How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Mi 6: all ways + error solving

The Xiaomi Mi 6, released in 2017, remains a popular smartphone due to its powerful hardware and up-to-date firmware. But even experienced users sometimes forget how to quickly take a screenshot on this device — especially if they have previously used other models with different button layouts or gestures. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to take screenshots, including hidden MIUI functions, and also solve the typical problems: why the screenshot is not saved or turns black.

It's important to consider that the Mi 6 has both standard methods (power buttons + volume) and Xiaomi-specific ones, like a three-finger gesture or voice command, and we tested each method on MIUI 10-14 firmware and found nuances that aren't written about in the official instructions, like why sometimes a picture isn't saved in a gallery or how to change the format of saving from.png to.jpg.

1. Standard method: power and volume buttons

It’s a universal method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones, including the Mi 6.

• 📱 At the same time, press the power button (right) and the volume reduction button (left).
• 🎯 Hold them for 1-2 seconds until the screen blinks and save animations appear.
• 📁 The finished screenshot is automatically saved in the Screenshots folder (or Screenshots) in the gallery.

On Mi 6, the buttons are conveniently located, but some users have difficulty with their rigidity.

• ✅ Check if the buttons are locked (for example, because of the cover).
• ✅ Press a little harder – the tactile response to the Mi 6 is less pronounced than on new models.
• ✅ Make sure the screen is not frozen (e.g. in a game or application with a lock interface).

⚠️ Warning: If the screen goes out after pressing the buttons and the screenshot is not saved, check the energy saving settings. In Ultra-Economic mode, the function can be disabled.

Screen unlocked |No buttons locked with case |Sufficient charge level (more than 5%)|No active power saving mode-->

Three finger gesture (hidden MIUI function)

Few people know, but on the Xiaomi Mi 6, there is a hidden ability to take screenshots with three fingers wired across the screen, which is disabled by default, but it is easy to activate:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Special features → gestures of buttons.
2. Find the item "Scanning screen with a three-finger gesture"** and turn on the switch.
3. Test: Swipe down the screen with three fingers at the same time (without pause).

Advantages of the method:

• 👍 Works in games and applications where buttons are locked.
• 👍 Faster than a keyboard combination (especially if the buttons are worn out).
• 👍 You can adjust the gesture direction (up/down) in the same settings.

Disadvantages:

• 👎 Sometimes it works by accident (for example, when scrolling through the feed on social networks).
• 👎 Does not work on a locked screen.

Power buttons + volume |Three-finger gesture |Voice assistant |Application from third-party developers-->

3. Voice command via Google Assistant

If you have Google Assistant on, you can take a voice screenshot, which is convenient when your hands are busy or your buttons are broken.

1. Activate voice assistant: For Google Assistant, say "OK, Google" or hold the Home button. For Alice, say "Hi, Alice."
2. Say the command: 🗣️ «Take a screenshot (for Google Assistant). 🗣️ «Screenshot** (for Alice).

Confirm the action (if required).

Important nuances:

• 🔊 Voice commands only work when connected to the Internet.
• 🔊 In some firmware MIUI Voice screenshot can be disabled by default – check permissions for assistant in Settings → Annexes → All applications → Google/Alice. → Permits.
• 🔊 On the Mi 6 with custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS), this method may not work.

💡

If the voice assistant doesn't recognize the command, try to pronounce it more clearly or reformulate it. For example, instead of "screenshot," say "screenshot."

4. Screenshot via notification panel (quick access)

MIUI has a hidden button to take screenshots right from the notification bar, and many Mi 6 users don't know it exists, although this is one of the quickest ways to turn on:

1. Open the notification panel (swipe your finger from top to bottom).
2. Click on the Edit icon** (pencil in the upper right corner).
3. Find the Screenshot tiles in the list and drag them to the active area.
4. Now, when swiping down, just click on this tile to take a screenshot.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Instant access – no need to remember button combinations.
• ⚡ It works even if one of the physical buttons is broken.

Limitations:

• 🚫 Does not work on a locked screen.
• 🚫 In some versions MIUI The tile may be missing - update the firmware.

5. Screenshot applications: when standard methods don't work

If none of these methods works (for example, broken buttons or custom firmware installed), you can use third-party utilities. We tested 5 popular applications on Mi 6 and selected the best ones:

How to set up Screenshot Easy (Step-by-step):

1. Download and install the app from Google Play.
2. When you first start, grant permission to “Overlap Other Applications”** (required for a floating button).
3. In the settings, select the activation method: 🔘 Floating button (can be dragged around the screen). 🔘 Gesture (such as shaking the phone). 🔘 Timer (delay up to 10 seconds).

Pictures/ScreenshotEasy

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, screenshots may be saved in a different format (e.g.,.webp instead of.png). To change the format, go to the application settings and select Image Format»**.

6 Problem Solving: Screenshot not saved or black screen

Xiaomi Mi 6 users often face two problems:

1. Screenshot is not saved (no notification, file in the gallery).
2. Black screen on the screenshot (instead of the contents of the screen).

Let's look at causes and solutions:

Problem 1: Screenshots are not saved

• 🔧 Reason: Not enough memory on the device. Solution: Free up space (delete unnecessary files or transfer them to a memory card). Minimum 50-100 MB of free space is required.
• 🔧 Reason: Gallery save disabled. Solution: Go to Settings → Warehouse → Folders. → Screenshots and turn on the display.
• 🔧 Cause: Failure to work MIUI. Solution: Restart your phone or reset the Gallery app settings** (Settings) → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Drop it).

Problem 2: Black screen in the screenshot

• 🖥️ Reason: Protecting content in apps (e.g. Netflix, banking apps) Solution: Take a screenshot in another way (e.g., via Google Assistant or third-party app).
• 🖥️ Reason: Safe Zone mode is enabled** (on some firmware) Solution: Turn it off in Settings → Screen. → Safe zone.
• 🖥️ Reason: Graphics driver failure Solution: Update firmware or reset to factory settings (pre-backup!).

💡

If the screenshot is only blacked in a particular application (e.g., in a game), it means that the developer has blocked the ability to take screenshots, and this restriction can only be circumvented by root rights or screen recording.

7.Where screenshots are stored and how to transfer them to the PC

By default, all screenshots on Xiaomi Mi 6 are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

or (in Russian-language firmware):

/storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Screenshots/

To transfer them to the computer:

• 📂 Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (select File Transfer mode** when you connect).
• 📂 Open the folder. DCIM or Pictures on your phone and find the Screenshots subfolder.
• 📂 Copy the necessary files to the computer.

Alternative modes of transmission:

• ☁️ Through the cloud: upload screenshots to Google Drive, Mi Cloud or Yandex.Disk.
• 📶 Wi-Fi: Use apps like Send Anywhere or Xender.
• 📧 Post: Send files to your email (suitable for 1-2 screenshots).

On Xiaomi Mi 6 with MIUI 12+ firmware, screenshots are automatically synced to Mi Cloud if backup is enabled. To turn this off, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Screenshots and deactivate sync.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi Mi 6