How to make the quality of the screenshot better on the phone Xiaomi

Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones come with displays with resolutions as high as 2K and even 3K, as well as panels with refresh rates of 120Hz. However, many users are surprised to find that the screenshots taken look blurry, have compression artifacts or fuzzy text when viewed on a computer, this is often due not to a screen defect, but to software algorithms for memory optimization.

MIUI or the new HyperOS can use aggressive image compression by default to save gallery space, and the final quality is influenced by the file format and interface settings you choose, and by understanding the intricacies of the clipboard and graphics engine, you can significantly improve the clarity of stored frames without using third-party applications.

In this article, we will take a closer look at what parameters affect detail, how to switch the format of the save, and whether you should trust the standard system tools for professional tasks. Understanding these processes will allow you to get studio-quality images directly from the screen of your smartphone.

Effects of screen resolution and pixel density

The first factor that determines the clarity of the final image is the physical resolution of the matrix of your device. Flagship models of the Xiaomi 13 or 14 series often offer a resolution above the standard Full HD+, which automatically increases the number of pixels in the screenshot. However, in the system settings, energy saving or performance mode can be activated, which reduces the rendering of the interface.

To make sure that the phone is native, you need to go to Settings → Screen → Screen Resolution. Here you should choose the option “Recommended” or the maximum available value. If you choose “Reduced”, all interface elements will be stretched programmatically, which will lead to loss of clarity fonts and small details in the screenshots.

⚠️ Warning: Enabling the brightness or Sun Mode mode before creating a screenshot does not affect the quality of the file, but may distort the color reproduction when automatically correcting contrast in the gallery.

Also worth considering is pixel density (PPI): On high-density screens like 500+ PPI, even minimal compression by the algorithms becomes noticeable when zooming in, so it is critical for these displays to use lossless formats.

Selecting format: PNG vs. JPG in MIUI

By default, most versions of the MIUI shell save screenshots in JPG format. This is a loss-of-quality format that uses compression algorithms to reduce file size. This is acceptable for photos, but for images with text, graphics, application interfaces or code, this approach is disastrous: there are “artifacts”, blurring and color distortion.

The PNG format uses lossless compression, keeping every pixel of the original image intact. Unfortunately, Xiaomi's standard camera or screenshot settings don't always have an explicit format switch. However, there's a system nuance: when using the Long Screenshot feature, the system sometimes automatically selects a better coding algorithm, but this is not guaranteed.

If you are critical to retaining the original detail, avoid re-saving the image that has already been compressed. Each open-edit-save cycle in JPG format will degrade the picture.

Developer settings to improve graphics

The Android developer menu has parameters that affect the rendering of the GUI. Activating certain options can make the system process images with greater attention to detail, although this will increase the load on the processor. To access this menu, you need to click on the build number several times in the About Phone section.

Find the item Unplug HW-overlays (disabled) HW overlays. It makes it turn on GPU It can be used to process all the on-screen compositions, which in some cases removes the software artifacts of layering, making the screenshot cleaner. GPU — Make sure that the value is “Default” or “High quality».

Another important option is the color profile. In the screen settings, select Standard or Saturated Colors mode depending on your preferences, but remember that the screenshot will retain exactly the color gamut that is displayed at the time of capture. For accurate color reproduction, you should use sRGB or Standard mode.

Comparison of screenshots

Not all ways to get a screenshot on Xiaomi are equivalent in quality to the final file. Standard button combinations, voice commands, and smart menu features can use different system processes to capture the image.

As you can see from the table, mechanical buttons or three-finger gestures are the most reliable ways to get a clean shot without the need for network services or additional interface layers. Voice assistants sometimes add their own frame or logo, which reduces the useful area of the image.

Also, when using Split Screen, the system creates a composite image, and if one of the applications is updating content (video, animation) at that moment, the screenshot may show gaps or distortions of frames.

Use of third-party applications and RAW-grab

If the built-in HyperOS tools do not meet the quality requirements, you can turn to specialized applications from Google Play. Programs like Screen Master or LongShot often have their own processing algorithms that allow you to save images in PNG format with the maximum bitrate.

However, it is worth remembering permissions. A third-party application will require broad access rights, including Screen Recording and storage access. In newer versions of Android (13 and above), the system can restrict background recording or add a watermark security when using third-party software to capture protected content.

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Use Do Not Disturb mode before creating an important screenshot so that notifications don’t overshadow part of the screen and spoil the frame composition.

For professional graphics work, some users use a PC connection and ADB debugging tools. Screencap command allows you to unload an exact copy of the frame buffer directly, bypassing any compression algorithms of the mobile operating system.

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png

This method guarantees the receipt of the file in the form in which it is rendered by the video processor, without loss during the saving stage to the gallery.

Processing and preservation without loss of quality

Once a screenshot is taken, it often requires editing, cropping, adding arrows, or highlighting text. Xiaomi's built-in editor is quite functional, but if you save the changes, it can compress again. To minimize losses, try to do all the edits in one session.

If you plan to send screenshots through instant messengers, remember that Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber are by default very compressed images. Always choose the option “Send as a file” or “No compression” if the recipient should see the original quality. Otherwise, all your efforts to set up the phone will be in vain.

⚠️ Note: When sending screenshots of sensitive information through cloud syncs (Google Photos, Mi Cloud), make sure that the quality settings are “Original” and not “Saving Place».

It’s also good to know that the HEIC format, which is sometimes used in Xiaomi cameras, is starting to appear in screenshots on newer versions of Android.It provides better quality at a smaller size, but may not open on older computers without additional codecs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The key to a quality screenshot on Xiaomi is to use native screen resolution, PNG format (where possible), and minimize file resaving cycles.