Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones have become an integral part of our digital communication, where the need to quickly save visual information arises constantly. Whether it is an important dialogue in the messenger, a funny moment from a video or a technical error that requires a call for support, in all these cases, users are faced with the question of how to take a screenshot of the screen. Standard methods of the Android operating system work flawlessly, but the proprietary shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS offer advanced functionality, which not all owners know.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can take screenshots, from classic button combinations to advanced features like long-scrolling and voice control. Screenshots are not just a copy of an image, they are a tool that saves time when used correctly, and you will learn how to take screenshots with one finger, use special gestures, and even automate the process of creating images in games or applications.
Regardless of which device model you have, the budget Redmi Note or the flagship Xiaomi 14, the principles of operation remain similar, although the location of the elements may vary slightly. We will look at the nuances for different versions of the firmware and help solve common problems when the button does not respond or the image is not saved.
Classical Method: A Combination of Physical Buttons
The most common and reliable way, which works on 99% of Android devices, including all Xiaomi smartphones, is to simultaneously press two hardware keys: the on button and the volume buttons. It is important to press them almost simultaneously, with a difference of no more than 0.5 seconds, otherwise the phone may perceive this as a separate action and just turn off the screen or change the volume.
If you do well, you will hear the characteristic shutter sound of the camera (if the sound is on) and the screen will blink. At the top of the display, you will see a thumbnail of the image that you can immediately edit or send. Physical buttons are the most responsive control, so this method is recommended for use in situations where instant reaction is required, for example, when fixing bugs or fast actions in games.
⚠️ Warning: Don't hold the buttons tight for too long. 2-3 Seconds, the phone can go into reboot mode or start the emergency call menu, depending on your version settings. MIUI.
For users who often take screenshots with one hand, this method can be uncomfortable because it requires coverage of the device body. However, it remains the “gold standard” when the touchscreen is temporarily unresponsive or moisture-laden, and finger motility training allows you to bring this action to automaticity in a couple of days of active use.
Use of menus and notification curtains
If you find physical buttons uncomfortable or one of them is faulty, Xiaomi's interface offers software alternatives. The first option is to use a built-in menu. To do this, you need to unlock the screen and press the "Menu" button (usually three stripes or a square depending on the navigation style) to open a list of running applications. At the bottom of the screen, where the window previews are located, there is often a "Screenshot" button (scissssor icon).
The second, even more convenient software method is to use a notification curtain, swipe down from the top to open the control center, and find a tile called "Screenshot," which will instantly create a snapshot of the current screen, which is ideal when you're in the settings menu or in an application where you can't use side buttons.
Users can customize a set of tiles in the curtain. To add a screenshot button if it's not there, click on the edit icon (usually a pencil or gear) in the corner of the notification curtain and drag the Screenshot icon into the active zone. This will only take a few seconds, but will make life much easier in the future. This is especially relevant for Xiaomi Pad tablets, where physical buttons can be inconveniently located.
Screenshots via the menu "Additional functions"
The MIUI and HyperOS shell is famous for its deep functionality hidden in system settings. One of the most useful tools is the Additional Features menu, which allows you to take screenshots with three fingers. To activate this option, go to Settings → Additional Features → Screenshots and turn on the Three Finger Screenshot switch.
Once activated, just swipe your three fingers down the screen at any moment, and the system takes a picture. This is one of the most elegant ways that looks very spectacular when demonstrating the capabilities of the phone to other people. But beware: in games or when you scroll through social media feeds, random movement of three fingers can lead to the inadvertent creation of many unnecessary images.
💡
If the Three Fingers feature interferes with your games, you can adjust its sensitivity or disable it for specific applications in the Game Mode section.
In the same settings menu, you can find the option “Add to the notification bar”, which duplicates the function from the previous section, but guarantees its presence there. Also, there is often a “screenshot Preview” setting, which allows you to immediately after creating an image to edit or send it, without wasting time searching for a file in the gallery.
Long screenshot and page scrolling
One of the most popular features for Xiaomi users is the ability to create a long screenshot (scrollshot).This is an indispensable tool for saving long correspondence in messengers, articles in the browser or lists of products in online stores. After you have taken a regular screenshot in any of the ways described above, in the thumbnail (or in the editing menu), click on the button with the down arrow or the “Scroll” icon.
The system will automatically scroll downwards, capturing new areas and gluing them into one long image. The process continues until you touch the screen or reach the end of the page. The quality of the final file remains high and the text is readable, which is critical to preserving important information.
☑️ Algorithm for creating a long screenshot
Not all apps support this feature, for example, in some banking applications or incognito browsers, the creation of scrolling shots may be blocked for security reasons. In such cases, the system will either not show the scroll button, or stop the process in the first step.To circumvent this limitation, in some cases, the use of third-party browsers with built-in saving the page in the first step helps. PDF.
Voice control and Google Assistant
Modern technology allows you to control your smartphone without touching using voice commands. On Xiaomi devices with Google Assistant installed, this works especially well. Just say the phrase "Ok Google, take a screenshot" (or "Make a screenshot" in English), and the phone will execute a command, which is especially convenient when your hands are busy or dirty, for example, during cooking or repair.
You can also use the built-in voice assistant Mi AI (depending on the region and firmware version), although its support for Russian may be limited. Activation usually requires a long press of the power button or a call through special settings. Voice control is not just a tribute to fashion, but a real tool for accessibility, helping people with disabilities to fully use a smartphone.
⚠️ Warning: Voice commands require a stable Internet connection to work, as processing of the request often takes place on Google servers.
To set up voice control, go to Google's settings and select "Google Assistant." Make sure the Voice Match feature is enabled so that the phone responds to your voice, which will add a level of security and prevent random screenshots when someone nearby says a similar phrase.
Set up hotkeys and third-party applications
For advanced users who don’t have enough standard functionality, Android offers the ability to set up hotkeys and use third-party software. Using macro applications (such as MacroDroid or Tasker), you can assign a screenshot to double tap on the back panel (if the phone has a touch sensor) or to press the volume button for a long time.
However, it is worth remembering that third-party applications require special permissions (Accessibility Service), which can have a slight impact on the autonomy of the device. MIUI built-in tools are usually optimized better and work more stable. However, for specific tasks, such as automatically creating screenshots on a schedule or when you start a certain application, third-party software is unparalleled.
Below is a table comparing the main methods of creating screenshots on Xiaomi devices by speed, convenience and requirements:
| Method | Reaction rate | Convenience (1-5) | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttons (Loudness - + Nutrition) | Instant. | 4 | Physical access |
| Three fingers | Tall. | 5 | Setting up on the menu |
| Notification curtain | Medium | 3 | Screen unlocking |
| Google Assistant | Low. | 4 | Internet, sound |
💡
The best choice for daily use is a combination of the Three Fingers method for normal tasks and physical buttons for emergencies.
Where to look and how to edit screenshots
Once created, the image is automatically stored in the gallery, and can be found by opening the Gallery app and going to Screenshots, where all screenshots are sorted by date of creation, and the system also offers a basic editor that allows you to crop the image, draw arrows on it, add text or blur sensitive data (such as card numbers or addresses).
For more in-depth processing, you can use the built-in MIUI editor, which opens immediately after you create a screenshot when you click on the thumbnail, and there are filters, stickers and tools available to highlight areas, and if you need to send a screenshot right away, the easiest way to do this is through the Share menu, which appears at the bottom of the edit screen.
How to clean the screenshot folder automatically?
Remember to check this folder periodically, as screenshots can take up a significant amount of space in your phone’s memory, especially if you’re taking them in high resolution. Regular cleaning helps keep the system running fast and makes room for new photos and apps.