How to set up and take a screenshot on Xiaomi: a complete guide with life hacks

Why screenshots on Xiaomi work differently than on other smartphones

Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi, POCO and Black Shark lines, use MIUI’s proprietary shell, which radically changes the logic of creating screenshots compared to Android stock. Here you will not find the usual “Power + Volume Down” menu in its pure form – instead, the manufacturer integrated gesture combinations, a quick toolbar and even a voice assistant to capture the screen. Moreover, new versions of MIUI (starting with MIUI 14) appeared the “Scroll Screenshot” function, which automatically captures long pages in the browser in the chasser.

But there are pitfalls, too. On cut-out devices (like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), for example, the standard key combination can conflict with navigation gestures. And owners of POCO F5 or Black Shark 5 Pro often find screenshots being kept in low resolution due to optimizations for games. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to create screenshots on Xiaomi in 2026, including hidden chips for advanced users.

Method 1: Classic button combination (works on 99% of models)

The most versatile method that works even on the oldest devices like the Redmi 4X or Mi A1 is to press the power buttons and reduce the volume simultaneously.

1. Open the screen you want to capture.
2. Press the Power button (on/lock) and Volume Down for 1-2 seconds.
3. Wait for the characteristic shutter sound and visual animation (running shadow across the screen).

On new models (such as Xiaomi 14 or POCO X6 Pro), after you create a screenshot in the lower right corner, you will see a thumbnail with the buttons "Edit" and "Share". If the thumbnail does not appear, check the settings in the Settings section → Special features → Screenshot Toolbar.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with mechanical buttons (such as Black Shark 4 Pro), pressing too hard can cause the screen to accidentally turn off.

Hold the Power. + Volume Down on the 1-2 seconds|Make sure the screen is not locked|Check if the system is switched off (otherwise you won’t hear confirmation)|Try again if the first time doesn’t work.-->

Method 2: Three-finger gesture (the fastest method for MIUI)

MIUI's signature feature is swiping the screen down three fingers, and it works on all devices with MIUI 10 and up, including the Redmi Note 11, POCO M6 Pro and Xiaomi 13T.

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
2. Turn on the "Three Fingers Swipe" switch.
3. Choose the direction of the gesture: down (recommended) or up.

Now, just swipe your three fingers across the screen from top to bottom (or from bottom to top if you choose an alternative) to take a picture, and the advantage of this method is instant capture without searching for buttons, which is critical in dynamic games or scrolling through tape in TikTok.

If the gesture doesn't work:

• 🧹 Make sure there are no greasy spots or low-sensitivity protection on the screen.
• 🔧 Restart your smartphone – sometimes system lags block gesture recognition.
• 📱 Check if the gesture conflicts with other functions (e.g., the "Separate Screen Gesture").

Power keys. + Volume Down|Three-finger gesture|Quick settings panel|Voice assistant-->

Method 3: Quick Settings Panel (for those who like menus)

If you're uncomfortable remembering combinations or gestures, MIUI provides a visual way through the notification panel.

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the screenshot icon (usually a scissors or a rectangle with lightning).
3. Slip it on it - the screen will be captured instantly.

If the badge is not:

1. Slip the "Edit" icon (pencil) in the upper right corner of the panel.
2. Find the "Screenshot" list and drag it to the active area.
3. Save the changes.

This method is convenient for users who often take screenshots on WhatsApp or Telegram, as it does not require remembering combinations. However, it has a disadvantage: if the notification panel is open, part of the screen will be hidden, and important information may not be included in the screenshot.

💡

Add the screenshot label to the home screen: pinch the empty space on the desktop → "Widgets" → find "Screenshot" and drag it. Now the screenshot in one tap!

Method 4: Voice assistant (for lazy or busy hands)

Few people know, but MIUI supports voice-activated screenshots through the built-in Xiao AI assistant (on Chinese firmware) or Google Assistant.This is true if your hands are busy or the power/volume buttons are faulty.

For Google Assistant:

1. Activate the assistant by voice (OK, Google) or holding the Home button.
2. Say, "Take a screenshot" or "Make a screenshot."
3. Confirm the action (if required).

For Xiao AI (on Chinese firmware):

1. Hold the Home button or say “if you have a voice call set up.”
2. Say, "" (meaning "screenshot").

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X5 Pro) the voice assistant may conflict with games or applications with high CPU priority, in which case the screenshot will be delayed or not saved.

Method 5: Scrolling Screenshot (Long Pages and Chats)

One of the most useful features of MIUI is the ability to capture scrollable areas, such as long web pages, WhatsApp correspondence or Instagram listings, to take this screenshot:

1. Create a regular screenshot in any of the ways described above.
2. Immediately after the miniature appears at the bottom of the screen, tap it.
3. In the editor that opens, select the option “Scroll” (an icon with two arrows down).
4. Wait until the system automatically scrolls the page and combines the frames.

The function doesn't work perfectly:

• 🚫 Does not capture dynamic content (such as TikTok videos or animations).
• 🔄 It can “lose” part of the text if the page loads slowly.
• 📱 On weak devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A) It can be used to process large pages.

Where are screenshots saved and how to change the folder

By default, all screenshots on Xiaomi are saved in the DCIM → Screenshots folder (or Pictures → Screenshots on some firmware).

1. Install a file manager with root rights support (e.g. MiXplorer).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Screenshots.
3. Select "Save folder" and specify a new path (for example, on the SD-map).

If the Screenshots folder does not open:

• 🔍 Check if it is hidden in the file manager settings.
• 📁 Try to find screenshots through a search by creation date (they usually have a prefix). Screenshot_).
• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes the system does not have time to update the media base.

On devices with dual storage (internal memory) + SD-The screenshots are stored by default in internal memory to transfer them to the map:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC.
2. Manually move files from DCIM/Screenshots to the desired folder on SD.
3. Use MiXplorer to create a symbolic link (if there is root access).

💡

PNG screenshots take up 2-3 times more space than JPEG. To save memory, convert them through apps like Photo & Picture Resizer or enable the Save to JPEG option in the camera settings (if available).

Editing and sharing screenshots: hidden chips

After you take a screenshot, MIUI offers a basic editor with tools for cropping, drawing and adding text, but few people know about the additional features:

• 🎨 Blurring background: highlight the area you want to hide and select the option "Blurr" (available in the "Blurr" option). MIUI 13+).
• 🔍 Enlargement: Hold your finger on the screenshot thumbnail to quickly enlarge part of the image.
• 📎 Quick Sending: Swipe the thumbnail left or right to share it immediately in the latest used messenger.

For advanced editing:

1. Install Snapseed or Lightroom for color and contrast correction.
2. Use Markup Hero to add arrows, stickers, and annotations.
3. To create collages from screenshots, Photo Grid or the built-in Google Photos editor is suitable.

If you need to take a late screenshot (for example, to capture the context menu), use third-party apps like Screenshot Touch or Screen Master, which allow you to set the timer for 3-10 seconds.

⚠️ Note: When editing screenshots through third-party apps, the original file can be overwritten. Always keep a copy if you plan to make changes.

FAQ: Frequent Problems and Solutions