How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi 11: all the ways from standard to hidden

Xiaomi 11 smartphones (including the Pro, Ultra and Lite) run on the proprietary shell of MIUI, which offers several ways to create a screenshot. But not all of them are obvious: many users for years have only used a classic combination of buttons, without even knowing the existence of gesture controls, voice commands or hidden functions for long screenshots.

In this article, we'll give you a complete guide to all the screenshots you can take on Xiaomi 11, including rare features like taking a latency screen or saving to the cloud, and we'll take a look at not only how to press, but also how to set up -- like changing the format of saving from.png to.jpg or turning off the shutter sound, and also how screenshots don't save sometimes and how to fix it.

1. Classical method: button combination

The most reliable and versatile method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones – including the Xiaomi 11 and its modifications – is suitable even if the gestures are turned off or the touch screen does not respond.

To take a screenshot:

1. Open the screen you want to capture (for example, a dialog in the messenger or a page in the browser).
2. Press the power button (right) and the volume button (left) at the same time.
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the shutter sound and see the save animation.

⚠️ Note: If you press the buttons longer than 3 seconds, the smartphone can reboot to Fastboot mode. This is not critical, but will interrupt the current work.

Where to look for a screenshot? By default, files are saved in the Gallery → Screenshots folder or DCIM → Screenshots. In MIUI 12/13/14, a thumbnail appears in the lower right corner after you create the picture - click on it to edit or share immediately.

2.Gest method: "Three-finger slip"

The “Three-finger Screenshot” feature is on by default on all Xiaomi 11s, but many users turn it off accidentally, a method that is convenient when you hold your phone with one hand and take a screenshot with the other.

How it works:

1. Place three fingers (usually index, middle and ring fingers) on the screen.
2. Spend them from top to bottom on the display (not necessarily strictly vertically, the main thing is downward movement).
3. The screenshot will be saved automatically, and a notification will appear at the top of the screen.

If the gesture doesn't work:

• 🔧 Check the settings: go to Settings → Additionally. → Special facilities → Gesture screenshot and turn on the switch.
• 🧹 Make sure there are no greasy spots or protection on the screen – they interfere with gesture recognition.
• 📱 Restart your phone if the feature suddenly stops working after the update.

💡

The gesture works even on a locked screen (if the settings have the option “Screenshots from lock”). This is convenient for fast saving notifications.

3. Quick settings panel: one tap for screenshot

MIUI has a hidden button for screenshots in the notification panel, which is suitable if you don't want to remember combinations or gestures.

Instructions:

1. Swipe your finger down to open the notification panel.
2. Find the screenshot icon (usually a scissor or a rectangle with lightning). If it's not there, click on the screenshot. ⚙️ Edit and add to active buttons.
3. Slip the icon – the screenshot will be taken instantly.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Works in any application, even in games (unless the panel is hidden).
• 🎨 Allows you to edit the photo immediately after creation.
• 🔄 You can take a long screenshot (scrollable) if you hold the icon for 2 seconds.

4. Voice command: "OK, Google, take a screenshot."

If you have Google's voice assistant on or Yandex's Alice on, you can take voice screenshots, which is convenient when your hands are busy or your screen is dirty.

How to set up:

1. Activate the voice assistant (for example, say “OK, Google” or click on the microphone icon in the search bar).
2. Tell the command to “take a screenshot” or “Photography the screen.”
3. Confirm the action if the assistant asks for permission.

⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI voice screenshots are blocked by default due to security policy. To unlock the feature, go to Settings → Annexes → Permits → Voice Assistant and enable access to Screenshots.

Alternatively, use the built-in XiaoAI assistant (if installed):

Press the power button → say “Screenshot” in Chinese (“”, jiétú) or English (“Screenshot”).

5. Long (scrollable) screenshot

Scrolling Screenshot (or Long Screenshot) captures an entire web page, chat or document that doesn’t fit on a single screen, and works in most applications except for games and some instant messengers (e.g. Telegram blocks this feature).

How to do this:

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the thumbnail appears at the bottom of the screen, click on it.
3. In the editor that opens, tap the “Scroll” icon (two arrows down).
4. Wait until the screen automatically scrolls to the end and click "Done".

Limitations and chips:

6. Screenshot problems: why not saved and how to fix

Sometimes screenshots on Xiaomi 11 don't save or disappear from the gallery.

• 📁 Screenshots folder removed: Create it manually in DCIM Or reset the gallery settings in Settings → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Drop it.
• 🔒 Recording ban: Check permissions for Screenshots app in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Warehouse.
• 🗑️ Auto-cleaning: B MIUI There's a garbage cleanup feature that can delete screenshots older than 30 days. → Warehouse → Auto-cleaning.
• 🔄 Cloud conflict: If sync with Mi Cloud is enabled, screenshots can only be saved to the cloud. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery.

If screenshots are saved but not displayed in the gallery:

1. Open any file manager (such as Mi File Manager).
2. Go to the Inner Memory → Pictures → Screenshots.
3. If there are files but are not visible in the gallery, update the media base using the Media Update app from the Play Market.

💡

If screenshots are not taken in games, this is normal: most games (PUBG, Genshin Impact) block the creation of screenshots to protect against cheating.

7. Additional chips: editing, cloud and automation

Screenshots on Xiaomi 11 can not only be taken, but also automatically processed.

• ✏️ Quick editing: After creating a screenshot, tap on the thumbnail at the bottom of the screen – an editor with tools for cropping, drawing and adding text will open.
• ☁️ Upload to the Cloud: Enable in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronize the gallery so that screenshots are immediately saved to the cloud.
• 📤 Autosubmit: Set up Quick Ball (floating ball) in Settings → Additionally. → Quick Ball and add a button to instantly send a screenshot to the messenger.
• 🔄 Change format: Screenshots are saved to.png by default, but you can change to.jpg via the Screenshot Easy app from Play Market.

For advanced users:

Activate Developer Mode (Settings → About Phone → MIUI → Tap 7 times) and enable the USB Debugging option. Then connect the phone to your PC and use the command:


adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi 11