How to set up a screenshot on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide 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. However, not all users know that setting up this process can make life much easier: from changing the format of save to using hidden gestures. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to create screenshots on Redmi, POCO, Black Shark and other Xiaomi products, including little-known MIUI chips.

The MIUI firmware feature is the flexibility of settings: you can not only choose a convenient way to create a screen, but also configure its automatic editing, selecting a save folder or even disabling the shutter sound. The algorithms for the function may differ depending on the shell version (for example, MIUI 14 vs HyperOS) and the smartphone model. If you find that standard keyboard shortcuts do not work or want to optimize the process, this is the instruction for you.

Next, we’ll go through each method in detail, including the hidden “Long Screenshot” mode for scrollable pages that many users overlook, and learn how to fix common errors (such as when screens aren’t saved in a gallery) and where to find additional tools to work with screenshots.

Standard ways to create a screenshot on Xiaomi

To start with, the basic methods that work on all Xiaomi devices, regardless of model and firmware version, are built on Android, so even the most budget-friendly devices like the Redmi 10A or POCO M5 support them.

The most versatile way is to press the power buttons and reduce the volume simultaneously, hold them for about 1-2 seconds until you hear the characteristic shutter sound (if it is not turned off) and see the screen saving animations. Some models (for example, Black Shark 5) may have vibration instead of sound.

The second standard method is swipe three fingers down the screen, which is the default feature in MIUI, but it can be turned off or reconfigured (as we'll discuss in the next section), and swipe should be fast and clear — if you swipe too slowly, the system recognizes it as a normal touch.

• 📱 Power buttons + Volume down – always working, even if the touch screen is not responding.
• 👆 Three-finger swipe is convenient for one hand, but requires precision.
• 🔧 Quick settings panel - in some versions MIUI There is a screenshot button (you need to add manually).

If neither of these methods works, check if the Child Mode or Guest Mode is activated, which can block screenshots from being taken, and make sure that the phone has enough free memory: when the storage is full, the system sometimes ignores commands to save the pictures.

Customization of gestures and hot keys

MIUI firmware allows you to flexibly configure how you create screenshots to your preferences, such as turning off the shutter sound, changing the button combination, or adding screen creation through a voice assistant (on models with Google Assistant or XiaoAI).

To get into the settings, go to:

Settings → Special features → Gestures and movements → Screenshot

Here you will see all the options available. Let's take a closer look at them:

• 🔕 Turning off the shutter sound is helpful if you often take screenshots in public places.
• 👆 Swipe settings with three fingers – you can change the direction (up/down) or turn off the gesture altogether.
• 🎤 Voice command – customize a phrase like “Take a screenshot” for XiaoAI assistant (not working on all models).
• 🔄 Double-click on the back – on some flagships (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) you can assign a screenshot on the tap on the back panel.

Pay special attention to setting up long screenshots (scrollable). To do this, after creating a regular screen, tap the thumbnail in the lower right corner of the screen and select Scrolling. The system automatically glues several frames into one long shot - ideal for saving chats, web pages or lists.

Open "Settings → Special Opportunities"

Check the section "Gestural and Motion"

Activate the swipe with three fingers (if necessary)

Turn off the shutter sound (optional)

Check the operation of long screenshots-->

On models with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14), some of the settings can be in a different menu:

Settings → System → Gestures → Additional

If you do not find the right item, use the search by settings (the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner).

Where are screenshots stored and how to change the save folder

By default, all screenshots on Xiaomi are saved in a folder. DCIM → Screenshots (or Pictures) → Screenshots in some versions MIUI). However, this folder can be changed – for example, if you want to automatically upload screens to the cloud or save them to the cloud. SD-map.

To change the conservation path:

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the folders → Screenshots.
4. Click Change the Save Path and specify a new directory.

If you want screenshots to automatically sync with Google Photos or Mi Cloud, turn on the option in your account settings. Please note that when you change the save folder, the old screens will remain in the same place – they will not be transferred automatically.

On certain devices (e.g, POCO X5) plugged-in SD-The card will have the option to save screenshots directly to it, which is useful if the internal memory of the phone is full, but remember: the write speed to the memory card may be lower than to the internal storage, so the screens will last longer.

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If screenshots aren't displayed in the gallery, try updating the media base: go to Settings → Apps → Gallery → Storage → Clear the data. This will force the system to re-scan the folders.

Editing and sharing screenshots

Once you've created a screenshot, you'll see a thumbnail with quick access buttons, and you can crop the image, add text or a picture, and share it through messengers, and if the thumbnail disappears too quickly, you can increase the display time:

Go to:

Settings → Display → Mini-applications and notifications → Floating windows → Screenshot

and set the delay to 5 seconds.

For advanced editing, use the built-in Markup app (available on MIUI 12 and later).

• 🖌️ Marking with a brush or marker.
• 📝 Add text blocks with font selection.
• 🔍 Blurr sensitive data (phone numbers, passwords).
• 🎨 Apply filters and adjust brightness/contrast.

If you need to share screenshots often, set up quick access to instant messengers. To do this, after creating the screen, tap on the thumbnail and hold the app icon (for example, Telegram or WhatsApp) - it will be added to the quick sharing panel.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

Even on modern Xiaomi smartphones, users sometimes encounter errors in creating screenshots. Consider typical scenarios and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: Screenshots are not saved

⚠️ Warning: If there is no shutter and notification sound after pressing the key combination, check if Power Saving Mode is on. In this mode, the system can block background processes, including saving pictures.

Decisions:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📂 Check the space in the memory (needs at least 100 MB).
• 🛠️ Update the firmware through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

Problem 2: Three finger swipe is not working.

Reasons:

• The gesture is off in the settings.
• Conflict with other gestures (e.g. Swipe down for notification panel)
• The touch screen is damaged (check the other gestures).

To return the function, reset the gesture settings:

Settings → Special features → Gestures and movements → Reset

Problem 3: Long screenshots are cropped

This is a common mistake when trying to take a scrolling snapshot of a web page or chat.

• 🌐 The site blocks screenshots (such as banking apps or Netflix).
• 📱 Insufficient RAM to process a long image.
• 🔄 An outdated version MIUI (firmware update).

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If you can’t take a long screenshot using the standard method, try using third-party apps like LongShot or Scroll Capture from Google Play.

Hidden chips and enhanced capabilities

In addition to the standard features, MIUI offers several hidden screenshot capabilities that few users know about.

1.Screenshot with delay

If you need to take a snapshot of the context menu or pop-up notification that disappears when you click on the buttons, use the delayed screenshot:

Settings → Special features → Gestures and movements → Screenshot → Lag

Set a timer for 3 or 5 seconds – this is enough to open the desired menu.

2. Creating a GIF from a screen

On some models (for example, Xiaomi 12T) in the screenshot menu there is an option to Record the screen with the possibility of saving in GIF format.

3. Rapid text recognition

Once you create the screen, tap on the thumbnail and select Text, the system automatically recognizes all text in the image (opts offline), and supports major languages, including Russian and English.

4.Safe Mode screenshot

If the phone is buggy and doesn't respond to touch, you can take a screenshot via ADB (requires a PC connection).

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png

5. Personalization of notifications

In MIUI 14+, you can change the screen creation notification style.

Settings → Notifications → System notifications → Screenshot

There are options available: No sound, Vibration or Camera Flash.

Comparison with other brands: which is better?

The screenshot functionality on Xiaomi is one of the most advanced among Android smartphones, but it has both advantages and disadvantages compared to competitors.

Xiaomi’s main advantage is the flexibility of settings and memory card support, which most flagships of other brands do not. However, Samsung wins as a implementation of long screenshots (for example, for web pages with dynamic content), and the Google Pixel offers better integration with cloud services.

If you share screenshots on social media often, check out the Quick Trimming feature in MIUI, which allows you to immediately select the desired area before saving. Samsung has a similar option called Smart Crop, but it only works in the Gallery app.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi