How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi 11: all ways + life hacks for MIUI 12/13/14

Xiaomi 11, Xiaomi 11 Pro and Xiaomi 11 Ultra are flagship smartphones with a shell MIUI, which offers several ways to create screenshots. But not all users know that in addition to the standard button combination, there are hidden chips: three-finger gestures, voice commands and even automatic scrolling of long pages. In this article, we will analyze all available methods, compare their convenience and explain how to edit pictures directly in the gallery without third-party applications.

Xiaomi 11 features dynamic screenshots (scrollable) and integration with Google Assistant for voice control, and MIUI 14 has a Smart Select feature that allows you to highlight text from the screen while you create the screen, but about everything in order.

1. Standard method: power and volume buttons

The classic method that works on all Android devices, including the Xiaomi 11.

1. Open the screen you want (social network, game, settings).
2. Press the power button and the volume down button at the same time.
3. Hold for 1-2 seconds until you hear the shutter sound and see the animation.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi 11 Ultra with an optional mini-display on the back, the screenshot will only be taken from the main screen.

Once created, the image will immediately appear in the notification bar. Click on it to:

• 📝 Edit (cut, add text, draw).
• 📤 Share in messengers or social networks.
• 🗑️ Delete if the photo is unsuccessful.

💡

If the buttons don't work, check if the One Hand mode is activated in the settings (Settings → Additional → Special.) In this mode, the button combination may not work.

2. Three-finger gesture: quick screenshot without buttons

The most convenient way for Xiaomi 11 is to swipe three fingers across the screen from top to bottom.This gesture works by default in MIUI 12/13/14, but it can be turned off or reconfigured.

How to turn on/configure:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → gestures buttons.
2. Select a screenshot with three fingers.
3. Activate the switch and test the gesture.

🔹 Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Instant capture – no need to look for buttons.
• 🎮 Ideal for games where power/volume buttons are occupied by a gamepad.
• 👆 It works in any position of the phone (even upside down).

⚠️ Warning: If the gesture doesn't work, check if the cover or protective glass is in the way. On the Xiaomi 11 Ultra with a curved screen, conductive motion should start strictly from the top of the flat part of the display.

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

If you have Google Assistant on, you can take voice screenshots, and this is useful when your hands are busy or your screen is dirty.

1. Activate the assistant with the “OK, Google” command or by holding the Home button.
2. Say “take a screenshot” or “make a screenshot” (in English it works more stable).
3. Wait for confirmation – the picture will be saved in the gallery.

🔹 Limitations:

• 🔇 It does not work in offline mode (you need the Internet to recognize voice).
• 🎤 Xiaomi 11s on the S MIUI for Russia, the voice assistant by default can be turned off – check in Settings → Annexes → By default. → Assistant and voice input.
• 🔒 In some banking apps and games, voice commands are blocked for security reasons.

💡 Lifehack: If Google Assistant doesn’t recognize the command, try retraining the voice model in its settings or use the Yandex Alice (if installed).

4. Scrolling Screenshot: How to Capture a Long Page

MIUI has a hidden scrolling screenshot feature that lets you capture the entire chat, web page, or notification list.

1. Take a regular screenshot in any way (buttons or gestures).
2. Immediately after the appearance of the thumbnail in the lower right corner, click on it.
3. In the editor that opens, tap the “Scroll” icon (two arrows down).
4. Wait for the automatic scrolling of the screen – the system will collect a long screen.

🔹 Wherever you need it:

• 📄 Keeping a full dialogue on WhatsApp or Telegram.
• 🌐 Archiving articles or instructions from websites.
• 📊 Fixing lists of goods in online stores.

⚠️ Note: The feature may not work in some applications (e.g. Tinkoff Bank or SberBank Online) due to security limitations. MIUI 12.5 and below, the scrolling screenshot sometimes “shorts” the bottom of the page – in this case, try taking a picture in portrait orientation.

5. Screenshot through the Quick Settings panel

A little-known way is to add a screenshot button to the notification bar, which is convenient if you take pictures often and don’t want to remember gestures or button combinations.

How to set up:

1. Open the notification panel (swipe from top to bottom).
2. Slap the icon "⚙️ Edit” (pencil).
3. Find the "Screenshot" list and drag it to the active area.
4. Press "Done."

Now it is enough to create a screenshot:

1. Open the notification panel.
2. Stick on the screenshot icon.

🔹 Pros of the method:

• 👆 One touch is faster than a gesture with three fingers.
• 🔄 It works in any application, even if the buttons are blocked.
• 📱 Not conflicting with other ways.

Add the screenshot button to the quick settings

Check that the notification bar is not hidden in the app

Make sure the screen is not locked (on a locked screen, the method does not work)

Turn off Do Not Disturb mode if it is active-->

6.Secret Chips: Smart Select and Editing

V MIUI 14 for Xiaomi 11 appeared the function Smart Select, which allows not only to take screenshots, but also to extract text, recognize QR-codes and translate fragments directly from the screen.

How to use:

1. Take a screenshot of it any way you want.
2. Slip on the thumbnail of the picture in the lower right corner.
3. In the editor, select the tool "Smart Select" (icon with cursor).
4. Circle the desired text or object – the system will offer actions (copy, translate, search on the Internet).

🔹 Additional Editorial Opportunities:

• 🎨 Mosaic - blurring personal data.
• 📏 Trimming in 1 pixel increments for fine-tuning.
• 🖌️ Thickness-adjusted brushes and markers.
• 🔤 Add text with a choice of fonts (including Mi Sans).

Important: On Xiaomi 11 with MIUI 14, the screenshot editor supports PNG save with a transparent background – a unique feature not found in standard Android.

Problem Solving: Why You Can't Take a Screenshot

If none of these methods work, check the following points:

• 🔋 Battery charge: on Xiaomi 11 at a charge level below 5%, some features are turned off, including creating screenshots.
• 🔒 Incognito mode: in Chrome or MIUI Browser screenshots blocked in private tabs.
• 🛡️ Application rights: some programs (e.g. Netflix or Disney)+) Block screen capture under license agreements.
• 🔄 Updates: in MIUI 12.0.1-12.0.3 was a three-finger gesture bug - upgrade to MIUI 12.5+.

💡 Diagnostics:

1. Reboot your phone – it will reset temporary errors.
2. Check if the Developer Mode is activated with screenshots turned off (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then Additional → Developers → Disable Screenshots).
3. Reset your gesture settings: Settings → Additional → button gestures → Reset.

💡

If screenshots are not saved in the gallery, check the DCIM/Screenshots folder through the file manager. Sometimes the pictures end up in Pictures/Screenshots or Download.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions