How to take a screenshot on a Xiaomi smartphone: all the ways of 2026

You can take a screenshot of Xiaomi in seconds, if you know all the ways available. The manufacturer offers users 5 different methods, from the classic combination of buttons to voice commands and gestures. But not all of them work equally well on different models of Redmi, POCO or Mi, and some features can be hidden in the settings of MIUI 14/15.

In this article, you will find not only standard instructions, but also unique life hacks for Xiaomi – for example, how to take a long screenshot of a scrolling page or save a screenshot without notifying you of creation. Why screenshots are not saved, how to change the file format (PNG/JPEG) Where to find hidden photos in the file manager.

Whether you have a Xiaomi 14 Ultra flagship or a budget Redmi Note 12, all methods are tested on current firmware versions, and if your phone doesn’t respond to standard combinations, there’s a troubleshooting section at the end of the article.

1. Classic method: power and volume buttons

The most reliable method that works on all Xiaomi models – from Redmi 9A to Xiaomi 13T Pro. The combination of buttons is universal and does not depend on the version of MIUI or the HyperOS shell.

To take a screenshot:

1. Open on the screen what you want to capture (message, page in the browser, game).
2. Press the power button (on) and the volume button at the same time.
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the sound of the camera shutter and see the animation of the screenshot.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5) Prolonged retention of these buttons can cause a reboot menu.If it does, just press Cancel and try again with a shorter press.

Where to look for a finished screenshot?

• 📁 In the gallery: Screenshots folder (or Screenshots)
• 🔍 Through File Manager: Internal Storage → Pictures → Screenshots
• 📱 In notifications: swipe down and tap on the screenshot preview

2. Three-finger gesture (swipe down)

A MIUI signature feature that eliminates the need to press buttons. The feature is available on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with the MIUI firmware version 9 and later.

How to turn on and use:

1. Go to Settings → Additional Features → Gestures → Screenshot with three fingers.
2. Activate the switch (should turn blue).
3. Return to the screen you want to capture and swipe three fingers down the display (as if you were swiping the screen).

🔹 Advantages of the method: works in games where the buttons are occupied by the gamepad, and does not require accurate pressing. 🔹 Disadvantage: Sometimes it works accidentally when scrolling pages.

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If the gesture doesn't work, check if it's turned off in the charge saving settings. Some modes (Ultra-saving) block background gestures.

What if the gesture is in conflict with other functions?

• 🔧 Disable the Smart Assistant in gesture settings (it can intercept swipes).
• 🎮 In games, use Game Turbo – there is a separate setting for screenshots.
• 👆 Try swipe not strictly vertically, but diagonally (left to right down).

3. Voice command "OK Google" or Alice

If your hands are busy or your buttons are not working, you can take a screenshot with your voice, and this is suitable for Google Assistant (on international firmware) or Alice from Yandex (on Russian versions of MIUI).

Method 1: Google Assistant

1. Activate the voice assistant with the phrase “OK Google” or hold the Home button.
2. Say, “Take a screenshot” or “Take a screenshot.”
3. Confirm the action (if required).

Method 2: through Alice (Yandex)

1. Open the Yandex app with Alice’s widget or say “Alice.”
2. Say, "Take a screenshot of the screen."
3. Wait for notification of the photo creation.

⚠️ Note: Voice screenshots may not work in banking apps, screen lock games, and some versions MIUI China (due to privacy policy restrictions).

4.Screenshot button in notification panel

A little-known but convenient way is to add a button to the notification curtain, eliminating the need to remember gestures or combinations.

How to set up:

1. Swipe down to open the notification panel.
2. Put it on the icon. ⚙️ (Edit).
3. Find a Screenshot (or Screenshot) in the list and drag it to the active area.
4. Now, when swiping down, just press this button to take a screenshot.

🔹 Plus: It works with one hand and does not require precise movements. 🔹 Cons: The button takes up space in the curtain that could be used for other functions (e.g., Flashlight or Airplane Mode).

5. Long (scrollable) screenshot

If you want to save an entire web page, a correspondence in a messenger or a long list, a standard screenshot will not work. MIUI has a Scrolling Screenshot function that glues several frames into a single file.

How to do this:

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the preview appears in the lower right corner of the screen, tap on it.
3. In the editor that opens, select Scroll (an icon with two arrows down).
4. Wait until the system automatically scrolls through the page and connects the pieces into one snapshot.
5. Press Ready to save the result.

⚠️ Note: Not all apps are available, for example, Instagram or TikTok may block a long screenshot due to privacy policy, and it is not available in games and some banking programs.

Where does the long screenshot remain?

• 📁 In the same Screenshots folder, but marked _long_ file-name.
• 📏 File format — PNG (convertible JPEG galleryway).
• 🔗 In some versions MIUI Long screenshots are saved as PDF (For example, in Xiaomi 13 Pro).

6. Screenshot problems and their solution

Sometimes screenshots don't save, they turn black, they disappear from the gallery.-5 Problems and ways to correct them:

Problem 1: Screenshots are not saved

• 🔄 Check the space available on your phone (need a minimum of 100MB in memory).
• 📂 Go to Settings. → Warehouse → Folders. → Screenshots and clear the cache.
• 🔧 Update the Gallery app through Google Play.

Problem 2: Black screenshot

This is due to blocking screen recording in some applications (banks, secure messengers, Netflix).

• 🔐 Enable Developer Mode and turn off Screenshot Ban (if available).
• 📱 Use an external camera (take a picture of the screen with another phone).
• 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC and take a picture via scrcpy or Vysor.

Problem 3: No sound when taking a screenshot

• 🔊 Check if the shutter sound is turned off in the camera settings.
• 🎵 Make sure your phone is not in silent mode.
• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Sounds and vibrations → System sounds and turn on screenshot.

Problem 4: Screenshots are kept in low quality

By default, MIUI saves the images in screen resolution, but sometimes compression spoils the details.

• 📏 Open the screenshot in the Gallery, click Edit → Save as a copy and select the maximum quality.
• 🔧 In Camera Settings, turn off Screenshot Optimization (if there is such a item).

Problem 5: The three-finger gesture doesn't work

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📱 Check if the Gloves Mode is on (it can block multi-touch).
• 🛠️ Reset your gesture settings: Settings → Additional functions → Gestures → Drop it.

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If none of these methods work, check if the phone has an app to block screenshots (e.g. AppLock or corporate apps). MDM-decision).

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi