How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Mi A3: 3 proven ways

Xiaomi Mi A3 is one of the few smartphones of the brand that runs on a “pure” Android One instead of the proprietary shell MIUI. Because of this, the standard button combinations for creating screenshots are different from other Xiaomi models. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to make a screen on the Mi A3, including gestures, voice commands and even hidden functions for long pages.

If you're used to Redmi or POCO, where the screenshot is taken by squeezing Loudness down + Power, on the Mi A3, this combination may not work. It's all about the firmware: Android One uses standard solutions from Google, not branded ones from Xiaomi. But don't worry, alternative methods are no more complicated, and some even more convenient!

1. Classic method: power and volume buttons

The most reliable method, which works on 99% of Android smartphones, including the Mi A3, is the right button mix – it is different from the usual MIUI for users.

To take a screenshot:

• 🔘 Press the Power Button (right) and Volume Down (left) at the same time).
• 🕒 Keep them close. 1-2 seconds until the screen blinks.
• 📁 You will hear the characteristic shutter sound (if the sound is on) and see a notification of the saved screen.

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse with the combination of Volume up + Power - it triggers the reboot menu! A3 This is a common mistake that causes users to accidentally reboot their phone instead of screenshots.

If the screenshot didn’t work the first time, try:

• 🧹 Clean your hands of moisture or dirt – buttons may not work.
• 🔄 Press a little longer (up to 3 seconds) if the smartphone is "slowing down".
• 🔋 Reboot your phone if the combination doesn’t work at all (rarely, but happens when the system crashes).

2. The swipe hand gesture is a hidden feature of Android One

Few people know, but the Xiaomi Mi A3 has a hidden gesture for screenshots that does not require clicking buttons. This feature is enabled by default, but it can be turned off in the settings.

How to make a screenshot with a gesture:

1. Open the screen you want (for example, a WhatsApp chat or a page in your browser).
2. 🖐️ Swipe your hand ribs across the screen from left to right or right to left (as if you were “wiping” the screen).
3. 🎯 The gesture should start outside the display and end on the opposite side.

If the gesture doesn't work:

• 🔧 Check if the function is enabled: Settings → System system → Gestures → Swipe palm for screenshot.
• 🧴 Wipe the screen – greasy spots interfere with gesture recognition.
• 📏 Try to run slower or faster (recognition rate is individual).

⚠️ Note: The swipe palm gesture does not work in some screenshot-protected apps (e.g. banking apps or Netflix.

3.The Google Assistant Voice Assistant

If the buttons are jammed or you are holding hands, you can take a voice screenshot through Google Assistant, which works on the Mi A3 out of the box, since the smartphone supports all the functions of Android One.

Instructions:

1. Activate Google Assistant: 🗣️ Say “OK Google” (if voice control is enabled). 🔘 Or press the Home button on 1-2 seconds.

Take a screenshot.

Take a screenshot.

📸 Confirm the action if the assistant asks for permission.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Handless – handy if you’re cooking with a prescription or holding your phone with one hand.
• ✅ Can be used with gloves (if the microphone catches the voice well).
• ✅ Suitable for people with disabilities.

Limitations:

• ❌ Requires an Internet connection (to process voice commands).
• ❌ Does not work in Do Not Disturb mode or with the microphone turned off.
• ❌ It may not work in noisy places (for example, in the subway).

4. Screenshot of a long page (scroll)

The standard screenshot captures only the visible part of the screen. But what if you want to save an entire web page, a Telegram chat, or a list in Google Maps? The Mi A3 has a hidden scrolling screenshot feature, but it doesn't work in all apps.

How to take a long screenshot:

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. 📜 Immediately after the screen thumbnail appears at the bottom of the screen, click on it.
3. 🔄 In the editor that opens, tap the Scrolling icon (usually downtown).
4. ⏬ Wait for the page to automatically scroll down, capturing content.
5. ✂️ Cut the excess and save the result.

Applications that support scrolling:

⚠️ Note: Scrolling may freeze if the page contains dynamic content (e.g., endless tape in TikTok or Facebook.

5 Where screenshots are stored and how to find them

By default, all screenshots on the Xiaomi Mi A3 are saved in the Pictures → Screenshots folder. However, the path may be different if you use third-party apps or cloud services.

How to quickly find screenshots:

• 📂 Open the Gallery app and go to the Screenshots album".
• 🔍 Enter the request "screenshot" in the file manager search".
• 🌐 If sync with Google Photos is enabled, screens are automatically uploaded to the cloud in the Screenshots folder".

If the screenshots are missing:

• 🔄 Check the folder "DCIM → Screenshots – Sometimes they are saved there.
• 🗑️ Make sure that you do not enable automatic deletion of old files in the storage settings.
• 🛠️ Use file recovery applications (such as DiskDigger) if screens were accidentally deleted.

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To keep screenshots from taking up space on your phone, enable automatic download in Google Photos: Settings → Backup and Sync. Photos will be accessible from any device, and originals can be deleted from your phone.

6.Challenges with screenshots on Mi A3 and their solutions

Even on a smartphone as reliable as the Mi A3, screenshots sometimes fail, and let's look at the common bugs and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The buttons don’t respond to the press.

• 🔋 Check if the battery is discharged (at the charge level) < 5% Some functions are turned off).
• 🔄 Reboot your phone – it resets temporary system crashes.
• 🛠️ If the buttons are not physically pressed, it may have been moisture or dirt (cleaning is needed).

Problem 2: Screenshot is taken, but not saved.

• 📁 Check if there is enough space in the phone’s memory (needs at least 100MB of free space).
• 🚫 Make sure the Gallery app has permission to access the storage.
• 🔧 Reset the Media Storage app settings in Settings → Annexes.

Problem 3: The hand gesture stopped working.

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → System system → Gestures and turn on the function again.
• 📱 Update the firmware – in the old versions of Android One were bugs with gesture recognition.
• 🧪 Try calibrating the touch screen through the engineering menu (code ##6484##).

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If none of these methods work, check if there are apps on your phone to block screenshots (such as AppLock or corporate apps). MDM-They can turn off this function completely.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi Mi A3