How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Mi A3: dialog

Contents

• Why you need screenshots on Xiaomi A3 and where they are stored
• Method 1: Standard button combination (always working)
• Method 2: Quick Ball – a floating button for screenshots
• Method 3: Gestures (only for the purpose of MIUI 12+)
• How to edit and share screenshots right after you create
• Typical problems and their solutions
• Alternative ways: Google Assistant and third-party apps
• Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi A3

Xiaomi Mi A3 — One of the few smartphones of the brand, running on “pure” Android One, and not on the brand shell MIUI. This means that some of the features that are familiar to other Xiaomi models are implemented differently, including screenshots, and if you’ve recently switched from another device or just forgot how to take screenshots, this guide will help you understand the problem.

Unlike the flagship models, the Mi A3 It doesn't support every possible way to take screenshots, for example, there's no scrolling feature for long screenshots (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro), but basic methods that work consistently are available. We tested all options on Android 11 and Android 12 firmware – instructions are relevant for both versions.

Why you need screenshots on Xiaomi A3 and where they are stored

Screenshots on the Mi A3 come in handy in a variety of situations:

• 📱 Keeping important information – tickets, checks, payment confirmations.
• 💬 Transferring dialogs from instant messengers (without editing, unlike text).
• 🐞 Error Report – Screenshot with bug will help technical support to understand the problem faster.
• 🎮 Bragging about achievements in games or social media.
• 📊 Keeping charts and statistics (e.g. from fitness or finance apps).

All screenshots are automatically saved in the folder. Pictures/Screenshots (or DCIM/Screenshots Some firmware, some of which are accessible:

• 📁 Through the standard app "Gallery" (in the album "Screenshots").
• 🔍 File Manager: Files by Google or Mi File Manager).
• 🖥️ When connecting the phone to the PC in file transfer mode.

⚠️ Note: If screenshots are not saved, check if the permission to write for the Gallery or Storage app is disabled. → Annexes → Permits → Warehouse.

On Mi. A3 Screenshots are saved in.png format with a resolution corresponding to the current screen resolution (usually 720×1560 The weight of a single image is from 300 CB 1,5 MB, depending on the content of the screen.

Method 1: Standard button combination (always working)

It’s a versatile method that works on all Android devices, including Xiaomi Mi. A3. The algorithm is simple:

1. Open the screen you want to capture.
2. Press the power button (right) and the volume button (left) at the same time.
3. Keep them close. 1-2 seconds until you hear the characteristic shutter sound of the camera and see the animation save.

If done correctly, a “Screenshot Save” notification will appear at the top of the screen, and a thumbnail with buttons will appear in the notification panel for quick editing and sending.

Make sure there is no confidential information on the screen.

Check if Do Not Disturb (it blocks shutter sound) is on

Turn it off. VPN, If the screenshot is needed to confirm geolocation

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⚠️ Note: Some of the Mi's firmware A3 Google Assistant can be activated at the same time as you create a screenshot (if the power button is clamped for longer than 2 seconds). To avoid this, press the combination sharply and release immediately after the sound.

If the screenshot didn't work out:

• 🔋 Check if the battery is discharged (at a charge level below 5%, some functions are blocked).
• 🖐️ Try pressing the buttons not at the same time, but with a minimum interval (volume first, then power).
• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes helps with temporary crashes.

💡

If you have thumbs and it is difficult to press two buttons at the same time, try using the second method with Quick Ball.

Method 2: Quick Ball – a floating button for screenshots

Quick Ball is a proprietary feature of Xiaomi that adds a floating button to the screen with quick access to frequently used activities, including taking screenshots. A3 Android One is not stable, but you can turn it on:

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Quick Ball.
2. Activate the switch at the top of the screen.
3. Adjust the appearance and position of the button (it is recommended to choose a position from the side so as not to interfere).
4. In the Quick Actions menu, add the Screenshot option (if it is not available by default).

Now, to take a screenshot:

1. Press the floating Quick Ball button.
2. In the menu that appears, select the screenshot icon (usually a scissors or camera icon).
3. Wait for the beep and the save notification.

If Quick Ball does not appear after turning on, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📱 Set a different button position (for example, right instead of left).
• 🔧 Reset the special features settings in Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting special opportunities.

💡

Quick Ball is the only way to take a screenshot on Xiaomi A3 One hand without pressing physical buttons.

Method 3: Gestures (only for the purpose of MIUI 12+)

Owners of Mi A3 It is often confused with other Xiaomi models, which support gestures for screenshots (for example, holding three fingers on the screen). A3 Android One doesn't have this feature by default. However, there's a workaround:

If you still want to try gestures, follow the instructions:

1. Install Screenshot Touch from Google Play.
2. Run it and provide all the necessary permissions (including Display over other windows and Special Features).
3. In the application settings, select a gesture (for example, swipe three fingers down).
4. Test the work – swipe your fingers on the screen in a given direction.

Cons of this method:

• 🛑 The application may conflict with certain games (for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).
• 🔋 Increases battery consumption (the application works in the background).
• 🔒 There is a risk of data leakage (some applications request unnecessary permissions).

If the gestures do not work after installation:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📋 Check if the application blocks the battery optimizer (in Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).
• 🔧 Update the application to the latest version.

How to edit and share screenshots right after you create

After taking a screenshot of the Mi A3 At the top of the screen appears a thumbnail with three buttons:

• 🖌️ "Edit" - opens the built-in editor with tools for cropping, drawing and adding text.
• 📤 "Share – allows you to send a screenshot through messengers or save to the cloud.
• 🗑️ "Delete – deletes the photo without saving.

If you missed the notification, you can find a screenshot:

1. In the notification panel, swipe down and tap on the notification "Screenshot saved".
2. In the gallery - open the album "Screenshots".
3. Through the file manager, go to the Pictures/Screenshots.

Built-in editor on Mi A3 supportive:

• 📏 Cutting and turning of the image.
• ✏️ Painting with a brush (3 sizes) and eraser.
• 🎨 Add text (5 fonts, color selection).
• 🖼️ Blurring the allocated areas (useful for hiding personal data).
• 📎 Adding stickers and memes (limited set).

⚠️ Warning: After editing, the screenshot is saved as a new file, and the original remains intact. To avoid duplicates, the original can be manually deleted.

For quick sending of screenshot:

1. Click on the thumbnail in the notification or open the picture in the gallery.
2. Slip on the Share icon (usually in the lower right corner).
3. Select an app (such as Telegram, WhatsApp or Gmail).
4. If necessary, compress the image (some messengers automatically reduce the size).

💡

If you want to send a high-quality screenshot, upload it to Google Photos or the cloud, and then share the link. This will avoid compression in messengers.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even on a device as reliable as Xiaomi Mi A3, When you take screenshots, you might have a problem:

If none of these methods work, try resetting to factory settings:

1. Make a backup copy of the data.
2. Go to Settings → System → Resetting → Delete all data.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After resetting, all screenshots will be deleted, but the function should work correctly.

Alternative ways: Google Assistant and third-party apps

If standard methods for some reason do not fit, alternative options can be used:

1. Google Assistant

Google’s voice assistant can take screenshots on command:

1. Activate Google Assistant by saying “OK, Google” or by pressing the Home button (if you have one).
2. Say, "Take a screenshot" or "Screenshot."
3. Confirm the action if necessary.

Cons of this method:

• 🎤 Requires microphone and internet access (to process voice).
• ⏳ It works slower than the buttons.
• 🔇 It doesn't work in "Do Not Disturb" mode".

Third-party annexes

Google Play has dozens of screenshot apps, the most reliable ones:

• 📸 Screenshot Easy – Supports gestures, timer and editing.
• 🖥️ Super Screenshot – allows you to take long screenshots (scroll screenshots).
• 🎨 Screenshot Touch – works overlay, does not require root.

Before installation, check:

• 📌 App rating (should be higher than 4.0).
• 🔍 Reviews - no complaints about viruses or advertising.
• 🔒 Permissions – the application must not request access to SMS or contact.

⚠️ Note: Some screenshot applications (such as those that promise "screenshots in games without lags") may contain malicious code.

Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi A3