How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Mi 6: all ways + problem solving

The Xiaomi Mi 6, released in 2017, remains a popular smartphone among users who appreciate reliability and performance. However, its MIUI firmware (even in current versions) has nuances when creating screenshots - especially if you are used to modern gestures or the Android 12+ interface. In this article, we will analyze all the working ways to take a screenshot on the Mi 6, including hidden features, and also solve typical problems: why screenshots do not save, how to change the format or find pictures in the gallery.

It’s important to consider that the Mi 6 came with MIUI 8 based on Android 7.1 Nougat, but many users have upgraded to MIUI 12/13 (Android 9/10) via custom firmware. We’ll look at options for all versions of the software, including official and unofficial builds. If your smartphone runs on stock firmware without updates, some methods may not be available.

1. Classic method: power buttons + volume

The most versatile method, working on any version of MIUI and even with an unlocked bootloader, is suitable for the Mi 6 regardless of the year of release or modification (for example, the Mi 6 Pro or the version with 128 GB of memory).

Instructions:

• 📱 Open on the screen what you want to capture (application, web page, settings).
• 🔘 Press the Power button (right) and the Volume Down button (left) at the same time).
• 🎵 Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the sound of the camera shutter and see the animation screenshot.
• 📁 The finished shot is automatically saved to the Screenshots (or Screenshots) folder in the gallery.

The screen is unlocked and active|The phone's memory isn't full.|Power and volume buttons are clean (no dirt)|The sound is not turned off (to hear the signal)-->

⚠️ Warning: If you have a magnetic lock case installed (like the original Xiaomi case), it can block the power button.

This method works even if:

• 🔄 The smartphone is frozen (but reacts to buttons).
• 📵 The touch screen is disabled (for example, after a fall).
• 🔒 Installed custom firmware without gestures.

2. Screenshot with three fingers (MIUI gesture)

The three-finger screenshot feature appeared in MIUI 9 and is saved in later versions. It's handy if physical buttons are worn out or you prefer gestures. On the Mi 6, this method only works when upgraded to MIUI 10+.

How to turn on and use:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot with three fingers.
2. Activate the switch (should turn blue).
3. Swipe down the screen with three fingers at the same time (no matter what hand).

Power buttons + volume | Three finger gesture | button in the notification curtain | Voice assistant | Another way-->

🔹 nuance:

• 🖐️ The gesture may conflict with other functions (e.g., fingerprint unlocking).
• 📏 Works only on the home screen or in apps – does not work in games with gesture blocking.
• 🔄 If the photo is not created, check if the gesture is disabled in the security settings.

3.Screenshot button in notification panel

The easiest, but often ignored, way is to use a quick bar (notification curtain), which works on all versions of MIUI for the Mi 6, including stock and custom firmware.

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the screen and open the desired content.
2. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
3. Find the screenshot icon (usually scissors) 🖇️ If you don't have one, press Edit. ⚙️) Add a button to the active button.
4. Slap the icon - the picture will be taken instantly.

⚠️ Note: In some firmware (for example, MIUI 12.5 Enhanced) The screenshot button can be hidden behind the swipe to the right on the notification bar!

4. Google Voice Assistant or Alice

If the buttons or sensor don't work, you can take a voice screenshot, which is suitable for the Mi 6 with Google Assistant or Yandex Alice installed.

Instructions for Google Assistant:

1. Activate the assistant with your voice (OK, Google) or hold the Home button (if it’s physical).
2. Say, "Take a screenshot" or "Screenshot."
3. Confirm the action (if required).

For Alice:

• 🗣️ Say, "Alice, take a screenshot".
• 📲 If voice input is not configured, open the Yandex app and tap the microphone.

🔹 Limitations:

• 🚫 Does not work in Safe Mode or if Accessibility rights for Assistant are disabled.
• 📵 Requires an Internet connection (to process voice commands).
• 🔒 In some banking applications, screenshots are blocked at the system level.

💡

If the voice assistant doesn’t recognize the command, try alternative phrases like “Photograph the screen,” “Save the current screen,” or “Seal the display.”

5. Screenshot by computer (ADB)

This method is useful if the sensor Mi 6 It's completely out of order, and the buttons are not responding. Windows/Linux, USB-cable and on-debugging USB.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the Mi 6 to your PC via USB.
2. Enable Developer Mode (if not enabled): Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (shap 7 times)
3. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
4. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into a folder.
5. Open the command line in this folder and type in: Adb devices (the serial number of your Mi 6 should appear).
6. Take a screenshot with the command: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png
7. Download the file on PC: adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

⚠️ Note: If Mi 6 is not defined in Adb devices, check it out:

• 🔌 Cable (Try the Original Xiaomi Cable).
• 🔄 Connection mode (should be File Transfer, not Charging).
• 🔧 Drivers (install Mi) PC Suite or Google USB Driver).

💡

ADB-Screenshots are saved in format PNG No compression – this is useful if you want maximum quality (for example, for printing or editing).

6. Solving Screenshot Problems on Mi 6

Even on a good Xiaomi Mi 6, you can have some errors when taking screenshots. Let's look at the typical problems and how to fix them.

🔴 Problem 1: Screenshots are not saved

Causes and solutions:

• 🗑️ I'm out of memory. → Clear the cache or transfer files to the memory card.
• 📁 Screenshot folder deleted → Create it manually in your internal memory. → Pictures.
• 🔒 Limitations of the annex → Some banks/messengers block screenshots (for example, SberBank Online or WhatsApp in incognito mode).
• 🛠️ Failure MIUI → Restart your phone or reset the Gallery app settings.

🔴 Problem 2: Screenshot turns black

It's typical of:

• 🎮 Games with screenshot protection (for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).
• 📺 Video players from DRM (Netflix, Disney+).
• 🔒 Confidential data applications (1Password, Telegram-secret chats).

🔹 Bypass: Use an external camera or screen recording (app) AZ Screen Recorder).

🔴 Problem 3: The buttons or gestures are not working

Check it out.

• 🔧 Gesture settings (possibly disabled in Settings) → Additionally. → Buttons and gestures).
• 🛡️ Antivirus or optimizer (e.g. Clean Master can block system functions).
• 📱 Castomic PO → Re-switch the smartphone to the official MIUI via Fastboot.

7 Where screenshots are stored and how to edit them

By default, screenshots on the Mi 6 are saved to:

Internal Memory → Pictures → Screenshots


(or /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/)

🔹 How to Change the Retention Place:

1. Open the gallery → Albums → Screenshots.
2. Tap it on three points. ⋮ → Settings.
3. Select the save folder and specify a new one (for example, on the SD-map).

🎨 Editing screenshots:

• 🖌️ Immediately after the creation of the picture, a toolbar will appear with options: Trimming, Drawing, Text, Blurring.
• 📤 For advanced editing, use Snapseed or Photoshop Express.
• 🔍 To find text in a screenshot, use Google Lens (built into Google Photos).

📌 Tip: If you often need long screenshots (like correspondence or web pages), install the LongShot or Stitch & Share app from the Play Market.

8. Alternative applications for screenshots

If the standard methods don't work, you can use third-party utilities, and they offer additional features: screen recording, editing, cloud storage.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party applications:

• 🔓 Give only the necessary permissions (such as Screen Recording or Overlaying on top of other apps).
• 🛡️ Check reviews – some utilities contain ads or collect data.
• 📵 Turn off autostart so as not to consume the battery.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi Mi 6