How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi: all the ways of 2026

Screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones are one of the most popular features that can be used to save important information, share data or fix errors. Despite the apparent simplicity, many users face difficulties: standard button combinations do not work, gestures are inactive or menu options are missing. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to create screenshots on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices running MIUI 14/15 and Android 13/14, including hidden functions and solutions to problems.

The feature of MIUI firmware is that it has unique screenshot techniques that are not available on pure Android, such as a three-finger gesture or voice command via Google Assistant, and some of the ways may differ depending on the model: an additional scrolling mode is available on the Xiaomi 13 Pro, and a budget Redmi Note 12 may not be available, and we tested all the methods on current devices and collected working solutions for all scenarios from basic to advanced.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi models regardless of the MIUI version is the simultaneous pressing of physical buttons.

1. Open the screen that you need to save.
2. Press the Volume Down button and the Power button at the same time.
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until the screenshot animation and shutter sound appear.

On the new flagships (Xiaomi 14, POCO F6), the buttons fire with minimal delay, and on the budget models (Redmi A2), you may need a longer retention.

• 🔄 Check if the buttons are locked in the settings → Special facilities → Buttons.
• 📱 Make sure there are no system notifications on the screen about low battery charge (they block the creation of screenshots).
• 🔧 Restart the device – sometimes crashes in the MIUI interfere with the correct operation of the buttons.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi Pad 6, POCO X5 Pro) button combination may conflict with Quick camera turn on. If the camera opens instead of a screenshot, turn off this option in Settings → Screen locking → Quick camera launch.

2.Gesturals for screenshot: three fingers and not only

MIUI offers unique gesture controls that make it easier to take screenshots, and the most popular is to swipe three fingers across the screen to activate this feature:

1. Go to Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
2. Select the screenshot with three fingers.
3. Turn on the switch and test the gesture (swipe from top to bottom or bottom to top – the direction is adjusted).

Advantages of the method:

• 👆 Works on any screen, even in games or apps with button lock.
• 🔄 You can adjust the gesture direction (by default - from top to bottom).
• 📁 Screenshots are saved to the same folder as when using buttons.

If the gesture doesn't work:

• 🧹 Clear the Launcher app cache (via Settings) → Annexes → Application management).
• 🔄 Switch the gesture direction in the settings (sometimes the sensor does not recognize the movement).
• 📱 Check if there is a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher) installed that can block gestures.

For owners of Xiaomi Pad or smartphones with large screens (Xiaomi 13 Ultra), there is an alternative gesture – double touch the back of the device. Activated in Settings → Additional features → Double touch.

3. Screenshot via notification panel

A lesser known but convenient way is to use tile in the notification panel, which is suitable if the buttons or gestures don't work.

1. Open the notification panel (swipe your finger from top to bottom).
2. Find the Screenshot tile (if not, click on the pencil icon to edit the panels).
3. Slip on the tile - the device will immediately take a screenshot.

Features of the method:

• ⚡ Faster than a button combination if the tile is added to the first line.
• 🔧 You can set up the order of tiles for quick access.
• 🚫 Does not work in some secure applications (e.g. banking software).

Add the screenshot tiles to the first line|Check overlay resolution for system windows|Disable energy saving for "Notification Panel"|Reset the device in case of failure-->

If the screenshot is not on the list:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Notification Panel and select Reset Settings.
3. Restart the device - the tile should appear.

4. Scrolling screenshot (long screenshot)

The Scrolling Screenshot (or Long Screenshot) feature captures all the content on a page, even if it doesn't fit on a single screen, works in browsers, messengers and some apps.

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the screenshot appears at the bottom of the screen, click on it.
3. In the editor that opens, tap the Scrolling icon (two arrows down).
4. Wait for the automatic scrolling of the screen and save the result.

Limitations of function:

On devices with MIUI 15, the scrolling screenshot supports saving in PDF format - after capturing, click Export and select the appropriate format.

⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI When you update, you lose the scroll button. To return it, clear the Screenshots app data through Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Screenshots → Warehouse → Clear the data.

5. Voice Assistant and Google Assistant

If you have your hands busy or your touch is not working, you can take a screenshot with a voice command.

1. Activate Google Assistant (hold the Home button or say “OK, Google”).
2. Say the command: "Take a screenshot" or "Screenshot".
3. Confirm the action (if required).

Advantages of the method:

• 🎤 It works without physical contact with the device.
• 🔄 Supports teams in Russian and English.
• 📱 You can use Freeform (for multitasking).

If the voice command does not work:

• 🔊 Check if Google Assistant is included in Settings → Annexes → By default. → Assistant and voice input.
• 📶 Make sure your device is connected to the internet (commands are handled by the cloud service).
• 🔄 Reinstall updates for Google through the Play Store.

💡

If you have Xiaomi Assistant installed (instead of Google), use the command "Mi, take a screenshot." The feature works offline, but only supports Chinese and English.

6. Screenshot via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work (e.g., on devices with damaged buttons or custom firmware), you can take a screenshot via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a PC connection, but is guaranteed to work on any Xiaomi.

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (shap 7 times)
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect the device to the PC and execute the command: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.png
4. Copy the file to your computer: adb pull /sdcard/screenshot.png

Advantages of ADB:

• 🖥️ It works even when the screen is locked (if debugging is enabled).
• 🔧 Allows you to take screenshots of system windows (for example, Recovery Mode).
• 📁 You can automate the process through scripts.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB On devices with an unlocked bootloader, the Anti-Rollback may be triggered on some models (Xiaomi). 12T, POCO F4). Before using, check the status of the bootloader in Fastboot by the command fastboot getvar anti.

7 Problem Solving: Why the Screenshot Doesn't Work

If neither method works, the problem may lie in system settings or hardware constraints.

If the problem persists:

• 🔄 Reset settings (without deleting data) through Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings.
• 📱 Check your device for viruses (some malware blocks screenshots).
• 🔧 Install an alternative screenshot app (like Screenshot Easy or Screen Master).

💡

On devices with MIUI Global, some features (such as a scrolling screenshot) can be disabled due to regional restrictions, in which case switching to MIUI China or MIUI EU (unofficial firmware) will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi