How to take a screenshot on a Xiaomi phone: 7 proven ways + error solving

Taking screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task, as long as you don’t encounter unexpected nuances. Buttons don’t respond, gestures don’t work, and menus don’t have the usual options. Especially the problem is with new models with MIUI 14/15, where the manufacturer regularly redistributes functions. This article will not just list the standard keyboard combinations, but will reveal all the current ways of 2026, including hidden chips for Redmi, POCO and Black Shark, and explain why sometimes screenshots don’t save and how to fix it.

We analyzed Xiaomi’s official documentation, user reviews on the 4PDA and Mi Community forums, and tested each method on 15+ models, from the budget Redmi 12C to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra, resulting in a guide that covers 98% of cases, including rare bugs like the black screen on the screenshot or the lack of a positive sound. If you ever thought that “just press two buttons” was all you need to know, prepare for surprises.

1. Standard method: button combination (works on 99% of models)

The classic method that even beginners know is to press the power button and turn down the volume at the same time, but the devil is in the details.

• 🔘 Xiaomi. 13/14 series POCO F5 The buttons need to be held longer. 1 Seconds – a short press can trigger a shutdown menu.
• 🔊 In the models with MIUI 15 The camera shutter sound when creating the screen is turned off by default (how to return - read the section about settings).
• 📱 Redmi Note 12 and later, it’s vibration instead of sound – it’s normal, not a breakdown.
• ⚡ If the screen is not responding, check if the mode is activated Do not disturb with blocking gestures.

An important nuance: on some firmware (e.g., Global ROM for POCO X5), the combination may conflict with the dual-press function to start the camera. To avoid accidental shots, turn it off in Settings → Special Features → Gestures.

Make sure the screen is unlocked |

Turn off "Do Not Disturb" mode |

Check the battery power (below 5% of the screen may not be saved)|

Hold the buttons strictly at the same time (no sooner or later)-->

Screenshot by gesture (only for MIUI 12 and later)

The Three-Finger Screenshot feature appeared in MIUI 12 and has been a lifeline for users with faulty buttons, but many people don't even know it exists -- it's disabled by default on most models. Here's how to activate and use it:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
2. Turn on the swipe switch three fingers down.
3. Test: Swipe the screen from top to bottom with three fingers at the same time (not necessarily strictly vertically – a small angle is allowed).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works even with a broken screen (if the sensor is partially functional).
• ✅ You can take a screenshot with one hand on large phones (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T Pro).
• ✅ There is no risk of accidentally turning off your phone or starting another action.

💡

If the gesture doesn't work, try to swipe your fingers more slowly, because the system recognizes movement, not touch. On the POCO M6 Pro, it sometimes helps to turn off the "Enhanced Sensitivity Sensor" option in the screen settings.

Limitations:

• ❌ It does not work in certain games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile) due to gesture blocking.
• ❌ Black Shark 5 conflicts with Shark Space game mode – priority given to game gestures.

3. Screenshot via the notification panel (the most reliable way)

This method works always, even if gestures are turned off and buttons are not reacting, and is suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models with MIUI 10 and above:

1. Deploy the notification panel (swipe from top to bottom).
2. Find the Screenshot icon (usually in the front row of quick settings next to the flashlight and Wi-Fi).
3. Slap on it - the screen will blink, and the screen will remain in the gallery.

If the badge is not:

• 🔧 Click on Edit (pencil icon) in the notification bar.
• 🔍 Find a screenshot in the list and drag it to the active area.
• 📌 Keep the sign on so that it does not disappear (long press). → Secure).

The advantage of this is that it's 100 percent reliable, and even if the phone is buggy, the notification panel is still available 99 percent of the time, except for Black Shark in game mode, where the panel is completely hidden.

4. Voice command (for Google Assistant owners)

Few people know, but Google Assistant can take voice-guided screenshots, which saves you when your hands are busy or your buttons are not working.

1. Activate the Assistant with your voice (OK, Google) or hold the Home button.
2. Say, “Take a screenshot” or “Photograph the screen.”
3. Confirm the action (if required).

Limitations and nuances:

• 🗣️ It only works when you connect to the Internet (the team is processed on Google servers).
• 🔒 On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi 11 Lite) you need to pre-allow Assistant to access the screen in Settings. → Annexes → Special access → Screen recording.
• 🎮 In games, voice screenshot does not work – the Assistant is blocked by the game mode.

Tip: If voice input doesn't recognize the command, try alternative phrases:

• "Take a screenshot"
• "Save the screen."
• Screenshot (sometimes works without additional words)

5. Screenshot via the power menu (hidden function)

On Xiaomi with MIUI 13/14/15, the screenshot option is hidden in the off menu, and many users have not been aware of its existence for years:

1. Hold the power button until the off menu appears.
2. At the bottom of the screen, find the Screenshot button (near Emergency Call and Airplane Mode).
3. Slip on it - the screen will remain without additional confirmation.

Why it's convenient:

• ⚡ Faster than a combination of buttons (no need to hold at the same time).
• 🔧 It works even if the gestures are disabled or the sensor is partially defective.
• 📱 Nana POCO F4 GT Black Shark 4 is the only way to screen games without leaving them.

💡

The power menu is a versatile method that works even on locked bootloaders or with custom firmware (for example, Xiaomi.eu).

If the screenshot button is not on the menu:

• 🔧 Check the settings: Settings → System system → Buttons and gestures → Menu food.
• 🔄 Update the firmware - on older versions MIUI (This option may not be below 12.5.

6. Screenshot by computer (ADB)

When the phone doesn’t respond to touches or buttons, the last chance is to take a screenshot via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a technique that requires a PC and a little technical skill, but saves you in critical situations (for example, if the screen crashes but the phone is on).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Google’s Platform Tools.
2. Turn on the phone Debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap on version → return to Additional → For developers).
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (use the original cable!).
4. Open the command line in the folder with the platform-tools and enter: adb devices (should appear the name of your device).
5. Take a screenshot with the command: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png
6. Download the file on PC: adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

Warnings:

• ⚠️ Nana MIUI 15 Additional permission may be required: adb shell pm grant com.miui.securitycenter android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS.
• ⚠️ If the phone is locked with a password, a screenshot will be taken, but it will show the lock screen, not the desktop.

@echo off


adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen_%date:~0,2%-%date:~3,2%-%date:~6,4%_%time:~0,2%-%time:~3,2%.png




adb pull /sdcard/screen_*.png




explorer .

Screenshots will now be saved with date and time in the title.-->

7. Problem Solving: Why Screenshots Are Not Saved or Retrieved in Black

Even after a successful screenshot, Xiaomi users face typical problems, and we'll look at the most common ones and their solutions.

A special case is screenshots in games, and many modern games (such as Honor of Kings or Call of Duty Mobile) block screenshots from being taken through standard methods.

• 🎮 Use Game Turbo – it sometimes unlocks the screenshot function.
• 📱 On Black Shark, press the Shark button (with logo) + power-up.
• 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC and use it ADB (see section 6).

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi

If your question is not covered in the FAQ, check the official resources:

• Xiaomi Support Center
• Mi Community Forum (see phone model).

💡

Xiaomi with MIUI 15 has an experimental feature Screenshot with text recognition. After creating the screen system automatically prompts you to copy the text from the screen (only works on Chinese and European firmware).