How to take a screenshot on a Xiaomi smartphone: all the ways for Redmi, POCO and Mi

Why can’t Xiaomi screenshots be done the first time?

Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi sub-brands and POCO) They offer multiple ways to capture screenshots, but not all of them work equally well. For example, gesture commands can conflict with the shell. MIUI, If other gestures are activated in the settings (for example, swipe to return back) and the standard key combination Volume down + Power sometimes works with a delay due to optimizing energy consumption.

Another common problem is the lack of sound when creating a screen. This is not a bug, but a feature of MIUI: in some versions of the firmware, the sound is turned off by default so as not to interfere with quiet rooms. Also, users often forget that screenshots are stored not in the gallery, but in a separate Screenshots folder (or on Chinese firmware). If you do not find a picture, check this directory through any file manager.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to create screenshots on Xiaomi in 2026, from classic to little-known, and also tell you how to fix typical errors. Instructions are suitable for models from Redmi Note 12 to flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra, including devices on Android 13/14 with a MIUI 14/15 shell.

Method 1: Classic keyboard shortcut (works on 100% of devices)

It is a universal method that is guaranteed to work on any Xiaomi smartphone, regardless of the model and firmware version.

1. Open the screen you want to shoot (for example, a dialog in the messenger or a page in the browser).
2. Press the volume down button (lower left on most models) and the power button (right).
3. Hold them for 1–1.5 seconds until you hear the characteristic shutter sound or see the save animation.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5 or Redmi K60) Holding the keys too long can cause the switch-off menu. If it does, just let go of the buttons and try again, reducing the time you press.

Press the keys strictly at the same time |Do not hold for more than 2 seconds |Check if the screen is locked |Switch off the case if it interferes with the pressing-->

If the screenshot is not created, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔋 Weak battery (less than 5%) – the system blocks “extra” functions.
• 🎮 Game mode - in Settings → Special facilities → Game mode can be disabled creating screens.
• 🔒 Secure content (banking apps, Netflix) – such programs block screenshots on security policy.

Method 2: Three-finger gesture (fastest, but requires adjustment)

The Three-Finger Screenshot feature allows you to swipe down a screenshot, which is convenient for gaming smartphones (like the Black Shark or POCO F4 GT), where physical buttons are inconvenient to use, but the default gesture is disabled — you need to activate it manually.

Instructions for inclusion:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
2. Activate the switch opposite "Swipe three fingers down."
3. (Optional) Enable the "Preview Screenshot" option to edit the shot immediately.

Once set up, just swipe three fingers down the screen (not necessarily vertically, a small angle is allowed) and the gesture works even on a locked screen (if the security settings allow notifications).

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If the gesture is triggered by chance (e.g. in games), reduce sensitivity in the same settings or turn off the feature for specific applications through Settings → Apps → Permissions → Special Access → Screenshot gestures

Method 3: Voice command (for those who like to control voice)

Xiaomi smartphones support screenshots through Google Assistant or Xiao AI (on Chinese firmware), a method that is useful if your hands are busy or your sensor/buttons are not working.

How to make a screen with a voice:

1. Activate Assistant: For Google Assistant, say "OK, Google" or press the Home button (if it's physical). For Xiao AI, press the power button for 2 seconds (on Chinese firmware).

• 🗣️ "Take a screenshot" (Russian language).
• 🗣️ "Take a screenshot" (English).
• 🗣️ "" (Chinese, for Xiao AI).

⚠️ Note: Voice commands may not work if:

• 🔇 The microphone for the assistant is turned off in Settings → Confidentiality → Microphone permissions.
• 🌐 Unsupported language (for example, Ukrainian or Belarusian).
• 🎧 Headphones without microphone connected – the assistant will not hear the command.

Volume and power keys | Three-finger gesture | Voice command | Notification panel | Another way-->

Method 4: Notification panel (alternative for lazy)

If you're too lazy to remember keyboard shortcuts or gestures, you can add a screenshot button to the Quick Settings panel, which takes 10 seconds and eliminates the need to press physical buttons.

How to add a button:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ ("Edit or hold any icon.
3. Find the "Screenshot" (scissor icon) in the list and drag it to the active area.

Now just swipe down and tap the new icon, and the screenshot is instant, and this is particularly useful for people with limited motor skills or when using a smartphone in a bookcase.

Method 5: Script with scrolling (long pages in one click)

The MIUI shell can create advanced screenshots – snapshots of the entire page being scrolled (such as a chat in Telegram or an article in a browser), a feature hidden in the menu after creating a regular screen.

How to take a long screenshot:

1. Create a regular screenshot in any of the ways described above.
2. Immediately after the miniature appears in the lower right corner, tap it.
3. In the editor that opens, click "Scroll" (an icon with two arrows down).
4. Wait until the system automatically scrolls the page and connects the frames.

⚠️ Note: Not all apps work, like Instagram or TikTok, because of platform limitations, and long screenshots may not work if you have a screenshot:

• 📱 There are animations or videos on the screen (the system gets "lost" when scrolling).
• 🔄 Power saving mode is enabled - it limits background processes.
• 📶 Low Internet speed (relevant to web pages).

Where are the screenshots stored and how do I find them?

By default, all screenshots are saved to the Pictures/Screenshots folder (or DCIM/Screenshots on some models).

• 📱 Smartphone models (for example, on the POCO The folder is called Screenshot without "s").
• 🌍 Firmware region (in the global version - English name, in Chinese - hieroglyphs ).
• 🔧 Gallery settings (in Google Photos, screenshots can be duplicated in the cloud).

How to quickly find screenshots:

1. Open the Gallery (or Files) app.
2. From the menu, select "Albums" → "Screenshots".
3. If there is no folder, search for the Screenshot keyword.

If the screenshots are not displayed:

• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes the media scanner does not have time to update the database.
• 📁 Check hidden folders through a file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager).
• 🗑️ Make sure the screens are not accidentally removed (check the "Basket" in the gallery).

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Screenshots take up space in memory! Clean Screenshots folder regularly, especially if you actively share your shots on social media. To save space, enable image compression in your camera settings (Settings → Camera → Image Quality).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even on new Xiaomi smartphones, users are faced with errors when creating screenshots. TOP-5 Problems and ways to correct them:

If none of these methods helped, try resetting your gesture settings:

1. Go to Settings → System and device → Resetting.
2. Select Reset gesture settings (does not affect personal data).
3. Reboot your smartphone.

In extreme cases, update the firmware through Settings → About Phone → System Update. New versions of MIUI 15 fix bugs with creating screenshots on the multitasking screen.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions