How to take a screenshot on a Xiaomi smartphone: all ways and life hacks

Screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones are one of the most popular features that users use every day. Whether you want to save important correspondence, capture an error in the application or share interesting content from social networks, the ability to quickly take screenshots saves time and nerves. However, not everyone knows that on devices with a shell MIUI there are several ways to create screens, including hidden chips for advanced users.

In this article, we will look at all the current methods, from the classic combination of buttons to voice commands and gestures, and pay special attention to the nuances for different models (Redmi Note 12, POCO F5, Xiaomi 14, etc.), as well as the typical problems when screenshots are not saved or turned black. If you ever encountered that the screenshot did not work the first time, here you will find a solution.

Important: the instructions are valid for MIUI 12-15 and Android 10-14. For older versions (MIUI 11 and below), some methods may not work, as we will also mention separately.

1. Classic method: power and volume buttons

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

1. Open on the screen what you want to capture (message, page in the browser, game, etc.).
2. At the same time, press the power button (on/off) and the volume reduction button.
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the characteristic sound of the camera shutter and see the screen saving animation.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X5 Pro) button sensitivity may vary. If the screenshot didn't work the first time, try it:

• 🔄 Press the buttons not at the same time, but with a minimum interval (first power, after 0.5 seconds - volume).
• 🕒 Hold the combination longer (up to 3 seconds).
• 🔋 Check if the cover blocks access to the buttons.

Where to look for a screenshot? By default, all screenshots are saved in the Gallery → Screenshots folder (or DCIM → Screenshots in the file manager). In MIUI 14+, after creating the screen, a thumbnail appears in the lower right corner - click on it to immediately edit or share the picture.

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If you have Xiaomi with a physical home button (like the old Redmi 4X), try the Home + Power combination – it works on some firmware too.

2. Screenshot by gesture (three fingers)

A MIUI feature that eliminates the need to use buttons, called "Three-finger screenshot," and is enabled in the settings:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Special features → Gestures and movements.
2. Find the option "Screenshot with three fingers" and activate the slider.
3. (Optional) Enable "Screenshot Preview" to edit the picture immediately.

How to use:

1. Open the screen.
2. Swipe down the screen with three fingers (no matter what – the main thing is that they touch the display at the same time).
3. The screenshot is saved, and the quick action panel will appear at the bottom of the screen.

🔹 Challenges and solutions:

• ❌ Make sure the function is enabled in the settings. On some models (POCO M5) The path to the option may be different: Settings → System system → Gestures.
• ❌ Adjust the sensitivity in the same settings or turn off the feature for specific applications (for example, in games).
• ❌ Can't you hold it straight? Try exercising on an empty screen -- over time, the gesture will work the first time.

Is screenshot with three fingers enabled in the settings?

Are your fingers (or your fingers) stained?

Does the gesture block the running application (e.g., a game)?

Have you tried making a gesture in different parts of the screen?-->

3. Voice command "OK Google"

If you have Google Assistant enabled, you can take screenshots with your voice -- handy when your hands are busy or your buttons are not available.

1. Activate Google Assistant with the “OK Google” command or by holding the Home button (on older models).
2. Say, "Take a screenshot" or "Screenshot."
3. Confirm the action (if required).

⚠️ Note: This method does not work on all Xiaomi models, especially on devices for the Chinese market (without Google services), and voice commands can be disabled in the privacy settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications → All Apps → Google.
2. Make sure that microphone permissions and availability are enabled.

📌 Alternative: On some firmware MIUI The team for Alice (Yandex) works: "Alice, take a screenshot." However, this method is less reliable and requires the installed application Yandex with the voice assistant enabled.

4. Screenshot via notification panel

A little-known, but quick way is to use a button in the notification curtain.

1. Fly the notification curtain down twice (to open the full panel).
2. Find the Screenshot icon (usually a scissor or a zipper rectangle) and if it's not there, click Edit (the pencil in the upper right corner) and add the button to the active ones.
3. Slip the icon - the screenshot will be taken instantly.

🔹 Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Faster than the button combination (no need to remember the combinations).
• 🎯 It works even if one of the physical buttons is broken.
• 🔄 You can take a screenshot after folding the application (for example, if you want to capture an error that disappears when you press the buttons).

❗ Restriction: Some custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU) may not have a screenshot button in the curtain, in which case it can be added via Activity Launcher (developer rights required).

Power and volume buttons | Three-finger gesture | Notification panel | Voice commands | Another way-->

5. Advanced chips: long screenshot and screen recording

MIUI 12+ offers advanced screenshot features that go beyond the standard screen.

