Why screenshots on Xiaomi are different from other brands
Xiaomi Redmi smartphones work on a proprietary shell MIUI, It's a very different logic of screenshots than Android stock, and if you just have two buttons on Android naked, you have to have two buttons on it. 5 It's different in different ways, from classic gestures to unique gestures that even Samsung or Google Pixel don't have, but the methods vary depending on the version. MIUI (12/13/14) and phone models (for example, on the Redmi Note) 12 Pro+ A screenshot is available with a side button and on Redmi. 9A — no).
Another feature is the integration of screenshots with the Mi Cloud cloud and Quick Ball editor. Xiaomi automatically saves screenshots to the Pictures/Screenshots folder, but allows you to instantly share them through Mi Share or edit them using built-in tools (trimming, blurring, adding text). In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, including those that work on older models like Redmi 4X or Redmi Note 5.
Method 1: Classic button combination (works on 100% of devices)
It’s a versatile method that’s guaranteed to work on any Redmi model, from the budget Redmi A1 to the flagship Redmi K60 Ultra.
- Open the screen you want to capture (like a WhatsApp dialog or a page in Chrome).
- Press two physical buttons at the same time: 📱 Power button (right) + Volume reduction button (left).
1-2 seconds
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 10C or Redmi 9T) The buttons are too close, so you can accidentally trigger the shutdown menu, and if you do, try clamping the buttons one by one, power first, volume first.
Screen unlocked and active |Finger doesn't close important elements |Sound isn't turned off (to hear confirmation) |Feed at least 100MB of memory-->
| Model Redmi | Support for button combination | Alternative means |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 12/11/10 | ✅ Yes. | Three-finger gesture, voice assistant |
| Redmi K50/K40 | ✅ Yes. | Side button + gesture |
| Redmi 9/8/7 | ✅ Yes. | Only a classic combination + Quick Ball |
| Redmi 6A/5A | ⚠️ Partially (may require adjustment) | Only buttons or third-party apps |
Method 2: Three-finger gesture (fastest, but requires adjustment)
The Three-Finger Screenshot feature was introduced in MIUI 9 and has since become Xiaomi's trademark, allowing you to take a screenshot simply by swiping down the display with three fingers (usually ring, middle and index), but by default, this gesture is often disabled.
To activate it:
- Go to Settings → Additional functions → button gestures.
- Find the "Three Fingers Screenshot" item and move the slider to the right.
- Test: Swipe top-down with three fingers over any screen (e.g., on the home screen).
💡 If the gesture doesn’t work, check if it conflicts with other functions (such as the Gesture for split screen.
Button combination|Three-finger gesture|Voice assistant|Quick Ball|Other-->
Method 3: Quick Ball (Quick Ball)
Quick Ball is a floating button that appears on top of any screen and gives quick access to key features, including screenshots, which is handy if you have problems with physical buttons or take snapshots frequently in games (where keyboard shortcuts may conflict).
How to set up:
- Open Settings → Additional features → Quick Ball
- Activate the slider at the top of the screen.
- Click on Quick Ball Settings and add the Screenshot icon to the quick action list.
- Now, when you click on the floating button, a menu will appear where you can select "Screenshot".
- Say one of the commands: 🎤 "Take a screenshot" 🎤 "Screenshot" 🎤 "Take a picture of the screen (only works with Xiaomi Assistant)
🔊 Important: Voice commands only work on Chinese and global firmware MIUI. On custom (e.g. Pixel Experience), this method is not available. Also make sure that the assistant has access to Special Options settings.
Method 5: Screenshot with a side button (newer models only)
Starting with the Redmi K50 and Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi has added support for screenshots with a double tap on the power button. This feature is disabled by default, but it is easy to activate:
- Go to Settings → Buttons and gestures → Power button.
- Select "Double press" option.
- In the action list, find the "Screenshot" and save the settings.
⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI 14 And more recently, screenshots are saved by default in.png format with transparency. 20-30% Compared to.jpg. To save space, convert them through the Google Photos or Lightroom app.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even with these simple features, Redmi users are struggling.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Screenshot not saved | Lack of memory or access rights error | Clear the cache of the gallery or give permission to write files |
| Three-finger gesture doesn't work. | Conflict with other gestures or disabled in settings | Restart your phone and check the settings in Additional Features |
| Shutter sound off. | "No sound" or system settings | Include system sounds in Settings → Sound |
| Screenshot turns out black. | DRM-Protection in applications (Netflix, banks) | Use the built-in screen function in the app itself |
🛠️ Advice for older models: If you have a Redmi 4/5 s MIUI 8 Or below, and neither of these works, try third-party apps like Screenshot Touch or Super Screenshot. They don't require root rights and emulate button pressing at the software level.
💡
If you need a screenshot urgently, but the phone is frozen, press the power button for 10 seconds to force you to restart.