Modern Xiaomi smartphones offer convenient ways to create screenshots without using physical buttons. Gesture control has become an integral part of the branded MIUI shell, allowing users to take screenshots with a single finger movement. This feature is especially useful when you need to quickly save important information and power or volume buttons are not available.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to create screenshots with gestures on Xiaomi, Redmi devices, POCO And Black Shark, you'll learn how to turn this feature on and configure it, what gestures are supported in different versions. MIUI, You'll also get practical tips for solving possible problems, and we'll focus on the nuances of working on the latest firmware versions. MIUI 14 and MIUI 15.
What Xiaomi models support screenshots with gestures
The gesture-based screenshot feature is available on most modern Xiaomi devices, but there are some limitations: the main criteria are the MIUI firmware version and the presence of a multi-touch touch screen.
Here are the main categories of devices where this function works stably:
- 📱 Flagship models: Xiaomi 13/14 series, Mi 11/12 series, Mix 4/Fold — Supports all types of gestures, including three-toed swipe
- 📱 Mid-segment: Redmi Note 11/12/13 Pro, POCO F4/F5 — You may need to activate in the settings
- 📱 Budget models: Redmi 10A/12C, POCO M5/M6 — Usually only three-toed swipe down is supported.
- 🎮 Gaming smartphones: Black Shark 5/6 — have advanced gesture settings, including game modes
It is important to note that on devices with MIUI version below 12.5, the function may not work at all or may not work at all, and some regional firmware (for example, for the European market) may have limited gesture functionality.
How to Include Screenshots with Gestures in MIUI
By default, the gesture screenshot function can be disabled. To activate it, follow this step-by-step instruction:
- Open the Settings app on your smartphone
- Go to Additional Settings (or Special Features in New Versions)
- Select buttons and gestures (Gesturals in MIUI 15)
- Find the Screenshot option with a gesture or Quick gestures
- Activate the switch and select the preferred way to create a screenshot.
On some devices, the path may be slightly different. For example, on POCO F5 with MIUI 14 for POCO, you need to go to Settings → System → Gestures → Screenshot. If you don't find this item, try searching by settings by typing in "screenshot gesture."
Make sure your smartphone has MIUI 12.5 or newer
Check for the latest system updates
Remove covers or films that interfere with the sensor
Restart the device before setting up-->
Once activated, you can take screenshots with one of the gestures available, and most of the time, the three-toed swipe down is the default, but you can choose from other options.
The main gestures for creating screenshots
Depending on the device model and the MIUI version, there are different gesture options available for taking screenshots.
| Type of gesture | Description | Supported models | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three-toed swipe down. | Simultaneous conduction with three fingers from the top of the screen down | All models with MIUI 12.5+ | The most reliable method, even in games |
| Back-side tapping | Double tapping on the back of the smartphone | Approximate sensor models (Xiaomi 11T, 12 series) | Requires activation in Additional settings → Double touch |
| Long-term retention of three fingers | Holding three fingers on the screen for 1-2 seconds | Flagship models (Xiaomi 13/14, Mix Fold) | It may conflict with other gestures. |
| Gesture "L" (for left-handers) | Swipe the L-shaped finger from the edge of the screen | Models with MIUI 14 for POCO | Configured in Settings → Gestures → Quick gestures |
An important feature for gaming smartphones Black Shark: on these devices you can assign a screenshot to the physical button Shark Space or use a special game gesture - swipe four fingers diagonally.
Experiment with different options to find the most convenient for yourself. Remember that some gestures may conflict with system functions or applications, so if you have problems, try another method.
Problems with gestural screenshots and their solutions
Although convenient, the gesture screenshot function sometimes doesn't work properly, and let's look at some of the most common problems and ways to solve them:
- ❌ Guests not recognized: Check if the function is enabled in the settings. Make sure you use three fingers (not two or four) and try to make a gesture from different parts of the screen.
- ❌ Screenshot is delayed: This may be due to system overload. Close background apps or restart the device. Some models may help to turn off animations in the developer settings.
