How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi 11: all ways + secret MIUI chips

Xiaomi 11 is a flagship smartphone with an abundance of features, but even power users sometimes don’t know all the ways to create screenshots. The standard combination of buttons Loud down + Power doesn’t always work: for example, with a broken mechanical key or in games where on-screen gestures are turned off. In this article, 5 proven methods, including voice commands, three-finger swipe and even creating long screenshots of scrolling pages.

The Xiaomi 11 (11 Lite 5G NE, 11T Pro, 11 Ultra) feature is the MIUI 12.5+ branded shell, which hides some of the features in the depth of the menu. We will show you exactly where to look for gesture settings, how to set up a voice assistant for screenshots, and what to do if the smartphone does not respond to standard combinations.

1. Classic method: Volume buttons + power

The most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones is to simultaneously press Volume Down + Power. On Xiaomi 11, this combination works even on a locked screen (if the appropriate setting is enabled).

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 Open the screen you want to capture (application, web page, settings).
• 🔘 Press the Volume button down (left side of the body) and do not let go.
• 🔄 Press the power button (right side) and hold both 1-2 seconds.
• 📸 You will hear the sound of the camera shutter and see the animation of the save in the upper right corner.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi 11 Ultra with physical camera button (model) M2102K1G) Accidentally tapping it while you're taking a screenshot can open the camera app. To avoid this, keep your finger closer to the center of the power button.

If the combination does not work:

• 🔧 Check if the hardware buttons are disabled in Settings → Special facilities → System settings → Power and volume buttons.
• 🔄 Restart your smartphone – sometimes system lags block the processing of clicks.
• 🛠️ In the models with MIUI 13+ Update the firmware: in the old versions there was an error with a conflict of gestures and buttons.

2. Three-finger gesture: swipe down

The MIUI feature is to swipe three fingers across the screen, which is convenient for games (such as Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile) where the buttons are occupied by the gamepad, or if the mechanical keys are worn out.

How to turn on:

1. Open Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
2. Slip on the item Screenshot with three fingers.
3. Activate the switch and select the swipe direction (default - down).

How to use:

• 👆 Place three fingers on the screen (for example, index, middle and ring fingers).
• 🔽 Quickly swipe down without tearing your fingers off until an animation screenshot appears.
• 🎯 For accuracy, train on a blank screen – a swipe that is too slow can open the notification bar.

💡

If the gesture is triggered by chance (e.g., when scrolling through the tape in TikTok), reduce sensitivity in settings or turn off the feature for specific applications through Settings → Apps → Permissions → Special Access → Gestures.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi 11T Pro (model) 2108119DG) with a 120Hz refresh rate, the gesture may not work if Adaptive Frequency is enabled in the display settings. Switch to a fixed 60Hz or 120Hz for stable operation.

3. Voice assistant: "OK, Google" or Xiao AI

If your hands are busy or your buttons are not working, you can take a screenshot with your voice. On Xiaomi 11, two assistants are available:

• 🤖 Google Assistant (works on all models with Google Mobile Services).
• 🗣️ Xiao AI (Chinese MIUI, requires separate setup).

Instructions for Google Assistant:

1. Activate the assistant with the phrase “OK, Google” or hold the Home button.
2. Say, "Take a screenshot" or "Photograph the screen."
3. Confirm the action (if required) and wait for the preservation.

For Xiao AI (only on Chinese firmware):

Settings → Xiao AI → Voice commands → Add command → Select “Screenshot”

Then say, "" (Xiao AI, take a screenshot).

Limitations of the method:

• 🔇 Does not work in Do Not Disturb mode or with the microphone turned off.
• 📵 Requires an internet connection to handle the command (except offline Google Assistant mode).
• 🔒 On some banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff) voice commands are blocked for security reasons.

4. Long screenshot: Scrolling pages

A standard screenshot captures only the visible part of the screen, but what if you want to save the entire web page or chat in Telegram? MIUI has a Scrolling Screenshot (or Scrolling Screenshot) feature.

How to do this:

1. Create a regular screenshot in any of the ways described above.
2. Immediately after the miniature appears in the upper right corner, tap it.
3. In the editor that opens, select the Scroll button (the icon with two arrows) ⤵️).
4. Wait for the page to automatically scroll and click Ready.

⚠️ Note: The feature doesn't work in all apps. Here's the compatibility table for Xiaomi 11:

Xiaomi 11 Ultra

3200×1440

10-15 MB

Quality: Medium

5. Screenshot via the notification menu (hidden method)

A little-known feature of MIUI is the screenshot button in the Quick Settings panel, which saves you if the buttons or gestures don't work, but the screen responds to touch.

How to add a button:

1. Pull down the notification bar (swipe from the top edge of the screen).
2. Slap the icon. ⚙️ (Edit).
3. Find in the list Screenshot (icon with scissors) 🖼️) And drag it to the active area.
4. Press Ready.

Now to create a screenshot:

1. Open the screen.
2. Swipe down, call the notification panel.
3. Slip on the added screenshot button.

💡

This method is the only working way to take a screenshot on the Xiaomi 11 with a broken sensor, if the rest of the screen features are saved.

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS) may not have a screenshot button in the notification bar. ADB-team:

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png

(Requires PC connection and enabled USB debugging).

Where are screenshots stored and how to edit them

By default, all screenshots on Xiaomi 11 are saved in the folder: /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

or

Internal storage → DCIM → Screenshots

To quickly find the screenshots:

• 📁 Open the Files app. → Categories → Images → Screenshots.
• 🔍 Enter the search for Gallery type:screenshot.
• 🤖 Use voice query: "Show me my screenshots".

The built-in MIUI editor allows:

• 🎨 Cut, rotate, add text or drawings.
• 🔍 Blurr part of the image (Mosaic function).
• 📤 Share directly in messengers or the cloud.

💡

If you want to save a screenshot in high quality (for example, for printing), before editing, convert it to.png format via the Snapseed or Lightroom application.

Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE

2109119DG

1080×2400

Ultra-quality

1440×3200

Frequent problems and solutions

On Xiaomi 11 with MIUI 13.0.4+ firmware, when holding the volume and power buttons for more than 3 seconds, emergency call mode (SOS) is turned on instead of a screenshot. To avoid this, reduce the retention time in the settings:

Settings → Memory and buttons → Power button → Disable “Emergency call”

Other common mistakes:

• 🔕 No sound when screenshot: check if system sounds are turned off in Settings → Sounds and vibrations → Systemic sounds.
• 📱 Screenshot not saved: free up space in internal memory (required) ≥50MB).
• 🔄 Gesture with three fingers lays: turn off animation in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → Additionally. → Animation. = 0.5x.

If the screenshots are kept in low quality:

1. Open Settings → Screen → Screen resolution and select FHD+.
2. In the editor of screenshots before saving click ⋮ → Quality. → High.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions