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

Taking a screenshot on Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task, as long as you don’t encounter unexpected nuances. For example, on new models Redmi Note 13 Pro+ or Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the standard combination of buttons may not work due to customized firmware MIUI, and on devices with cutouts under the camera (“monobrov”) swipe gesture three fingers often works by accident, meanwhile, the ability to quickly fix the screen will come in handy for saving important correspondence, to demonstrate errors in applications, and even to create memes.

In this article, we'll look at all the current ways to take a screenshot on Xiaomi, from the classic to the little-known, including methods for devices with broken buttons or a broken touchscreen. And you'll also learn how to edit screenshots immediately after you've created, where they're saved by default, and why screenshots sometimes turn black.

1. Standard method: button combination

This is a universal method that works on all Xiaomi models, from the budget Redmi A2 to the flagship Xiaomi 14. The algorithm is simple: simultaneously press the power button and the volume button for 1-2 seconds. Hold longer is not necessary – the system recognizes the press instantly.

What happens next:

• 📸 The screen will blink (or an animation of the camera shutter will appear in the MIUI 14+).
• 🔊 The sound of the shutter will sound (if not disabled in the settings).
• 📁 In the top notification bar will appear preview screenshot with the buttons Share and Delete.

On some models (such as the POCO F5 or Black Shark 5 Pro), the combination may differ due to the game mode.

Power button + Volume button

⚠️ Note: On devices with an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware (such as LineageOS), the standard combination can trigger a reboot menu.

2. Three-finger swipe gesture

The Screenshot by Gesture feature was introduced in MIUI 9 and has since become one of the most convenient features to activate:

1. Go to Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
2. Find the Screenshot swipe down option (or three-finger screenshot in the new versions).
3. Turn on the switch and select the swipe direction (usually down).

Now you just swipe your three fingers across the screen from top to bottom (or bottom to top depending on your settings) to take a picture.

• ⚡ Instantly activate – no need to look for buttons.
• 🎮 Ideal for games (such as Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile, where power and volume buttons are occupied by the gamepad.
• 🔧 It works even with switched off hardware buttons.

Cons:

• 👎 It can work accidentally when scrolling the tape in social networks.
• 🔄 On some models (Redmi) 10C, POCO M4 Pro) gesture conflicts with swipe navigation.

Activate option in settings |Select swipe direction |Test on home screen |Deactivate conflicting gestures-->

3. Screenshot via notification panel

If the physical buttons on your Xiaomi don’t work (for example, after a drop or moisture), use the Quick Settings Panel:

1. Pull the notification curtain down twice (to open the full panel).
2. Find the screenshot icon (usually a scissors or screen thumbnail).
3. Slip it on it - the picture will be taken instantly.

If the icon is missing:

• 🔧 Click on the pencil (panel editing) → Find a screenshot in the list of inactive items.
• 📱 Drag it to the top (active buttons).

This is useful for Xiaomi tablets (such as the Xiaomi Pad 6), where gestures can conflict with multitasking, and it is useful if you use one hand – you do not need to stretch your fingers to the buttons.

4. Voice assistant Google or Xiao AI

You can take a hands-free screenshot using voice commands, which can be useful if you are busy (for example, cooking with a prescription on a screen) or if the touchscreen does not respond to touch.

Method 1: Google Assistant

1. Activate the assistant with your voice (OK, Google) or hold the Home button (on older models).
2. Say, Take a screenshot or a screenshot.

Method 2: Xiao AI (China-only/Global MIUI with Sino-based firmware)

1. Hold the Home button or say Xiao AI.
2. Say: (jiétú - "screenshot" in Chinese) or Screenshot.

Limitations:

• 🔇 It only works when connected to the Internet (for speech recognition).
• 📵 In some models (POCO X5 Pro) voice screenshot disabled by default for security reasons.

💡

If the voice assistant doesn't recognize the command, try saying it in English: "Take a screenshot." Often this works even on Russian-language firmware.

5. Screenshot in games and applications with lock

Some apps (like Netflix, SberBank Online, or cheat-proof games) block screenshots for security reasons, and in such cases, the screen just flashes, but the picture is not saved. How do you get around the restriction?

Option 1: Use Google Assistant (bypass for some applications)

Sometimes the voice command will go off where the gestures and buttons are blocked. Try saying, OK, Google, take a screenshot right in the blocked app.

Option 2: Record the screen with the subsequent frame

• 🎥 Enable screen recording through the notification panel.
• 📱 Record the right moment (2-3 seconds).
• 🖼️ Open the video in the gallery, pause and take a screenshot of the frame.

Option 3: ADB-Team (for advanced users)

If you have USB debugging and access to ADB, you can take a picture via your computer:

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png

The file will be saved in the root folder of the device.

⚠️ Note: Screenshots of banking applications or platforms from DRM-protection (e.g. Disney)+) You may be suspended for security reasons. Don't take risks unless you're sure of the consequences.

6 Where screenshots are saved and how to edit them

By default, all screenshots on Xiaomi are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

or (on some firmware):

/DCIM/Screenshots/

To quickly find the screenshots:

• 🔍 Open the gallery. → Albums. → Screenshots.
• 📂 Or use Explorer (File Manager app from Xiaomi).

Editing immediately after creation:

In MIUI 12+, after you take a screenshot, you see a thumbnail in the notification, and you tap it to:

• ✏️ Cut edges (tooling staffing).
• 🎨 Draw arrows or text (tools Pen and Text).
• 🖼️ Blurring Personal Data (Mosaic Tool).

On devices with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi) K60 Pro screenshots in a dark theme are saved with real black pixels (rather than gray), which saves battery power when viewing.

7. Common problems and solutions

Problem 1: Screenshots are made black

This is a common error on MediaTek processor devices (such as Redmi 10A or POCO M5) when using a swipe gesture.

• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 📱 Turn off the gesture and use the buttons or notification panel.
• 🔧 Update the firmware to the latest version MIUI.

Problem 2: The button combination is not working

Possible causes:

• 🔋 Battery discharge (below 5%) – the system blocks “extra” functions.
• 🔒 Child or Guest mode in security settings.
• 🛠️ Damaged buttons – check their performance in Settings → The phone. → Diagnostics.

Problem 3: Screenshots are not saved

Check it out.

• 📁 Is there enough space in the device memory (needs at least 100 MB).
• 🚫 Is access to storage for the Gallery application disabled.
• 🔄 Is incognito mode enabled in some launchers (for example, POCO Launcher).

💡

If screenshots are no longer saved after the MIUI update, reset the Gallery app settings (Settings → Apps → Gallery → Storage → Reset).

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi