Screenshots are one of the most basic yet critical functions of any modern smartphone. Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often encounter nuances of the MIUI interface or the new HyperOS shell that are different from standard Android. Understanding all available methods allows you to save time and make the process of interaction with the gadget as comfortable as possible.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at how to take a screenshot on Xiaomi using various keyboard combinations, gestures, voice control and even body tapping. You will learn where images are saved, how to edit them instantly after creation, and what to do if standard methods have stopped working for technical reasons.
Whether you own a budget model of the Redmi Note series or a flagship Xiaomi 14, the methods described below will be relevant. We structured the information so that you can quickly find the right option and immediately apply it in practice without unnecessary theory.
Classical Method: A Combination of Physical Buttons
The most common and reliable method that works on all versions of Android and any shells, including MIUI 14 and HyperOS. It requires no pre-tuning and is available immediately after the device is turned on.
It is important to keep synchrony of pressing: if you press one button before the other, the smartphone will perceive this as a separate action (for example, turning on the volume or blocking). On modern models with a side fingerprint scanner, which is combined with the power button, this method remains the main and most responsive.
⚠️ Warning: Don't hold the buttons too long. Prolonged power button clamping can cause an emergency call menu or a device reboot rather than taking a snapshot.
Once you've successfully done the combination, you'll hear the characteristic shutter sound of the camera (if the system sound is on), and a thumbnail will appear at the top of the screen for a split second, and it's this thumbnail that allows you to quickly move to editing or sharing a file.
- 📱 Press Volume Down and Nutrition at the same time.
- 🔊 Make sure the sound of the shutter clicking is heard.
- 🖼️ Check for a floating window with a preview.
- ⚡ Release the buttons immediately after pressing.
This method is especially useful when the smartphone screen is dirty or wet and the touch control is not working properly, and physical buttons in such conditions remain the only stable option for interaction.
Using three-finger gestures
The MIUI shell offers a more modern and ergonomic way of taking a three-finger swipe screenshot, which requires pre-activation in the system settings, as it can be disabled by default to save resources or avoid accidental triggers.
To enable the function, go to the Settings menu, then select the Additional (or Advanced Settings) section and find the Screenshots option. Here you need to activate the Three Finger Screenshot switch, and then swipe three fingers from top to bottom across the screen will instantly save the image.
☑️ Activation of the gesture with three fingers
The gesture is especially useful for users with large smartphones, where reaching the top volume buttons is uncomfortable with one hand, but it is worth considering that in some applications with a horizontal orientation or in games, this gesture can conflict with game control.
If the gesture stops working, check if you have a One-Hand mode or special features for people with disabilities who can intercept multi-touch input, and also make sure that the screen is not too thick protective film, which reduces the sensitivity of the sensor.
- 🖐️ Open the Settings. → Additionally. → Screenshots.
- ✅ Activate the Gesture function with three fingers.
- ⬇️ Swipe three fingers from top to bottom across the screen.
- 🎮 Be careful in games where multi-touch is used.
Screenshots via Control Center and Quick Teams
In newer versions of HyperOS firmware and current MIUI builds, Xiaomi has separated the notification curtain and the control center. In the control center, which is called by swipe down from the upper right corner, there is often a separate button to create a screenshot.
If you don't see this button in the standard set, you can add it. Click on the edit icon (usually a pencil or gear in the corner of the panel), search the screenshot in the list of available tools and drag it to the active zone, which allows you to take pictures without using buttons and gestures, which is convenient when watching a full-screen video.
In addition, some models have a "Second Space" function or special widgets on the desktop, which can also duplicate this function, but the standard path through the control panel is the most systematic and stable.
⚠️ Note: In Do Not Disturb or when the Movie is enabled, some system sounds may be turned off, but a visual confirmation of the screenshot will still appear.
Using software buttons in the control panel also helps if the physical volume buttons on your device start to light up or have a backlash.This prolongs the life of the mechanical elements of the smartphone.
- 📲 Swipe down from the upper right corner.
- 🔧 Click on the panel edit icon.
- ➕ Add the screenshot button to active widgets.
- 🖱️ Click on the icon to create a picture at any time.
Voice control and Google Assistant
For those who prefer voice control, Xiaomi provides great integration with Google Assistant, which is ideal in situations where hands are busy or the phone is in the dock, just say a command and the system will perform the action.