📜 Long (scrollable) screenshot

Perfect for saving entire web pages, chats, or lists.

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the screen thumbnail appears at the bottom of the screen, click on it.
3. In the editor that opens, tap the "Scroll" button (or "Long Screenshot").
4. Wait until the system automatically scrolls the screen down and connects the frames.
5. Press "Ready" to save the result.

🔹 nuance:

• 🌐 It does not work in all apps (for example, Instagram or TikTok can be blocked).
• 📱 On some models (Redmi) 9A) The option is only available after updating to MIUI 13+.
• 🖼️ Maximum screen length – up to 10 screens (depending on the model and version of the software).

🎥 Screen recording with sound

If the screenshot is static and you need to keep the dynamic process running (such as an in-game bug or video instruction), use the built-in screen recorder:

1. Open the notification curtain and find the "Screen Record" button (if not, add it through the panel editing).
2. Select the recording parameters: 🎤 Sound capture: microphone, system sounds, or both. 📱 Permission: HD (720p) full HD (1080p). 🔄 Showing touches (useful for tutorials).

"Start."

When you complete the recording, click on the red notification bar or tap the button in the curtain again.

📌 Where are the recordings saved? You can find the video in the Gallery folder. → Screen recordings or DCIM → ScreenRecords.

6 Problem Solving: Screenshots are not saved or black

Even on new Xiaomi smartphones, users sometimes encounter the fact that screenshots:

• ⚫ It's black. It's empty).
• ❌ Not preserved in the gallery.
• 🔄 Hanging on when creating (animation spins endlessly).

Let’s look at the causes and solutions for each situation:

⚠️ Note: If black screenshots only appear in a particular application (e.g. SberBank Online or Tinkoff), this is due to the developer's security policy. ADB (Requires unlocking of the loader).

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If screenshots are no longer saved after the MIUI update, try rolling back the Gallery app via APK or wait for a patch from Xiaomi (usually patches come out within 1-2 weeks).

7. Screenshots on older Xiaomi models (MIUI 11 and below)

If you’re using older devices like the Redmi 4X, Xiaomi Mi A1 or Mi Max 2 with MIUI 11 or Android 9 firmware, some of the current ways may not work.

• 🔘 Power buttons + Reduce volume – works on all models.
• 👆 The swipe down three fingers gesture is only available on MIUI 10+ (on MIUI 9 he's gone).
• 📱 Notifications panel – the screenshot button may not be available, but it can be added via Settings → Notifications → Control panel.
• 🚫 Voice commands – older versions of Android (8.0 and below) are not supported.

🔧 How to update MIUI squirrel?

If your device doesn’t officially support new firmware versions, but you want to get current chips (like long screenshots), you can:

1. Install custom firmware (for example, Xiaomi.EU or LineageOS).
2. Use third-party apps for screenshots (such as Screenshot Touch or Screen Master).
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and take screenshots via ADB: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png

⚠️ Warning: Installing custom firmware on old Xiaomi can lead to loss of warranty and problems with the module NFC Before you run the firmware, back up through the camera. TWRP Check the compatibility of the firmware with your model in the forum 4PDA.

8. Alternative methods: applications and ADB

If standard methods are not satisfied (for example, you need to take a screenshot of a timer or with a delay), you can use third-party tools.

📱 Screenshot applications

Top.-3 Verified utilities from Google Play:

1. Screenshot Touch – allows you to take screenshots by touching a virtual button.
2. Screen Master – Supports latency screenshots, editing and cloud storage.
3. Super Screenshot – Extended features for long screens and screen recording.

🔹 How to set up:

• Install the application and grant it the rights to "Overlaying on Other Windows" and "Storage".
• In the application settings, select the activation method (gesture, button or timer).
• If necessary, disable the standard screenshot manager MIUI to avoid conflicts.

💻 Screenshot through ADB (developer)

If you need to take a screenshot remotely (for example, to debug), use Android Debug Bridge:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to unlock Developer Mode, then Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB).
2. In the PC command line, run: adb devices adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png adb pull /sdcard/screen.png
3. The screenshot will be saved in the current folder on PC under the name screen.png.

📌 Useful tip: To take a screenshot with a delay (for example, for a menu that disappears when you press buttons), use the command:

adb shell input keyevent 80 && sleep 3 && adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/delayed_screen.png

Sleep 3 is 3 seconds late. Change the value as you wish.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi