Why screenshots on the Mi A3 are different from other Xiaomi
Xiaomi Mi A3 is a unique smartphone in the company’s lineup, running on pure Android One instead of the usual MIUI shell. This means that the standard screenshot key combinations that work on the Redmi Note 8 or POCO X3 may not work here.
In this article, we will discuss all working ways to create screenshots on Mi. A3, including hidden Android features 9/10, And we'll also explain why sometimes the screen isn't saved in the gallery, and we'll focus on the nuances of working with Android One, because that's the firmware that most often raises questions from device owners. MIUI on Mi A3, You will have to relearn: there is no usual menu of quick settings for screenshots.
Before you get to the instructions, check the version of your Android: Settings path → System → About Phone → Android version. This depends on the availability of certain features. For example, the gesture “swipe the palm” appeared only in Android 10, and in the ninth version it does not.
Method 1: Classic button combination (always working)
The most reliable method that is guaranteed to work on any Mi A3 regardless of the firmware version is to press the power button and turn down the volume simultaneously.
- Open the screen you want to save (for example, a dialog in the messenger or a page in the browser).
- Press Power (right) and Loudness down (left) for 1-2 seconds until you hear the sound of the camera shutter.
- The screen will blink and a notification will appear at the top "Screenshot saved".
⚠️ Note: Do not confuse with the combination of food + Volume up - it causes the reboot menu! also avoid holding the buttons too long (more than 3 seconds), otherwise the phone may start to reboot.
Make sure the screen is not locked.
Fingers don't close the buttons
There is enough memory on the phone (minimum 50 MB)
Turn off Do Not Disturb mode if it is active-->
If the screenshot is not saved, check:
- 📁 Screenshots folder in the gallery (sometimes hidden in the gallery) DCIM).
- 🔕 Notification settings: the Settings path → Annexes → gallery → Notifications (should be included).
- 🛠️ Button operation: try to take a screenshot in safe mode (hold power) → "Safe regime").
Method 2: Handspin gesture (Android 10+ only)
On the Mi A3 with Android 10 and later, you can use a hidden gesture to screenshots, which is to swipe your hand across the screen, and this feature is disabled by default, so you need to activate it first:
- Go to Settings → System → Movements.
- Find the option “Palm swipe to capture” (or “Palm swipe to capture”).
- Turn on the switch and confirm the action.
Now to take a screenshot:
- Touch the screen with the edge of your hand (as if you were swiping diagonally).
- Keep your finger straight - the system recognizes the edge of the palm, not the pad.
- The screen will blink and the picture will be saved in the gallery.
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If the gesture doesn’t work, try swiping your palm from the other side of the screen or increasing sensitivity in your movement settings.
⚠️ Attention: On Mi A3 With Android 9, this gesture is not available – don’t waste time searching! also the feature can conflict with some cases, especially thick bumpers that lock the sensor around the edges of the screen.
| Android version | Support for the gesture | The alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Android 9 Pie | ❌ No. | Buttons or applications |
| Android 10 | ✅ Yes. | Settings → System → Movements |
| Android 11 (castom) | ✅ Yes. | May require manual activation |
Method 3: Google Voice Assistant (no buttons)
If the physical buttons on your Mi A3 are faulty, you can take a screenshot using Google Assistant, which works on all versions of Android, but requires you to pre-configure:
- Activate Google Assistant: Settings → Google → Settings for Google apps → Search, Assistant and Voice → Google Assistant.
- Turn on the "Hey Google" option for voice calls.
- Say, “OK Google, take a screenshot” or “Hey Google, take a screenshot.”
The assistant will confirm the command, and the screenshot will be saved in the Screenshots folder, which is convenient for creating screenshots in games or applications where both hands are involved.
What if the assistant doesn't recognize the team?
⚠️ Note: In some regions (e.g. Belarus or Kazakhstan), voice commands for screenshots may be limited due to local settings of Google.
Method 4: Third-party applications (for advanced functions)
If the built-in methods don’t suit you, you can use third-party utilities from Google Play, which offer additional features such as:
- 📏 Screenshots immediately after creation.
- 🎨 Drawing and addition of text.
- 🔄 Automatic upload to the cloud.
- 📤 Direct sending to messengers.
Top.-3 Proven applications for Mi A3:
- Screenshot Easy is a simple interface, gesture support and timer.
- Super Screenshot is an advanced filter editor.
- Screen Master is optimized for Android One, no ads.
To avoid security problems:
- 🔒 Install applications only from the official store.
- 📋 Check reviews and ratings (minimum 4.0 stars).
- 🛡️ Refuse access requests to SMS or contact.
Power and volume buttons
Hand gesture
Voice assistant.
Third-party applications
In other ways.-->
Where to look for saved screenshots on Mi A3
By default, all screenshots are saved in the Pictures/Screenshots folder. However, on the Mi A3, the path may differ depending on the firmware:
| Firmware version | The way to screenshots | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Android 9 (stock) | /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots | The folder may be hidden in some file managers |
| Android 10 (updated) | /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Screenshots | Duplicate in the Gallery → Albums → Screenshots |
| Castom firmware (LineageOS) | /sdcard/Pictures/Screenshots | May demand superuser rights |
If the screenshots are not displayed in the gallery:
- Open any file manager (e.g. Files by Google).
- Go to /storage/emulated/0/ and find the Pictures or DCIM folder.
- Make sure that the files have a.png or.jpg extension.
⚠️ Attention: After upgrading to Android 10 Some users lose access to old screenshots, because of a change in the structure of the storage, so to restore access, manually move the files to a new folder. DCIM/Screenshots.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even on a reliable device like the Mi A3, screenshots can be taken with errors, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:
1. Screenshot is not saved (no notification)
Causes and solutions:
- 🔋 Not enough memory: Free up at least 100MB in Settings → Warehouse.
- 📵 Notifications disabled: Check gallery settings (Settings) → Annexes → gallery → Notifications).
- 🔄 System failure: Reboot your phone and try again.
2. Black screen instead of screenshot
This problem is typical of the Mi A3 when trying to take a picture in:
- 🎮 Games with screenshot protection (for example, PUBG Mobile or Free Fire).
- 🏦 Banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff).
- 📺 Video players DRM-Protection (Netflix, Disney)+).
Decisions:
- 📱 Use a second camera (take a picture of the screen with another phone).
- 🖥️ Connect Mi. A3 To PC and take a screenshot through ADB (technical skills required).
3. The hand gesture doesn't work
Check it out.
- ⚙️ Is the function included in the settings → System system → Movements.
- 👆 Screen cleanliness (dirty or film may interfere with recognition).
- 📱 Android Version (on Android 9 gesture is not available).
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If none of these methods work, check your phone for viruses (e.g., Google Play Protect) – some malware blocks the creation of screenshots.