How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Mi A3: all ways with photos and videos

Xiaomi Mi A3

Android One

Xiaomi

Redmi Note 8

Mi 9T

all-time

The Mi A3 features the lack of a physical Menu button and altered gesture logic. For example, the popular way to hold down Loudness + Power buttons that is used on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI does not work here. Instead, the manufacturer has implemented alternative options that many users do not even know about.

Screenshots on Mi A3 You can do this not only to save important information, but also to debug applications, create instructions or even prove in controversial situations (for example, when communicating with a bank). PNG permittingly 720×1560 pixels (due to the cutout in the screen) that 10% It is smaller than most smartphones with full HD-This is worth considering if you plan to use the images for print or professional purposes.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most reliable and versatile method that works on all Xiaomi Mi A3 devices regardless of the firmware version. Unlike MIUI, it uses a classic combination of buttons, like on the "bare" Android:

1. Open the screen you want to capture (for example, a dialog in the messenger or a page in the browser).

2. simultaneously 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 saving the screenshot at the top of the screen.

⚠️ Note: If you press the buttons longer than 3 seconds, the smartphone can interpret this as a command to force the reboot (especially if the battery is discharged below 15.

• 🔄 If the combination did not work the first time, try pressing the buttons not at the same time, but with a minimum interval (first Power, after 0.3 seconds - Volume down).
• 📱 On some firmware (for example, Android 11 for Mi) A3) after creating a screenshot, a toolbar appears for quick editing - cropping, drawing or sending.
• 🔊 Shutter sound can be turned off in settings: go to Settings → Sound. → System sounds and deactivate the screenshot sound option.

The screen is unlocked and active

There is no confidential information on the screen (passwords, bank details)

Enough space in memory (minimum 50 MB)

Battery charge above 5% (otherwise the system may ignore the command)-->

2. Screenshot by gesture (no buttons)

The Xiaomi Mi A3 supports a hidden screenshot-making feature with a wiring gesture across the screen, which is handy if physical buttons are damaged or you often take pictures with one hand.

To activate this method:

1. Go to Settings → System → Gestures (or Settings → Additional → Gestures depending on the Android version).
2. Find the Screenshot option (can be called Quick Ball or Assistive Touch).
3. Turn on the slider and select the gesture type: usually it is wiring three fingers from top to bottom.

Once activated, just swipe down the screen (as if you were swiping notifications) and the screenshot will be created, which works even on a locked screen if the gesture settings have enabled the Allow on Lock option.

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If the gesture doesn’t work, check if it conflicts with other features (like the gesture to call Google Assistant), in which case, change the direction of the wiring from left to right in the settings.

⚠️ Note: On Android firmware 10 and older, the gesture may accidentally activate the notification panel. To avoid this, start wiring not from the top of the screen, but 1-2 cm below.

3. Screenshot with Google Assistant

If you have Google Voice Assistant enabled, you can take screenshots with a voice command, which is especially convenient when your hands are busy, and works even if the screen is locked (provided that the assistant settings allow you to access from lock).

Instructions:

1. Activate Google Assistant by saying “OK, Google” or holding the Home button (if you have one on your firmware).
2. Tell the command to take a screenshot or take a picture of the screen.
3. The assistant will confirm the action and save the picture in the gallery.

Advantages of the method:

• 🎤 Works without pressing buttons (useful when mechanical elements are damaged).
• 🔍 You can use it to create screenshots in games where button combinations may conflict with gameplay.
• 🌐 Supports commands in Russian, English and other languages (depending on the settings of the assistant).

Limitations:

• 🚫 Does not work in Do Not Disturb or if the microphone is turned off.
• 📵 Requires an Internet connection to process voice commands.
• 🔒 Some banking apps and instant messengers (such as WhatsApp in incognito mode) block screenshots from being created via the assistant.

4 Where screenshots are saved and how to find them

By default, all screenshots on Xiaomi Mi A3 are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

They can be accessed in several ways:

• 📂 Through Gallery: Open the Google Photos or Gallery app, select Screenshots album.
• 🔍 Through Explorer: Use any file manager (such as Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer) and follow the path above.
• 🖥️ Through PC: connect the smartphone to USB Transfer files and find the folder Pictures/Screenshots.

If the screenshots are not displayed in the gallery, check:

1. Is Screenshots folder hidden (sometimes this happens after a firmware update).
2. Is there enough space on the device (if there is a lack of memory, the system may not save files).
3. Is screenshots in the gallery settings disabled (Google Photos go to Settings → Folders on your device and turn on Screenshots).

5 Screenshots in games and secure applications

Some applications (such as Pokémon GO, Banking Apps, or DRM-protected services) block standard methods of creating screenshots, in which case one of the solutions will help:

Method 1: Using Google Play Games

If the game supports Google Play Games services, you can take a screenshot through the built-in function:

Method 2: Third-party applications

To circumvent these limitations, tools like Screenshot Touch or Super Screenshot can be used to capture a screenshot through an ADB or virtual camera, but require permission to display over other windows:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. In Android settings, allow access to Settings → Apps → Special Access → Display on top of other windows.
3. Follow the instructions in the app (usually click on the floating button).

⚠️ Note: Apps for screenshots through ADB may cause suspicion in anticheats of certain games (for example, PUBG Use them at your own risk - your account may be blocked for "suspicious activity".

6.Editing and sharing screenshots

After you take a screenshot of the Mi A3, you see a thumbnail in the bottom right corner of the screen, and click on it to open the Quick Editing Panel with the tools:

• ✂️ Cutting – changing the boundaries of the image.
• 🖌️ Drawing – adding arrows, text or notes.
• 📋 Copying of text (OCR) — screen-recognition.
• 📤 Share – fast sending to messengers or the cloud.

If the thumbnail does not appear, check the settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Special Access → Notifications about screenshots.
2. Make sure the option is enabled for Google Photos or Gallery.

For advanced editing, we recommend using:

• 📱 Snapseed – for color and contrast correction.
• 🖼️ Canva – to add design elements.
• 🔍 Lightshot – for fast uploading screenshots to the cloud.

For work or study

To save memes and funny moments

For evidence (checks, correspondence)

Other-->

7. Alternative methods: ADB and computer

If the touch screen or buttons don't work, you can take a screenshot through your computer using the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool, which requires pre-setting but is reliable in critical situations.

Instructions for Windows:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → Assembly Number (click 7 times), then go back to Settings → System → For Developers → Debugging by USB.
3. Connect the Mi A3 to your PC and execute: Adb devices (you should display your device) in the command line.
4. Take a screenshot with the command: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png
5. Download the file on PC: adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

The process is similar for Mac/Linux, but you may need to install drivers via brew install android-platform-tools.

⚠️ Attention: After use ADB Turn off the debugging. USB in the developer settings - this will reduce the risk of unauthorized access to the device when connecting to public USB-Ports (for example, airports).

8. Frequent problems and their solutions

Problem 1: Screenshots are black or with artifacts.

✅ Solution: This is typical for applications with DRM-protection (e.g. Disney)+ Or Amazon Prime Video. Try it:

• Take a picture of the screen with another camera.
• Use the screen recording (video) function, then take a screenshot of the video.

Problem 2: The buttons don’t respond to the press.

✅ Solution: Possible causes:

• Button contamination (wipe with alcohol).
• Activated Mode for one hand (turn off in Settings → Additional).
• The buttons are damaged (repair required).

Problem 3: Screenshots are kept in low resolution.

✅ Solution: Check the screen settings:

1. Go to Settings → Screen → Resolution and select HD+ (720p) or higher.
2. Turn off Adaptive Brightness – sometimes it reduces the quality of the images.

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If neither method works, try restarting your smartphone or resetting to factory settings (pre-saving data).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions