How to Take a Screenshot on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Creating a screenshot on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices is a basic skill that can be required at any time: to save a payment check, fix an error in the application or save an interesting shot from the game. Unlike many other manufacturers, the Chinese giant offers users a wide arsenal of methods to perform this task, far beyond the standard combination of buttons. Understanding all the options available allows you to significantly improve the efficiency of using MIUI and the new HyperOS shell.

In this article, we will take a look at every available method, from classic physical buttons to advanced gestures and automation through Google Assistant. We will also discuss the topic of setting the format of stored files and the common problems when a device refuses to respond to commands. Screenshot is not just a picture, but an important tool for interacting with the Android operating system.

Xiaomi’s modern smartphones come with powerful processors and fast screens, making the process of capturing images almost instantaneous. However, a variety of models — from the budget Redmi Note to the flagship Mi — sometimes make their own adjustments to the location of controls or the response of the touchscreen. No matter what model you have, you are sure to find a convenient method in this review.

Classical Method: Using Physical Buttons

The most common and reliable way to work on 99% of Android devices, including all Xiaomi models, is to press two buttons simultaneously. Usually users get used to this action reflexively. You need to press the Volume Down and the Power button, press them simultaneously, with minimal delay between actions, otherwise the phone will simply lock or change the volume.

Importantly, on some HyperOS or newer MIUI models, the system can react instantly, while on older firmware, it sometimes takes a fraction of a second to hold the buttons longer. If you hear the characteristic snap of the camera shutter (if the sound is on) and see a flash of the screen, the screenshot is successfully created. The file is automatically saved to the gallery.

⚠️ Warning: Don't push the buttons too hard and don't use sharp objects. The mechanical buttons on Xiaomi smartphones have a limited pressing resource, and excessive diligence can lead to them sticking or breaking.

There is also an alternative combination that can be turned off by default, but it is easy to activate in settings: pressing the Menu button (three bars if there is such a physical or software button) and volume reduction buttons at the same time, a method often used by those who are used to the interfaces of older versions of Android or prefer not to reach for the power button.

Control through notification panel and curtain

If you find physical buttons uncomfortable or one of them is faulty, the interface elements are a great solution. The top notification curtain in Xiaomi has powerful tools. To access it, just swipe down to open the control center. Among the many icons, you need to find an icon with a picture of scissors or a rectangle that is signed as "Screenshot".

Once you click on this icon, the system will instantly snap a snapshot of the current contents of the display, which is especially useful when the phone is on the table or you hold it with one hand, and it is difficult to reach the side faces. In some versions of the MIUI shell, the icon can be hidden in the second page of the Quick Access panel.

To add or remove this item, tap a pencil or three dots in the corner of the control panel, search the "Screenshot" buttons list available, and drag it to the active zone.This action ensures that the feature is always at hand.

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Place the screenshot icon in the top row of the control panel for instant access, as it takes longer to look for it in the expanded menu.

Setting and using gestures with three fingers

One of the most convenient features of the shell from Xiaomi is the ability to create a screenshot with just swiping three fingers on the screen. This feature is not active by default on all models, so it must be enabled manually. To do this, go to the Settings menu → Additional settings → Keyboard shortcuts (the path may vary slightly depending on the version of the software).

In the list that opens, find the "Take a screenshot" option and select the "Put 3 fingers down" option. Once activated, just swipe three fingers down the screen at any time, and the system will save the image, which is ideal for those who like speed and minimalism in control.

• 📱 The gesture works in most applications, including browsers, gallery and social networks.
• ⚙️ The sensitivity of a gesture can be calibrated in the engineering menu if it is triggered too often or ignored.
• 🚫 The gesture may not work in some secure applications (banks) or while playing video in certain players due to limitations. DRM.

Keep in mind that using three fingers requires a certain skill, especially on smartphones with a screen diagonal of less than 6 inches. On large devices such as the Redmi Note or Mi Max series, this method works flawlessly. If the gesture stopped working after the system update, check the settings again, as the reset may turn off this option.

Voice control via Google Assistant

In the age of smart assistants, handless smartphone control is becoming a reality. Google Assistant is deeply integrated into Android and allows you to take screenshots with your voice. To activate, just say "Ok Google" or press the assistant call button, and then say "Take a screenshot" (or "Make a screenshot" if you have English localization).

This method is especially useful in situations where the screen is contaminated (such as with fat fingers in the kitchen), with wet hands, or when the phone is fixed in the car holder. Voice input ignores the state of the touchscreen, relying on the system's software commands. However, this method requires an active Internet connection to work, since voice processing often takes place on Google servers.

Sometimes the assistant may not recognize the command the first time if the room is noisy or diction is fuzzy, and in such cases it is better to use short and clear language, and voice control is not only about screenshots, but also about the accessibility of the interface for people with disabilities.

Use of the Screenshots app and second spaces

In the Xiaomi system toolkit, there is a separate app called Screenshots, which allows you to take not only regular pictures, but also a long screenshot (scrollable), which is critical for saving long correspondence or web pages. To take advantage of this, after you create a regular screenshot, click on the thumbnail and select the scroll icon.

Also worth mentioning is the "Second Space" feature, which means that if you're using the personal and workspace separation, screenshots taken in one profile won't be visible in the other, for security and privacy reasons, and when you switch between clipboard spaces, your file history is isolated.

The app has a handy editing feature that allows you to cut out the desired area, draw an arrow or smear sensitive data with a marker immediately after you create a frame. This eliminates the need to open a separate photo editor. The functionality of the built-in editor in MIUI often outperforms third-party counterparts.

Table of comparison of methods of creating screenshots

For ease of perception, we have organized all the methods in the table, which will help you quickly choose the best option depending on your situation and device model.

As you can see from the table, each method has its advantages, and buttons remain the most versatile solution, as they work even in safe mode or when the interface freezes (if the touchscreen responds), while gestures benefit from their speed in everyday use.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Knowing all the ways to create screenshots allows you to adapt to any conditions of use of the smartphone, making interaction with the device more flexible and efficient.