How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Poco M3: all ways + secret chips

Xiaomi Poco M3 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, but even its owners sometimes face the question: how to quickly take a screenshot of the screen? the official documentation offers only basic methods, and meanwhile the device supports at least 5 ways – from standard button combinations to voice commands and hidden gestures.

In this article, we will not only list all the available options, but also analyze the nuances: why screenshots are sometimes not saved, how to change the file format (PNG/JPEG), Where to find screen slices in the file manager and how to crop them without third-party applications. We will separately focus on common errors (for example, why Volume Down does not work). + Nutrition) and give tips on optimizing the process for gamers and users with disabilities.

If you're looking for the fastest way, you can go right to the three-finger gesture section. For those who want to automate the process, you can find information about the Google Assistant voice assistant and MIUI settings. And at the end of the article, you'll find an FAQ that answers the most common questions, including recovering randomly deleted screenshots.

1. Standard method: "Loudness down + Power" buttons

This is the most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones, including the Poco M3.

1. Open the screen you want to lock (for example, a page in the browser or a dialogue in the messenger).
2. At the same time, press the volume reduction button (on the left end) and the power button (on the right end).
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the sound of the camera shutter and see the animation of the save.

The screenshot will automatically be saved to the DCIM → Screenshots or Pictures → Screenshots folder (depending on the MIUI version).

• 🔋 Check if the battery is under 5%, in which case the system can ignore the pressing.
• 🖐️ Make sure you press the buttons simultaneously, rather than sequentially.
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone if the problem recurs (sometimes resetting button settings to Settings helps). → Additionally. → Buttons).

⚠️ Note: On some Poco firmware M3 (Especially custom) combination may conflict with the camera's quick start function. If you press the camera instead of the screenshot, turn off the option in Settings → Screen locking → Quick camera launch.

2. Three-finger gesture: quick screenshot without buttons

The MIUI feature is the ability to take screenshots with a simple Conductus gesture, which is convenient if the power or volume buttons are faulty, or you often take slices of the screen with one hand, to activate the function:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Special features → Three finger gestures.
2. Turn on the Screenshot Switch (or Screenshot in new MIUI versions).
3. Select the action: swipe down (for a screenshot) or left/right (for a page scroll).

Now to take a picture:

1. Touch the screen with three fingers at the same time (for example, index, middle and ring).
2. Swipe down the screen (as if you were swiping the content).
3. Release your fingers after vibration - screenshot ready!

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ It works even with physical buttons turned off.
• 👆 Convenient for large screens (no need to reach for buttons).
• 🔄 You can adjust the direction of the gesture to yourself.

⚠️ Warning: If the gesture doesn't work, check if Do Not Disturb or Game Turbo mode is on, they can block touch recognition. Also make sure there are no greasy spots or low-sensitivity protective film on the screen.

Activate function in settings | Check screen sensitivity | Disable conflicting modes (DND, game) |Try gesture on a clean screen (without open applications) |Update firmware if gesture lays-->

3. Voice assistant: "OK, Google, take a screenshot."

If you have Google Assistant enabled, you can take voice screenshots, which is useful when your hands are busy or you are driving (for example, you need to log the route in the navigator).

For Google Assistant:

1. Activate the assistant with the “OK, Google” command** or by holding the Home button.
2. Say “take a screenshot” or “screenshot”.
3. Confirm the action (if required).

For Alice (Yandex):

1. Press the Home button or say "Alice"
2. Say “take a screenshot” or “take a picture of the screen.”

Limitations of the method:

• 🗣️ It only works when connected to the Internet (voice commands are processed on servers).
• 🔒 In some applications (e.g. banking), voice screenshots may be blocked for security reasons.
• 📶 In noisy places, the assistant may not recognize the team.

If the voice screenshot does not work:

• 🔧 Check the permissions for Google Assistant in Settings → Annexes → All applications → Google → Permits.
• 🌐 Make sure that the voice language in the assistant settings matches the system language.
• 🔄 Restart the Google app or clear its cache.

💡

If the voice assistant does not recognize the command, try to pronounce it more clearly or use synonyms: “Photograph the screen”, “Capture the screen”, “Save the picture”.

4. Quick settings panel: screenshot in one tap

MIUI has a hidden option to add a screenshot button to the notification curtain, which is convenient if you often take screen slices and do not want to remember the combinations of buttons.

1. Open the notification curtain (swipe down from the top edge of the screen).
2. Slap the icon. ⚙️ «Edit" (or "Configure»).
3. Find the Screenshot (or Screenshot) tile in the list and drag it to the active area.
4. Press "Done"**.

Now to take a screenshot:

1. Open the notification curtain.
2. Slip on the screenshot icon**.
3. The screen will blink and the picture will be saved in the gallery.

Advantages of the method:

• 🎯 You don’t need to remember button combinations.
• 🖼️ You can take a screenshot even with locked physical buttons.
• ⚡ It works in any application (except secure, for example, banking).

5 Screenshot with Scrolling: How to Capture a Long Page

Poco M3 on MIUI 12/13/14 supports a scrolling screenshot (or long screenshot) feature, which is useful for saving entire web pages, chats or lists.

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after saving the bottom of the screen, a thumbnail with buttons will appear. Slip on "Scroll" (or "Long shot").
3. Wait until the system automatically scrolls down the page and connects the frames.
4. Click Save when you capture the desired fragment.

Limitations:

• 📄 It doesn’t work in some apps (e.g. Instagram, TikTok).
• 🔄 It can “get lost” if the page dynamically loads the content (for example, a VK feed).
• 📏 The maximum length of the screenshot is about 10 screens (the system then crops the image).

If the "Scroll" button does not appear:

• 🔧 Check if the function is included in the Settings → Additionally. → Screenshot. → Long screenshot.
• 📱 Update the firmware - in older versions MIUI (Below 12) this option may not be.
• 🛠️ Try using third-party apps like LongShot or Scroll Capture.

6.Editing and managing screenshots

Once you have created a screenshot of the Poco M3, you can edit it or share it immediately.

• 🖌️ Pruning: After saving, tap the thumbnail in the lower left corner → Choose "Edit»** → trim.
• 🎨 Drawing: Add text, arrows or blur with the built-in editor.
• 📤 Sharing: immediately share in instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) or social networks.
• 🗃️ Rename: Go to the Gallery → Albums. → Screenshots, click on the image → «Details» → «Rename»**.

Where the screenshots are stored:

• 📁 default folder: /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots or /DCIM/Screenshots.
• 🔍 How to find: Open the gallery → Go to the album "Screenshots»**.
• 🖥️ On PC: Connect your smartphone to USB in the "File Transfer" mode** and go to the specified folder.

How to change the format of screenshots (PNG → JPEG):

1. Install a file manager with renaming support (e.g. Solid Explorer).
2. Go to the folder with the screenshots.
3. Select the file → “Rename”** → replace the extension from.png to.jpg.
4. Confirm the change.

⚠️ Note: When converting from PNG into JPEG Transparency is lost (if any) and quality may deteriorate. For professional use (for example, for web design), it is better to leave the original format.

💡

The built-in MIUI editor allows you to add text, arrows and mosaics to screenshots, but does not support layers. For complex editing (such as collages), use third-party applications: Snapseed, PicsArt or Adobe Photoshop Express.

7. Common Problems and Solutions

Even on the Poco M3, users are faced with errors in the creation of screenshots.

If the screenshots are in low quality:

• 📉 Check if the Traffic Savings mode is enabled** in Settings → Connections → Use of data.
• 🔍 Make sure the gallery does not activate the option “Imagine Optimization»**.
• 🛠️ Reset the Gallery app settings in Settings → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Reset.

On the Poco M3 with MIUI 13+ firmware, screenshots are saved by default in screen resolution (1080×2340 pixels), but when edited through built-in tools, quality can drop to 70% of the original. To avoid losses, edit a copy of the file.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Poco M3