How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Poco X3: all ways + secret chips

Xiaomi Poco X3 remains one of the most popular smartphones among gamers and active users due to its powerful hardware and flexible MIUI firmware. But even owners of this device do not always know how to quickly take a screenshot of the screen — especially if you want to capture a long web page or a recording from the game. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways, including little-known functions that work even on custom firmware.

You might be surprised to learn that the Poco X3 doesn't just feature the standard button combination, but it supports three-finger gestures, voice commands via Google Assistant, and hidden options in the notification panel, and we tested each method on MIUI 12.5, MIUI 13, and MIUI 14 firmware, all of which work in a stable way, and we'll also show you how to edit screenshots once you've created them and where to find the saved files.

1. Classic method: power and volume buttons

It’s a versatile method that works on all Android smartphones, including the Poco X3.

1. Open on the screen what you want to capture (app, game, web page).
2. At the same time, press the power button (right) and the volume reduction button (left).
3. Hold them for 1–1.5 seconds until you hear the shutter sound and see the save animation.

⚠️ Warning: If you press buttons longer than 2 seconds, the smartphone can interpret this as an attempt to shut down or reboot. X3 With an unlocked bootloader, prolonged button retention sometimes causes the Fastboot menu – be careful!

Where to look for a screenshot? By default, files are saved in the folder:

Internal Memory → Pictures → Screenshots

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If the screenshot is not saved, check if the system's sound is turned off in the settings (Settings → Sound → System Sounds). Without the audible signal, it's easy to miss the moment you create the image.

2. Three-finger gesture is the fastest method

A MIUI signature feature that saves time: instead of pressing buttons, just swipe three fingers down on the screen, which is especially useful in games where physical buttons can interfere with gameplay.

How to turn on the gesture:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gesture.
2. Activate the switch "Swipe with three fingers".
3. Test: Swipe the screen with three fingers (e.g. index, middle, and ring fingers) from top to bottom.

🔹 Important: The gesture only works on the main screens (home, apps, browser) in some games (e.g., in some games, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact, it can conflict with game controls, and then use alternative methods.

Make sure there are no greasy spots on the screen (they block the sensor)

Try to make a gesture in different parts of the screen (left/right side)

Turn off Smart Assistant in gesture settings if screenshots aren't created

Restart your smartphone if the gesture stops working after the update

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3. Notification panel: Hidden screenshot button

Few people know, but MIUI has a built-in screenshot button right in the notification bar, a technique that is useful if physical buttons are broken or unresponsive.

Instructions:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the screenshot icon (usually hidden under the “More” or “Edit” button).
3. Slip on it – the smartphone will immediately take a picture of the current screen.

If the button is not in the panel:

• 🔧 Click on “Edit” in the notification bar and add it manually.
• 🔄 Restart your smartphone – sometimes the button disappears after updates.
• 📱 Check if it is disabled in Settings. → Notification panel → Quick setups.

Power and volume buttons

Three-finger gesture

Notification panel

Voice assistant

Another option-->

4. Voice commands via Google Assistant

If you have Google Assistant enabled, you can take voice screenshots -- conveniently when your hands are busy -- even on a locked screen (if you allow access to the assistant).

How to set up:

1. Activate Google Assistant: Settings → Apps → All Apps → Google → Assistant
2. Say “OK Google” or hold the home button to call the assistant.
3. Say the command: “Take a screenshot” or “Photography of the screen.”

⚠️ Note: On some Poco firmware X3 (Especially custom screenshots may not work due to limitations MIUI. If the assistant answers “This feature is not available,” try updating the Google app or using another method.

5. Screenshot of the page being scrolled (long screenshot)

Poco X3 can create advanced screenshots — like an entire web page or a long chat on Telegram — a feature built into MIUI, but many users are unaware of it.

How to take a long screenshot:

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the miniature appears at the bottom of the screen, tap it.
3. In the editor that opens, select the option “Scroll” (the icon with down arrows).
4. Wait until the smartphone automatically scrolls the page and connects the parts into one file.

📌 Limitations:

• 🌐 It doesn’t work in some apps (e.g. Instagram, TikTok) because of content protection.
• 📄 Maximum length of screenshot — ~10 screens (depending on firmware).
• 🔄 If the scrolling “hang”, click “Done” manually – the smartphone will save the current result.

6. Alternative methods: ADB and third-party applications

If standard methods don't work (e.g., a power button is broken), you can take a screenshot through ADB or third-party utilities. These are advanced methods, but they help in critical situations.

Method 1: ADB (for developers)

1. Connect Poco X3 to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap, then Settings → Additional → Developers).
2. Open the command line on PC and type in: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png
3. Copy the file on PC: adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

Method 2: Apps from Play Market

We recommend:

• 📱 Screenshot Easy – Supports gestures and timer.
• 🎮 Screen Master – Optimized for Gamers.
• 🖼️ LongShot – for Scrolling Screenshots.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, disable the built-in screenshots features in MIUI, It's not a conflict, it's a problem, it's a problem of artifacts or duplicate files.

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ADB-The method is the only way to take a screenshot if the sensor or buttons of the smartphone are completely out of order, but requires a pre-setting debugging. USB.

Where are screenshots stored and how to edit them

By default, all screenshots on Poco X3 are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

But you can change the way you save:

1. Install a file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to the Screenshots folder → Additionally. → Move it.
3. Select a new directory (for example, on the SD-map).

🎨 Editing:

• 🖌️ Immediately after creating a screenshot, tap on the thumbnail at the bottom of the screen - the built-in editor will open. MIUI.
• 📝 Here you can crop, add text, draw arrows or blur part of the image.
• 🔄 If the editor doesn’t open, install Google Photos or Snapseed for advanced tools.

On Poco X3 with MIUI 14+ firmware, the Smart Text Recognition (OCR) function appeared in the screenshot editor – you can copy text from the image without additional applications.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Sometimes screenshots on Poco X3 are not created or saved with errors.

⚠️ Warning: If the screen flashes after pressing the buttons, but the screenshot is not saved, check the free space in the internal memory. MIUI It requires a minimum of 50 MB to take pictures.

If none of these methods work, try:

1. Reboot the smartphone.
2. Update MIUI to the latest version.
3. Reset gesture settings: Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset gesture settings.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions