Xiaomi’s Mi A smartphones are unique in that they run on a clean Android operating system, not on a proprietary shell. MIUI. Xiaomi Mi model A3 fitted AMOLED-A screen that is ideal for viewing content, but its resolution and aspect ratio may require a specific approach to image capture. Users switching from other devices are often unusual for the lack of the usual menu buttons or specific gestures characteristic of the “heavy” builds of Android.
Screenshots are a basic feature needed to save correspondence, app errors, or game highlights. In the Mi A3, this feature is implemented using standard Google tools, but has its own nuances depending on the firmware version and security updates installed. It is important to understand that the screenshot is saved in full display resolution, which ensures high quality of the final image.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the available methods of capturing images, from classic physical buttons to hidden system functions. You will learn not only to take screenshots, but also to manage them correctly, edit and quickly transfer files. Unlike models with MIUI, there is no side menu of screenshots caused by a long press of the power button, since it uses a clean Android One.
Classical method using physical buttons
The most reliable and quickest way to take a screenshot on any Android device is to use a combination of physical keys. In the Xiaomi Mi A3, this feature is built into the core level of the system and works even in safe mode when third-party applications are disabled.
The power button is on the right side of the body, and the volume rocker is on the left, and to get a picture, the press must be brief, but sure. If you hold the buttons longer than a second, the system can consider this as a command to call the emergency call menu or Google assistant, depending on the settings.
Successful performance is accompanied by a characteristic camera shutter sound (if the sound is not turned off) and a short-term vibration, with a thumbnail in the top corner of the screen and an image icon in the status bar, indicating that the key combination worked correctly.
☑️ Checking readiness for screenshot
It’s worth noting that in some secure apps, such as banking clients or Netflix, the system can block screenshots for security reasons, in which case you’ll see a notification that you can’t take a picture, which is a normal Android Security reaction.
Use of the power menu and system commands
Starting with certain versions of Android, the standard shutdown and reboot menu has added a screenshot option, which is convenient when one of the physical buttons is faulty or busy (for example, in the game controller).
You’ll see a menu with “Switch Off,” “Reboot” and, in some firmware versions, “Screenshot.” If you don’t see this option, it’s possible that the software manufacturer (Xiaomi in this case) didn’t add it to a specific Android One build for this model, or it was removed in the update.
⚠️ Attention: Menu on Mi A3 It may look different depending on the regional version of the firmware. If the screenshot button is not available for your device, this method is not available without installing third-party launchers.
The alternative is to use Google Assistant, and by activating the voice assistant with the phrase “Ok Google” or by pressing the home button long enough (if the navigation is set up with buttons), you can say “Take a screenshot.” The assistant will execute the command automatically.
This method is especially useful in situations where the user's hands are busy or stained. Voice control in Android One works quite quickly, although it requires an active Internet connection to process the request on Google servers.
Screenshots via Quick Settings panel
The Quick Settings Panel is another toolkit that is sometimes overlooked. With the Xiaomi Mi A3 with a pure Android shell, this method doesn’t work the same way as in MIUI, where the screenshot is displayed in a separate curtain menu, where functionality is limited, but is possible through a menu extension.
To access, you need to swipe from top to bottom twice to open the full grid of tiles, and among these can be a "Screen Record" or "Screenshot" button if the user has added it manually through the tile editing mode. The standard set of tiles often does not include this feature by default.
To add a button, click on the pencil icon in the corner of the Quick Settings panel. In the list of available tiles, find Screenshot and drag it to the active zone, and then create a screenshot in one tap from anywhere in the interface.
| Method | Speed. | Dependence on software | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttons (Loudness + Power) | Tall. | No. | 100% |
| Google Assistant | Medium | Tall. | 90% |
| Quick settings panel | Low. | Medium | 80% |
| Third-party annexes | Medium | Depends on the app. | 70% |
Using tiles in the notification curtain is less effective for frequent use, as it requires several actions (swipe, search, tap), but for people with disabilities, this may be the only convenient option.
Navigation with gestures and additional functions
The Xiaomi Mi A3 supports modern gesture navigation, which replaced the three-button interface. In gesture mode, the system is controlled by swipes, which frees up screen space. However, creating a screenshot with the three-finger gesture, popular in MIUI, in pure Android does not work without installing third-party launchers or using special emulator applications.
However, there are system gestures that can help. For example, in some versions of Android, a screenshot with a three-finger swipe is available, but this feature needs to be activated in the special features settings. Path to setup: Settings → System → Language and input → Gesture control (the path may differ).
If you don't have customized gestures with standard tools, you can use the Google Assistant app with shortcuts, and there are apps from Google Play that emulate button pressing when you swipe your finger around the edge of the screen, but they require special permissions.