How to Take a Screenshot on Xiaomi: All Ways (2026)

Screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones are not just about saving the screen, but about an arsenal of content tools. Whether you want to capture an important message on Telegram, save the result in a mobile game or share an error in the app, being able to quickly take screenshots saves time and nerves. But if you just switched from an iPhone or other Android device, standard button combinations can be confusing.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to create screenshots on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones, from the classic Power + Volume Down to the hidden chips of MIUI 14/15. We will focus on the problems faced by users (for example, why a screenshot is not saved or how to take a picture on a locked screen), and at the end – answers to frequent questions and life hacks for advanced people.

1. Classical method: Power + Volume Down buttons

It’s a versatile method that works on all Xiaomi models, from the budget Redmi 12C to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

• 📱 Press the Power button and Volume Down button at the same time).
• 🎯 Hold them down. 1-2 seconds until the screen blinks and save animations appear.
• 📁 Screenshot is automatically saved in the folder DCIM → Screenshots or Pictures → Screenshots.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5) Holding the buttons too long can cause the shutdown menu. If it does, just press Cancel and try again with a shorter press.

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If you have a magnetic lock case (such as a book), remove it before you create a screenshot – the magnet can block the Power button.

This method works even if:

• 🔄 The phone is getting stuck (but reacting to buttons).
• 🔒 The screen is locked (on some firmware).
• 🎮 You are in game mode (unless gestures are disabled).

2. Three finger gesture (the fastest way)

The MIUI signature feature is a screenshot of three fingers down swipe. This method is 2 times faster than a combination of buttons, and is ideal for scrolling the page and saving content at the same time.

How to turn on (if not working by default):

1. Open Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
2. Select the screenshot with three fingers.
3. Activate the switch and test the gesture on any screen.

Enable the function in settings | Check swipe sensitivity |Try on different screens |Try to disable conflicting gestures (e.g., "three-finger swipe up")

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🔹 Advanced Life Hack: If you swipe down with a three-finger gesture and hold your finger, you will open a Scrolling Screenshot menu – so you can save an entire web page or a long chat in one file.

Power buttons + Volume Down|Three-finger gesture|Voice assistant|Other-->

3.Voice command "Take a screenshot"

If your hands are busy or your buttons are not working, Xiaomi’s voice assistant (formerly Xiao AI) will come to the rescue, a method that is especially convenient for users with disabilities or while streaming.

How to activate:

1. Make sure the Voice Assistant is enabled (Settings → Applications → Voice Assistant).
2. Say “OK Google, take a screenshot” or “Xiao AI, screenshot” (depending on the firmware).

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) Voice screenshots may not work in banking apps or games due to security restrictions MIUI.

📌 Alternative: If the voice assistant is disabled, use Google Assistant (install it from the Play Market if it is remote»**.

4. Screenshot via notification panel (for MIUI 14/15)

Recent versions of MIUI have a quick screenshot button in the notification curtain, which is a rescue if you have a broken power button or prefer to control your phone with one hand.

How to add a button:

1. Swipe down to open the notification panel.
2. Press on. ⚙️ («Edit") or hold an empty space in the curtain.
3. Find the Screenshot icon (usually looking like a scissor or a rectangle with lightning) and drag it to the active area.

Now, one tap is enough to take a screenshot, and this works even in:

• 🎮 Games (unless blocked by the developer).
• 📺 Video players (for example, on YouTube or Netflix).
• 🔒 Applications with protection (if there is no ban on screenshots).

💡

A screenshot button in the curtain is the only way to take a screenshot if the physical buttons or sensor are not working.

5. Scrolling screenshot (long screen)

If you want to save the entire chat in Telegram, a page in Chrome or a feed in Instagram, a simple screenshot will not help.

How to do this:

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after saving the screen at the bottom, a screenshot will appear - tap on it.
3. Select the Scrolling option (or Long Screenshot).
4. You'll automatically start scrolling down the page. Press Stop when you need to finish.

⚠️ Note: The feature does not work in all applications, for example, in VKontakte or TikTok, it can be blocked, and the scrolling screenshot does not store dynamic content (for example, videos or animations).

6. Screenshot on the locked screen (without unlocking)

Can you take a screenshot without unlocking your phone? Yes, but with reservations. It only works on some models and versions of MIUI:

• 🔑 Xiaomi. 13/14 Redmi Note 12 s MIUI 14+: hold on to the power + Volume Down on the locked screen. Screenshot will be saved, but only the lock screen will be visible (wallpaper, time, notifications).
• 🚫 On older models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) Or with custom firmware, this method does not work.

🔹 Bypass: If you want to take a picture of a specific notification, open the curtain on the locked screen (swipe down) and take a screenshot in the standard way.

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To hide sensitive notifications (such as from banking apps) on the lock screen, go to Settings → Screen Lock → Notifications on the lock screen and select Hide Content.

7. Problem Solving: Screenshot is not saved or working

If suddenly screenshots are no longer saved or the phone is not responding to commands, check these points:

🛠️ Radical solution: If none of the methods work, check the settings MIUI:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Permissions → Autostart.
2. Find the Screenshot Service (or MIUI Screenshot) and enable auto-start.
3. Reboot the phone.

If the problem persists, it may be a firmware bug, upgrade MIUI to the latest version, or reset (but don’t forget the backup!).

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi