How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi A1: all ways + error solving

Xiaomi Mi A1

Android One

Xiaomi

MIUI

In this article, you will find all the current ways to take screenshots on the Mi A1, including standard keyboard shortcuts, alternative methods for faulty buttons, and even ADB workarounds. We will also break down common errors (for example, when screenshots are not saved) and give recommendations for optimizing the process. If you encounter a problem after an update or mechanical damage, there is a solution!

🔹 Important: Xiaomi Mi A1 It runs on Android 8.0 Oreo (the latest official version), so some methods are used to run on the Android OS. MIUI (For example, a three-finger screenshot doesn't work here. All the instructions in this article are tested on the original root-free firmware.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most reliable and versatile method is the use of hardware keys, which works on any Android device, including the Mi A1, and does not require additional settings.

How to do this:

1. Open the screen you want to capture (for example, a dialog in the messenger or a page in the browser).
2. At the same time, press the Power button (right) and the Volume Down button (left).
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the sound of the camera shutter and see the animation of the screenshot.

⚠️ Note: If you press the buttons too long (more than 3 seconds), the smartphone can interpret this as a command to force a reboot or call Fastboot.

Screen unlocked and active |

Memory is sufficient (minimum 50 MB) |

The buttons don't stick and are clean |

The sound is not turned off (to hear confirmation)-->

Xiaomi Mi A1 saves screenshots in the folder Pictures/Screenshots (or DCIM/Screenshots The files are.png and have a template name. Screenshot_YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS.png.

2. Alternative method: through the notification panel

If the hardware buttons on your Mi A1 are faulty (for example, after a fall or wear), you can use the software method through the notification curtain.This method works on all versions of Android, including Oreo 8.0.

Step-by-step:

1. Deploy the notification panel by swiping your finger twice from the top edge of the screen.
2. Find the screenshot button (an icon with scissors or a rectangle). If it's not there, press it. ⋯ (three-point) → Edit and add it to active elements.
3. Slip the button - the screenshot will be taken instantly.

🔹 Advantages of the method:

• 🔧 No need for physical buttons.
• 📱 It works even with one hand mode on.
• 🔄 You can take a screenshot of any screen, including games (where the button combination may conflict with the controls).

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmwares may not have a screenshot button in the curtain, in which case try installing a third-party app (see Section 4).

💡

If the screenshot button is missing after the update, reset the curtain settings: go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → System UI and click Reset settings.

3. Delayed screenshot (for scrollable pages)

Standard methods only capture the visible area of the screen. But what if you want to capture a long chat, a web page or a list in an app? There's a workaround on the Mi A1, which is to use scroll mode through third-party utilities.

Method 1: LongShot App

• 📱 Install LongShot from Google Play.
• 🔘 Open the screen and launch the application.
• 📜 Select Scrolling Screenshot mode and follow the on-screen instructions.

Method 2: Google Chrome (for web pages)

• 🌐 Open the page in Chrome.

🔹 Limitations:

4. Apps for screenshots: top-3 utility

If the standard methods don't work, you can install specialized programs, and they offer additional functions: editing, annotations, cloud storage, and even recording video from the screen.

The best apps for Xiaomi Mi A1:

🔹 How to choose?

• 🎯 For quick screenshots - Screenshot Easy.
• 🎥 If you need a screen recording – Screen Master.
• 🖼️ For editing (blurring, text, arrows) – Screenshot Touch.

⚠️ Warning: When installing third-party utilities, turn off battery optimization for them, otherwise they may not work in the background. → Battery → Optimize your battery and select All applications.

Standard button combination |

Through the notification panel |

With gestures |

I'm using a third-party app.-->

5. Problem Solving: Screenshots are not saved

Sometimes screenshots are taken but don't appear in the gallery or are saved in an unknown location, and let's look at the typical causes and ways to address them.

Problem 1: No sound or notification of screenshot

• 🔇 Check if the system sound is switched off in the settings.
• 📴 Make sure that in the settings → Sound. → Vibration mode not activated No sound mode.
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes resetting temporary files helps.

Problem 2: Screenshots are saved to an unknown folder

• 🔍 Use the File Manager (e.g. Files by Google) and search for.png.
• 📁 Check the folders: Pictures/Screenshots DCIM/Screenshots Download (if you use a third-party application)
• 🖥️ Connect your smartphone to your PC and find files through Windows Explorer.

Problem 3: Black screen in the screenshot

• 🔒 This means that the app blocks screenshots (e.g., banking programs or Netflix).
• 📵 Try to take a screenshot through the second user account (if you have one).
• 📸 Use a second smartphone to take pictures of the screen.

💡

If screenshots are no longer saved after the Android update, clear the Media Storage app cache (in the app settings) and this will restore file indexing.

6. Advanced methods: ADB and root access

For power users who need automated screenshots or secure screens, advanced methods are suitable, requiring ADB or root rights.

Method 1: Screenshot via ADB

1. 🖥️ Install Platform Tools on PC.
2. 🔌 Connect Mi. A1 down USB and turn on the debugging. USB (Settings → The phone. → Assembly number → tap 7 times → Go back to Settings → For developers).
3. 📋 Enter the command in the terminal: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.png
4. 💾 Copy the file on PC: Adb pull /sdcard/screenshot.png

Method 2: Automation with Tasker

• 🤖 Install Tasker.
• 📝 Create a task with Take Screenshot action.
• 🔄 Set up a trigger (such as a shaking or voice command).

⚠️ Attention:

• 🚨 Use of the ADB requires the screen lock to be disabled (PIN/pattern lock) at the time of connection.
• 🔐 Root access methods can disrupt Google Pay and other secure services.

7.Optimization: How to quickly find and edit screenshots

Taking a screenshot is half the battle, and it's important to be able to quickly find, edit and share it. Here are some life hacks for the Xiaomi Mi A1:

Search and sort

• 🔍 In Google Photos, search by keyword: screenshot, screenshot, or date.
• 📅 Sort Screenshots by Folder with Files by Google or Solid Explorer.
• 🏷️ Add tags to the file name (for example, Screenshot_20260520-123456_work).

Editing

• 🎨 Use the built-in editor in Google Photos (shortcuts, filters, text).
• 🖌️ For professional editing, install Adobe Photoshop Express.
• 🔍 To increase the screenshot, use Google Lens (long tap on the image). → lens).

Quick shipment

• 📤 In the gallery, hold your finger on the screenshot → Share. → select the messenger.
• 🔗 For frequent sendings, set up screen highlights (for example, via Nova Launcher).
• ☁️ Automatically upload screenshots to Google Drive using Automate or IFTTT.

💡

To prevent screenshots from taking up space in the gallery, set up automatic upload to the cloud and then delete local copies. To do this, turn on Free Space in Google Photos.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi A1