How to make a printscreen on Xiaomi Redmi: all ways + secret MIUI chips

Taking a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you encounter unexpected nuances. Some models support gesture commands, others require you to pinch physical buttons, and in some versions of MIUI, standard methods do not work at all because of the customized interface. This article will not just list the methods, but will analyze each of them with the specific Redmi models (from Redmi Note 5 to Redmi 13 Pro), explain why sometimes the screenshot is not saved, and show how to automate the process with voice commands and Quick Ball.

Xiaomi is very special, because even within the same Redmi line, the way you take screenshots can be different, like Redmi 9 with MIUI 12 has a three-finger swipe, and Redmi Note 11 Pro+ with MIUI 14 has this gesture turned off by default, and we tested all the ways on the current firmware in 2026 and identified those that work consistently, and we'll also tell you how to take a long screenshot (scroll screen) and where to find the saved pictures if they "disappeared" from the gallery.

1. Standard method: power buttons + volume

It's a versatile method that works on all Redmi models released after 2016, including the Redmi 4X, Redmi Note 8 Pro and the latest Redmi 12/13 series.

1. Open the screen you want to capture (for example, correspondence in Telegram or a page in Chrome).
2. At the same time, press the power button (on/lock) and the volume down button.
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the sound of the camera shutter and see the animation of the screenshot.

⚠️ Warning: Some models (e.g. Redmi K50 Gaming) have a power button that is sensitive to the duration of pressing, and if you press it for longer than 3 seconds, the switch menu will work and the screenshot will not be taken, and this method may not work if:

• 🔋 The battery is discharged below 5% (the system blocks "extra" functions).
• 🎮 Game Turbo mode is enabled, and it turns off button combinations.
• 🔧 Hardware buttons are disabled in the settings (for example, after connecting the gamepad).

If the screenshot is not saved, check the folder. DCIM/Screenshots through any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager), sometimes the images are hidden in the root directory under the name Screenshot_YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS.png.

2. Three-finger gesture: how to turn on and adjust

The three-finger swipe feature appeared in MIUI 10 and has since become one of the most convenient for Redmi owners, but it is disabled by default on many models, especially if the smartphone is purchased outside of China.

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot.
2. Activate the switch "Swipe with three fingers".
3. (Optional) In the same menu, you can choose the direction of the swipe: down or up.

Now, to take a screenshot, swipe your finger (or three fingers at a time) across the screen from top to bottom (or bottom to top if you changed the setting).

• ⚡ Faster than pressing buttons (0.5 seconds vs. 1.5-2 seconds).
• 🎯 Works even with one hand (if swipe is configured down).
• 🔇 There is no risk of accidentally turning off your phone or running a Game Turbo.

⚠️ Warning: On the Redmi Note 10 Pro and Redmi K40 with MIUI 13+, the three-finger swipe may conflict with the "Curb all apps" gesture. If screenshots are created randomly, turn off one of the gestures in the System → Gesture settings.

3.Voice assistant: screenshot on command

If you have a Redmi with a MIUI 12.5 or higher, you can take screenshots with your voice without touching the screen.

• 🧤 Hands are either occupied or wearing gloves.
• 🎮 Play a mobile game (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile).
• 🔧 The sensor screen is not working (but the microphone is working).

Instructions:

1. Activate Xiaomi Voice Assistant (if disabled): Settings → Applications → Voice Assistant → Enable.
2. Say to one of the commands, "Take a screenshot" (in Russian and English), "Screenshot" (in English, it often works more accurately).

Confirm the action if the assistant requests permission.

⚠️ Warning: Voice commands do not work if:

• 🔇 The microphone for Voice Assistant is disabled in the privacy settings.
• 🌐 The language of the system does not match the command language (e.g., the smartphone is in Chinese and the command is in Russian).
• 🎧 Bluetooth headphones are connected – some models block voice recognition.

Tip: If the voice assistant doesn’t recognize the command, try reinstalling it through the Mi App Store or upgrading the MIUI to the latest version.

4. Quick Ball: floating button for screenshots

Quick Ball is a virtual button that appears on top of any screen and allows you to quickly take screenshots, record the screen or return to the home screen. The feature is available on all Redmi with MIUI 11 and later.

1. Open Settings → Additional settings → Quick Ball
2. Turn on the "Show Quick Ball" switch.
3. Click on “Quick Ball Settings” and add the screenshot icon to the Quick Access Panel.
4. (Optional) Change the transparency and position of the button on the screen.

Now to take a screenshot:

1. Tap Quick Ball (by default, a translucent circle at the edge of the screen).
2. Select the screenshot icon in the menu that appears.

