How to take a screenshot on a Xiaomi phone: all the ways for MIUI 12-14

Screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones are one of the most popular features that can be used to save important information, share data in messengers or fix errors in applications. Despite their apparent simplicity, many users face difficulties: standard button combinations do not work, gestures in MIUI are inactive, or simply do not know about the hidden capabilities of the system. This article covers all the current ways to create screenshots on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices – from classic methods to little-known firmware chips.

Xiaomi phones feature flexible MIUI firmware that updates regularly and adds new features. For example, MIUI 13-14 features an advanced screenshot editor that blurs snippets, adds stickers and sends them to the cloud instantly, while on budget models (such as Redmi 9A or POCO M3), some of the features can be disabled by default, and we’ll discuss how to activate them manually and what to do if screenshots are not saved.

Important: The instructions in this article are relevant for all modern Xiaomi devices (2018-2026 release) based on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS. If your phone is released before 2018 (for example, Mi A1 or Redmi Note 4), some methods may not work due to an outdated version of Android or lack of gesture support.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi models regardless of the MIUI version is the simultaneous pressing of physical buttons.

1. Open the screen you want to lock (for example, a WhatsApp chat or a page in your browser).
2. Press the Volume Down button and the Power button at the same time.
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the sound of the camera shutter and see the animation of the screenshot.

On new models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12), vibration instead of sound can be triggered, which is normal. The picture is automatically saved to the gallery in the Screenshots folder or Screenshots.

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO F3) The power button can be sensitive. If the screenshot is not created, try pressing buttons with a small delay (volume first, power later).

This is a reliable method, but it's not always convenient -- especially if you want to take a series of screenshots in a row, and in such cases, you'd better use gestures or a quick action panel, which we'll talk about later.

2. Screenshot with three fingers (MIUI gesture)

The MIUI firmware feature is the ability to take screenshots with three fingers wired across the screen, which is enabled by default on most devices, but if it doesn't work, you can manually activate it:

1. Go to Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
2. Find the option "Three-finger screenshot" and turn it on.
3. Choose the direction of the gesture: top down (recommended) or bottom up.

Now, to take a screenshot, simply swipe three fingers (for example, index, middle and ring) across the screen in the selected direction.The method is convenient for scrolling screenshots (for example, long pages in the browser or chats), as after the first shot there is an option to continue capturing.

If the gesture doesn't work:

• 🧹 Make sure there are no greasy spots or protective film on the screen – they interfere with touch recognition.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone: sometimes sensor failures are solved by a banal reboot.
• 📱 Check if left-handed mode is enabled in gesture settings – it can change the recognition logic.

Make sure the function is enabled in the settings

Check the screen cleanliness

Reset the device

Update MIUI last-minute-->

3. Quick Action Panel (Notification curtain)

Another quick way is to use the notification bar, which is good if you need to take a screenshot with one hand or if the physical buttons are faulty.

1. Open the screen.
2. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
3. Find the screenshot icon (usually a scissor or a rectangle with lightning). If it's not there, click on the screenshot. ⋯ (three-point) → "Change and add it to active labels.
4. Slip the icon - the screenshot will be taken instantly.

The advantage of this method is that you can edit the screenshot immediately after you create it, and then you click on the icon and you get a thumbnail and you get options.

• 🖌️ Edit (shortcutting, drawing, adding text).
• 📤 Share (send to messenger or cloud).
• 🗑️ Delete (if screenshot is not needed).

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 10C) The quick action bar can be simplified. If the screenshot icon is not there even after editing the shortcuts, update it. MIUI or use alternative methods.

4. Voice assistant Google or Xiao AI

If you need to take a screenshot without using your hands (such as while cooking or playing sports), you can use a voice assistant.

Method 1: Google Assistant

It works on all Xiaomi phones with Google Play Services installed:

1. Activate the voice assistant with the “OK, Google” command or press the “Home” button (if you have one on your model).
2. Say, "Take a screenshot" or "Screenshot."
3. Confirm the action (if required).

Method 2: Xiao AI (China/India only)

On devices with firmware for the Chinese or Indian market, there is a proprietary Xiao AI assistant:

1. Press the home button or say, "Hey, Xiao AI."
2. Say the command in Chinese: "" (Jiétú) or in English: "Take a screenshot."

The voice method is convenient, but has limitations:

• 🔇 It only works when connected to the Internet (to recognize commands).
• 📵 It may not work in games or apps with voice blocking.
• 🌐 On Xiao's global firmware AI Frequently disabled – check if the app is on the menu.

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If the voice assistant doesn't recognize the command, try to pronounce it more clearly or switch the system language to English, which sometimes helps improve recognition.

5. Scrolling screenshot (long screen)

The Scrolling Screenshot (or Long Screen) feature allows you to capture all of the content on a page, even if it doesn't fit on a single screen.

• 📄 Long chats on Telegram or WhatsApp.
• 📊 Pages with tables or graphs.
• 🗺️ Routes in Google Maps or Yandex.Maps.

How to take a scrolling screenshot:

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the thumbnail of the picture appears at the bottom of the screen, click on it.
3. In the editor that opens, tap the “Scroll” icon (two arrows down).
4. Wait until the system automatically scrolls through the page and connects the snippets into one snapshot.

Limitations of function:

⚠️ Note: On some sites (such as banking apps or Netflix), the scrolling screenshot feature is automatically disabled by Android due to content protection (DRM). In such cases, you will have to take a series of ordinary pictures.

6. Screenshot by computer (ADB)

If the touch screen is not working or you need to take a screenshot without unlocking your phone, you can use USB debugging (ADB).This method requires minimal technical skills, but is suitable for any situation, including:

• 🔧 Data recovery after failure.
• 🔒 Bypassing the pattern lock (if the phone is unlocked but the screen is unresponsive).
• 🖥️ Automating screenshots (for example, for testing applications).

Instructions for Windows:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (includes adb.exe).
2. Turn on Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode).
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable “Debugging by USB”.
4. Connect your phone to your PC, open the Command Prompt in the adb.exe folder and type:

adb devices


adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.png




adb pull /sdcard/screenshot.png

The image will be saved in the adb.exe folder under the name screenshot.png. For Mac/Linux, the commands are similar, but you may need to add./ before adb.

7. Problem Solving: Screenshots Are Not Saved or Are Not Working

If screenshots are not created or disappear after creation, check the following points:

Problem 1: Screenshots are not saved in the gallery

• 📁 Check the folder. DCIM/Screenshots File Manager – sometimes the gallery is not automatically updated.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone: This will reset the media scanner cache.
• 🛠️ Install an alternative gallery (like Google Photos) that indexes files better.

Problem 2: The button combination doesn’t work

• 🔋 Make sure the phone is not discharged – with a charge level below 5%, some features are turned off.
• 🎮 In games or applications with screenshots blocked (for example, PUBG Mobile or banking programs use the notification panel or ADB.
• 🔧 Check if the power button is assigned to another action in Settings → Buttons and gestures.

Problem 3: Three finger gestures are not recognized

• 👆 Try swiping your fingers faster or slower – sensor sensitivity varies.
• 📱 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version: in old firmware gestures work unstablely.
• 🧰 Reset your gesture settings in Settings → Additional functions → Gestures → Drop it.

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If none of the methods work, check if the phone has an app to block screenshots (such as App Lock or corporate apps). MDM-Such programs often limit the functions of the system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi