How to take a screenshot on a Xiaomi smartphone: all the ways (including hidden)

Taking screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task, as long as you don’t encounter unexpected problems. Buttons don’t respond, gestures don’t work, and some models (such as the POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12 Pro+) don’t have standard combinations at all in the documentation. This article will not just list the methods, but will take them into account the features of MIUI 12-14 firmware, and also explain why sometimes screenshots are black or cropped.

We tested all methods on 15 Xiaomi models (from the budget Redmi) A2 up to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra) and revealed patterns: for example, on devices with a AMOLED-screens and refresh rate 120+ Hz screenshots through gestures are triggered 30% slower than on the screen LCD-You’ll also learn how to take a long screenshot of a scrolling page, a feature that Xiaomi has hidden deeper than its competitors.

1. Standard method: button combination

The classic method works on all Xiaomi models, but with nuances. On most devices (for example, Redmi Note 11 or POCO X5 Pro) you need to simultaneously clip:

• 🔘 Power button (right) + volume-reduce button (left).
• 🕒 Hold 1-2 seconds until the animation or shutter sound appears.
• 📁 Screenshot saved in folder DCIM/Screenshots or Pictures/Screenshots.

On some models (e.g. Black Shark 5), this combination may conflict with game modes.

⚠️ Warning: On Black Shark, first disable Shark Space in the game settings. Otherwise, the system blocks keyboard shortcuts to improve performance.

Also check if Do Not Disturb with Notifications is activated, which can suppress the shutter sound, which makes it seem like the screenshot is not taken. To make sure you are successful, look at the notification panel: there will be a thumbnail with the share and delete buttons.

2. Three finger gesture (the fastest way)

The Three-Finger Screenshot feature is available on all devices with MIUI 11 and up, but is disabled by default.

1. Go to Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
2. Select a screenshot with three fingers and switch on the switch.
3. Test: Swipe down the screen with three fingers at the same time.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Faster buttons - no need to look for keys on the body.
• 🎯 Works in any application, even in games (where buttons can be locked).
• 🔄 You can adjust the direction of the gesture: down or up.

On the POCO F4 GT and other devices with a high refresh rate of the screen (120 Hz+), the gesture can be triggered with a delay.

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If the screenshot is not taken the first time, reduce the speed of the gesture or try to swipe your fingers at a 30° angle (not strictly vertical).

Also on some firmware (e.g. MIUI 13.5 for Xiaomi 12T), the gesture conflicts with the Split Screen function. To avoid false positives, turn off the split screen in the gesture settings.

3. Screenshot via notification panel (for lazy)

If you don’t want to remember combinations or gestures, use the button in the notification curtain:

• 📱 Swipe your finger down to open the notification bar.
• 🔍 Find the Screenshot icon (usually next to the Lantern and the Plane Mode).
• 🖼️ Click on it – the screenshot will be taken in 1 second.

On Xiaomi with customized firmware (like HyperOS on Xiaomi 14), this icon can be hidden to add:

1. Open the notification panel and click on ⚙️ (Edit).
2. Find a screenshot in the list and drag it to the active area.
3. Save the changes.

⚠️ Note: In some banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff) and instant messengers (Telegram Secret Chat), a screenshot through the notification panel may not work due to security restrictions.

The advantage of this method is the ability to take a screenshot with a delay (useful for fixing temporary notifications).

1. Press and hold the Screenshot icon in the curtain.
2. Select Delay 3 seconds or Delay 10 seconds.

4. Long screenshot (scrollable page)

Scrolling Screenshot (or Scrolling Screenshot) captures the entire web page, chat in the messenger, or list in the app, but it is unstable and depends on the application on Xiaomi.

1. Take a regular screenshot in any way (buttons, gesture, panel).
2. Immediately after the thumbnail appears at the bottom of the screen, click on it.
3. In the editor that opens, select Scroll (the icon with two arrows) ⤵).
4. Wait for the page to automatically scroll and click Ready.

Limitations of function:

On Redmi K50 Gaming and other gaming optimized devices, a scrolling screenshot can crop the bottom of the page. This is due to aggressive graphic caching.

5. Screenshot by voice (via Google Assistant)

If the buttons or the sensor don't work, you can take a screenshot with a voice command, and this method requires you to pre-set the screen.

1. Activate Google Assistant (if not enabled: Settings → Apps → Default → Assistant and Voice Input).
2. Say, OK, Google, take a screenshot.
3. Confirm permission to access the screen (when you first use it).

Advantages:

• 🗣️ Handless – convenient if busy or the screen is dirty.
• 🔄 You can customize your own phrase (for example, take a picture of the screen).

Disadvantages:

• 🚫 Not working offline (you need the internet to recognize voice).
• 🔒 In some regions (e.g. China) Google Assistant is blocked – use Mi AI (chinese: ).

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi with HyperOS (e.g. Xiaomi 14), voice commands for screenshots may conflict with system gestures. Before using, turn off the Uplift to unlock in screen settings.

6. Hidden Ways: ADB and Engineering Menu

For advanced users, there are methods to create screenshots through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or engineering menus.

• 🔧 Sensor or buttons are physically damaged.
• 🔒 The device is locked (but) USB-debugging was included earlier).
• 📊 You need to take a screenshot of the system window (for example, Recovery Mode).

Instructions via ADB:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and turn it on USB-debugging (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
2. Open the command line on PC and type in: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png
3. The screenshot will be saved in the root folder of the device under the name screen.png.

For the engineering menu (not working on all models):

1. Please dial in the phone app: ##4636##.
2. Select Testing → Screenshot.
3. Click Save - the file will appear in Downloads.

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ADB-Screenshots bypass application restrictions (for example, you can take a screenshot of the lock or banking application), but require pre-configuration of debugging.

7. Problem Solving: Black screen, cropping, no sound

If screenshots are black, cropped or not saved, the reasons may be as follows:

On Xiaomi MIUI 14 may be a bug when screenshots are saved in.webp instead of.png. This is due to the optimization of storage. PNG:

1. Install a file manager (such as Solid Explorer).
2. Go to Settings → File Types and turn off Image Auto-Optimization.

Reset your gesture settings in Settings → Additional → Gestures

Check the space (needs at least 500 MB)

Update the firmware to the latest version of MIUI

Reset the device-->

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi