How to Take a Screenshot on Xiaomi with the Buttons: The Complete Guide

Screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones are one of the most popular features that can be used to save important information, share data or fix errors in the device. Despite the apparent simplicity, many users face difficulties: the combination of buttons does not work, the screenshot is saved in the wrong place, especially for beginners who have just moved from iPhone or other brands.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible ways to create screenshots using physical buttons on Xiaomi, Redmi and other smartphones. POCO — From the classic combination to alternative methods for devices with faulty keys, you'll learn how to press buttons correctly, where to look for ready-made screenshots, and what to do if the standard method doesn't work. MIUI, which are not written in the official instructions.

The classic way: Power + Volume Down button combination

The most versatile and common method is the simultaneous pressing of the Power and Volume Down buttons, which work on all Xiaomi models, from the Mi 3 (2013) to the flagship Xiaomi 14 and POCO F6 2026.

How to do it right:

• 📱 Press and hold the Power button (usually located on the right) and the Volume Down button (left or right, depending on the model) simultaneously.
• ⏱️ Hold them for a while. 1-2 seconds until you hear the characteristic sound of the camera shutter or see the animation screenshot.
• 🖼️ The finished screenshot will appear in the top notification bar – tap it to immediately open in the editor.

This method works independently of the MIUI version (even on MIUI 14 and HyperOS), but there are nuances:

• 🔋 On some models (for example, Redmi Note 12) buttons can be too sensitive – if you press them out of sync, either lock the screen or adjust the volume.
• 🎮 In games or applications with blocked gestures (for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact combination may not work the first time.

💡

If you can't press two buttons at once, try pressing Volume Down first and then quickly adding Power. This works 90% of the time.

Alternative way: Power + menu button (for older models)

Some Xiaomi devices from 2015-2018 (e.g. Redmi 4X, Mi 5, Mi Max 2) supported an alternative combination: the Power button + menu button (if it was physical).

How it works:

• 🔘 Press and hold the Power button.
• 📑 At the same time, tap the physical Menu button (usually located below the screen).
• 📸 Screenshot will be saved in the gallery in the Screenshots folder.

⚠️ Note: On modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with the MIUI 10) this combination does not work - instead of a screenshot, a power menu may open or the device may accidentally turn off.

If your device is released after 2019, this method is not suitable. Instead, use the classic Power + Volume Down combination or gesture commands (discussed below).

Where to look for saved screenshots?

By default, all screenshots on Xiaomi are saved to the standard Screenshots folder, which is located in the root directory of internal memory. However, the path to them may vary depending on the version of MIUI and the user's settings.

Here are all possible storage locations:

• 📁 gallery → Albums. → Screenshots (the most obvious way).
• 🗃️ File manager → Internal memory. → Pictures → Screenshots.
• ☁️ If sync with Mi Cloud is enabled, screenshots can be duplicated in the cloud (check Settings). → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery).

If the screenshots are suddenly gone, check out the following points:

• 🗑️ Have they been automatically removed by the Cleaner app (open Security) → Cleanup → Basket).
• 🔄 The Screenshots folder may have been moved to SD-Card (check in the file manager).
• 📱 On some firmware (for example, custom) the path may change to DCIM → Screenshots.

💡

If screenshots are not saved, check the permissions for the Gallery app in Settings → Apps → Application Management → Gallery → Permissions.

What to do if the buttons don’t work?

Sometimes the Power + Volume Down combination doesn't work, and it can be anything from mechanical damage to buttons to software failures.

• 🔧 Check the buttons for performance: try to press Power (should lock the screen) and Volume Down (should decrease the sound).If one of the buttons does not respond, the problem may be in the hardware.
• 🔄 Restart the device: sometimes temporary failures in the MIUI block out the pressing.
• 🛠️ Use alternative methods: 👆 The gesture "three fingers down" (must be included in the Settings) → Additional functions → Screenshot). 🖱️ Screenshot button in the notification panel (swipe down) → scissor"). 🤖 Voice command (if Google Assistant is enabled: say “OK Google, take a screenshot").

⚠️ Note: If the Power button doesn’t work at all, don’t try to disassemble your smartphone yourself – this can lead to a loss of warranty. Contact Xiaomi Service Center or use virtual buttons (include in Settings). → Special facilities → Systems management → Power button).

If none of the methods worked, check if the device has apps that block screenshots (such as some banking programs or corporate ones). MDM-decision).

Hold the Power. + Volume Up (Recovery Login Check)|Test the buttons in ##6484## (sensor test)|Try to take a screenshot in safe mode|Update MIUI last-minute-->

Screenshots in games and secure applications

Many users find that screenshots are blocked in some applications (such as Sberbank Online, Tinkoff, Netflix or mobile games), because of security concerns, because developers are afraid of leaking confidential data.

How to get around the restrictions:

• 🎮 For games: use the built-in screen recording function (Notification Panel) → Record the screen, and then take a screenshot of the video.
• 🏦 For banking applications: Turn on Developer Mode and turn off screenshot protection (but this could violate security rules!).
• 📺 For streaming services (Netflix, Disney)+): Screenshots are blocked at the level DRM, It's impossible to get around this without root rights.

If you need to lock the screen in a secure application, you can use a second smartphone or camera, but the quality will be worse.

Editing and managing screenshots

After creating a screenshot, MIUI offers several options for quick editing:

• ✏️ Trimming: Hold your finger on the screenshot in the notification bar and select "Tear off".
• 🎨 Drawing: tap on the screenshot notification → "Edit" → add text, arrows or blur.
• 📤 Quick sending: Immediately after the screenshot is created, a panel with sending options (Telegram, WhatsApp, mail, etc.) will appear.).
• 🗑️ Delete: Swipe the notification to the left or click "Delete".

If you need to save a screenshot in a different format (like PNG instead of JPEG), use third-party apps like Screenshot Touch or Screen Master.

• 📏 Customize the quality and format of preservation.
• 📌 Automatically upload screenshots to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox).
• 🔍 Add watermarks or blurs for sensitive data.

⚠️ Warning: When using third-party screenshot apps, turn off autocleaning cache in Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning, otherwise screenshots can be deleted automatically.

Tips and life hacks for advanced users

If you want to get the most out of the screenshot function, use these tips:

• 📲 Scrolling Screenshots: Some apps (like Chrome or Telegram) will have a Scrolling option after you create a screenshot, which allows you to capture the entire long chat or web page.
• 🔗 Quick link: If you want to share a screenshot of a link, upload it to Mi Cloud or Google Photos and copy the link directly from the gallery.
• 🎭 Screenshots with effects: in the editor MIUI You can add a shadow, frame or even meme stickers (open the screenshot). → "Edit" → "Stickers").
• 🔄 Automatic Sorting: Include in Settings → gallery → Settings → Sort the option "By type" so that screenshots do not mix with ordinary photos.

For owners of devices with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70) is available function "Smart screenshots" - it automatically recognizes the text in the screenshot and suggests copying it or translating it.

💡

If you often need web page screenshots, install the GoFullPage extension for Chrome – it captures the entire page in high resolution, including the part that is not visible on the screen.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi