How to take a screenshot on a Xiaomi phone: all the ways for Redmi, POCO and Mi

Screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones are one of the most popular features that users use every day. Whether you want to save an important message, capture an error in the application or share interesting content from social networks, the ability to quickly take a screenshot will save time and nerves. However, not everyone knows that on devices with a shell MIUI there are several ways to create a screen at once, from the classic combination of buttons to innovative gestures and voice commands.

In this article, we’ll break down all the current techniques, including hidden chips for old and new Redmi, POCO and Mi models. You’ll learn how to take screenshots on Xiaomi with the screen unlocked and locked, save long pages (scroll screens), and solve typical problems when the suddenly function stops working. All instructions are tested on MIUI 12-14 and Android 10-14, but most methods work on earlier versions.

1. Classic method: power and volume buttons

The most versatile and reliable method that works on all Xiaomi models without exception is a combination of physical buttons. It does not depend on the firmware version, does not require additional settings and works even if the touch screen does not respond.

To take a screenshot:

1. Open on the screen what you want to capture (message, page in the browser, game moment, etc.).
2. At the same time, press the Power (on/off) button and the Volume Down button.
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the characteristic sound of the camera shutter and see the screen saving animation.

The finished screenshot will appear in the gallery in the Screenshots folder (or Screenshots on Russian firmware). If the sound is turned off, pay attention to the top notification panel - there will be an icon of the saved screen.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F1 or Mi 8) the button combination may be different. + Volume down causes off menu, try Powering + Loudness up.

Screen unlocked and active |Fingers do not close important elements |Bones pressed synchronously (not late) |No active gestures (e.g., "Double tap to wake up")

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2. Screenshot by gesture: three-toed swipe

The MIUI shell offers a convenient alternative to buttons, which is to take screenshots with a three-finger gesture, which is especially useful if the physical buttons on your Xiaomi are worn out or you prefer to control your phone with one hand.

To activate the function:

1. Go to Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
2. Select Screenshot with a three-toed swipe (or Screenshot with a swipe).
3. Turn on the switch and remember the direction of the gesture (by default - swipe down with three fingers).

Now to take a screenshot:

• 👆 Swipe three fingers across the screen from top to bottom (as if you were swiping the contents down).
• 🎯 The gesture should be smooth and cover most of the screen – short movements may not work.
• 🔊 You will hear the shutter sound and a screen thumbnail will appear at the top of the screen.

If the gesture doesn't work, check:

• 📱 Screen cleanliness (greaty spots or protective glass may interfere with recognition).
• 🔧 Sensor Sensitivity Settings in Settings → Display. → Touch and gesture.
• 🔄 Swipe direction (in some firmwares you need to conduct from the bottom up).

Power and volume buttons | Three finger gesture | Voice assistant | Quick settings panel | Another way-->

3. Voice assistant: "OK, Google" and Alice

If you need to take a screenshot without touching your phone (like when your hands are busy), voice assistants will come to the rescue, a method that works for all Xiaomi with Google Assistant or Alice installed (for Russian firmware).

Instructions for Google Assistant:

1. Activate the assistant with the “OK, Google” voice command or by holding the Home button (if any).
2. Say, "Take a screenshot" or "Photograph the screen."
3. Confirm the action if necessary (on some firmware you need to click "Allow" in the pop-up window).

For Alice (on firmware for Russia):

• 🎤 Say, "Alice, take a screenshot".
• 📲 Or click on the microphone icon in the Yandex search box and tell the command.

⚠️ Attention: Voice commands may not work if the security settings have disabled the access of the assistants to control the screen. → Annexes → Special access → Manage gestures and enable permission to Google/Afoxes.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Works from a distance (useful for taking pictures of the TV screen via Mi) TV Stick).
• ✅ No physical contact with the phone.
• ✅ Can be used during charging or when connected to the gamepad.

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If the voice assistant doesn't recognize the command, try to pronounce it more clearly or reformulate it. For example, instead of "screenshot," say "screenshot."

4. Quick settings panel: one tap to screen

MIUI has a hidden feature that allows you to add a screenshot button to the notification bar, which is convenient if you often take screenshots and do not want to remember button combinations or gestures.

How to add a button:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Put it on the icon. ⚙️ "Edit" (or "Tune in").
3. Find the Screenshot (or Screenshot) tile in the list and drag it to the active area.
4. Press "Done."

Now to take a screenshot:

• 📱 Open the notification panel with swipe down.
• 🔘 Slip on the screenshot icon".
• 🎯 The screen will blink and the picture will be saved in the gallery.

This method is particularly useful for:

• 🎮 Players (you can take a screenshot while streaming without interrupting the game).
• 📊 Work with documents (quickly save a schedule or table).
• 🔧 Error Diagnostics (screenshot of logs or system notifications).

5. Scrolling Screen: How to Take a Long Screenshot

Sometimes a single frame is not enough, such as when you need to save an entire WhatsApp correspondence, a long article or a list of products in an online store, for which MIUI has a scrolling screenshot feature.

How to take a long screenshot:

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the screen thumbnail appears in the upper corner of the screen, tap on it.
3. In the editor that opens, click on the Scrolling (or Scrolling) icon at the bottom of the screen.
4. Wait until the system automatically scrolls the page and connects the frames.
5. Press "Ready" to save the result.

Limitations of function:

• 🚫 It doesn’t work in some apps (e.g. TikTok, Instagram Stories).
• 📏 Maximum screen length – about 5 screens (depending on model).
• 🔄 If the scroll is “hung”, try to take a screenshot in portrait orientation.

Advice for owners POCO and Redmi with AMOLED-screens: before creating a scrolling screen, turn on a dark theme in the settings, which will reduce the number of artifacts when gluing frames, since the black background better masks the joints.

6. Screenshot on the locked screen: myth or reality?

Many users wonder if you can take a screenshot without unlocking your phone, and the answer depends on the model and version of MIUI:

• ✅ On some devices (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12) screenshot buttons work even on a locked screen, but the saved picture will show only wallpaper and widgets, without confidential information.
• ❌ Most models (especially Android 12)+) The function is blocked for security reasons.
• 🔓 Bypass: Use voice assistant with voice unlock (configure in Settings) → Security → Voice recognition).

⚠️ Note: If you see a notification “Screenshots blocked by the administrator”, this means that the phone has an application with device administrator rights (for example, Find My Device or corporate). MDM). To unlock the feature, remove such applications or contact the administrator.

For owners. POCO F3, F4 and other models with IR-There's a non-standard way of using a blaster: you can program the remote control to take a screenshot through the Mi Remote app, but this method requires root rights and is not recommended for beginners.

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Screenshots on a locked screen are a potential security vulnerability, and Xiaomi is purposefully restricting this feature in new firmware to protect user data from unauthorized access.

7. Problem Solving: Screenshot Not Working

If none of these methods work, check the following points:

If the problem persists, reset the settings:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select "Reset all settings" (not to be confused with "Reset to factory"!).
3. Confirm action. This will bring your gesture and button settings back to the factory, but it won't delete your data.

For advanced users: If screenshots stopped working after the MIUI update, try rolling back to the previous version via fastboot or installing custom recovery (such as TWRP).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions