Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the challenge of capturing not the entire screen, but only a specific part of it. The standard Screenshot feature saves the entire image, which then makes you spend time trimming the extra elements in the gallery. Fortunately, the MIUI shell and its successor HyperOS offer a built-in tool to create arbitrary screenshots that allows you to instantly highlight the desired area.
This feature is especially useful when you need to quickly share a piece of correspondence, a part of an article or a specific interface element without showing too much. Unlike third-party applications, the system tool works quickly, does not consume battery and does not require additional permissions.
There are several ways to call the area editing menu: through the control panel, a combination of buttons or special gestures. The choice of the specific method depends on your device model and personal preferences. It is important to know that the feature "Arbitrary Shoot" is only available on devices with the shell MIUI 12 and later, as well as on all current versions of HyperOS. Let's look at each option in detail.
Using the Quick Access Control Panel
The easiest and most intuitive way to take a randomly shaped screenshot is to use the control center, which doesn't require memorizing complex key combinations, and is suitable for most users, and to get started, you need to open the notification curtain and find the appropriate icon.
Once you click on the Screenshot icon (usually a scissor or camera), the system will instantly snap a snapshot of the current state of the display. However, unlike a normal screenshot, a thumbnail will appear in the upper right corner, and if you click on it, an editor will open where you can select the "Arbitrary" mode.
In this mode, you're asked to select the desired area with your finger or stylus. The system algorithm automatically determines the boundaries, but you can adjust them manually. Once confirmed, the image is saved in the gallery, and the original full picture is deleted or remains depending on the settings.
- 📱 Unlock the screen and open the desired content.
- ⬇️ Swipe down from the upper right corner to open the control center.
- ✂️ Find and click the “Screenshot” button (or “Screenshot»).
- 🖼️ Click on the thumbnail to go into editing mode.
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If you don’t find the screenshot button in the curtain, click on the three dots in the corner of the Quick Settings menu and add the Screenshot icon to the active widgets.
Using a control panel is especially convenient when physical buttons are difficult to use, such as if the smartphone is lying on a table or connected to a bulky holder.
Configure the button combination for an arbitrary shot
The classic way to create a screenshot is to simultaneously press the power buttons and turn down the volume, but by default, this is done by a simple snapshot of the entire screen, and to turn it into a tool to highlight the area, you need to change the settings of the system.
Go to the settings menu and find the section that provides additional features. The path may vary slightly from firmware to firmware, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the item associated with the screenshots and activate the option "Add menu after shot" or similar.
Once you turn on this feature, the sequence changes, so you take a screenshot with buttons, and immediately at the bottom of the screen, you have a toolbar, and you have to select an icon that looks like a square with a dedicated part to go to the framing.
Some users prefer to reassign buttons so that an arbitrary screenshot is taken immediately, without unnecessary transitions. To do this, in the Additional Features → Keyboards menu, you can set the action “Arbitrary Screenshot” for a long press of a button, if this option is supported by your version of Android.
☑️ Checking the screenshot settings
The Three Fingers Method: Gestures for Advanced Users
The MIUI shell is famous for its handy gestures, and swipe-taking is one of the most popular. It takes the full picture by default, but it can also be adapted to make arbitrary selections, ideal for those who like speed and minimalism.
To activate this feature, go to the optional settings and select "Three-finger shot." Here you will see a switch that allows you to select an action: just a screenshot or a screenshot followed by the edit menu.
Now, with three fingers down the screen, you get a thumbnail, and if you click on it, you can select the tool "Arbitrary" and select the desired area, and this method requires some skill, because you have to swipe your fingers diagonally or vertically without touching other interface elements.
⚠️ Note: A three-finger gesture may conflict with the functions of some reading or drawing apps. If screenshots are created spontaneously, turn off this method in your settings.
For owners of devices with large screens, such as the Redmi Note series or Xiaomi Mi Max, using one hand to create a gesture can be uncomfortable.
Comparison of methods of creating screenshots
To make it easier for you to choose the right way, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you understand which method will be most effective in your situation, whether it is playing, reading text or working with documents.
| Method | Speed of access | Convenience | Dependence on the model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control panel | Medium | High. | No. |
| Buttons (Loudness + Power) | Tall. | Average. | No. |
| Three-finger gesture | Very high. | Low (requires habits) | Depends on the size of the screen. |
| Floating window | Tall. | High. | Only MIUI 13+ |
As you can see from the table, the control panel is the most versatile solution, independent of the physical features of the device, but for gamers who do not want to interrupt the process of playing with swipes, the button combination remains the no-choice leader.
It’s worth noting that some custom firmware, such as Global ROM vs China ROM, may have different menu locations, so if you can’t find the settings described, try searching for the settings by entering the word “screenshot.”
Working with long screenshots and their cropping
Often, you need to take a screenshot of a long article or correspondence, in which case the Scrolling function (or Long Screenshot) works in conjunction with arbitrary highlighting, and after you create a regular long shot, you can also go to edit it.
The process is this: you take a scrolling screenshot, wait for the process to finish, and then click on the thumbnail. In the editor that opens, you select a framing tool, which allows you to cut out only the desired paragraph from the long blank text.
The MIUI editor offers different forms of highlighting, whether it's a rectangle, an oval, or an arbitrary line, and you can move the boundaries of the allocated area, zoom in on the image, and even add captions before saving.
The secret to precise allocation
Remember, the quality of the final image depends on the original resolution, if you cut a small piece hard, the text on it may become unreadable. Always check the result before sending the file to the interlocutor.
Where are arbitrary screenshots stored and how to find them
All images you create, including arbitrary clippings, are automatically saved to the system gallery, and they are not sorted into a separate folder called "Arbitrary", but are placed in the overall Screenshots album, which makes it easier to search, since all screenshots are in one place.
If you use a file manager, look for files along the path Internal Memory → DCIM → Screenshots. Files are named by date and time of creation, which helps you quickly find the right shot, if you remember when it was taken.
You can turn on Favorites mode in the gallery to mark important clippings, which is especially useful for those who use screenshots for work, such as saving checks, tickets or important instructions.
⚠️ Warning: When cleaning memory through a system optimizer, be careful: sometimes screenshots are labeled as "junk files" if they are old.
You can use Mi Cloud or Google Photos to sync these files between devices. In the cloud settings, make sure that the Screenshots folder is included in the list of synced albums.
Frequent problems and their solution
Despite the system's fine-tuning, users may encounter situations where screenshots are not created or menus are not displayed, most often due to Android security restrictions, such as in banking applications or incognito mode, screenshots are blocked at the system level.
It can also be a memory problem, because if there's a critically low amount of space on the device, the system won't be able to save the new image file, and you need to free up a few megabytes.
If the editing menu doesn't pop up after the shot, check if Do Not Disturb mode or special features that can intercept taps are turned on.Rebooting the device often resolves software glitches.
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If the screenshot is not taken in a particular app, it is likely that the app developer is protecting the data, not a phone error.