The advantages of Quick Ball:

⚠️ Warning: If Quick Ball disappeared after the MIUI update, reset its settings: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Quick Ball → Storage → Clear Data.

💡

Add not only a screenshot to Quick Ball, but also Screen Recording and One-Hand Mode – this will save time in everyday use.

5. Long Screenshot (Scroll Screen): How to Capture the Entire Page

The long screenshot (or scrolling screen) feature allows you to capture not only the visible part of the screen, but also the part hidden behind the scrolling.

• 📄 Long articles or instructions.
• 💬 Correspondence in messengers (WhatsApp, Viber).
• 📊 Tables or lists (e.g. in Excel or Google Sheets).

How to make a scrolling screen on Redmi:

1. First, create a regular screenshot in any of the ways described above.
2. Immediately after the screenshot appears in the lower right corner, click on it.
3. In the editor that opens, tap the Scrolling icon (or Long Screenshot).
4. Wait until the system automatically scrolls through the page and connects the pieces into one snapshot.
5. Click "Ready" to save.

⚠️ Warning: Not all apps work, like Instagram and TikTok, but scrolling screens are blocked due to platform restrictions, and problems can also arise if:

• 📶 No internet connection (some applications require a network to render content).
• 🔄 The page dynamically loads content (e.g., Facebook feed).
• 🔒 Incognito mode is enabled in the browser.

Tip: If the scrolling screen is cut, try doing it through Quick Ball – there the capture algorithm often works more stable.

6.Alternative ways: ADB, third-party applications and chips for developers

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., on Redmi with custom firmware or after a failed update), alternatives can be used. They require additional actions, but sometimes save in critical situations.

Method 1: Through ADB (for advanced users)

If you have access to the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), take a screenshot of the command:

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.png

The file will be saved in the root folder of the device, and this method works even if the screen does not respond to touch.

Method 2: Third-party applications

Apps like Screenshot Easy or Super Screenshot offer advanced features:

• 🎨 Editing screenshots before saving.
• 📁 Automatic upload to the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
• 🔄 Delayed screenshot (timer 3-10 seconds).

⚠️ Warning: Some apps require a "overlay over other windows" right, which may conflict with MIUI Optimizer.

Method 3: Developer mode

MIUI has a hidden option to create screenshots through the developer mode:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Return to Settings → Additional settings → For developers.
3. Find the option “Screenshot through gesture” and turn it on.

Now, a screenshot can be taken by holding the power button and touching the screenshot icon in the off menu.

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ADB and developer mode are extreme measures, and only use them if the standard methods don't work, as the wrong commands can disrupt system stability.

7. Where to look for saved screenshots and how to change the save folder

By default, screenshots on Xiaomi Redmi are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

Sometimes they are “hiding” in other places:

To change the save folder:

1. Install a file manager with root access support (e.g. FX File Explorer).
2. Go to MIUI/ScreenCapture/config and edit the path.conf file (root rights required).
3. Or use the Screenshot Folder app from Google Play.

⚠️ Warning: If screenshots are not saved at all, check:

• 📱 Free space on the device (needs a minimum of 100 MB).
• 📁 Write rights for the Screenshots app (Settings → Apps → Permissions).
• 🔄 Is Do Not Disturb mode enabled with blocking notifications?

8. Frequent problems and their solutions

Even with the new Redmi models, users are experiencing screenshot bugs, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: Screenshots are not saved

Causes and solutions:

• 🗃️ Screenshots folder is corrupt → Rename it to Screenshots_old and reboot the phone.
• 📵 Shutter sound turned off → Turn it on to Settings → Sounds and Vibrations → Screenshot Sound.
• 🔧 Optimizer conflict MIUI → Clear Settings cache → Applications → MIUI Optimizer → Clear cache.

Problem 2: Black screenshot

This happens if:

• 🎮 Game Turbo is enabled → Turn it off in the notification curtain.
• 🔒 The app blocks screenshots (e.g., Netflix or banking apps).
• 🖥️ Second Space or Private Mode is used.

Problem 3: Gestures don't work

Check it out.

• 👆 Whether the gesture is enabled in the settings (Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures).
• 🧹 Does it conflict with other gestures (e.g., "Double tap to wake up")?
• 📱 Is the firmware updated (in MIUI 14, gesture bugs are fixed).

If nothing helps, reset your gesture settings to factory: Settings → System → Resetting → Reset gesture settings.

💡

90% of screenshot problems on Xiaomi are solved by updating MIUI or resetting gesture settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions