How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi: all the ways for Redmi, POCO and Mi

Contents

• Standard button-based method
• Gesture for screenshot in MIUI
• Voice assistant and fast commands
• Long screenshot of the scrolling page
• Applications for extended screenshots
• Solving Screenshot Problems
• Frequent questions

Screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones are one of the most popular features that can be used to save important information, share data or capture errors. Despite the apparent simplicity, many users face difficulties: standard button combinations do not work, you can not take a screenshot of the page you are scrolling or gesture commands refuse to work. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to create screenshots on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices running MIUI 12-15, including hidden functions and avoiding typical errors.

We will pay special attention to the differences between models: for example, on the POCO F5 and Redmi Note 12, there may be no physical Home button, which changes the algorithm of actions. Also, we will consider how to take screenshots in unusual situations - when the screen is locked, in games or when using a separate screen. If you have previously used smartphones of other brands (Samsung, Huawei), some of the usual methods will not work here - so our guide will help to avoid confusion.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi models is the simultaneous pressing of physical buttons. The algorithm depends on the location of the keys on your device:

• 📱 With a Home button on the front panel (e.g. Redmi) 5A, Mi 8 Lite: Squeeze the power supply + Home for 1-2 seconds.
• 🔄 Without the Home button (most modern models): use the power + Turning down the volume.
• 🎮 In games or full-screen applications: Add a screenshot button to the Game Turbo panel (called by the swipe on the right in the game).

After a successful shot, you'll see animations and thumbnails in the top right corner -- click on it to edit or share a screenshot right away. On devices with MIUI 14+, the thumbnail only appears when the "Show Preview" option in the gesture settings is enabled.

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If the buttons don't work, check for sticking: try pressing each one separately. Often the problem is mechanical contamination of the keys.

On some models (such as the POCO X3 Pro), the button combination may conflict with a Google Assistant call.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Google.
2. Select Assistant → Voice input and turn off the “Start from the Power button” option.

2.Gestural for screenshot: swipe with three fingers

MIUI's signature feature is the ability to take screenshots without buttons, using a gesture, which is available on all devices with MIUI 9 and newer, but can be disabled by default, to activate it:

1. Open Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
2. Turn on the switch "Swipe three fingers down."
3. Choose the direction of the gesture: down or up (we recommend down to avoid accidental positives).

Now swipe three times across the screen with your finger top-down (or bottom-up if you choose an alternative) the gesture works even in full-screen apps, but may not work on a locked screen or in the recovery menu.

If the gesture doesn't work:

• 🔧 Check if it is not turned off in the settings (see the path above).
• 📱 Restart the device – sometimes crashes occur due to system overload.
• 🖐️ Try using another finger or change the direction of the gesture.

3. Voice commands and quick settings

If you're uncomfortable with buttons or gestures, you can take a screenshot with your voice or through the notification panel, which is especially useful for users with disabilities or busy hands.

Method 1: Google Assistant Voice Assistant

Activate the assistant with the OK Google command or hold the Home button, then say:

Take a screenshot.


or




Take off the screen.

The assistant will confirm the action and save the picture in the gallery. This method works on all devices with Google Services, but requires an Internet connection for speech recognition.

Method 2: Quick settings panel

Add the screenshot button to the notification curtain:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the panel.
2. Click on the icon «⚙️» (edit).
3. Find the screenshot tiles and drag them to the active area.

Now you can take screenshots with a single touch without remembering the button combinations, which is ideal for older users or with frequent screenshots.

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Voice commands and a quick setup panel are the only ways to take a screenshot on Xiaomi with a broken screen when the sensor doesn’t respond to touch.

4. Long screenshot (scrollable page)

A standard screenshot captures only the visible area of the screen, but what if you want to save an entire web page, a correspondence in the messenger or a list in the application? MIUI has a built-in Scrolling Screenshot feature, but it does not work in all applications.

How to take a long screenshot:

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. When the thumbnail appears in the corner of the screen, click on it.
3. In the editor that opens, select an icon «📜» (or "Scrolling»).
4. Wait until the system automatically scrolls through the page and connects the pieces into one snapshot.

The function is supported by:

• 🌐 Browser (Chrome, Mi Browser).
• 💬 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram – only in chats, not in settings).
• 📄 Xiaomi Apps (Weather, Calendar).

Close all pop-up windows.

Scroll the page to the beginning

Turn off the dark theme (if you need color screenshots)

Check your internet connection (for web pages)-->

If the “Scroll” option is inactive:

• 🔄 Try taking a screenshot in another app (e.g. Chrome instead of Mi Browser).
• 📥 Update the app you’re trying to create a long screenshot.
• 🛠️ Some models (Redmi 8) require you to enable the function in Settings. → Additionally. → Scrolling screenshot.

⚠️ Note: Long screenshots in the MIUI For large pages (such as feeds on VKontakte), use third-party apps like LongShot or Stitch & Share.

5. Third-party applications for enhanced capabilities

Built-in tools MIUI covering 90% tasks, but for professional needs (for example, screenshots with a delay, annotations or recording video from the screen) you will need third-party utilities.-5 Apps and selected the best:

To avoid security problems:

• 🔒 Download apps only from Google Play or Mi App Store.
• 🚫 Do not allow programs to access Special Features without the need.
• 🗑️ Regularly clean the cache of apps for screenshots in Settings → Warehouse.

For screen recordings (not to be confused with screenshots!), MIUI 14+ has a built-in tool:

1. Add the Screen Record tile to the Quick Settings Panel (similar to a screenshot).
2. Click on it and confirm the recording.
3. To stop the recording, swipe down and click on the notification.

⚠️ Note: Screenshot apps may conflict with banking programs (e.g. SberBank Online or Tinkoff). → Annexes → Special access → Display over other windows.

6. Solving screenshot problems

Even on new Xiaomi devices, users are faced with typical screenshot errors.-5 problems and ways of eliminating them:

Problem 1: The buttons don't work

If the combination Power + Volume Down does not work:

• 🔋 Check if the battery is discharged (below 5% of the charge some functions are turned off).
• 🔧 Restart the device in safe mode (hold power). → «Restarting in Safe Mode»).
• 🛠️ Update the firmware: go to Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

Problem 2: Three finger gestures are not recognized

The owners of the POCO X3 and Redmi Note 9 are frequently complained about:

• 🧹 Clear the system cache: Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📝 Reactivate the gesture in the settings (turn off and turn on again).
• 👆 Try to make a gesture from the other end of the screen (some models require you to start swiping strictly from the top of the screen).

Problem 3: Screenshots are not saved

If screenshots disappear or don’t appear in the gallery:

• 📁 Check the folder. DCIM → Screenshots via File Manager.
• 🔄 Change the format of the save: Settings → Additionally. → Screenshot format (select the screenshot) PNG instead JPEG).
• 🚫 Make sure the gallery has access rights to the vault.

Problem 4: You can’t take a screenshot in a bank application

This is a security limitation, but it can be circumvented by:

• 📸 Use a second phone or take a picture of the main screen.
• 🖥️ Connect the device to the PC and take a picture via scrcpy (required) USB-debugging).

Problem 5: A long screenshot is being cut

If the scrolling image is incomplete:

• 🔄 Try to scroll the page manually while creating a screenshot.
• 📱 Use Chrome browser in "For Computer" mode (in the browser menu).

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If none of these things work, reset your gesture settings to factory: Settings → System → Resetting → Reset gesture settings. This won't delete your data, but it will return all gesture commands to standard values.

Frequent questions