How to Take a Screenshot on Xiaomi: All Ways to Get Redmi, POCO and MIUI 14/15

You can take a screenshot on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones in at least seven different ways - from the classic combination of buttons to voice commands and hidden features of the MIUI shell. But most users still use only 1-2 methods, although in some situations they simply do not work, for example, if the power button broke or you need to shoot the quick settings menu without unnecessary movements.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to create screenshots on Xiaomi devices (including models 2023-2026 on Android 12-14), as well as how to edit and share screenshots as quickly as possible. Separately, we will focus on the typical problems when screenshots are not saved, disappear from the gallery or are obtained in black. All instructions are tested on Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and POCO F5, but will be suitable for any device with MIUI 12-15.

1. Classic method: power buttons + volume

This is the most reliable and versatile method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones - from the budget Redmi A2 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Pro.

1. Open on the screen what you want to shoot (application, web page, settings).
2. At the same time, press the power button (right) and the volume reduction button (left).
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the shutter sound and see the screenshot animation.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X5 Pro) You don't need to press the buttons at the same time, but with minimal delay, first power, then volume. If you can't get a screenshot, try changing the order.

Where to look for a finished shot? It is automatically saved in the Gallery → Screenshots folder (or DCIM → Screenshots in the file manager). Also, immediately after you create the thumbnail at the bottom of the screen, tap it to quickly edit or share.

2. Triple-touch gesture (3 fingers down)

The "Three-finger Screenshot" feature appeared in MIUI 10 and has since become one of the most popular features among Xiaomi users, allowing 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 → Additional functions → Gestures.
2. Find the option "Three-finger screenshot" and activate the switch.
3. Select Action: Take a screenshot (or Scrolling Screenshot if you want to capture a long page).

Now, to take a screenshot, just swipe your fingers from top to bottom across the screen.

• 👆 The gesture should be smooth – a sharp movement may not work.
• 📱 Works only on the main screen (not in games or some gesture-blocking apps).
• ⚙️ If the gesture conflicts with other functions (for example, with the "Three-finger swipe" for screenshots in the image). POCO Launcher, turn off one of them.

💡 Useful Lifehack: This method is indispensable if you have a broken power button or want to take a screenshot with one hand (for example, on the big Xiaomi 13 Ultra).

Activate the option in Settings → Additional functions → Gestures

Select the action "Take a screenshot" (not "Scrollable")

Check the gesture on the main screen

Disable conflicting gestures (if any)-->

3. Scrolling screenshot (long page)

If you want to capture an entire web page, a Telegram chat, or an app list, a regular screenshot won't work. MIUI has a Scrolling Screenshot (or Long Screenshot) feature that automatically glues multiple frames into a single file, and you can do it in two ways:

Method 1: Through a three-finger gesture

1. Enable Scrolling Screenshot in your gesture settings (see previous section).
2. Make a three-finger swipe down, then immediately tap the screenshot thumbnail.
3. Click Scroll and wait until the system captures all the content.

Method 2: Through the Toolbar

1. Take a regular screenshot (buttons or gestures).
2. Slip on the thumbnail at the bottom of the screen → select Scroll.
3. If necessary, manually adjust the grip area by dragging the frame.

⚠️ Note: Not all apps work, such as Instagram or banking apps, and a long screenshot may be blocked for security reasons. There is also a bug when the scrolling gets stuck on half a page, in which case try repeating the action or restarting your smartphone.

4. Screenshot via notification panel

Few people know, but in MIUI you can take a screenshot without buttons or gestures, right out of the notification curtain, and this is convenient if you need to quickly capture the screen without remembering the combinations.

1. Deploy the notification panel (swipe from top to bottom).
2. Find the screenshot icon (usually hidden under the button) ⋯ or edit).
3. If there's no icon, press it. ⋯ → Edit → Find the screenshot and drag it to the active area.
4. Slap the icon - the picture will be taken instantly.

🔹 Advantages of the method:

• 🕒 Faster than pressing buttons (especially if they are tight).
• 🎮 It works in games where gestures are blocked.
• 🔧 You can add a shortcut to the main screen (long tap on the icon). → Add it to the screen).

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global for the European region) the screenshot icon may not be available in the curtain, in which case update the system or use alternative methods.

💡

If the screenshot icon disappears from the notification panel after rebooting, fix it: pinch the icon → select “Preserve”.

5. Voice Assistant (Google Assistant or XiaoAI)

If you're too lazy to push buttons or make gestures, you can have a voice assistant take a screenshot, which is especially useful for people with disabilities or when hands are busy. There are two options available at Xiaomi:

Option 1: Google Assistant

It works on all smartphones with Google Play Services:

1. Activate the assistant with your voice (OK, Google) or hold the Home button.
2. Say, "Take a screenshot" or "Photograph the screen."
3. Confirm the action (if required).

Option 2: XiaoAI (Chinese version of MIUI)

On the firmware for China (MIUI China) there is its own assistant XiaoAI:

1. Hold the Home button or say, "" (Xiao Ai Tungshue).
2. Say, "" (Je Tu — "screenshot").

⚠️ Note: Voice commands may not work if:

• 🔇 The microphone for the assistant in the privacy settings is disabled.
• 🌐 No Internet connection (required to process the request).
• 🎵 Do not disturb or play mode enabled.

Important: On models with MIUI for Russia (for example, Redmi Note 12 5G), a voice screenshot via XiaoAI is not available - use Google Assistant.

6. Screenshot by computer (ADB)

If the touch screen is not working or you need to take a screenshot of the system menu (for example, Recovery Mode), you can use the device. ADB-This is a method that requires minimal training, but it works 100% of the time.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (Download from the official Android website).

Instructions:

1. Turn on the smartphone Developer Mode (go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on this item).
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
4. Enter the command: Adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
5. Run the command for screenshot: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png
6. Download the file on PC: adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

💡 Useful tip: If you need to take a screenshot without a PC connection, use the Termux app (available on Google Play).Install it, type the same screencap command, and the file will be saved in the phone's memory.

7 Special cases: games, safe mode, Recovery

Sometimes the standard methods don't work, like in screenshot-blocking games or in the Recovery menu, and here are the solutions for the tough situations:

🎮 Games with screenshot blocking (PUBG, Genshin Impact, Free Fire)

Many games (especially multiplayer) block screenshots from being taken via MIUI to prevent cheating.

• 📱 Use an external camera (take a picture of the screen with another phone).
• 🖥️ Connect your smartphone to your PC and take a screenshot via scrcpy (screen mirroring software).
• 🔧 In some games (for example, Honor of Kings) screenshots are unlocked in the graphics settings (turn off cheat protection).

🔒 Safe Mode or Recovery Mode

In these modes, gestures and buttons often don't work.

• 📸 Take a picture of the screen with another device.
• 🖥️ Use it. ADB (If the debugging was enabled before the transition to Recovery).
• 🔄 On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) It's a combination of Volume up. + Power (hold 10 seconds).

⚙️ System menus (e.g. Bootloader)

You can't take screenshots from the Fastboot menu or unlock the bootloader, and the only way out is with a camera or a screen recording (if the phone is connected to the monitor via USB-C → HDMI).

💡

If the standard methods don’t work, there are always alternatives: an external camera, ADB or screen mirroring on a PC.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even on new Xiaomi smartphones, there are sometimes errors in creating screenshots, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI stop working all ways to create screenshots, reset settings through Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings → Reset all settings (apps will not be affected).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions