How to make a screen on Android Xiaomi: a complete guide

Screenshots are a basic feature that millions of smartphone owners use every day. In Xiaomi’s ecosystem of Redmi and POCO brands, this process can be done in a number of ways, sometimes confusing for beginners. Whether you have a MIUI 14 shell or the latest HyperOS, the algorithms for doing things are similar but have their own nuances.

The main difficulty is often not in the fact of creating an image, but in finding a finished file or choosing the best method for a particular situation. For example, when playing with one hand, the standard key combination can be uncomfortable, and to transfer long correspondence will require a scroll function. Understanding all the options available will allow you to work with the device as efficiently as possible.

In this article, we will take a look at every method available, from classic physical buttons to advanced voice commands, where files are saved, how to edit them immediately after creation, and what to do if standard functions no longer respond to your actions.

Classical method using physical buttons

The most common and reliable way, which works on the vast majority of models, including the budget Redmi and Xiaomi’s flagship 14 or 15 series, is simple: the system captures the simultaneous pressing of two specific keys and creates a snapshot of the current content of the display.

To do this, you need to locate the power and volume control buttons. On modern smartphones, they're usually on the right side of the case. It's important to press them almost simultaneously, with minimal latency. If you press one button before the other, you can activate the switch-off menu or adjust the sound.

Once you've done the action, you'll hear the characteristic shutter sound of the camera (if the sound is on) and the screen will blink. In the upper corner, you'll see a thumbnail that suggests you quickly edit or send the image, and it's a standard algorithm that doesn't require any pre-tuning and even works in safe mode.

• 📱 Find the power button on the right at the top or side.
• 🔊 Locate volume reduction key (usually the bottom of the pair).
• ⚡ Press both buttons at the same time and release in a split second.
• 🖼️ Check the notification of successful screenshot saving.

⚠️ Warning: Do not keep the buttons pinched for too long. Prolonged retention of the "Nutrition" combination + Volume down on some models can start the mode of fast shooting photos or activate an emergency call SOS, if this function is configured.

Managing screenshots through gestures and menus

For users who prefer interaction with the interface without using physical buttons, Xiaomi has implemented convenient software solutions, which are especially relevant if the volume buttons are damaged or inconveniently located.

The first option is to use the Three Dots menu or a special icon in the notification curtain, and in some versions of the firmware, when you swipe down from the top edge of the screen (to open the control center), there is an icon called Scissors or Screenshot, and you click on it instantly saves the image.

The second, more advanced option is a three-finger gesture, and by swiping three fingers down the screen, you initiate the creation of the image, which requires calibration and addiction, but allows you to take screenshots with one hand just by moving the device, and there's also a "Long Screenshot" option on the menu, available via swipe down after the main shot.

To activate gestures, go to Settings → Additional Features → Screenshots. Here you can turn on the option “Three-finger screenshot” and adjust the scope. Remember that accidentally making a gesture while playing or watching a video can be annoying, so weigh the need for this feature.

Voice control and Google Assistant

Today’s Xiaomi smartphones have powerful voice controls that allow you to completely free your hands, especially when you’re holding your phone with one hand or in a situation where touching the screen is uncomfortable, with Google Assistant or built-in Xiao AI (depending on the region).

To create a screenshot, you just have to say, "OK, Google, take a screenshot," or "Take a screenshot." The assistant will immediately execute the command and save the image to the gallery. It's important that the microphone is active and the phone has an Internet connection to process the request by Google's cloud services.

This method also allows you to take late or schedule screenshots if you use more complex scenarios in automation applications, but the basic command works always.

Long screenshot and screen recording

The Long Screenshot (or Scrolling Screenshot) feature is one of the most popular features in MIUI and HyperOS shells. It allows you to capture a complete web page, a long text message or a document that doesn't fit on a single screen. After you create a regular shot, a scrolling button or a down arrow appears in the corner.

By clicking this button, you'll automatically scrolle through the content, the system will stitch the frames into a single long image, you can stop the process by pressing the button again, or when the content is over, and it's an indispensable tool for saving articles or checks.

Screen recording is a feature that is built into the standard Security app or called through the control center, and unlike a simple screenshot, it stores video of what is happening on the screen along with sound (system or microphone), which is ideal for creating instructions or saving moments from games.

Where to look and how to edit saved files

Once a screenshot is created, the system automatically saves the file to the device's memory. By default, all images go to the Screenshots system folder. You can find them through the Gallery app on the album of the same name or through the file manager on the Internal Memory path → MIUI → screenshot (or simply Screenshots depending on the Android version).

Xiaomi’s built-in image editor offers a wide range of quick-processing tools. Once you’ve created a snapshot, you can mark up, add text, blur sensitive data (such as card numbers or passwords) or crop an image, which are much more convenient and faster than third-party apps.

You can use the "Baget Delete" or "Send" function to process files in bulk, selecting multiple screenshots at once, which helps you quickly free up space in your memory or send a series of images to a colleague. Remember to clean this folder periodically, because screenshots can take up gigabytes of space.

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Use the Hide Objects feature in the MIUI/HyperOS editor to quickly cover people’s faces or car numbers in a photo with a single finger movement.

Problem Solving: Why the Screenshot Doesn't Work

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the usual keyboard shortcuts stop responding, most often due to Android security restrictions or application conflicts, for example, in banking applications, incognito browser mode or when viewing protected content (Netflix, Movie Search), the creation of screenshots is blocked at the system level, instead of an image you will get a black screen or a notification of prohibition.

Another possible cause is a systemUI malfunction or overflowing RAM, which is where a simple device reboot helps, and it’s also worth checking whether Do Not Disturb mode with special settings is on or parental controls that may limit functionality.

If the problem is seen in all apps, try clearing the Gallery or Security app cache.Relationally, you need to reset to factory settings, but before doing so, make sure the problem isn't caused by a third-party launcher or theme that conflicts with system gestures.

⚠️ Note: If screenshots are no longer saved due to space constraints, the system will usually issue a notification. Check the free storage space, as it may not be possible to create new files when filling up memory below 100MB.

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Blocking screenshots in banking applications is not a mistake, but a necessary security measure to protect your financial data from programs.