- ❌ The gesture conflicts with other functions: for example, POCO F4 Three-toed swipe can conflict with the return gesture, in which case, change the priority of gestures in the settings or choose another way to create screenshots.
- ❌ Feature Disappeared After Update: After Major Updates MIUI You can reset the settings. Check if the function in the settings has turned off, and if necessary, activate it again.
What if the gestures stopped working after resetting the settings?
A new problem has emerged on devices with MIUI 15: sometimes gestures stop working after the power saving mode is activated, in which case it is enough to turn off the battery saving mode or add the MIUI System Interface application to the list of exceptions.
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If you often take screenshots in games, add the game to the gesture exception list. Go to Settings → Apps → Permissions → Autoplay and enable autoplay for the desired game.
Additional functions when creating screenshots
Modern versions of MIUI offer not only basic screenshots, but also additional features for working with them. After creating a screenshot gesture at the top of the screen, a quick action panel appears that allows you to:
- 📝 Edit the screenshot immediately after creation (stripping, drawing, adding text)
- 📤 Share immediately in messengers or social networks without saving
- 📁 Save to album or cloud storage Mi Cloud
- 🔍 Recognise text with built-in OCR (available on devices with MIUI 13+)
- 📊 Create a long screenshot (scroll screenshot) for web pages and chats
On devices with MIUI 14 and later, you can create video recording of the screen using gestures, and you need to hold three fingers on the screen for longer than 2 seconds, the system will suggest you start recording the screen instead of creating a static screenshot.
To activate long screenshots after you have created a regular screenshot, click on the thumbnail in the lower right corner of the screen and select the Scrolling option, which is especially useful for saving full dialogs in messengers or long web pages.
Comparison of gestural screenshots with other methods
In addition to gestures, other ways to create screenshots are available on Xiaomi devices, so let’s compare them by the main parameters:
| Method | Speed. | Convenience | Work in games | Additional functions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gesture (three-toed swipe) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Editing, long screenshots |
| Buttons (Power + Volume Down) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | Basic functions |
| Voice assistant | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ | Just a basic screenshot. |
| Notification panel | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Editing, quick sending |
| Third-party applications | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Advanced editing, cloud storage |
As you can see from the table, gesture is one of the fastest and most versatile, and it is particularly advantageous in games where using physical buttons may be uncomfortable or impossible, but for some specific tasks (such as creating delayed screenshots), specialized applications may be needed.
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Xiaomi’s gestural screenshot method is optimal for most everyday tasks, but for professional use (e.g., creating learning materials) it’s best to combine it with other methods.
Tips for Effective Use of Screenshots on Xiaomi
To make the most of the gesture screenshots feature, use these practical tips:
- 🔄 Customize your gestures: Experiment with different gesture options in your settings to find the most intuitive for you. Some models can assign different gestures for regular and long screenshots.
- 📁 Organize storage: By default, screenshots are saved in the folder Pictures/Screenshots. Create subfolders for different categories (work, games, social networks) for easy management.
- ☁️ Use Cloud Storage: Enable automatic screenshot downloads in Mi Cloud via Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Synchronization of photos.
- 🔒 Protect confidential information: Before sending screenshots to messengers, use the built-in editor to delete personal data (phone numbers, addresses, etc.).
- 🎨 Use templates: In the screenshot editor, ready-made stickers and templates are available for quick design (arrows, strokes, blurring).
For users who share screenshots on social media frequently, it’s helpful to know about the quick cropping feature. Immediately after you’ve taken a screenshot, swipe your thumbnail in the bottom right corner to crop the image to the right size without opening a full editor.
On devices with MIUI 15, you can create animated screenshots. To do this, after a normal screenshot, click on the thumbnail and select the option Animation. The system will record the last 5 seconds of activity on the screen in GIF format.
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If you often need to take screenshots of web pages, install the Mi Browser browser – it has a built-in feature of creating long screenshots directly from the browser menu.
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models with Active In-Pocket Mode (in screen settings) may not have screenshot gestures. Turn off this mode if you encounter gesture recognition problems.