How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Mi A2

Creating a screenshot on a smartphone is one of the basic functions that users need every day, whether it is saving correspondence, fixing an error in the application or sharing an interesting moment from the game. Owners of the Xiaomi Mi A2, running on pure Android (Android One), often find that the usual methods of MIUI do not work here, and they have to look for alternative solutions. Since the device interface is devoid of a branded shell, the logic of actions here will differ from the standard models of Redmi or POCO, which can cause confusion for beginners.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the available ways to create screenshots, including hidden features and voice control. You will learn where to look for saved images, how to set up automatic saving and what to do if standard button combinations no longer respond to clicks. Understanding these nuances will allow you to maximize the capabilities of your gadget without the need to install third-party software.

Standard key combinations for screenshot

The fastest and most reliable method, which works on 99% of Android devices, including the Mi A2, is to use physical control buttons. To implement this method, you need to simultaneously press the Power and Volume Down button. It is important to press synchronously: if you press one button before the other, the phone can simply lock the screen or change the sound level.

Successful performance is accompanied by the characteristic sound of the camera shutter (if the sound is on) and short-term vibration. In the upper left corner of the screen, a thumbnail of the shot will appear, confirming that the screenshot has been successfully stored in the device's memory, which is a priority, since it works even in cases where the touchscreen is partially non-functioning or freezes.

⚠️ Warning: Do not hold the buttons too long. Prolonged clamping of the combination "Power» + «Volume down" on some firmware versions can cause a forced device reboot or a transition to Fastboot mode, which will interrupt your current work.

If you can't catch a moment the first time, try changing the rhythm of the press slightly. Sometimes it's not hard pressing that helps, but a clear, confident click with both fingers at the same time. It's also worth noting that in some system applications or full immersion games, the response to the buttons can be (slightly) delayed due to optimization of CPU resources.

Use of the Additional Options Menu

For those who have difficulty with physical buttons or prefer software solutions, Android has a special feature. To activate it, go to Settings → System → Special Features. In the list you open, you need to find the item “Assistive Menu” and switch the slider to the active position.

Once turned on, you'll see a floating button or control panel that's always on top of the other windows, and when you click on it, you'll see virtual buttons emulating the basic actions of the smartphone, including taking a screenshot, which is especially useful when the phone is lying on the table or when one of the physical buttons is damaged.

Using this tool does not require root rights and is completely safe for the system. However, it is worth considering that the floating button takes up part of the useful display space, which can interfere with games or when watching videos in full screen mode.

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To floating button does not interfere with games, adjust its transparency in the menu of special features or temporarily disable the function through quick curtain settings.

Screenshots via Google Assistant

Owners of Xiaomi Mi A2, as owners of devices with a clean operating system, have access to the full functionality of Google’s voice assistant. This is one of the most modern ways to interact with a smartphone. To create a screenshot, you just say the phrase “Ok Google” (or press the home / power button for a long time if Always Listening is activated) and say “Take a screenshot” or “Photograph the screen”.

The system will instantly execute the request, saving the image to the gallery, which is ideal in situations where the user's hands are busy or dirty, and it is undesirable to touch the screen. In addition, voice control allows you to take screenshots in applications where standard gestures can be blocked by security mechanisms (although in banking applications, the screenshot will still be blocked by security).

To work properly, you need to make sure that your Google account settings allow the use of voice assistant and give the appropriate interface access permissions. If the assistant says that he can not execute a command, check the updates to the Google and Google Assistant app in the Play Market.

Advanced gestures and swipes

While the classic MIUI shell is famous for its gestures (such as holding three fingers down), the default feature is not available on the Mi A2 stock Android, but users can take advantage of alternative methods available on the system. Some launchers installed from the Play Market can add gesture functionality, but this requires additional software.

It’s worth noting that pure Android has a Quick Tap feature available on newer versions of Android, but it may be limited on the Mi A2. However, it’s worth checking Settings → System → Gestures. If there’s a Quick Start or similar option, you can assign it to create a screenshot, although more often these gestures are reserved to turn on a flashlight or camera.

The lack of a native three-finger gesture is sometimes a disappointment for those who have moved from other Xiaomi models, in which case it is most logical to get used to the combination of buttons or use the widget menu special features described above, as they provide stable operation without the risk of system conflicts.

⚠️ Warning: Installing third-party launchers for the sake of a three-finger screenshot feature can lead to increased battery consumption and unstable interface performance.

Where to look and how to edit saved screenshots

Once you have taken a screenshot of shaomi mi a 2, the file is automatically saved to the device's internal memory, and can be found through the standard Google Photos or Gallery app, usually creating a separate folder called Screenshots, where the images are sorted by date of creation.

Once you've created a picture, you get a thumbnail notification in the corner of the screen, and if you click on it, you get a built-in editor that allows you to quickly crop the image, draw an arrow, add text, or blur sensitive data, which is a very useful feature that allows you to prepare the image for sending to messengers without having to open individual applications.

The path to files in the file system is as follows: Internal memory → Pictures → Screenshots. If you connect your phone to your computer via USB, this is where you will find all the pictures you took. When cleaning the device’s memory, it’s worth checking this directory first, since screenshots can take up a significant amount if you take them often and in high resolution.

Solution: Why screenshots are not saved

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the button combination works, there is a vibration, but the image does not appear in the gallery. Most often the problem lies in the crowded memory of the device. When the free space runs out, the system cannot write a new file. Check the free space in the Settings → Memory section.

The second common reason is that access rights are restricted in specific applications, such as in the Incognito mode of the Chrome browser or in bank applications with increased security (Google Pay, Sberbank), screenshots are blocked at the level of Android security policy, in which case you will see a black screen instead of an image, and the system will notify you that you cannot save content.

It’s also worth checking the permission settings for the Photos or Gallery app. If they don’t have the right to record in memory, you won’t be able to save the screenshot. Go to Settings → Apps and Notifications → Photos → Permissions and make sure that access to the files is allowed.

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If the screenshot is not saved, in 80% of cases the problem is solved by freeing up space in memory or checking the access rights of the Gallery application.