How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Mi 7: 5 proven ways + error solving

Xiaomi Mi 7 series smartphones (including Redmi 7, Mi 7 Pro and Mi 7 SE) are still popular due to balanced performance and stable performance. However, many users face difficulties in creating screenshots - especially if they have previously used devices from other brands. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to screen on Xiaomi Mi 7, including hotkeys, gestures, voice commands and even alternative applications.

The Mi 7 features a proprietary MIUI shell that offers unique features for taking screenshots. But not everyone knows that some methods only work on certain versions of firmware. We tested each method on current MIUI 12-14 builds and indicate where there may be limitations. If you're looking for a quick answer, use the Volume Down + Power combination. For advanced users, there's a hidden-chip section below (for example, how to make a screen with a long page scrolling).

Before proceeding to the instructions, check:

• 📱 Model of your device: Redmi 7 and Mi 7 Pro may have different gestures.
• 🔄 Version MIUI: in old firmware (below) MIUI (11) some functions are not supported.
• 💾 Free space: Screens are saved to the folder Pictures/Screenshots — If there is no memory, no pictures will be created.

1. Standard method: hot keys

The most reliable and versatile method is the use of hardware buttons. It works on all Xiaomi Mi 7 models, regardless of MIUI version or screen state (even if the sensor does not respond).

1. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the camera shutter sound and see the save animation.

⚠️ Warning: If you press the buttons longer than 3 seconds, a hard reset will be triggered, which will not damage the data, but will interrupt the current session.

Where to find a ready screen?

• 📁 In the gallery: folder Screenshots (Pictures/Screenshots).
• 🔍 File Manager: Internal Memory → Pictures → Screenshots.
• 📌 In notifications: after creating the screen, a thumbnail with the Share and Delete buttons will appear.

On Xiaomi Mi 7 with MIUI version below 12.5 screens are saved in PNG format without compression – this increases the weight of the file to 2-5 MB. The new firmware uses an optimized algorithm that reduces the size to 500-800 KB without loss of quality.

2.The Three Fingers Down gesture (only for MIUI 10 and newer)

If you don’t like using the buttons, the Xiaomi Mi 7 has an alternative, which is gesture commands, which works on MIUI 10-14 firmware, but you need to activate it beforehand:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
2. Turn on the swipe switch three fingers down.
3. Test: Swipe the screen from top to bottom with three fingers at the same time (not necessarily strictly vertically – a small angle is allowed).

🔹 Method nuances:

• 👆 The gesture will not work if the screen is open video in full screen mode (for example, on YouTube or TikTok).
• 🎯 Some Redmi 7s require a straight-to-center screen, otherwise a return to the home screen works.
• 🔧 If the gesture doesn’t work, restart your phone or reset your gesture settings in Settings. → System system → Resetting settings → Reset your gesture settings.

⚠️ Note: on Xiaomi Mi 7 with custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS), this gesture may conflict with other features.

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If the gesture is triggered by chance (for example, when scrolling a page), reduce sensitivity in the settings: Settings → Additional → Gestures → Sensitivity of the screenshot

3. Voice command (via Google Assistant)

Few people know, but on the Xiaomi Mi 7 you can do screens with your voice — you don't even need to unlock the screen.

• 🗣️ Google Assistant enabled (set by default).
• 🔊 Google’s OK Google feature is activated in voice settings.
• 🌐 The device is connected to the Internet (the command is processed on Google servers).

Instructions:

1. Say, “OK Google, take a screenshot” (or “Take a screenshot”).
2. Confirm the action on the screen (if required).
3. The finished screen will be saved in the standard folder.

📌 Limitations:

• 🚫 Does not work in games and some screenshot-blocked apps (e.g. banking programs).
• 🔇 If the microphone is turned off or Do Not Disturb mode is turned on, the command will not work.
• 🌍 In some languages (e.g. Chinese), voice input may not recognize the command.

The alternative is to use Xiaomi's branded assistant (Xiao AI), but it only supports Chinese and English.

Settings → Applications → All Applications → Xiao AI → Enable

4. Scrolling screenshot (long screen)

If you want to save an entire web page, a messaging app, or a long list, a standard screen won't work. The Xiaomi Mi 7 has a built-in scrolling feature, but it doesn't work in all apps. Here's how to use it:

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the thumbnail appears in the notification, tap on it.
3. In the editor that opens, click the Scroll button (the icon with two arrows down).
4. Wait until the system automatically scrolls the screen and combines the frames.
5. Save the result with the Ready button.

📊 Where he works and where he doesn't:

⚠️ Warning: If the screen is cut after scrolling, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📱 Use a third-party application (e.g. LongShot or Scroll Capture).
• 🔧 Update MIUI up to the latest version (in old assemblies, the pruning bug is more common).

5. Third-party screenshot applications

If the built-in methods are not satisfied (for example, you need to edit the screens immediately after creation), you can use specialized utilities. We tested 5 popular applications on the Xiaomi Mi 7 and selected the best ones:

• 📸 Screenshot Easy – Supports shooting delay (useful for menus that disappear when you press buttons), automatic text recognition (OCR) and cloud storage.
• 🎨 Screenshot Touch – adds a quick access panel for editing (trimming, blurring, adding text) without opening the gallery.
• 🔄 LongShot – specializes in long screens and supports manual scrolling (useful for non-standard applications).

How to install and configure:

1. Download the app from Google Play (like Screenshot Easy).
2. When you first start, grant permissions to Overlay over other windows and Storage.
3. In the application settings, select the activation method: 🔘 Floating button (convenient but takes up space on the screen). 🔘 Gesture (such as shaking the phone). 🔘 Widget on the main screen.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (like Screenshot Ultimate) require root rights for advanced features. On Xiaomi Mi 7, getting root results in a loss of warranty and may disrupt the work. MIUI. Use these tools only if you understand the risks.

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Third-party apps are useful if you need to automatically upload screens to the cloud, add watermarks, or take pictures on a schedule, but for most tasks, there are enough built-in MIUI features.

6. Problem Solving: Screen is not saved or is obtained black

Sometimes users of Xiaomi Mi 7 are faced with the fact that the screenshot:

• 🖼️ Not kept in the gallery.
• ⚫ It turns out to be black (especially in games or videos).
• 🔄 It is created, but disappears after a few seconds.

Causes and solutions:

🛠️ Additional steps if nothing helps:

1. Restart the phone in Safe Mode (clip Power, then hold off Power until prompted to go to Safe Mode) If screens are working, the problem is in the third-party app.
2. Reset your MIUI settings to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Reset settings), but pre-reverse.
3. Update your firmware through Settings → System Update. Older versions of MIUI 9-10 had screen saving bugs.

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If black screenshots only appear in games, try turning on developer mode and turning off hardware acceleration: Settings → About Phone → Assembly Number (tap 7 times) → Developer Settings → Disable hardware overlay

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi Mi 7