How to take a screenshot on a Xiaomi phone: all the ways of 2026

Taking screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that every user faces, and it’s a must if you want to save important correspondence, show an error in the app or share interesting content. However, not everyone knows that there are several ways to take a screenshot on devices with a MIUI shell, from standard to hidden features that the manufacturer does not always mention in the documentation.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, including button combinations, gestures, voice commands and even capabilities through ADB. We will pay special attention to the features on the new Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 and POCO F6 models, where the interface may differ from the usual one, and you will also learn how to edit screenshots immediately after creation and where they are saved by default.

If you're just switching from an iPhone or other Android device, some of the ways might seem obscure. For example, MIUI has a long screenshot feature to capture scrolling pages -- it's not in pure Android. And older models (like the Redmi 5 or Mi A2) sometimes find that standard keyboard shortcuts don't work because of custom firmware. We've taken all these nuances into account.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones – regardless of the model and version of MIUI. To do this, press two physical buttons at the same time:

• 🔘 Power button (on/off) + volume-button.
• 🕒 Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the characteristic shutter sound (if the sound is on) and see the save animation.
• 📁 Screenshot is automatically saved in the folder Pictures/Screenshots or DCIM/Screenshots.

This method works even on a locked screen (unless the settings have disabled access to screenshots from the lock).

• ⚡ On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) The buttons are too close to the buttons, you can accidentally call the Power or Google Assistant menu, in which case you can try pressing a little longer (up to 3 seconds).
• 🔧 If the combination does not work, check if screenshots in the settings are disabled: → Additionally. → Buttons and gestures → Screenshots.

💡

On models with a subscreen fingerprint scanner (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro), you can use a swipe gesture on the scanner down – this is an alternative to the power button.

On Xiaomi Black Shark (game series), the standard combination can conflict with Shark Space mode. To take a screenshot of the game, exit this mode first or use the virtual dashboard.

2.Gestural screenshots in MIUI

Xiaomi offers alternative ways to take screenshots without using buttons, which is especially handy if the physical keys are damaged or you prefer to control your phone with one hand.

You can activate gestures from the menu: Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures → Screenshots. There are two options available here:

• 👆 Three-toed swipe down -- swipe three fingers down the screen from top to bottom, works in any app except some gesture-blocking games.
• 🖐️ Touching the back side (available on models with MIUI 12.5+) — Tap the back of the phone twice. It's called Double tap to wake, but you can reassign it to screenshots.

Enable option in Settings → Buttons and gestures | Check gesture sensitivity (default is average) |Try on different screens (does not work in Safe Mode) |Turn off conflicting gestures (e.g., swipe for Split Screen)

-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X5 Pro) The three-toed swipe gesture is disabled by default. If it doesn't work, update. MIUI until the latest version or reset your gesture settings through Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset your gesture settings.

Gestures are convenient, but have limitations:

• 🎮 They don't work for most people. 3D-games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile as games block system gestures to prevent accidental clicks.
• 🔒 Can conflict with gestures from other applications (e.g. Nova Launcher or Gesture Control).

3. Voice Assistant and Google Assistant

If you're uncomfortable with buttons or gestures, you can take a voice screenshot.

Method 1: Using Google Assistant

Method 2: Through XiaoAI (Integrated Xiaomi Assistant)

⚠️ Note: Voice commands may not work in restricted applications (e.g., banking programs or WhatsApp with App Lock enabled), and XiaoAI is often disabled on global firmware – it must be activated manually through Settings. → Memory and productivity → XiaoAI.

Button combination|Three-toed swipe|Voice assistant|Other (write in the comments)-->

4. Long screenshot (scrollable)

The Long Screenshot feature captures not only the visible part of the screen, but also the part hidden behind the scrolling, which is useful for saving entire web pages, chats or long lists.

How it works:

1. First, take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the screenshot appears in the lower right corner, click on it.
3. In the editor that opens, tap the icon “Scroll” (or “Long Screenshot”).
4. 📜 The screen will automatically scroll down, capturing the content. To stop the process, click "Done».

Limitations of function:

• 🌐 Not working in all apps, like Instagram or TikTok, a long screenshot is blocked because of content protection.
• 📱 On older models (Redmi Note 8 and older), you can only capture one scroll screen, not the entire page.
• 🔄 Sometimes breaks the layout of sites (for example, elements may disappear in Chrome).

5. Screenshots via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., on custom firmware or after a system crash), you can take a screenshot via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the phone to a computer, but is guaranteed to work even on a locked device (if USB debugging is enabled).

Instructions:

1. 🖥️ Install. ADB Tools on PC.
2. 📱 On the phone, turn on Developer Mode (7 times tap on the Assembly Number in Settings) → About the phone) and activate the debugging USB.
3. 🔌 Connect your phone to your computer and confirm debugging access.
4. 💻 In the command line (or Terminal) type: Adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
5. 📸 Exec-out screencap command: adb exec-out screencap -p > screenshot.png The file will be saved in the folder from where the command was launched.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI EU) The screencap command can be blocked. In this case, use an alternative:

adb shell /system/bin/screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.png


adb pull /sdcard/screenshot.png

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ It works even if the sensor is not responding.
• 🔍 Allows you to take a screenshot without notifications (useful for hidden monitoring).
• 🛠️ You can automate through scripts (for example, take screenshots on a schedule).

6 Where screenshots are saved and how to edit them

By default, all screenshots on Xiaomi are saved in the folder: /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

or

/DCIM/Screenshots/

(depending on the version of MIUI).

To find them quickly:

• 📂 Open the gallery. → album».
• 🔍 Or use the Files and go up the path.

And right after you take the screenshot, you see a thumbnail in the bottom right corner, and you can tap it to:

• ✏️ Edit (cut, add text, drawings).
• 📤 Share through messengers or social networks.
• 🗑️ Delete if the photo is not needed.

📌 Council: B MIUI 14+ And you have a smart editing feature, which automatically cuts the screenshots, removing the extra elements (like navigation bars). → Display. → Smart screenshot editing.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

Sometimes screenshots on Xiaomi can’t be taken due to software or hardware limitations, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: The button combination is not working

• 🔋 Check if the battery is discharged (at the charge level) < 5% Some functions are turned off).
• 🔧 Reboot your phone – sometimes helps with temporary crashes.
• 🛠️ If the buttons are physically damaged, use gestures or ADB.

Problem 2: Screenshots are not saved

• 📁 Check if the phone memory is full. MIUI Requires a minimum of 500 MB of free space to save photos.
• 🚫 Make sure the app you’re taking a screenshot in doesn’t block this feature (like Netflix or banking programs).
• 🔄 Reset permissions for the Screenshots app in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Screenshots → Permits.

Problem 3: The long screenshot is broken

• 📱 Update the app you’re trying to take a picture in (like Chrome or Telegram).
• 🔄 Try scrolling the screen more slowly – sometimes the system doesn’t have time to capture content.
• 🛠️ Use third-party apps (like LongShot) if the built-in feature doesn't work.

💡

If screenshots are no longer saved after the MIUI update, try clearing the cache of the Media Storage system application (com.android.providers.media).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions