Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to save an image from the screen, whether it is a screenshot of correspondence, an app error or an interesting moment in the game. Standard methods, known to many from other brands, here may work differently due to the deep customization of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS. Understanding all the available ways will allow you to save time and do it instantly without being distracted from the main process.
In this article, we will take a look at all the options available for creating screenshots, from the classic combination of buttons to advanced features like drawing your finger across the screen. You will learn where to look for ready-made files, how to set up automatic saving and what to do if standard methods no longer respond to your actions.
Mobile operating system interfaces are constantly changing, and what worked a year ago can be hidden in the depths of the menu or replaced with new gestures. We will look at the current algorithms for working with the clipboard and gallery so that you can always capture the necessary information on the display of your device.
Classical Method Through Physical Buttons
The most common and reliable way, which works on 99% of Android smartphones, including Xiaomi products, is to press and hold down the Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously and briefly, and it is important not to pinch them too long, otherwise a turn-off menu or a recovery mode can appear instead of a screenshot.
If you do it right, you'll hear the characteristic shutter sound of the camera (if the sound is on), and in the upper right corner you'll see a thumbnail of the shot taken. This is a versatile technique that doesn't depend on the firmware version, whether it's the old MIUI 11 or the latest HyperOS. It's convenient because the buttons are on hand in any position of the phone.
But there are some nuances to this: If you have Pocket Mode on or the protective film is too thick, the sensors may not respond to simultaneous pressing, and some models with a side fingerprint scanner combined with the power button may have false unlocks instead of creating a screenshot.
⚠️ Attention: If you use physical buttons frequently during the cold season or if you wear your phone in a tight case, you may stick the keys. If screenshots are no longer created by this method, check if the cover blocks the path of the buttons.
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Use the button method when the smartphone screen is dirty or wet, as the touchscreen may not respond properly to touch, and the physical keys will work guaranteed.
Screenshot with three fingers and other gestures
Xiaomi's shells are famous for their convenience, and one of the most popular tools is to swipe screenshots. The Three Fingers feature allows you to take a screenshot just by swiping three fingers from top to bottom across the display, which is especially handy when the phone is lying on a desk or holding one hand.
To activate this option, you need to go to the settings. The path usually looks like: Settings → Additional settings → Screenshots (or Settings → Special Features → Screenshots depending on the OS version).
In addition to swipe, other useful functions can be configured in the same menu:
- 📸 Long press – creating a picture while holding three fingers at any point on the screen.
- 🖐️ Panorama – creating a long screenshot (scrollable) immediately after a normal shot.
- 🎨 Editing – the ability to immediately after creation open the image in the editor for making notes.
Using gestures requires a certain skill. The movement should be smooth and fast enough, but not sharp. If the system does not respond, try changing the angle of the fingers or the speed of the scroll. Also make sure that the screen does not run an application that blocks the creation of screenshots for security reasons (for example, banking software).
☑️ Checking the gesture settings
Voice control and Google Assistant
Xiaomi’s current smartphones feature powerful voice control systems that allow you to take screenshots without touching the screen, which is relevant for situations where hands are busy or dirty. The main tool here is Google Assistant or Xiao Ai’s built-in voice assistant (in global versions it may not be available).
To use Google Assistant, make sure it's activated and tuned to your voice. Just say "Ok Google, take a screenshot" or "Take a screenshot." The system will instantly respond, make a sound and save the image to the gallery, a method that works even on top of most applications.
The advantage of voice control is that it's accessible to people with disabilities, and it's also possible to automate processes. You can combine voice commands with other actions, creating complex smartphone use cases.
It is worth noting that voice assistants require an active Internet connection to operate, as the request is often processed on the company’s servers, and this method will not work in flight mode, unlike physical buttons.
⚠️ Note: Do not use voice commands to create screenshots with confidential information (passwords, bank cards) in the presence of outsiders, as the trigger phrase can be heard and played by surrounding devices.
Why Google Assistant doesn’t see the commands?
Control Panel and Quick Settings
There is a built-in tool in the MIUI and HyperOS shells to take screenshots through the notification curtain, which is handy when you are in the settings menu or in an app where other methods may be blocked or uncomfortable.
To add a screenshot button to the quick access bar, lower the notification curtain down and click on the edit icon (usually a pencil or a gear in the corner). In the list of available widgets, find "Screenshot" and drag it to the active zone. Now, creating a copy of the screen takes one touch.
This method is especially useful when working with heavy applications or games, where physical clicking of buttons can interrupt the process or cause unwanted actions.In addition, additional functions such as recording a screen or creating a video screencast are often available through the control panel.
Some users prefer to take the screenshot button into the floating window or assign it the action to double tap on the back panel (if the smartphone model supports this function through special features settings).
Long screenshot and extended functions
One of the most sought-after features in the Xiaomi ecosystem is the ability to create long screenshots spanning multiple scroll screens, which is indispensable for saving instant messenger correspondence, browser articles or product lists in online stores.
The process of creating this image begins with a simple screenshot, and once the thumbnail appears in the corner of the screen, you press the button with the arrows down or the words "Scroll" on it (or in the menu that appears at the bottom), the device automatically starts to scroll down the content, stitching the frames into a single long image.
The process will stop automatically when it reaches the end of the page, or you can stop it manually by touching the screen.The resulting file is saved in the gallery as a normal image, but with proportions corresponding to the height of all the content saved.
For example, in some banking applications or DRM-protected content (Netflix, Spotify), the creation of such images is technically impossible for security reasons.
| Method | Speed. | Convenience | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttons (Loudness + Power) | Tall. | Average. | Risk of accidentally incorporating other functions |
| Three fingers | Very high. | High. | Requires customization, does not work in some games |
| Voice control | Medium | High (hands-free) | I need the internet, I can hear the people around me. |
| Control panel | Low. | Low. | It takes several actions to call. |
Where to look and how to edit screenshots
Once a screenshot is created, it is automatically stored in the device’s internal memory. The standard file path in Android is /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots. The Xiaomi Gallery has a separate album for them, making it easier to search and sort.
And right after you take the screenshot, you get a preview in the bottom corner, and you click on it, you get into the built-in editor, and you have a basic toolkit available here: cropping, rotating, marker drawing, adding text and stickers, and you can quickly prepare the image for submission without opening third-party apps.
You can use third-party apps for more advanced editing, but the built-in MIUI functionality is often enough for household needs. The system also allows you to quickly share an image through instant messengers directly from the preview menu.
If you use cloud services like Google Photos or Xiaomi Cloud, your screenshots can automatically sync to the server, which ensures that your data is safe even if your smartphone is lost or broken.
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Automatically syncing Screenshots folder to the cloud is the best way to protect important data from loss when you reset or break your device.
⚠️ Note: When you delete screenshots through a standard gallery, they first end up in a basket that is stored for 30 days.