How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 12: all ways + problem solving

Why are Redmi 12 screenshots not made the same way as other phones?

Xiaomi Redmi 12 smartphones (including Redmi 12C and Redmi 12R) run on the proprietary shell MIUI 14/15, which radically changes the standard gestures of Android. This is why many users face a problem: the usual combinations of buttons for screenshots either do not work or conflict with other functions. For example, simultaneous compression Power + Volume reduction on some firmware can activate the emergency call mode instead of creating a screenshot.

Another common mistake is trying to use a three-finger swipe (gesture down the screen), which is disabled by default in Redmi 12. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to create screenshots on MIUI 14/15, including hidden functions and workarounds for unusual situations (for example, if physical buttons do not work), and you will learn how to configure saving screenshots to the Xiaomi Cloud or automatically crop them before sending them.

Method 1: Classic button combination (works 95% of the time)

The most reliable method is to use hardware buttons, and Redmi 12 is a combination of:

• 🔘 Press the power button (right) + Volume down button (left) for 1-2 seconds.
• 📸 Hold until you hear the shutter sound and see the save animation (white square with shadow).
• 📁 Screenshot is automatically saved to the folder DCIM → Screenshots or Pictures → Screenshots.

⚠️ Note: If you have one-handed mode activated (Settings) → Special facilities → One-hand mode, the button combination may not work.

If nothing happens after the button is pressed:

1. Check if the Volume Up button is clamped (this blocks screenshots).
2. Restart your phone – sometimes MIUI system processes freeze.
3. Update the firmware: Older versions of MIUI 13 had a button conflict error.

💡

If you need to take a screenshot of a long page (such as a chat or website), after a standard snapshot, tap on the thumbnail in the lower right corner and select Scroll. MIUI will automatically connect multiple frames into a single file.

Method 2: Three-finger gesture (configurable in the menu)

Redmi 12, by default, turns off the three-finger-down swipe gesture that many people are used to using on other Android smartphones.

1. Open Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures → Screen gestures.
2. Select the screenshot with three fingers.
3. Turn on the switch and test the gesture on the main screen.

🔹 How it works: swipe three fingers (no matter which one) across the screen from top to bottom, and the speed is not critical, but the gesture should be smooth:

• 🧹 Make sure there are no greasy spots on the screen – the sensor may not recognize touch.
• 🔄 Restart Launcher (conductor) MIUI): Click on the main screen an empty space → Home screen settings → Reset.
• 📱 Check if the gloves are on (Settings) → Screen. → Gloves mode – it interferes with gesture recognition.

⚠️ Note: If screenshots are created randomly after setting up the gesture (for example, when scrolling through the tape in TikTok), reduce the sensitivity of the sensor in Settings. → Screen. → Sensitivity of touch.

Method 3: Quick settings panel (if buttons don't work)

If the physical buttons on your Redmi 12 are damaged or unresponsive, use the virtual bar:

1. Swipe your finger down to open the notification curtain.
2. Swipe again to deploy the full Quick Settings panel.
3. Find the Screenshot icon (scissors on a gray background) and tap it.

🔧 If the icon is gone:

• 🔧 Press on. ⚙️ Edit in the upper right corner of the panel.
• 🔍 Find a screenshot in the list and drag it to the active area.
• 💾 Save the changes.

This method is convenient for creating screenshots with one hand, but has a limitation: in some applications (for example, VTB Bank or Public Services), the Quick Settings Panel can be blocked for security reasons.

Method 4: XiaoAI Voice Assistant (for users with disabilities)

If you have problems with your motor or sensor, you can take a screenshot with your voice:

1. Activate XiaoAI with a long press on the Home button (or say “OK, Xiaoai”).
2. Tell the command to take a screenshot or take a picture of the screen.
3. Confirm the action if the assistant requests permission.

🔊 Important: For voice commands:

• 🌐 You need an active Internet connection (XiaoAI uses cloud processing).
• 🎤 Enable microphone access for XiaoAI in Settings → Annexes → Permits.
• 🗣️ Set up voice recognition in Settings → XiaoAI → Voice control.

⚠️ Note: In some regions (e.g. Europe), Xiaomi’s voice assistant may be restricted due to the use of the new Xiaomi voice assistant. GDPR. In this case, use Google Assistant with the command “Okay Google, take a screenshot” (requires installation of Google App).

💡

Voice is the only way to take a screenshot if Redmi 12 doesn't have a screen or buttons, but it depends on a stable Internet connection and may not work on office networks with firewalls.

Where to find screenshots and how to manage them

By default, all screenshots are saved in the folder:

Internal memory → DCIM → Screenshots


or




Internal Memory → Pictures → Screenshots

📂 How to open a folder:

1. Launch the Gallery app.
2. Slip on the albums on the bottom menu.
3. Select the Screenshots folder.

🔄 Additional actions with screenshots:

• 🖼️ Pruning: Open a screenshot in the gallery → Edit → Pruning.
• 📤 Quick sending: Immediately after taking the picture, tap on the thumbnail in the lower right corner → select the messenger.
• ☁️ Autosave to the cloud: Enable in Settings → Xiaomi Cloud → Autoboot → Screenshots.
• 🗑️ Clean up: Remove unnecessary screenshots through Gallery → Choose. → Delete.

💡 Tip: If screenshots take up too much space, enable compression in Settings → Warehouse → Make room → Compress images. MIUI Reduce the weight of files without loss of quality.

What to do if screenshots are not saved or disappear

Sometimes Redmi 12 users have a problem: a screenshot is taken (shutter sounds are heard), but the file does not appear in the gallery.

🛠️ Advanced diagnostics:

1. Check if the Screenshots folder is hidden. To do this, connect the phone to the PC and open internal memory through the explorer.
2. Install an alternative gallery (like Google Photos) and check if screenshots are displayed there.
3. If the problem persists, reset the Media app settings in Settings → Apps → All Apps → Media → Reset.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi 12