How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Poco: all the ways for different models

You can take a screenshot on a Xiaomi Poco smartphone in at least seven different ways, from classic button combinations to voice commands and hidden features of the MIUI shell. But many users still use only the standard method with Power + Volume Down, without even realizing that there are more convenient alternatives, such as a three-finger gesture or a virtual button in the notification panel.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to take screenshots of the Poco F1, Poco X3/X4/X5, Poco F3/F4/F5 and other models — including those running MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS. We’ll focus on common bugs (such as why the screen isn’t saved in the gallery) and hidden chips like a long screen or edit immediately after capture.

1. Standard method: Power + Volume Down buttons

It is a versatile method that works on all Poco models – from the budget Poco C to the flagship Poco F5 Pro.

1. Open the screen that you want to capture.
2. At the same time, press the Power button and Volume Down button.
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the shutter sound or see an animation of the screenshot.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Poco) X3 NFC) Holding the buttons too long can cause the switch-off menu.If this happens, try pressing faster or use alternative methods.

Where to look for a screenshot? It is saved by default in the Gallery → Screenshots folder (or DCIM → Screenshots in the file manager). On MIUI 14 and HyperOS, after capture, a thumbnail appears in the lower right corner - tap it to edit or share the picture immediately.

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If the screenshot is not saved, check if the saving is disabled in the settings: Settings → Applications → Gallery → Permissions → Memory (should be “Allowed”).

2. Three-finger gesture: fast screen without buttons

One of the most convenient ways is to swipe three fingers across the screen, and it works on all Pocos with MIUI 10 and up, but it can be disabled by default, to activate:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Special features → Three finger gesture.
2. Turn on the screenshot switch.
3. Select the direction of the swipe (usually Down).

Now, to do a screen, just swipe three fingers across the screen from top to bottom.

• 👆 Works on any screen, even in games or apps with button lock.
• 🎯 More precisely than the combination of buttons – do not aim or be afraid to accidentally turn off the phone.
• ⚡ Faster: One swipe vs two taps.

⚠️ Note: If the gesture doesn't work, check if it conflicts with other functions (such as Split Screen or Screen Recording.

3. Virtual button in the notification panel

If you're uncomfortable remembering gestures or button combinations, MIUI has a built-in screenshot button to add:

1. Deploy the notification panel (swipe from top to bottom).
2. Slap the icon. ⚙️ (Edit).
3. Find the Screenshot tile (usually under Other Settings) and drag it to the active area.

Now, just open the curtain and press this button, and the screenshot will be taken instantly.

• 📱 On smartphones with faulty buttons (for example, if Volume Down is not working).
• 🎮 In games where hardware keys are blocked.
• 👨‍💻 When connecting to a PC via Mi PC Suite (when physical buttons are not available).

On HyperOS (the new Xiaomi shell), the Screenshot tile may be called Screen Capture – don’t confuse it with Screen Recording!

4. Voice assistant: "Okay, Google, take a screenshot."

If you have Google Assistant enabled or XiaoAI enabled, you can take voice screenshots.

1. Activate Assistant: - For Google Assistant: Say "OK, Google" or hold the Home button. - For XiaoAI: Say "Little Love" (on Chinese firmware) or press the button in the bottom left corner.
2. Say the command: - In English: "Take a screenshot." - In Russian: "Take a screenshot" or "Photography of the screen."

⚠️ Note: Voice does not work in some applications (e.g. banking or restricted) and may conflict with privacy settings – if a screenshot contains sensitive data, it is better to use manual methods.

Advantages of voice control:

• 🗣️ Hands are busy (for example, hold your phone with one hand).
• 🚀 Faster than looking for buttons or gestures.
• 🌍 Works in any language (if added to the assistant settings).

On the Poco F5 and Poco X5 Pro with HyperOS, voice commands for screenshots are supported only through Google Assistant – the built-in XiaoAI does not recognize them.

5. Long screenshot (scrollable)

If you want to capture an entire web page, a messaging app, or a long list, a standard screenshot won't work. MIUI has a Long Screenshot (or Scrolling Capture) feature that allows you to glue multiple frames together into a single file.

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Right after you grab the bottom of the screen, you'll see a thumbnail.
3. Select the option Long Screenshot (or Scrolling).
4. Wait until the system automatically scrolls the screen and connects the frames.

📌 Limitations:

• ❌ It doesn’t work in some apps (e.g. Instagram, TikTok).
• ❌ Maximum length: about 5 screens (depending on model).
• ❌ On Poco. F1 Older firmware may require manual scrolling.

For web pages, the alternative is to use Read mode in Mi Browser or Chrome, where there is a built-in feature to save the page to PDF.

Open the screen in advance|Make sure the content is fully loaded|Turn off animations (if they interfere)|Check the space in your memory (long screens weigh more)|-->

6. Screenshot via ADB (for advanced users)

If the sensor is not working or the phone is getting stuck, USB-debugging enabled, you can take a screenshot through the computer using ADB (Android Debug Bridge. It'll take:

• 🖥️ PC with installation ADB-Drivers and Platform Tools.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers).

Instructions:

1. Connect Poco to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command: Adb devices (should display your device).
4. Take a screenshot: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png
5. Download the file on PC: adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

⚠️ Note: This method does not work if:

• 🔌 USB-debugging is not enabled in advance (it will not be possible to activate on the locked screen).
• 🔒 The phone is completely discharged or turned off.
• 🛡️ It is a pattern lock / password, and unlock by USB forbidden.

The alternative for dead phones is to use Fastboot, but this requires an unlocked bootloader and risks erasing data.

7 Special cases: if nothing works

Sometimes standard methods don’t work, for example if:

• 💥 The sensor does not respond (after falling or getting moisture).
• 🔋 Buttons broken or stuck.
• 🔒 Phone locked (forgot password).

Solutions for each case:

💡 Advice for Poco F3 POCO X3 Pro: If after the update, the three-finger gesture disappeared, reset the special features settings in Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting special opportunities.

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Poco with HyperOS (2026) introduced a new feature called intelligent capture, which automatically defines the boundaries of content (such as an article or chat) and offers to save only it, without unnecessary interface elements.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Poco