How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi: all the ways to MIUI 12/13/14

How many times have you tried to save important information from the Xiaomi screen but couldn’t remember the button combination? Or the gesture for the screenshot suddenly stopped working after the MIUI update? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones – especially when it comes to models with non-standard physical key layouts or custom firmware.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to take screenshots on Xiaomi devices, including hidden MIUI 14 features, voice commands, and even methods for smartphones with broken buttons. You’ll learn how to take screenshots not only with standard tools, but also with ADB, third-party apps and Quick Ball gestures.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most reliable and versatile method is the use of hardware keys. It works on all Xiaomi models, from Redmi 4A to Xiaomi 14 Ultra, regardless of the version of MIUI or Android.

To take a screenshot:

• 📱 At the same time, press the power button (on) and the volume down button.
• 🕒 Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the shutter sound or see the save animation.
• 📁 The screenshot will automatically be saved in the folder. DCIM/Screenshots or Pictures/Screenshots.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5 Or the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+) The sensitivity of the buttons may vary, and if you don't get the screenshot the first time, try pressing a little longer or releasing the keys faster.

If you have Xiaomi with the sounds turned off, pay attention to the visual hints: after a successful screenshot, a thumbnail will appear at the top of the screen. Click on it to immediately edit or share the image.

2. Three-finger gesture: quick screenshot without buttons

The Three-Finger Screenshot feature is one of the key benefits of MIUI, which allows you to take screenshots in one motion without using physical keys, and is especially convenient for devices with large displays (such as the Xiaomi 13T Pro or Redmi K60 Ultra).

How to turn on and use:

1. Open Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
2. Find the option "Three finger screenshot" and activate it.
3. Swipe your finger (usually from top to bottom) across the screen – the screenshot is ready!

🔹 Additional settings:

• 🎨 You can select the direction of the gesture (up/down/left/right).
• 📏 Sensitivity is regulated – useful if the gesture is triggered by accident.
• 🔄 In some versions MIUI 14 gesture available for scrolling screenshot (long page shot).

💡

If the gesture doesn’t work, check if it conflicts with other features (like Quick Ball or navigational gestures).

⚠️ Warning: On devices with a protective glass or a low-quality film, the gesture may be worse, in which case try using the other finger or increase sensitivity in the settings.

3.Voice commands: Screenshot by voice

If your hands are busy or your smartphone buttons are faulty, you can take a screenshot using a voice assistant, which works on all Xiaomi devices with Google Assistant or XiaoAI (in China).

Instructions for Google Assistant:

1. Activate the assistant by voice (OK, Google) or holding the Home button.
2. Say, "Take a screenshot" or "Screenshot."
3. Confirm the action (if required).

🔹 Features:

• 🗣️ It only works when you connect to the Internet (you need access to Google servers).
• 🌐 In some languages (e.g. Chinese) the command may differ.
• 🔒 V MIUI For Russia, voice screenshot via XiaoAI is disabled by default.

For owners of POCO or Redmi with global firmware, there is an alternative – setting up your own voice command through Settings → Special features → Voice Management. You can write down your phrase (for example, “Chpok!”) to create a screenshot.

4. Quick Ball: A virtual button for screenshots

Quick Ball is a fast-acting floating bar that appears on top of any app. It is especially useful for users who often take screenshots or have trouble with physical buttons.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Additional features → Quick Ball.
2. Turn on the function and select "Screenshot" in the action list.
3. Set the position and transparency of the panel.

🔹 The benefits of Quick Ball:

• 🎯 You can add up to 5 actions (for example, a screenshot) + screen-recording).
• 🖼️ The panel does not interfere with games or full-screen applications.
• 🔄 Supports Scrolling Screenshots (if included in Settings).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro), Quick Ball may conflict with navigation gestures. If the panel disappears, check the settings → Gestures → Navigation panel.

Enable Quick Ball in settings |Add Screenshot |Configure panel transparency | Check conflicts with gestures-->

5. Screenshot via ADB: for advanced users

If standard methods don’t work (for example, because of broken buttons or custom firmware), you can take a screenshot via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer, but is guaranteed to work even on locked devices.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB on your PC (download Google’s Platform Tools).
2. Enable USB debugging on Xiaomi: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB
3. Connect your smartphone to your computer and execute the command: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png
4. Copy the file on PC: adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

🔹 Additional teams:

• 📸 For a screenshot with a delay: adb shell screencap -p -d 5 /sdcard/screen.png (5 seconds).
• 📂 To save to another folder: specify the full path, for example /sdcard/Download/screen.jpg.

This method is the only way to take a screenshot on Xiaomi with a idle screen (if the touchscreen responds, but the display is broken).

Third-party applications: alternative solutions

If the built-in MIUI features don't suit you, you can use third-party utilities, which offer advanced features: editing, cloud storage, automatic downloading, and even text recognition (OCR) in screenshots.

🔝 Top.-3 screenshot:

⚠️ Note: Some applications (especially from unverified sources) may request unreasonable permissions, such as access to the app. SMS You can only install programs that are highly rated and have a lot of feedback.

💡 Tip: If you share screenshots frequently on social media, choose an app with built-in privacy blur feature (such as Screen Master or Markup).

7.Where to look for screenshots and how to change the save folder

By default, screenshots on Xiaomi are saved in the DCIM/Screenshots or Pictures/Screenshots folder. However, after updating MIUI or resetting the settings, the path may change. Here's how to find and reconfigure the save location:

🔍 How to find screenshots:

• 📂 Open the gallery. → album".
• 🔎 Use Explorer (Files) and type in the search "Screenshot".
• 🖥️ Connect your smartphone to your PC – screenshots will be in the Internal folder Storage/Pictures.

⚙️ How to Change the Conservation Folder:

1. Install a screenshot app (like Screenshot Easy).
2. In the application settings, find the option "Save folder".
3. Specify a new path (e.g. /storage/emulated/0/Download/Screens).

On some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 12), screenshots are automatically duplicated in Google Photos if sync is enabled. To turn this off, go to Google Photo Settings → Backup and Sync.

8 Problem Solving: Screenshots Are Not Saved or Disappear

Sometimes screenshots on Xiaomi may not be saved, disappear from the gallery or be saved as a black screen, and here are the most common reasons and ways to fix them:

🛠️ Frequent problems and solutions:

🔧 Additional advice:

• 🔄 If screenshots are kept in low quality, check the compression settings in Settings → Warehouse → Quality of media files.
• 📵 In some models (for example, POCO X5 Pro) screenshots are not taken in safe mode.
• 🔒 If you use a second space or mode for children, screenshots can be saved in separate folders.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi