How to take a picture of the screen on the Xiaomi phone: all the ways of 2026

Why screenshots on Xiaomi are not as easy as it seems

Xiaomi’s MIUI-enclosed smartphones offer several ways to take a screenshot, but not everyone knows they exist. If you’re used to the standard Power + Volume Down button combination, you might be surprised by the surprise of Redmi or POCO: the manufacturer is actively experimenting with gestures and hidden features. For example, MIUI 15 introduced a new way to screenshot through the Quick Settings Panel, and in older versions only worked with a hardware keyboard combination.

Another challenge is that different models behave differently. On flagships like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, all methods are available, including a screenshot with long pages scrolling, and on the budget Redmi A2, you may not have enough of a three-finger gesture. We tested all the current methods on devices from 2022-2026 and collected them in one guide, from classic to little-known.

Before you get to the instructions, check the MIUI version in the settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version). This depends on what options are available. For example, in MIUI 14 and later, the feature of intelligent text recognition on screenshots is introduced, which automatically copies phone numbers or addresses from the image.

Method 1: Classic button combination (works on all models)

It’s a versatile method that’s guaranteed to work even on the oldest Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi 4X or Mi A1).

1. Open on the screen what you want to capture (message, page in the browser, map, etc.).
2. At the same time, press two buttons: Power (on/off) and Volume Reduction.
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the shutter sound or see an animation of the screenshot.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F4 GT) Power button can be reassigned to start Google Assistant, in which case, press the keys a little longer (up to 3 seconds) or use alternative methods from this article.

Where do I look for a screenshot? By default, all screenshots are saved in a folder:

Gallery → Albums → Screenshots

Or through any file manager along the way:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

Make sure the screen is not locked.

Close the unnecessary notifications (they will be taken in the picture)

Check the charge level (at 1% of the battery screenshot may not be saved)

Turn off the "Do Not Disturb" mode if you need sound prompts-->

Method 2: Three-finger gesture (fastest, but not on all models)

The Three-Finger Screenshot feature was introduced in MIUI 9, but it's still unknown to many users, and it allows you to take a screenshot in one motion without pressing a button. Here's how to turn it on and use it:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Gestures.
2. Find the screenshot option with three fingers and activate the switch.
3. Return to the home screen and swipe top-down with three fingers at the same time (no pauses!).

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) This gesture conflicts with the split screen function. If you don't get a screenshot, check your gesture settings in the Settings section. → Additionally. → Full-screen gestures.

Advantages of the method:

• 👍 It works with one hand (comfortable for large screens).
• 👍 You can take a screenshot in games where the buttons are occupied by the gamepad.
• 👍 There is no risk of accidentally turning off your phone (as with Power retention).

Disadvantages:

• 👎 It does not work on Android Go models (e.g. Redmi). A1).
• 👎 It can be triggered by accident when scrolling pages.

💡

If the three-finger gesture doesn't work, try to swipe it down a little diagonally, not vertically, which helps with low-sensitivity sensors.

Method 3: Quick settings panel (for MIUI 14/15)

The latest versions of MIUI have the ability to take screenshots directly from the notification panel, which is convenient if you need to capture system settings or menus where the button combination does not work (for example, in recovery mode).

Instructions:

1. Swipe your finger down to open the notification panel.
2. Find the screenshot icon (usually hidden under the button) ⋯ or edit).
3. Slip it on it - the screenshot will be taken instantly.

If the icon is not in the main panel:

1. Click Edit (pencil in the upper right corner).
2. Find a screenshot in the list and drag it to the active area.
3. Save the changes.

🔹 LAIFHACK: MIUI 15 you can take a screenshot with a scrolling directly from the notification bar. To do this, after clicking on the icon, hold it for 2 seconds - the screen will automatically scroll down, capturing long pages (for example, chats in Telegram or social media feeds).

Method 4: Voice Assistant (for Google Assistant users)

If you have Google Assistant on, or Xiao AI on Chinese firmware, you can take voice screenshots, which is convenient when your hands are busy or your screen is dirty. Here's how it works:

For Google Assistant:

1. Say OK, Google or hold the Home button (if you have one).
2. Say the command: Take a screenshot or take a picture of the screen.
3. Confirm the action (if required).

For Xiao AI (on Chinese firmware):

1. Hold the power button or tell them to (Xiǎo Ài tóngxué).
2. Say in Chinese: (Jiétú - "screenshot").

⚠️ Attention: Voice screenshots may not work in some applications (e.g. banking or restricted). AI Requires Internet connection to recognize speech.

Advantages of the method:

• 🎤 Works without hands (comfortable while driving or cooking).
• 🔄 You can set a command in another language (Assistant supports multitasking).

Disadvantages:

• 🔇 Requires microphones and voice access.
• ⏳ It works slower than hardware methods.

Method 5: Screenshot via ADB (for advanced users)

If your Xiaomi is connected to a computer, you can take a screenshot through Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is a method that will be useful for developers, testers or if the touch screen is not working.

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB phone-on.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
4. Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

(The name of your device should appear).

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png

(This will take a screenshot and save it to your phone.)

adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

(copying the file to the computer).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X3 Pro) the way to save the screenshot through ADB If the team doesn't work, try it:

adb shell screencap -p | sed's/\r$//' > screen.png

This method also allows for screenshots without notification (for example, for covert data capture in application testing), but for everyday use it is redundant – it is easier to use standard methods.

💡

ADB-Screenshots are saved in format PNG without compression, which is useful for professional image work (for example, for designers or testers).

Problem Solving: Why screenshots are not saved or taken in black

Sometimes screenshots on Xiaomi may not work for a variety of reasons, and we've collected some of the most common bugs and ways to fix them:

🔹 Advice for gamers: If screenshots in games are black, try using an external camera or special applications like AZ Screen Recorder (they circumvent restrictions) DRM).

If none of these methods worked, reset your settings (but back up first!):

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset all settings (does not delete files!).
3. After rebooting, check the screenshots again.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions