How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Mi A3: all ways + fixing errors

Xiaomi Mi A3 is a unique smartphone in the line of Xiaomi, running on pure Android One instead of the usual shell MIUI. This feature radically changes the logic of creating screenshots: there are no brand gestures from Xiaomi, but standard Google tools are available. In this article, we will analyze all possible methods - from classic button combinations to hidden functions for advanced users.

It is important to understand that the Mi A3 was released in 2019 with Android 9, but many users have updated to Android 11. The firmware version directly affects the available options: for example, new builds have a scrolling mode for long screenshots, but in the old ones it is not. We will take into account all the nuances and show how to adapt the instructions to your version of the OS.

If you've used Xiaomi smartphones on MIUI before, be prepared for the fact that there's no traditional three-finger swipe, but there are alternative features, like taking a voice screenshot through Google Assistant, and for those who like automation, we've prepared a section on third-party applications with advanced features.

1. Classical method: button combination

The most reliable and versatile method, working on any Xiaomi Mi A3 regardless of the Android version, is suitable even if the smartphone is glitchy or getting stuck - the main thing is that the buttons physically work.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open the screen you want to capture (app, web page, settings).
2. Press two buttons at the same time: 🔘 Power button (right) 🔽 Volume reduction button (left)

1-2 seconds

⚠️ Attention: On Mi A3 With a broken screen, this method may not work if the sensor does not respond to touch.

Where to look for a ready screenshot? By default, files are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

Or through the gallery: open the Photos app → Screenshots album.

2. Screenshot by gesture (only for the purpose of MIUI-firmware)

Attention! This section is only relevant if you have reflashed the Mi A3 on MIUI. On the standard Android One, screenshot gestures are missing by default - a key difference from other Xiaomi models.

If you have MIUI, turn on the function as follows:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Special features → Gestures and movements.
2. Activate the option of Screenshot with a three-finger swipe.
3. Practice: Swipe the screen three times from top to bottom (not diagonally!).

3. Screenshot via notification panel

The method for those who don’t like to remember button combinations. Android One on the Mi A3 has a built-in screenshot button in the notification curtain — but it’s hidden by default.

How to activate it:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ (Edit or Set up).
3. Find the Screenshot (maybe in the Other Settings section) and drag it to the active area.
4. Now, when you swipe down, you'll see a screenshot button -- press it to take a screenshot.

⚠️ Note: On some versions of Android 11, the button may disappear after the reboot, in which case, repeat the setting or use the voice method.

💡

If the screenshot button doesn’t appear in the list of available, upgrade your smartphone to the latest version of Android. In older builds (Android 9), this option may not be available.

4. Voice screenshot via Google Assistant

One of the most convenient ways is when hands are busy or buttons are not working. Xiaomi Mi A3 supports Google Assistant out of the box, and it can be controlled by voice.

Instructions:

1. Activate Google Assistant: Long-press Home (if you have one on your firmware) or say OK, Google (if you have voice activation set up).

Take a screenshot.

Screenshot.

Confirm the action (if required).

🔹 nuance:

• 🗣️ It only works if the Internet is turned on (Assistand needs cloud processing).
• 🌐 Language of voice commands should coincide with the system language of the smartphone.
• 🔇 In a quiet room, recognition works more accurately.

If Assistant does not respond:

1. Check the settings in the Applications → Google → Settings → Google Assistant.
2. Update the Google app in the Play Market.
3. Reboot your smartphone.

5. Alternative methods: ADB and third-party applications

When standard methods don’t work (for example, a power button is broken or the screen doesn’t respond to touch), advanced tools come to the rescue.

Method 1: ADB (for developers)

You will need a computer with installed ADB-Drivers and Included Debugging USB smartphone.

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png

After the command is executed, the screenshot will be saved in the root folder of the device under the name screen.png.

Method 2: Apps from Play Market

⚠️ Note: When using third-party applications:

• 🛡️ Check the permissions (don’t give access to the permissions) SMS or contact).
• 📥 Remove the app cache after use (in the app settings).
• 🔄 Update the software – in old versions there may be vulnerabilities.

6 Problem Solving: Why You Can't Take a Screenshot

Even on a good Xiaomi Mi A3, you can have errors when creating screenshots. Let's analyze typical cases and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Buttons are not responding

• 🔋 Check battery power (below 5% of screenshots may be blocked).
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone (long pressing the power button).
• 🛠️ Clean the buttons from dirt (use toothpick and alcohol).

Problem 2: Screenshots are not saved

• 📁 Check the space in the memory (needs at least 100 MB).
• 📂 Make sure the Screenshots folder is not removed (create it manually).
• 🔧 Reset the Gallery app settings (Settings) → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Drop it).

Problem 3: Black screenshot or artifacts

• 🖥️ Turn off the dark theme (sometimes it conflicts with the screenshot mechanism).
• 🎮 Close Resource-intensive Games/Apps Before Shooting.
• 🔄 Switch to a different screen resolution (Settings) → Display. → Permission).

💡 Tip: If screenshots are constantly spoiled, try making them in Safe Mode (click the power button). → This will help identify the guilty application.

💡

The Xiaomi Mi A3 with Android One doesn’t have a built-in screenshot editor – use Google Photos or third-party apps to crop or draw.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Mi A3