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

Screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones are not just a screen saver, but a tool for work, learning and communication. Depending on the model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11) and the firmware version (MIUI 14, MIUI 13), there are various methods available, from the classic combination of buttons to voice commands and gestures. But many users face problems — for example, the screen is not saved in the gallery or the message “failed to take a screenshot.” In this article, we will examine all the current methods, including rare chips like scrolling screen and recording sound.

The peculiarity of Xiaomi is the presence of proprietary features that are not on the “naked” Android. MIUI 14 introduced Super Screenshot mode, allowing you to capture long pages (as in Samsung with Scroll Capture). AMOLED-With screens like the Xiaomi 13 Pro, screenshots are more contrasting due to the deep black, but to make things work properly, you need to know the nuances, from app permissions to gesture settings.

1. Classic method: power and volume buttons

The most versatile method, working on all Xiaomi models - from the budget Redmi A2 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

1. Open the screen you want to save (such as a Telegram dialog or a page in Chrome).
2. Press the power button (on) and the volume button at the same time.
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the sound of the camera shutter and see the animation of the screenshot.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5) The sensitivity of the buttons is high – if you pinch them too long, a forced reboot (Fastboot menu) will work.

Where to look for the screenshot taken?

• 📁 Screenshots folder in the gallery (Application Photos or Google Photos).
• 🔍 File Manager: Internal Memory → Pictures → Screenshots.
• 📱 In the notification: immediately after creating the screen, a panel with the buttons Share and Edit will appear.

💡

If the screenshot is not saved, check the permissions for the Gallery app in Settings → Apps → Permissions Management → Storage.

2.Gesturals and swipes: how to make screenshots without buttons

Xiaomi offers alternative ways for those who don't like using physical buttons, one of which is a three-toed swipe (on MIUI 12 and later) to activate:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Gestures.
2. Find the screenshot with three fingers and turn on the switch.
3. Test: Swipe down the screen with three fingers at the same time.

🔹 Challenges and solutions:

• ❌ Make sure the feature is on and there is no gesture lock on the screen (e.g. in games or banking applications).
• ❌ Does the screen get cropped? Try swiping slower -- the system has time to capture the entire screen.
• ❌ Check if you have an incognito mode installed in the app you're screening from.

Another option is a double-touch backside (available on POCO X3 Pro, Redmi Note 11, etc.).

Settings → Additional → Double touch and lifting


→ Enable "Double touch for screenshot"

3. Voice commands: "OK Google" and Mi Assistant

If you have a busy hand or a button that's not working, you can take a voice screenshot.

• 🎤 Google Assistant: Say “OK Google, take a screenshot” (in English and Russian).
• 🤖 Mi Assistant (built-in in the MIUI): Activate the voice assistant and say “Screenshot” or “Screenshot».

⚠️ Note: Voice commands are required for operation:

📶 Internet connection (for Google Assistant). 🔊 Enabled microphone and permission to access it for Google or Mi Assistant. 📱 Activated voice assistant in settings (Settings) → Google → Settings of Google Assistant).

🔹 Limitations:

• Voice screenshots don’t work in some apps (e.g. Netflix, SberBank Online) due to content protection (DRM).
• On older models (e.g. Redmi 5A), you may need to upgrade your MIUI to version 11 or later.

4 Scrolling Screenshot (Long Screenshot)

Long Screenshot (or Scrolling Screenshot) captures an entire web page, chat or document in one screen, available on MIUI 10 and later.

1. Take a regular screenshot in any way (buttons or gestures).
2. Immediately after the screen thumbnail appears at the bottom of the screen, click on it.
3. In the editor that opens, tap the Scrolling icon (two arrows down).
4. Wait until the system automatically scrolls the screen and connects the pieces into one long screen.

🔹 nuance:

• ✅ It works in Chrome, Telegram, WhatsApp, but not in all apps (for example, Instagram may not work).
• ⚠️ If the page is too long, the screen may be cut after 5-6 screens.
• 📱 In some models (for example, POCO M4 Pro is called Extended Screenshot.

📌 Alternative: If Long Screenshot doesn’t work, use apps like Stitch & Share or LongShot from Google Play.

Open the desired page or chat

Take a regular screenshot

Click on the screen thumbnail.

Select a scroll icon

Wait for the process to be completed-->

5. Screenshot via PC (ADB and Mi PC Suite)

If the sensor doesn't work, or if you need to do a screening without physically accessing the phone, you can use a computer. There are two ways:

Method 1: Through ADB (for advanced users)

It will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock Developer Mode, then turn on Debugging by USB).

Screenshot command:

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png


adb pull /sdcard/screen.png C:\Users\YourName\Desktop

Method 2: Mi PC Suite (Simple version)

The official utility from Xiaomi allows you to control your phone from a computer, including creating screenshots:

1. Download and install Mi PC Suite from the official website.
2. Connect your phone via USB (select File Transfer mode).
3. In the program go to the Management tab → Screenshot.

⚠️ Note: When connecting via Mi PC Suite may request permission to project the screen on the phone, and if you refuse, you will not be able to take screenshots.

💡

ADB-The method is suitable for automation (for example, for mass creation of screens), and Mi is suitable for automation. PC Suite – for quick access without command line.

6. Problem Solving: Screenshot is not saved or working

If screenshots are not created, check out the following points:

🔹 Additional advice:

• 🔄 After the update MIUI Screenshots stopped working, reset the Gallery app settings (Settings) → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Drop it).
• 📱 On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) Screenshots are automatically optimized – if you want original quality, turn off the option in the camera settings.

💡

If you need screenshots for work (for example, for reports), set up automatic download to Google Drive. To do this, turn on Backup and Sync in Google Photos.

7. Additional chips: screen recording, editing, cloud saving

The screenshots on Xiaomi are just the beginning.

🎥 Screen recording with sound

To record video from the screen (for example, for streaming or instructions):

1. Open the notification bar and find the Screen Record icon (if not, add via Edit).
2. Choose the sound source: Microphone, Sound device or both.
3. Press Start – the recording will start in 3 seconds.

✏️ Editing screenshots

After creating the screen, a panel with tools appears:

• 🖌️ Drawing (brushes, markers, eraser).
• 📝 Text (Signatures may be added).
• 🔲 Pruning and turning.
• 🌈 Filters (saturation, contrast).

☁️ Cloud-based conservation

To automatically upload screenshots to the cloud:

1. Enable synchronization in Mi Cloud (Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Gallery).
2. Or set up Google Photos (Backup).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions