How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi with Android 10: all ways + secret MIUI chips

Creating screenshots on Xiaomi Android 10 smartphones seems like a simple task — until you face the unexpected limitations of the MIUI shell. The classic keyboard combination does not always work, and gesture controls often conflict with the manufacturer's settings. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to take a screenshot on Redmi, Poco and Mi series devices, including little-known functions like Quick Ball and voice commands.

Android 10 on Xiaomi has built-in tools for working with screenshots right after they are created: editing, text recognition and instant sending. But to use these chips, you first need to take a proper screenshot. We tested all the methods on popular models of 2019-2021 (Redmi Note 8 Pro, Mi 9T, Poco X3 NFC) and found nuances that are not written in the official instructions.

1. Classical method: button combination

The most reliable method, which works on all Xiaomi devices regardless of the version of MIUI.

1. Open the screen that you want to capture.
2. Press the power button and the volume down button at the same time.
3. Hold for 1-2 seconds until you hear the shutter sound and see the save animation.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Poco) F1, Mi Mix 3) this combination can trigger a Power Menu menu instead of a screenshot:

• 🔧 Check if the volume button is assigned to another gesture in Settings → Buttons and gestures → Button gestures.
• 📱 Try to hold the buttons 0.5 seconds longer – sometimes it works with longer hold.
• 🔄 Reboot the device – rarely, but helps with press processing failures.

Where to look for a screenshot? By default, files are saved to the Pictures/Screenshots or DCIM/Screenshots folder. In MIUI 12+, a thumbnail appears in the lower right corner after you create the picture - tap it for quick editing or sending.

2. Gesty method: three-finger swipe

Xiaomi has added a handy gesture to MIUI for screenshots, which is to swipe three fingers across the screen from top to bottom, and the default feature is disabled, so you need to activate it first:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot.
2. Turn the Three-Finger Swipe switch down.
3. (Optional) Adjust the sensitivity of the gesture - if the swipe is low, it should be sharper.

💡 Useful advice: If the gesture doesn’t work, check it out:

• 🧹 Screen cleanliness – greasy spots or moisture interfere with touch recognition.
• 📵 No magnetic clasp cases – they can block the sensor.
• 🔧 Settings For developers (if included) - the setting Debugging by USB Sometimes conflicting with gestures.

The advantage of this method is that you can take a screenshot with one hand without intercepting your smartphone, and the disadvantage is that you can accidentally trigger your web page or play a game, and to turn off the gesture, go back to the same settings and deactivate the option.

3. Quick Ball - floating assistant for screenshots

Quick Ball is a virtual button that appears on top of any screen, not only makes it easier to take screenshots, but also gives you quick access to other features (Go Back, Home, Recent Apps) to customize:

1. Open the Settings. → Additionally. → Quick Ball.
2. Turn on the slider at the top of the screen.
3. In the Functions section, add a Screenshot (scissors icon) to the quick action list.
4. Set the transparency, size and position of the button on the screen.

Now to take a screenshot:

1. Slip on Quick Ball (by default - a translucent circle at the edge of the screen).
2. Select the screenshot icon in the radial menu.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 7, Mi) A3) Quick Ball can interfere with navigational gestures MIUI. If the button does not appear after activation:

• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 📱 Check if the button is hidden by the running application (for example, games in full screen mode).
• 🔧 In Quick Ball settings, change the position of the button to the opposite edge of the screen.

Quick Ball is the only way to take a screenshot on Xiaomi with the physical buttons that are broken (for example, after a drop or moisture hit).

4. Voice assistant Google or Xiao AI

If you need to take a screenshot without touching the screen (for example, when recording a video or a broken display), use voice commands. There are two options:

Method 1: Google Assistant

It works on all devices with Google Services:

1. Activate the voice assistant with the phrase “OK, Google” or holding the Home button.
2. Say, Take a screenshot or a screenshot.

Method 2: Xiao AI (China/Global MIUI only)

Xiaomi’s built-in assistant understands commands in Chinese and English:

1. Hold the Home button or say Hey, Xiao AI.
2. Say: Take a screenshot or (in Chinese).

💡 Advice: If voice commands don't work:

• 🔊 Check the permissions for Google or Xiao AI In Settings → Annexes → Permits.
• 🌐 Make sure the voice input language matches the system language (Settings) → Additionally. → Language and input).
• 🎤 Recalibrate the microphone in the settings of the voice assistant.

The screenshot is saved with a delay of 1-2 seconds, so dynamic content (video, animations) may not get into the frame.

5. Screenshot via the notification menu (for MIUI 11 and later)

MIUI 11+ now has the ability to take a screenshot through the notification panel, which is convenient if you don't want to remember gestures or button combinations.

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the screenshot icon in the quick settings. If it's not there:

Click on the icon – the picture will be taken instantly.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI Global Stable for Redmi Note 8) The screenshot icon may not be on the quick settings list:

• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📦 Install the patch. MIUI Tweaks via Magisk (root rights required).

The advantage of the method is that you can take a screenshot in one touch without blocking the screen, and the disadvantage is that it occupies space in the notification panel, which many users already overload with shortcuts.

6. Screenshot of a long page (scrollable)

Xiaomi has built into MIUI a feature to create scrolling screenshots — snapshots of long web pages, chats or documents — that doesn't work in all apps, but covers 80 percent of the time.

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the appearance of the picture thumbnail, tap on it.
3. In the editor that opens, select Scroll (the icon with the arrows down).
4. Wait until the system automatically scrolls the page and connects the frames.

📊 Compatibility table of scrolling screenshots:

⚠️ Note: Scrolling screenshots are saved in.png format and can weigh up to 10-15 MB. Before sending through messengers, it is recommended to compress them using applications like Photo Compress or Lit Photo.

Problem Solving: Screenshot is not saved or black screen

Sometimes, after you press a button or gesture, the screenshot is not saved, or instead of the image, a black square appears.

• 🔒 DRM-Protection: Apps like Netflix, Banking Apps or Disney+ They block screenshots of security policies, and you can't get around that, and even root access won't help.
• 📱 Memory Lack: If the device has less than 500MB of free space, the system may not save pictures. → Memory.
• 🔧 Failure MIUI: Reset your phone. If the problem is repeated, reset your Settings. → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting application settings.
• 🛠️ Damaged software: Custom firmware (like LineageOS) may not support screenshots. MIUI via Fastboot.

💡 Useful Lifehack: If a screenshot is taken but not displayed in the gallery, check the folder Pictures/Screenshots through a file manager (e.g. Mi File Explorer). MIUI Does not update the media index.

💡

A black screenshot is 90% DRM-related, so check if you're trying to take a picture on a banking app or streaming service.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi