How to take a screenshot on a Xiaomi phone: all ways + error solving

Taking a screenshot on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO seems like a simple task — until you face unexpected problems, someone can’t find saved screens, someone doesn’t work standard button combinations, and owners of new models with flexible screens are completely lost in search of a solution. This article will not just list the ways, but explain why sometimes screenshots do not save, where they disappear and how to take a screenshot even on a locked phone.

We tested all the methods on devices with MIUI 14/15 and Android 13/14, including the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the budget Redmi Note 12 and the foldable Mix Fold 3. Particular attention was paid to the hidden features of MIUI, which allow you to take screenshots with scrolling long pages or save them immediately to the cloud. If you want not just to press buttons, but to understand the logic of the system, read on.

1. Standard method: button combination

The classic method works on 99% of Xiaomi devices, but many users make the same mistake. Remember: you need to press buttons simultaneously and hold 1-2 seconds, rather than quickly clicking on them.

• 📱 Loudness down + Power is a universal combination for all Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and the Redmi). POCO)
• 🔄 Loudness up + Power is an alternative option on some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T)
• 🎯 Triple tap on the screen – if the feature is enabled in the settings (more on this below)

After a successful screenshot, you'll see the animation and hear the characteristic shutter sound (if the sound is not turned off). Pictures/Screenshots or DCIM/Screenshots. Important: on devices with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12 Pro) pressing too fast may not work – try holding the buttons longer.

2. Screenshot by gesture (triple touch)

Triple-touch allows you to take screenshots by simply touching your finger three times across the display, which is convenient when one hand is busy or power buttons are hard to reach (for example, on large smartphones like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra).

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Gestures and movements
2. Find the "Triple Touch" item (or "Quick Ball" on some firmware)
3. Turn on the switch and select the action "Screenshot"
4. Set up sensitivity (recommended average)

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F5, Redmi K60) If the screenshots don't work, check if navigation gestures and triple touch are on at the same time, and the gesture may not work on a locked screen or in some games (such as Genshin Impact).

Turn off navigation gestures in settings|Check the sensitivity of the screen|Make sure the feature is enabled for the current user profile|Restart your phone if the gesture doesn’t work.-->

3. Screenshot through the notification panel

The most reliable method that works even if the buttons or the sensor don't work, and MIUI has a built-in button for screenshots in the notification curtain to find it:

• 📲 Swipe your finger down to open the notification bar.
• 🔍 Scroll down to the second page of Quick Settings
• 🖼️ Find the Screenshot icon (usually next to Plane Mode")
• 📌 Click and hold the icon to drag it to the first page for quick access.

This is especially useful for Xiaomi owners with physical buttons (e.g. Redmi 9A), where mechanical keys wear out over time, and you can take a screenshot with one hand without intercepting the phone.

1. Open the curtain and click on the "Edit" icon (pencil)
2. Find the screenshot and drag it to the active area.
3. Save the changes.

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If the screenshot button is missing after the MIUI update, reset the notification panel settings: Settings → Notifications → Additional → Reset the panel settings

4. Advanced features: long screenshot and screen recording

MIUI offers advanced screenshot capabilities that many people don't know about, such as taking a screenshot of a page being scrolled (a long screen) or immediately recording the screen.

⚠️ Note: The long screenshot feature may not work in some apps (e.g. Telegram or WhatsApp) where developers block the ability to scroll. Also on devices with 4GB of RAM or less (e.g. Redmi). 10A) Long screens are sometimes “cut off” – in this case, try to take a few separate pictures and glue them together in the editor.

5. Screenshot on a locked screen or in safe mode

Can I take a screenshot if my phone is locked? The answer depends on the model and version of MIUI:

• 🔓 On unlocked devices: The button combination works always, even if the screen is off (but the phone is not locked with a password)
• 🔒 On locked devices: screenshot cannot be taken – this is a security limitation for Android
• 🛡️ Safe Mode: The button combination works, but saving may be limited
• 📱 On foldable smartphones (such as the Mix Fold 3): screenshots are only taken from an active screen.

If you need to take a picture of the lock screen (for example, to show wallpaper or notifications), use a second phone or mirror the screen on your PC via the Mi PC Suite.The alternative is to turn on the developer mode and use the adb shell screencap (instruction below).

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On devices with Always-On Display (for example, Xiaomi 14 Pro) screenshot lock screen can not be taken – the system blocks this feature for data protection.

6. Problem Solving: Screenshots are not saved or are lost

A common complaint from Xiaomi users is, "I took a screenshot and it didn't survive." The reasons range from a simple memory shortage to a firmware failure. Here's a checklist for diagnosis:

1. Check the save folder: sometimes screens are saved not in Screenshots, but in DCIM/Camera or even in the Internal Storage root folder.
2. Free up space: If your phone has less than 500MB of free space, the system can automatically delete old screenshots
3. Turn off optimization: in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Optimization turn off optimization for the Gallery app
4. Check Permits: Gallery Apps Must Have Warehouse Access Rights
5. Reset Media Settings: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Gallery → Storage → Reset

If screenshots disappear after the reboot, the problem may be in the damaged SD-map (if the save is set to it) or in conflict with the shell. MIUI 14+ Sometimes helps reset the settings of the application "Screenshots":

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three dots (menu) → Show system → Screenshots → Storage → Reset

⚠️ Note: Some firmware (Xiaomi.EU or custom) may save screenshots in.png instead of.jpg, which makes them invisible in the standard gallery. Use a file manager (such as Mi File Explorer) and enable the display of hidden files.

7.Alternative methods: ADB, Google Assistant and third-party applications

If the standard methods don't work, you can use alternative tools, like Google Assistant, which can take voice-command screenshots:

• 🎤 Say, “OK Google, take a screenshot” (requires English assistant localization)
• 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC and use the command: Adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png
• 📱 Install apps like Screenshot Easy or Super Screenshot (available in the Play Market)

To use ADB you will need:

1. Enable Developer Mode (7 times click on the build number in Settings → About Phone)
2. Activate debugging over USB in the developer settings
3. Connect the phone to the PC and execute the command (screenshot will be saved in the root folder)

⚠️ Attention: When in use ADB device-wise MIUI 15 You may need additional confirmation on your phone (a permission pop-up). If the command is not working, try adding it. --override:

adb shell screencap -p --override /sdcard/screen.jpg

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi