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

Xiaomi Poco M3 is one of the most popular budget smartphones with a branded MIUI shell, which offers several ways to create screenshots. But many users still do not know about all the features, from standard button combinations to hidden features like scrolling screenshots or shooting through a voice assistant.

In this article, you will find not only basic instructions, but also unique methods for MIUI 12/13/14 that work on the Poco M3 (including models with global and Chinese firmware), we will also analyze common errors, such as why screenshots are not saved or turned black, and how to fix this without resetting.

If you’ve just moved from an iPhone or other Android device, pay attention to the method comparison table at the end of the section – it will help you choose the most convenient option for your tasks.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most reliable and universal method that works on all versions MIUI — It's the simultaneous pressing of physical buttons. M3 for this purpose:

• 🔘 Power button (right) + volume-down button (left).
• 🕒 Hold both buttons for 1-2 seconds until you hear the shutter sound or see the animation.
• 📁 Screenshot is automatically saved in the folder DCIM → Screenshots or Pictures → Screenshots.

This works even if the touch screen is frozen or turned off (for example, when testing applications).

• ⚡ On some custom firmware, the combination may conflict with the camera's quick start function (double pressing the power button).
• 🔋 If the battery is under 15%, the system can ignore the pressing to save energy.

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse screenshot with forced reboot (holding the power button) >10 seconds. On Poco. M3 This can result in the loss of unsaved data in games or documents.

2. Three-finger gesture (hidden MIUI function)

The MIUI branded shell offers a unique way to create screenshots using a three-finger gesture to wiring across the screen, which is disabled by default, but is easy to activate:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Special features → gestures of buttons.
2. Find the option “Screenshot with three fingers”** and turn on the switch.
3. Test: Swipe down the screen with three fingers at the same time (without pause).

Advantages of this method:

• 👆 It works in any app, even if the power buttons are broken.
• 🎮 Easy to play (don’t let the screen go).
• 🔄 You can adjust the direction of the gesture: down or up.

Limitations:

• 🚫 Does not work on a locked screen.
• ❌ It may conflict with gestures in certain games (e.g, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).

💡

If the gesture doesn’t work, try calibrating the sensor: go to Settings → Screen → Calibration of the sensor and follow the instructions.

3. Scrolling screenshot (long screen)

If you want to save an entire web page, a Telegram correspondence, or a list in Excel, a standard screenshot will not work. MIUI has a Scrolling Screenshot feature (aka Scrolling Screenshot) that glues multiple frames into one long shot.

How it works:

1. Take a regular screenshot in any way (buttons or gestures).
2. Immediately after the miniature appears in the lower right corner, tap on it.
3. In the editor that opens, select the Scrolling icon** (two up and down arrows).
4. Wait until the system automatically scrolls the screen and connects the frames.

Important nuances:

• 🌐 It doesn't work in all apps. Supported: Chrome, Mi Browser, WPS Office, Telegram, WhatsApp.
• 🚫 Does not work in games, YouTube, Google Maps and some banking applications.
• 📏 Maximum screenshot length – up to 10 screens (depending on model).

4. Screenshot via voice assistant

If your hands are busy or the power buttons are faulty, you can take a voice screenshot through the built-in Google Assistant or XiaoAI (in Chinese firmware).

Instructions for Google Assistant:

1. Activate the assistant with your voice (OK, Google) or hold the Home button.
2. Say, “Take a screenshot” or “Photograph the screen.”
3. Confirm the action (if required).

For XiaoAI (Chinese firmware):

1. Hold the Home button or tell them to «» (Xiǎo Ài tóngxué).
2. Say "" (jiétú - "screenshot").

Limitations:

• 🔇 Requires Internet connection to recognize voice.
• 📵 It does not work in the "Airplane" mode»**.
• 🎤 It can be triggered by accident if music with a voice is playing in the background.

5. Screenshot via notification panel (quick access)

MIUI 12/13/14 adds a button to the notification bar to quickly create screenshots, which is convenient if you take screenshots often and do not want to remember the combinations.

How to turn on and use:

1. Open the notification panel (swipe from top to bottom).
2. Find the Screenshot icon, if you don't have one, tap on Edit and add it to the active buttons.
3. Slip on the icon – the system will immediately take a screenshot.

Advantages:

• ⚡ Instant access without remembering combinations.
• 🔄 You can take a screenshot with one hand.

Disadvantages:

• 📱 Takes up space in the notification panel (you have to sacrifice other buttons).
• 🚫 Does not work on a locked screen.

💡

The screenshot button in the notification bar is only available in MIUI 12 and later. On older versions (MIUI 11) it is not available - update the firmware.

6. Screenshot with ADB (for developers)

If you're a developer or testing an application, you can take a screenshot through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) without physically accessing the device.

• 🖥️ Automation (scripts for mass-creation of screenshots).
• 🔧 Diagnostics of problems (if the screen does not respond to touch).
• 📊 Collecting screenshots for documentation.

Instructions:

1. Connect Poco M3 to your PC via USB and enable debugging via USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap, then go back to Settings → Additional → Developers).
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices


adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.png




adb pull /sdcard/screenshot.png

The finished screenshot will be saved in the folder from where the team was launched.

⚠️ Attention: When in use ADB Screenshots may contain sensitive data (passwords, tokens) and always check them before sending them to third parties.

7 Problem Solving: Screenshots are not saved or black

Sometimes screenshots on the Poco M3 are not created or are kept blank/black, and here are the main reasons and ways to eliminate them:

If none of these methods worked, try:

1. Reset the device.
2. Update MIUI to the latest version.
3. Reset the special features settings (Settings → System → Resetting → Resetting special features).

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Poco M3