Screenshots are one of the most basic but critical features in today’s Android operating system. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to capture information, whether it’s messaging, furniture assembly instructions, or a major moment in the game. However, standard methods known for many years may not work in newer versions of the MIUI or HyperOS shell.
The screenshot system in the Chinese manufacturer’s devices has its own unique features that distinguish it from the “pure” Android, which includes advanced gestures, smart scrolling and voice control, which make the process of capturing images much more flexible. Understanding these nuances will save you time and not look for third-party applications for simple tasks.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways to take screenshots, look at both the classic button combinations and hidden features that not all users know about, and focus on customizing gestures, as they provide maximum comfort with daily use of a smartphone with one hand.
Classical Method: A Combination of Physical Buttons
The fastest and most time-tested way to take a screenshot on any Android device is by pressing two hardware keys simultaneously. On Xiaomi smartphones, this feature works at the core level, so it is available even in Safe Mode or when the interface freezes. You need to press the volume button and the power button at the same time.
The key here is synchronization. If you press the buttons with a delay even in a fraction of a second, the phone will perceive this as two separate actions: first reducing the sound, then blocking the screen. The pressing technique requires a short but confident point. You don't need to hold the buttons for long, it's enough for instant contact.
Once you've done the action, you'll hear the characteristic snap of the camera shutter (if the sound is on), and a thumbnail of the image will appear in the upper right corner, which allows you to instantly edit or share a file without opening the gallery.
- 📱 Press the Loudness and Power button at the same time.
- ⚡ Hold the buttons for less than one second.
- 🔊 Wait for the sound signal and vibration.
- 🖼️ Check for notifications in the status bar.
⚠️ Attention: On some models with a side fingerprint scanner (in the power button), pressing too hard or for too long can cause the off menu instead of a screenshot.
☑️ Checking the efficiency of buttons
Using three-finger gestures
For those who prefer to control without taking their hands off the screen, the MIUI and HyperOS shells have a convenient three-fingered function, which is especially relevant when physical buttons are uncomfortable to use, such as when the phone is lying on a table or holding in one hand in a difficult position.
To activate this feature, you need to swipe three fingers from top to bottom down the center of the screen, the movement must be smooth and cover a sufficient area of the display, the system recognizes three touch points and instantly creates a snapshot of the current contents of the screen.
Importantly, this gesture doesn't work in all applications; in some banking programs or secure video players, the security system can block screenshots from being taken regardless of the method chosen, and the gesture can conflict with special features if they are configured differently.
What to do if the gesture does not work?
To activate this method, go to the settings menu. The path usually looks like: Settings → Additional → Screenshot. Here you need to find the "Three Finger Screenshot" switch and activate it. After that, the system will respond to the corresponding movements.
Setting up and using the Quick Action Menu
The third popular way is to use a notification curtain, or a control center, which in newer versions of Xiaomi firmware has been significantly redesigned and put into a separate quick settings unit, which is convenient when physical buttons are busy or damaged.
Swipe down to open the control center. In the icon grid, find an icon with a picture of scissors or a screen that is signed "Screenshot." If you don't see it on the first page, click on the edit button (usually a pencil or three dots) and drag the icon to the active zone.
This is a good way to visually understand, but it has one drawback: it doesn't work on a locked screen. If you want to take a snapshot of a lock screen or a call screen, you'll have to unlock the device, which can change the contents of the display.
- 👇 Swipe from top to bottom to open the menu.
- 🔍 Find the icon "Screenshot".
- ✏️ Add the icon to quick settings if it isn't there.
- 🖱️ Click on the icon to create a picture.
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Add a screenshot widget to your desktop for even faster access. Hold your finger on the blank spot of the screen, select "Widgets" and find a tool to take pictures.
Voice control via Google Assistant and Alice
Modern Xiaomi smartphones have powerful voice assistants that can execute system commands, ideal when the user’s hands are full, for example, while cooking a prescription on the screen or working with tools.
To use Google Assistant, you just have to say "OK, Google" or press the home button for a long time (if it's virtual), and then say "Take a screenshot." The system recognizes the request and performs the action without the intervention of hands.
Users in Russia can also use Yandex.Alice. By activating the assistant with the phrase "Listen, Yandex" or the corresponding button, ask her to "Take a screenshot." Alice successfully interacts with the system functions of MIUI and creates an image that can then be found in the gallery.
⚠️ Attention: Voice assistants require an active Internet connection to process commands. In flight mode or without a network, this method will not work.
There are also third-party automation commands, but the built-in assistants usually cover 99 percent of the needs, and voice control is particularly appreciated by people with motor disabilities.
Long screenshot and extended functions
One of the most useful features in Xiaomi’s ecosystem is the ability to create long screenshots, or “scrolls,” which is indispensable when you need to save long correspondence, a browser article or a social media feed in its entirety, rather than piecemeal.
After you take a normal screenshot (in any of the ways described above), a thumbnail appears in the top corner, and underneath or next to it is a button with two arrows pointing down, or the words "Scroll" that you click on, and the system automatically scrolls down the screen contents, adding new areas to the image.
The process continues until you hit the stop button or reach the end of the page, and it is worth considering that on very long pages (for example, in news feeds with infinite scrolling), the system can stop recording itself after a certain time or number of pixels.
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A long screenshot automatically glues several frames into one vertical file, preserving the readability of the text and the structure of the images.
In addition, the editing menu immediately after you create a picture, you can draw arrows, blur sensitive data (such as card numbers or addresses), and add text directly to the image before sending it, eliminating the need to open a separate photo editor.
Where screenshots are stored and how to manage files
Understanding the file structure of Android helps you quickly find the right images. All screenshots are stored by default in the device’s internal memory in a dedicated directory. The path to the folder is usually as follows: Internal memory → DCIM → Screenshots.
In some firmware versions or when using certain applications, the folder may be called MIUI → ScreenShot. Files are named automatically, usually the name format contains the date and time of creation, which makes it easier to search by chronology.
You can use the standard Gallery app or the File Manager Explorer to manage these files, and you can create a separate Screenshots album, which sorts images by date, and you can also use batch deletion or file sending.
| Parameter | Description | Location. |
|---|---|---|
| File format | Standard compressed image | .png or.jpg |
| default folder | Main directory for images | DCIM/Screenshots |
| Alternative folder | For older versions of MIUI | MIUI/ScreenShot |
| Maximum authorization | Depends on the screen matrix. | Up to 2400x1080 and up |
If you use cloud services like Google Photos or Xiaomi Cloud, screenshots can automatically sync.This is useful for backups, but can quickly run out of free storage limit, so watch your sync settings.
The solution: why not take a screenshot
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the usual methods stop working, the screen flashes, but the image is not saved, or the system gives an error message, most often due to the security limitations of a particular application.
Banking applications, browser incognito modes, and some streaming services (Netflix, Movie Search) block the ability to create screenshots at the system level, this is done to protect your personal data and copyright, in which case the screen will be black.
It can also be caused by a crowded memory of the device: if there is no free space left on the phone, the system will not be able to physically save the new file, check the storage and make room by removing unnecessary videos or applications.
- 🚫 Check if the app is blocked by security policies.
- 💾 Make sure there is free space on the disk.
- 🔄 Reboot the device when the interface fails.
- 📱 Update the system to the latest version.
⚠️ Note: If screenshots are not saved in any application, including the desktop, the media server’s system cache may be damaged, in which case resetting application settings or cleaning the cache through the recovery menu will help.