Creating screenshots (or printscreens) on Xiaomi smartphones is a basic feature that everyone will need, whether it’s saving important correspondence, fixing an error in the app or just wanting to share a screen with friends — the ability to quickly take a screenshot saves time. However, not everyone knows that on devices with the shell of MIUI there are several ways to create screenshots, including hidden functions and gestures.
In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models (including devices from 2023-2026), as well as how to configure additional options – for example, a scrolling screenshot or save to the cloud. We will separately focus on typical errors (for example, when screenshots are not saved) and give recommendations for their elimination. If you use an old model or custom firmware, at the end of the article you will find tips for such cases.
1. Standard method: button combination
The most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones regardless of the model and version of MIUI is the simultaneous pressing of physical buttons.
- Open the screen you want to capture.
- Press the power button (on/off) and the volume button at the same time.
- Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the shutter sound or see an animation of the screenshot.
On most models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12) the picture will be saved in the gallery in the Screenshots folder. If the sound is turned off, pay attention to the top notification bar - there will be a thumbnail screenshot with options for quick editing or sending.
⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO F5) Long-term button retention can cause the switch-off menu, in which case try pressing the buttons faster or checking the gesture settings in Settings → Additionally. → Buttons and gestures.
This is reliable, but not always convenient – especially if the buttons are not ergonomically located (as on the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3), in such cases, it is worth configuring alternative methods.
2. Screenshot by gesture (three-finger swipe)
The MIUI shell offers a unique feature of creating screenshots with a gesture, swipe three fingers down, which works on most devices starting with MIUI 9, and is especially useful if physical buttons are difficult to access.
To activate this option:
- Go to Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot.
- Turn on the switch next to the Swipe point with three fingers.
- (Optional) Set the swipe direction down or up.
Now, just swipe three fingers across the screen (not necessarily simultaneously, but with a minimum interval) and a screenshot is taken, which is ideal for games or applications where power and volume buttons are occupied by other functions.
On some models (e.g. Xiaomi Pad 6), the gesture may conflict with other features, such as a split screen, in which case the screenshot is given priority, but the order of action can be changed in the gesture settings if necessary.
3. Screenshot via notification panel
If you don't feel comfortable remembering button combinations or gestures, MIUI has another simple way to do this, through the Quick Settings Panel, which works on all devices, including the Redmi 10A and POCO M6 Pro.
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the screen you want to capture.
- 👆 Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification bar.
- 🔍 Find the Screenshot icon (usually a scissors or a rectangle with lightning). If it's not there, click Edit and add it to the active elements.
- 📸 Slip on the icon - the screenshot will be taken instantly.
The advantage of this method is that it does not require memorizing combinations and works even with one hand. However, some firmware may not have an icon - in this case, check the settings of the notification panel or update the MIUI to the latest version.
Check that the notification bar is fully deployed|Find the screenshot icon)|If there is no icon, add it through "Edit"|Make sure the screen is not locked.-->
4. Scrolling (long) screenshot
Sometimes you need to capture not only the visible part of the screen, but also the part that is hidden behind the scrolling — for example, a long chat or a web page. MIUI There is a Scrolling Screenshot (or Long Screen) function»).
How it works:
- Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
- Immediately after you create the screen, a thumbnail will appear at the bottom with the "Scroll" button (or "Long Screenshot"). Click on it.
- The screen will automatically scroll down, capturing the content. Repeat until you capture the desired fragment.
- Click "Ready" to save the result.
This feature is supported by most system applications (Messages, Browser, Contacts) and many third-party applications (e.g. Telegram, WhatsApp).However, in some applications (e.g. Instagram or banking programs), a long screenshot may be blocked for security reasons.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12.5 and a later long screenshot may not work in power saving mode. → Battery → Power saving mode if the function is inactive.
5. Screenshot by voice (via Google Assistant)
If you have trouble using buttons or gestures, you can take a screenshot using the voice assistant, which is suitable for devices with Google Assistant preinstalled (most global versions of Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO).
Algorithm of action:
- 🎤 Activate Google Assistant by saying “OK Google” or holding the Home button (if you have one).
- 📋 Tell the command to “take a screenshot” or “Photograph the screen».
- 📸 The assistant will confirm the execution and save the picture in the gallery.
This method is convenient for people with disabilities or when hands are busy, but it requires an internet connection (for voice recognition) and may not work on Chinese firmware without Google Mobile Services (GMS).
How to turn on voice control on Xiaomi without GMS?
6. Solving screenshot problems
Sometimes screenshots don't save, they turn black, or the function doesn't work at all, so let's look at the typical errors and how to fix them.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Screenshots are not saved | Insufficient memory or resolution error | Clear Memory or Check the Gallery Application Rights in Settings → Apps → Permissions |
| Black screen on the screenshot | Content Protection (DRM) in the Application | Turn off screen protection in the application settings (for example, in banking programs) |
| The three-finger gesture doesn't work. | Disabled or conflict with other gestures | Check the settings in Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures |
| No screenshot icon in the notification bar | Outdated version of MIUI or custom firmware | Update the system or add the icon manually through the Edit Panel |
If none of these methods work, try:
- 🔄 Reset the device.
- 📱 Update MIUI last-minute.
- 🛠️ Reset gesture settings in Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting gesture settings.
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If screenshots are kept in low quality, check the compression settings in Settings → Storage → Screenshot quality (available on some firmware).
7 Additional Features: Editing and Cloud
After taking a screenshot, MIUI offers a few useful options:
- ✏️ Quick editing: Immediately after creating a screenshot, tap on the thumbnail in the notification to crop, add text or draw over the image.
- ☁️ Save to the Cloud: Enable sync with Mi Cloud in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Gallery to automatically upload screenshots to the cloud.
- 📤 Instant Submitting: In the screenshot notification, there are buttons for quick sending to Telegram, WhatsApp or other messengers.
On devices with MIUI 14 and later, you can see the screenshots for text recognition. To do this, open the picture in the gallery and click "Extract Text"** - the system will copy all the text from the image to the clipboard.
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Starting with MIUI 13, screenshots are automatically grouped by date in the Screenshots folder, making it easier to find the right shot.