How to take a screenshot on a Xiaomi phone: all ways + hidden MIUI features

Taking screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you encounter unexpected nuances. Some models require a button combination to be pinched, others support gestures, and MIUI 14 has new features that not everyone knows about. This article will not just list the standard methods, but also reveal the hidden capabilities of MIUI for advanced users, including creating long screenshots of scrolling pages and saving to the cloud without manual transfer.

We tested all the methods on 15+ models, from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra, so that you get the latest information without outdated tips. Particular attention was paid to the problems faced by beginners: why the screenshot is not saved, how to change the format from.png to.jpg, and what to do if the screen does not respond to gestures. Ready to figure out?

1. Standard method: button combination

The classic method works on all Xiaomi smartphones regardless of the MIUI version or model.

• 🔘 Power button (right) + volume-down button (left)
• 🕒 Press both buttons at the same time. 1-2 A few seconds before you hear the shutter sound.
• 📁 Screenshot is automatically saved in the folder DCIM/Screenshots or Pictures/Screenshots

In the models with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5) When you create the screenshot, you'll see a thumbnail in the bottom right corner, tap it to edit or share it right away. If the thumbnail doesn't show up, check the settings in Settings. → Special facilities → Quick action.

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On some models (such as Black Shark 5), the button combination may conflict with the game mode. To avoid random screenshots while playing, turn off the feature in Settings → Game Mode → Game Assistant settings.

One important thing is, if you're using a magnetic lock case, the power button can lock.

1. Take off the cover or open it.
2. Repeat the button combination
3. If the problem persists, check the case settings in Settings → Lock screen → Additional settings

2.Gestural screenshots in MIUI

MIUI offers two alternative ways to create screenshots without buttons - both are activated in gesture settings. The first method (three-toed swipe) works on all models starting with MIUI 10, the second (touching the back panel) is only available on devices with support for Double Tap (for example, Xiaomi 12T or Redmi Note 11 Pro+).

To turn the three-toed swipe down:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Gestures → Screenshot
2. Activate the switch Three-toed swipe down
3. Test: Swipe three fingers across the screen from top to bottom (not necessarily vertically)

To touch the back panel (if supported):

1. Open Settings → Additional settings → Touch and hold
2. Choose Double Touch and assign Screenshot action
3. Twice touch the back of the phone (even on a locked screen)

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X5) The three-toed swipe gesture may conflict with the split screen function. If the screenshot is not created, check the priority of the gestures in Settings → System system → Gestures.

3. Voice control: "OK, Google" and Xiao AI

If your hands are busy or your buttons are not working, you can take a screenshot with your voice. Xiaomi offers two options: through Google Assistant (works on all Android devices) or through the branded assistant Xiao AI (China-only / global firmware with support).

For Google Assistant:

1. Activate the assistant with the “OK, Google” command or by holding the Home button.
2. Say, “Take a screenshot” or “Take a screenshot”
3. Confirm the action (if required)

For Xiao AI (if available):

1. Hold the Home button or say “Xiao AI”
2. Say the command in Chinese: "" (Jiétú) or in English: "Take a screenshot."
3. Some firmware will require pre-enabled permission for the assistant in Settings → Applications → Xiao AI → Permissions

Voice is especially useful for long screenshots (see next section) because it allows you to start the process without interrupting the page scroll.

• 🔊 Teams are not working in "Do Not Disturb" mode"
• 📵 In office buildings or subways, voice input may not work due to interference
• 🔒 On some models (e.g. Redmi) 10A) Voice screenshots disabled by default for security reasons

4. Long (scrollable) screenshots

The long screenshot (or scrolling screenshot) feature allows you to capture an entire web page, a chat in Telegram, or a contact list - even if they don't fit on a single screen.This feature works in MIUI 11 and later, but there are nuances for different applications.

How to take a long screenshot:

1. Create a regular screenshot of any of the above methods
2. When the screenshot appears at the bottom of the screen, tap it.
3. Select the option “Scroll” or “Long Screenshot” (on some models – the icon with two arrows)
4. Wait for automatic scrolling and saving (the process can take up to 10 seconds)

Close all pop-up windows (they can interrupt the scroll)

Make sure the page is fully loaded

Turn off automatic brightness (a sudden change can knock the algorithm)

Check that the browser settings are disabled "reading mode"-->

Important limitations:

• 🚫 It doesn’t work in banking apps and some instant messengers (for example, WhatsApp blocks this feature)
• 📱 On models with 4 GB of RAM or less, there may be a “Lack of memory” error when scrolling long pages.
• 🔄 Chrome sometimes only works after the second Attempta – try scrolling the page manually before creating a screenshot.

⚠️ Note: Long screenshots are saved in.png format and can take up to 10-15 MB for pages with a lot of images. Before sending through the messenger, compress the file using applications like Photo & Picture Resizer.

5. Screenshots with Quick Ball and Game Assistant

If the standard methods don't work for you, MIUI offers two additional tools: Quick Ball and Game Assistant, both of which can be customized to suit your needs.

Quick Ball is a floating button that appears on top of all windows to activate it:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Quick Ball
2. Turn on the switch and adjust the position of the ball on the screen
3. Add the "Screenshot" action to the list of fast commands
4. Now tap the ball and select "Screenshot" in the menu

The game assistant is useful for gamers - it allows you to take screenshots right during the game without interrupting the process:

1. Open the game and call the game assistant swipe from the edge of the screen (usually on the right)
2. Slip the Screenshot icon (or hold it to record a video)
3. On some models (such as Black Shark 4), screenshots from games are saved to a separate folder Games/Screenshots.

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Quick Ball is especially useful on larger smartphones (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or POCO F4 GT), where it is difficult to reach the buttons with one hand.

Both methods have limitations:

• 🎮 The game assistant works only in supported games (the list can be viewed in Settings). → Game mode → Settings)
• 🔘 Quick Ball can conflict with navigation gestures – if the ball goes missing, turn off Full-screen gestures in screen settings
• 📱 In the models with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) Quick Ball can leave burnout marks with prolonged use

6. Screenshot Problems and Their Solutions

Even on new Xiaomi smartphones, users face typical screenshot problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

If none of the methods work, try resetting your gesture settings:

1. Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings
2. Select Reset gesture settings (does not affect user data)
3. Reboot your phone and reset your gestures.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI EU) After the update, you may reset permission to create screenshots for individual applications. → Annexes → Permits → Screenshots.

7. Additional Chips: Editing and Cloud Save

The screenshot is only half the story, and MIUI offers built-in tools for editing and instantaneous saving to the cloud, and here's what you can do right after you take the screenshot:

• ✏️ Editing: Slip on the screenshot thumbnail → Choose tools for cropping, adding text or drawing
• 🌐 Cloud Saving: Enable Automatic Boot in Mi Cloud in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery
• 📤 Quick Submitting: Swipe the thumbnail left/right to share immediately in instant messengers
• 🔍 Text recognition: Click the Text icon in the editor to copy the text from the screenshot

For advanced users, these tricks are useful:

• 📁 Change format: By default, screenshots are saved to.png. To change to.jpg, use the Gallery app → select a screenshot → "More" →"Save how"
• 🔒 Hidden Screenshots: Move important pictures to Closed Folder (available in Gallery after entering password)
• 🎨 Topics for screenshots: In Themes you can download special styles for screenshot miniatures (section "Block screen and screen" AOD")

If you share screenshots often, set up a quick send:

1. Open Settings → Additional settings → Power button and volume
2. Activate the option "Fast sending screenshots"
3. Now, after creating a screenshot, it is enough to swipe the thumbnail to the side to open the sending menu.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi