How to take a screenshot of Xiaomi Mi Max 2: all working methods (including hidden)

Xiaomi Mi Max 2 is the iconic 6.44-inch phablet of 2017 that is still used by many users. However, its custom aspect ratio (18:9) and unique MIUI firmware (versions 8-12) often baffle owners when trying to take a screenshot. Unlike modern smartphones, there is no universal three-finger gesture, and the standard button combination does not always work because of the hardware feature: the physical home button is missing, which changes the logic of screen capture.

In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to create a screenshot on the Mi Max 2, including methods for a broken screen, as well as solving typical problems: why screenshots are saved in low resolution (1080×1920 instead of 1080×2160), how to change the format from.png to.jpg, and where screenshots disappear after the MIUI update.

1. Standard method: combination of physical buttons

The most reliable method, running on any version of MIUI (8 to 12.5), is the combination of Loudness down + Power.

• 🔘 Press the Volume Down button (left side) and the Power button (right side) at the same time).
• ⏱️ Hold them for 1–1.5 seconds until the screenshot animation (white screen outline) and the sound signal appear.
• 📁 Screenshot will be saved in the folder DCIM/Screenshots or Pictures/Screenshots (depending on the version MIUI).

⚠️ Note: If you have a magnetic lock case installed (e.g. Xiaomi Smart Cover), the Power button may be blocked.

On the Mi Max 2 with MIUI 10+, after capturing the screen, a toolbar will appear at the bottom, where you can:

• ✏️ Edit a screenshot (stripping, drawing, adding text).
• 📤 Share immediately in messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp).
• 🗑️ Delete if the photo is unsuccessful.

2. Alternative method: through the notification panel

If the physical buttons don’t work (for example, the Power button is broken), use the virtual button in the notification curtain:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the screenshot icon (scissors or a rectangle with lightning). If it's not there, tap the icon. ⚙️ Edit and add the widget manually.
3. Tap the icon – the screen will blink and the screenshot will be saved.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 8-9 this widget may not be available. To add it, go to Settings. → Notification panel → Widgets and activate "Quick Screenshot».

Advantage of the method:

• 🔧 It works even with faulty buttons.
• 📱 You can assign a double tap on the widget to create a long screenshot (scroll screen) - but only on the screen. MIUI 11+.

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If the Screenshot widget disappears after the reboot, reset the notification panel settings: Settings → Applications → Application Management → System Applications → Notification Panel → Storage → Clear Data

3.Gestural Screenshot (only for MIUI 10 and later)

On the Mi Max 2 with MIUI 10-12.5, three-finger screen capture is available, but the default is disabled.

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Special features → Gestures.
2. Find the item "Screenshot with three fingers" and turn on the switch.
3. Test: swipe three fingers down from top to bottom across the screen (not necessarily simultaneously, the main thing is fast movement).

Features of the method:

• 👆 It only works on MIUI 10+. On older versions, the gesture is missing.
• 🎯 Precision of operation — ~85% If you don't get a screenshot, try swiping your fingers closer to the center of the screen.
• 🔄 You can adjust the direction of the gesture: Settings → Gestures → Setting up the screenshot (a choice between swipe down or up).

Check the version. MIUI (should be 10 or newer)|Activate the function in settings|Testing the gesture on the main screen|Repeat on another screen (e.g. in the browser)-->

4. Google Voice Assistant or Alice

If the buttons and gestures don't work, use voice control, which works even on a locked screen (if Google Assistant is enabled):

Method 1: Google Assistant

• 🗣️ Say, “Okay Google, take a screenshot»).
• 📱 Or hold the Home button (if virtual) to call an assistant and say the command.

Method 2: Yandex Alice (only for Russian-speaking users)

• 🔊 Activate Alice with your voice or through an icon on your desktop.
• Say, "Alice, take a screenshot."

⚠️ Attention: Voice assistants save screenshots in folder Pictures/Screenshots/Assistant. If the pictures are not displayed in the gallery, check this catalog through the Explorer.

5. Screenshot via ADB (for power users)

If the Mi Max 2 screen doesn’t respond to touch, but the smartphone is on and connected to the PC, you can take a screenshot via Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

Step 1: Preparation

• 🖥️ Install. ADB Tools on the computer.
• 📱 On the phone, turn on "Debugging by" USB»: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times to unlock Developer Mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB.

Step 2: Execution of the team

1. Connect the Mi Max 2 to your PC via USB-cable (original!).
2. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter: Adb devices (the device must be displayed).
4. Take a screenshot: adb exec-out screencap -p > screenshot.png The file will be saved in the folder with ADB.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 8–9 Screencap team may not work due to Xiaomi restrictions.Alternative: adb shell /system/bin/screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.png Then download the file: adb pull /sdcard/screenshot.png

6. Solving Screenshot Problems on Mi Max 2

Mi Max 2 users often encounter common screenshot errors, and here's how to fix them:

Problem 1: Screenshots are kept black

• 🔄 Reboot the phone – it resets the graphic cache.
• 📱 Check if the Power Saving Mode is enabled (Settings) → It can block the creation of screenshots.
• 🛠️ Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (black screenshots - a famous bug in the MIUI 9.5).

Problem 2: Low resolution screenshots

On the Mi Max 2, screenshots are saved by default at 1080×1920 resolution, although the screen supports 1080×2160.

1. Install Screen Resolution Changer from Google Play.
2. Select a resolution of 1080×2160 (ratio 18:9).
3. Reboot the phone.

Problem 3: Screenshots are not saved

• 📂 Check the space in memory (needs a minimum of 100 MB on the system partition).
• 🔍 Make sure the folder is DCIM/Screenshots It's not deleted. If it is, create it by hand.
• 🛡️ Turn off “Privacy Protection” in Settings → Confidentiality (may block the preservation of the).

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If none of the methods work, reset your phone to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset) this will delete all the data, but return the functionality of the screenshots.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi Mi Max 2