To make the method work, make sure that Google Assistant’s settings activate the “Hey Google” feature and allow screen access, and you can also use the built-in voice assistant Xiao AI (in global versions it may not be available or require changing the region to China), which also understands the commands to take screenshots.
Voice control is especially important for people with motor disabilities, who have difficulty making precise gestures or pressing button combinations. The speech recognition system in modern smartphones works quite accurately even in background noise.
Russian language setting for Google Assistant
When using voice commands, the screenshot is created silently, unless the assistant settings indicate otherwise, the image immediately enters the gallery, and a notification about successful completion appears on the screen.
- 🗣️ Say “OK Google” or tap the microphone.
- 📸 Say the command "Take a screenshot».
- 🤖 Alternative: “Photograph the screen».
- ⚙️ Check the microphone privacy settings.
Long screenshot: creating a panorama of the screen
One of the most popular features in MIUI is the ability to create a “long screenshot” or scroll, which allows you to capture all correspondence in the messenger, a long article in the browser or a list of products in the online store in one file.
Immediately after you take a normal screenshot (in any of the ways described above), a thumbnail appears at the top of the screen, and it has a button with a down arrow or a Scrolling icon on it, and you click on it and you automatically scroll the page.
The process will last until you touch the screen or reach the end of the page. The system automatically glues multiple images into one long picture. The quality of the final file remains high, but it's worth remembering that very long images can weigh a significant amount of memory.
| Parameter | A typical screenshot. | Long screenshot. |
|---|---|---|
| File format | PNG / JPG | PNG (usually) |
| Permission | Standard screen | Altitude varies |
| File weight | ~200-500 Kb | 1 to 5 MB |
| Application | One message, photo | Correspondences, articles |
If you've automatically scrolled the wrong way or grabbed the wrong one, you can tap the screen at any time to stop the process, and then the system will suggest framing the image, cutting the extra edges.
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When creating long screenshots in the Chrome browser, use the “Desktop version of the site” mode in the browser settings – so the text will be larger, and the screenshot will be more readable.
Editing and tools after creation
What makes Xiaomi unique is its powerful, built-in editor that opens immediately after you create a snapshot. You don’t have to look for third-party apps—all the basic and advanced tools are already built into the system.
The editing menu includes features to add text, hand-drawn, post stickers, and blur sensitive information (the Magic Wand or Blurr function) which is especially useful when you need to hide card numbers, passwords, or personal data before sending.
Also available is the Add Frame feature, which automatically places a screenshot into a beautiful smartphone contour, making images more presentable when posted on social media or tech blogs.
- ✏️ Drawing: Colors and thicknesses of the brush.
- 🔒 Blurring: Automatic concealment of text.
- 🖼️ Frames: Choosing a phone model for framing.
- ✂️ Frame: cropping the edges of the image.
All changes can be saved as a copy or replaced with the original, and the editor's history of action allows you to roll back a few steps if you accidentally color over the extra.
Where to find and how to remove screenshots
All images created are automatically saved in the standard Gallery app, and depending on the version of MIUI, they can be in the general All Photos album or in a separate Screenshots folder.
Physically, the files are stored in internal memory along the way. /internal_storage/Pictures/Screenshots or /internal_storage/DCIM/Screenshots. Knowing this path, you can manage files through your computer when you connect to the USB Or use file managers like this. MI File Manager.
For mass cleaning of space it is recommended to check this folder regularly. Screenshots often take up a significant amount of space, especially if you actively use the function of long screenshots or take pictures in high resolution.
⚠️ Note: When deleting screenshots through the file manager, make sure that sync with Google Photos or Xiaomi Cloud is complete if you want to keep your backup in the cloud.
Deletion can be done directly from the Gallery interface, highlighting unnecessary files and selecting the basket, and the files are finally deleted only after cleaning the cart itself, which gives time to recover the accidentally deleted.
- 📂 Open the Gallery app.
- 📁 Go to the Screenshots album.
- 🗑️ Select files and click "Delete».
- ☁️ Check the cloud for backup.
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Regularly cleaning the screenshot folder can free up to several gigabytes of memory, which is critical for models with a small amount of built-in storage.