers (recommended) or Touch and hold with three fingers.

Once activated, just swipe three fingers (not necessarily simultaneously) across the screen from top to bottom.

  • ๐ŸŽฎ Players (no need to take their hands off the gamepad).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Users with non-functioning physical buttons.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Quickly create a series of screenshots (for example, for long chats).
How to turn off random screenshots with a gesture?
If the feature is triggered too often, reduce the sensitivity of the gesture in the same settings or turn it off altogether, and check if it conflicts with gestures from other applications (for example, Nova Launcher or Gesture Control).

Important: On models with curved screens (such as the Xiaomi 12S Ultra), the gesture may not work at the edges of the display.

3. Google Voice Assistant or Xiao AI

If you have your hands busy or your sensor/buttons are not working, you can take a screenshot with a voice command.

  • ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Say, โ€œOK Google, take a screenshotโ€ (requires activated Google Assistant).
  • ๐Ÿค– Or, "Xiao." AI, Screenshot" (only works on Chinese firmware or with Xiao app installed AI).

Advantages of the method:

  • โœ… It works even with the screen turned off (if Hey Google or Xiao is enabled). AI standby).
  • โœ… Suitable for people with disabilities.

Limitations:

  • โŒ In some models (for example, POCO M4 Pro) voice assistant may not be entitled to take screenshots.
  • โŒ In games or banking applications, the feature may be blocked for security reasons.
๐Ÿ“Š What kind of screenshot do you use more often?
Button combination
Three-finger gesture
Voice command
Other

4. Screenshot via notification panel

In MIUI 12/13/14, a quick screenshot button has been added to the notification bar.

  1. Swipe your finger down to open the notification panel.
  2. Find the screenshot icon (usually in the front row) if it's not there:

Open the notification panel in full | Press "Edit" (pencil icon) | Find "Scanned Screenshot" in the list of inactive icons | Move it to the active area-->

This method is convenient when:

  • ๐Ÿ”ง You need to take a screenshot with one hand (for example, on the large Xiaomi 13 Pro).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ You need a scrolling screenshot (long web page or chat) and you click the button and you will see the option "Scroll".

โš ๏ธ Note: Some firmware (e.g. Global) ROM For Redmi Note 10, the screenshot button in the notification bar may not be available even after editing. MIUI last-minute.

5 Hidden Features: Screenshot with Always-On Display and Game Turbo

Few people know, but on flagship models Xiaomi (for example, 12S Ultra or 13 Pro) you can take screenshots even with the screen turned off, if the Always-On Display (AOD) mode is activated:

  1. Enable AOD in the settings: Screen โ†’ Always-On Display and Lock.
  2. Twice tap the screen when it is in AOD mode.
  3. In the menu that appears, select "Screenshot".

For gamers, the Game Turbo feature is useful:

  • ๐ŸŽฎ During the game, swipe your finger across the screen from left to right (in the control panel area).
  • ๐Ÿ“ธ A menu will appear with the option "Screenshot".
MethodSupported modelsAdvantagesDeficiencies
Button combinationAll models.It works always, even when the system is down.Uncomfortable with one hand
Three-finger gestureMIUI 10+ (except Android One)Quick, no buttons.Could be an accident.
Voice commandWith Google Assistant or Xiao AIComfortable with busy handsIt doesnโ€™t work in some applications.
Notification panelMIUI 12+Access to Scrolling ScreenshotsRequires customization
AOD/Game TurboFlagships (11T Pro, 12S, 13 and newer)Unique use casesLimited compatibility

Frequent problems and their solutions

If screenshots are not created, check out the following points:

  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Low battery charge (less than 5%): on some models, the function is turned off to save energy.
  • ๐Ÿ”’ Blocking the application: banking applications (e.g. SberBank or Tinkoff) and some games (e.g, PUBG Mobile may ban screenshots.
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Damaged Software: If none of the methods work, reset the settings via Settings โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Resetting settings.

Specific errors:

  • โ€œCannot save screenshotโ€ โ†’ Check the free space in memory or access rights for the Gallery application.
  • โ€œAdministrator disabledโ€ โ†’ Your device may be linked to corporate policy (e.g., via Android Enterprise).

โš ๏ธ Note: On models with root rights or custom firmware (like LineageOS), standard screenshot methods may not work. In this case, use third-party apps like Screenshot Easy or Screen Master.

๐Ÿ” Where are screenshots stored on Xiaomi?
By default, they are saved in /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/ or /DCIM/Screenshots/. If the folder is empty, check Download โ€“ some versions of MIUI save screenshots from the browser.
๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธ How to Take a Long (Scrollable) Screenshot?
Once you've created a normal screenshot, you'll see a thumbnail at the bottom with the "Scroll" button, and click on it and select the area you want to capture, and it works in browsers, messengers, and some apps (like Twitter or Telegram).
๐Ÿ“ฑ Why my Redmi doesn't have a screenshot gesture?
If you have an Android One model (like the Mi A2 or Mi A3), the three-finger gesture is missing by default.Solution: install the Screenshot Touch app from Google Play or use a button combination.
๐Ÿ”„ Can I cancel the screenshot?
Yes, but only for 3-5 seconds after creation, click "Cancel" on the notification that appears.
๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ How to transfer screenshots to the computer?
Fastest ways: Connect your phone over USB in File Transfer (MTP) mode and copy the Screenshots folder. Use Mi Drop (the Wi-Fi file transfer application built into MIUI) Upload screenshots to Google Photos and open them on your PC.

๐Ÿ’ก

On models with MIUI 14 and later, screenshots are automatically optimized to save space (compression without loss of quality). To disable this feature, go to Settings โ†’ Storage โ†’ Image Optimization.