How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Poco M3: all ways + problem solving

Xiaomi Poco M3 is one of the most popular budget smartphones with powerful hardware and a proprietary shell MIUI. But even experienced users sometimes have questions: how to take a screenshot if the buttons do not work or you need to capture a long page? In this article, we will analyze all possible ways - from classic to hidden functions, and also solve typical problems (black screen, no sound, no file is saved).

The Poco M3 features a physical Google Assistant button (in NFC versions) that can interfere with the usual combinations, and the location of gesture settings may vary depending on the MIUI version (12, 13 or 14), and we have taken all the nuances into account and prepared an up-to-date instruction for 2026, including methods for the Poco M3 Pro 5G and Poco M3 NFC models.

1. Classic method: power and volume buttons

The most reliable method that works on all versions of the Poco M3 is even if the gestures are disabled or the sensor is broken.

1. Open the screen you want to save (for example, a chat in Telegram or a page in Chrome).
2. At the same time, press the power button (right) and the volume down button (top rocker).
3. Hold for 1-2 seconds until you hear the shutter sound and see the screenshot animation.

⚠️ Attention: On Poco M3 NFC The Google Assistant button is next to the volume rocker -- don't mix it up! If you accidentally clicked on it, just repeat the combination.

The screen is unlocked and active|No active calls or videos|Volume level is not at a minimum (otherwise you will not hear the sound)|Memory is not filled (at least 5 MB is required)-->

Where to look for a screenshot? The file is saved in the DCIM → Screenshots or Pictures → Screenshots folder (depending on the MIUI version). You can also find it through the gallery: open the Photos app and go to the Screenshots album.

2.The three-finger gesture is a quick way without buttons

If you are uncomfortable with using physical buttons (for example, because of a case or a breakage), MIUI has a Screenshot by Gesture feature, which is disabled by default, so you need to activate it first:

1. Go to Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
2. Select the "Screenshot by gesture" item and turn on the switch.
3. Test: Swipe three fingers from top to bottom across the screen (not necessarily vertically, a small angle is allowed).

🔹 Pros of the method:

• 👆 It works with one hand (comfortable for large screens).
• 🎯 You can adjust the direction of the gesture (up or down).
• ⚡ Faster than a button combination.

🔹 Cons:

• 🚫 It can be triggered by accident when scrolling pages.
• ⚙️ It does not work in certain games (for example, in the PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).

Power and volume buttons | Three finger gesture | Voice assistant | Through notification panel | Another way-->

3. Screenshot via notification panel (for MIUI 12 and later)

The latest versions of MIUI have a quick access to the screenshot function right from the notification curtain, which is convenient if you want to take a screenshot quickly without remembering the combinations.

1. Swipe your finger down to open the notification panel.
2. Find the screenshot icon (usually a scissor or a rectangle with lightning) if it isn't, click Edit and add to the active buttons.
3. Slip on the icon – the picture will be taken instantly.

⚠️ Attention: On Poco M3 s MIUI 11 or below this feature may not be. In this case, update the firmware or use other methods.

This method is especially useful if you don’t have buttons running or you’re using your smartphone in a protective case, and it also allows you to take a screenshot with one hand, which is true for owners of the Poco M3 with large screens (6.53 inches).

4. Voice assistant Google or Xiao AI

If you're too lazy to use buttons or gestures, you can take a voice screenshot, which is both the Google Assistant and Xiaomi's Xiao AI, and we'll take both of these.

Method 1: Google Assistant

1. Activate the assistant with your voice (OK, Google) or hold the Google Assistant button (on NFC models).
2. Tell the command to “take a screenshot” or “Photography the screen.”
3. Confirm the action (if required).

Method 2: Xiao AI (China only/China Global Firmware)

1. Open Xiao AI (the microphone icon at the bottom of the screen or via the swipe on the right).
2. Say it in Chinese: «» (jiétú) Or in English: "Take a screenshot».

⚠️ Attention: Voice commands may not work in some applications (e.g. banking or high security) and make sure the assistant has access to Settings. → Annexes → Permits → Special access → Screenshots.

5. Long screenshot (scrollable)

Sometimes you need to save not only the visible part of the screen, but also the entire page (for example, a chat in WhatsApp or an article in a browser). MIUI There's a Scrolling Screenshot feature. How to use it:

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the miniature appears in the lower right corner, tap it.
3. In the editor that opens, select “Scroll” (an icon with two arrows down).
4. Wait until the system automatically scrolls through the page and connects the parts into a single file.

🔹 Limitations:

• 📱 It doesn’t work in some apps (like Instagram or TikTok).
• 📄 Maximum length: about 5 screens (depending on model).
• 🔄 If the page is dynamic (such as a news feed), there may be artifacts.

💡

If you can’t get a scrolling screenshot through MIUI, try third-party apps like LongShot or Scroll Capture from Google Play.

6. Screenshot via PC (ADB or Mi PC Suite)

If the Poco M3 screen is broken, does not respond to touch, or you just prefer to control from a computer, you can take a screenshot through ADB or the proprietary utility Mi PC Suite.

Method 1: Through ADB (for advanced users)

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC and connect your smartphone over USB (enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
2. Open the command line and type in: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png
3. Download the file on PC: adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

Method 2: Through Mi PC Suite (Easier)

1. Download and install Mi PC Suite from the official Xiaomi website.
2. Connect Poco M3 to USB and allow access to data.
3. In the program, select "File Management" → "Screenshot".

⚠️ Attention: When in use ADB The screenshot is saved without notice – this can be useful for covert screen capture, but do not forget about privacy (for example, when shooting bank data).

7. Solving screenshot issues on Poco M3

Sometimes screenshots fail or are saved with errors, and let's look at the typical problems and their solutions.

If none of these methods work, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📱 Update MIUI last-minute.
• 🛠️ Reset gesture settings (Settings) → System system → Resetting settings → Reset your gestures).

💡

On the Poco M3 with custom firmware (like the Pixel Experience), the standard methods may not work, so use apps from Google Play, like Screenshot Easy or Super Screenshot.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Poco M3