How to improve the quality of screenshots on Xiaomi: setting and format

Many users of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones face the unpleasant situation when a screenshot of the screen appears blurred or loses detail when sent via instant messengers, often due to automatic compression by the system or incorrect configurations of the save format, the image quality depends on the form in which data is recorded in the device memory.

The problem may lie not only in the software constraints, but also in how you transfer the file. However, there are hidden settings and methods to get the source in the maximum possible resolution. In this article, we will discuss the technical aspects of creating screenshots.

You don’t have to be a technologist to understand the nuances of MIUI or HyperOS, but you just need to do a few things that will take just a few minutes of your time.

Choosing the optimal image preservation format

The first thing to look at is the file format, and by default, the system can choose JPEG, which uses lossy compression algorithms, which means that some of the color and detail information is irrevocably recycled to reduce the file size.

To maintain maximum clarity and detail, the PNG format is recommended. This lossless compression standard is ideal for screenshots containing text, graphics, application interfaces or screenshots from games. Unlike photos taken by the camera, screenshots consist of clear lines and homogeneous colors, which PNG processes more efficiently.

Unfortunately, the standard settings menu doesn't always offer a direct format switch for all types of content. However, in some versions of the HyperOS shell or through the developer menu, you can influence this setting. If there is no direct setting, the system should by default save screenshots to PNG, but some memory optimizers can convert them.

⚠️ Attention: Files in format PNG It takes up much more space in the memory of the device compared to JPEG. If you take hundreds of screenshots daily, watch for free space.

💡

Use the PNG format for screenshots of documents, correspondence, and web pages so that the text remains perfectly clear even when zoomed in.

Check the current save settings in the gallery. Sometimes users confuse the camera quality settings with screenshots, but in the Xiaomi ecosystem, these settings are often separated into different menus.

Setting the screen resolution before the photo

The quality of the final image depends on the resolution in which the display is running at the time of the shot. If you have a flagship device that supports WQHD+ or 2K, but the settings are set to Auto or HD+, you lose in detail.

To get the best quality screenshot, you need to manually set the maximum resolution available, which is especially true for the Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 14 and Poco F5 series models, where the arrays have high pixel density.

To change the settings, go to the settings menu. The path may vary depending on the version of the shell, but it's usually in the display section. You need to find the resolution item and switch it from "Recommended" to maximum.

Settings → Screen and brightness → Screen resolution → Select the maximum value

After settings are applied, the system may require a reboot or simply flash the screen. Now any screenshot taken will contain the maximum number of pixels available to your matrix.

Using Developer Mode to Improve Quality

Deep inside Android, there are advanced settings that are only available after the developer mode is activated, and you can find options that affect graphics rendering and, indirectly, image capture quality.

One useful feature is to turn off hardware acceleration in some specific cases, but for screenshots, the zoom parameter is more important. Make sure that the interface scale is not based on the value that causes the image to interpolate (stretch).

Also on the developer menu are settings related to USB debugging and data transfer, and while they don't directly change the screenshot compression algorithm, they allow third-party tools to capture the screen without loss.

• 🔍 Activate Developer Mode by Quickly Pressing 7 Times on Version MIUI" under the heading “On the telephone".
• ⚙️ Find the "For Developers" section in the advanced system settings.
• 📉 Check the points related to scaling animations and windows to rule out software stretching.

Be careful when changing unknown parameters in this menu, and if you don't set up correctly, it can cause the interface to work in an unstable way.

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable items related to overlays or location simulations if you do not understand their purpose, this may disrupt the operation of other applications.

Comparison of compression formats: Characteristics table

To make a final decision on the format for your tasks, let's compare the main characteristics. Understanding the differences will help you make informed decisions depending on what the screenshot is intended for.

Below is a table showing the differences between the main formats that can be used by the system or third-party applications on Redmi and Xiaomi devices.

As you can see from the table, for screenshots where readability and line clarity are important, PNG is the leader of the game. WEBP is good for the web, but can accumulate artifacts when edited.

💡

PNG is the best choice for document and interface screenshots, JPEG is only suitable for quick screenshots of games with complex graphics, where size is important.

Third-party screen capture applications

If standard MIUI tools don't satisfy you, you can always turn to proven third-party solutions. App stores offer tools that allow you to flexibly adjust the bitrate and save format.

One popular solution is to use screen recording applications with screenshot-creating features, such as XRecorder or Screen Master. They often have their own codecs and processing algorithms that can produce better results than the system.

When using third-party software, you will need to provide advanced permissions, and the system will alert you to data security, as the application accesses everything that happens on the screen.

• 📱 Download the app from a trusted source (Google Play Store).
• 🛡️ Provide the necessary rights to display over other windows.
• ⚙️ In the application settings, select the save format PNG and maximum quality.

This approach is especially useful if you need to take serial shots or scroll screenshots (long page) where the system function may not work properly.

Optimizing File Transfers Without Losing Quality

Even if you take the perfect high-resolution screenshot, the quality of the screenshot can be destroyed at the time of transmission, and messengers like WhatsApp or Viber compress images to save traffic by default.

To maintain original quality, send screenshots as a document (file) rather than an image. Telegram, for example, has a "Send without compression" feature that you need to activate before sending.

Also, consider that some cloud storage may be re-optimizing. When syncing Xiaomi gallery with the cloud, check the download quality settings.

For professional transmission of large volumes of screenshots, it is better to use a wired connection or local transmission over Wi-Fi Direct, which is supported by the “Mi Share” function.