How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi A1: complete methods

Screenshots are a basic feature that users need every day, whether it’s saving correspondence, instructions or an interesting moment in the game. Owners of a smartphone Xiaomi A1 running on pure Android (Android One), can face some differences in the interface compared to the shell MIUI. Understanding all available methods will allow you to quickly capture information on the display in any situation.

In this article, we will take a closer look at every screenshot available on the Xiaomi A1. We will look at the standard button combinations, the quick settings menu, and advanced features like finger drawing, and you will learn exactly where files are saved and what to do if standard methods stop working.

The information in the guide is relevant to all versions of the firmware installed on this model. Regardless of whether you have updated to the latest available version of Android or use an earlier build, the algorithms described below will remain working and effective.

Use of physical buttons

The fastest and most time-tested method of taking a screenshot on any Android device is using a combination of physical keys. On the Xiaomi A1, this method is implemented standardly and does not require any prior system configuration. It works even in cases where the touch screen is temporarily unresponsive or locked.

To do this, you need to press two buttons at once. Hold the device with one hand, and press the Volume Down button and the Power button with the other, for a brief but clear press, and it's important to press them almost simultaneously, with minimal delay. If you press them too long, the phone can go to the off menu or start Google Assistant.

• 📸 Instant visual response: the screen blinks and you hear the characteristic sound of the camera shutter.
• 🖼️ Miniature: in the upper corner will appear a reduced image that can be edited immediately.
• 📂 Automatic save: The file will be immediately accessed by the gallery without the need to confirm the action.

This is a universal method for the entire Android ecosystem. If you're used to other smartphones, the logic will not change on the Xiaomi A1. The main thing is not to keep the buttons pinched for more than one second, so that the system does not perceive this as a command for other functions.

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If you can't press the buttons at the same time, try pressing the volume button a little first, and then a split second later, the power button, which helps to avoid the shutdown menu.

Screenshot via Quick Settings menu

It's not always convenient to reach for the buttons on the case, especially if the phone is on the table or you hold it with one hand. In these situations, the Quick Settings Panel, or "curtain", comes to the rescue. On the Xiaomi A1 with its pure Android notification interface looks concise but functional.

To take a screenshot this way, swipe top-down to open the notification bar. Then swipe back to reveal the full list of icons. Among them, you need to find an icon called Screenshot or Screenshot, which usually has an icon of scissors or images.

If you didn't find this icon in the front row, it might be hidden in the extra menu. Click on the pencil icon or three dots to go into tile editing mode. Find the right tool there and drag it to the active area. Now access to the feature is always at hand.

Using software buttons in the curtain is especially important if the physical power button is stunted or stalls, which allows you to extend the life of the mechanical elements of the Xiaomi A1 smartphone.

The Finger Drawing Function (Google Now)

One of the unique features of the Android One line, which belongs to the Xiaomi A1, is the presence of Google Now (now part of Google Discover), which allows you to take screenshots with a simple movement of your hand, which is especially convenient for devices with large diagonals.

To activate this feature, you must first enable it in the settings. Go to Settings → Display → Screenshot (the path may vary slightly depending on the Android version), there you need to activate the switch that allows you to take pictures with movement.

Once you turn on the function, the algorithm becomes as simple as possible: swipe your hand edge or three fingers horizontally across the screen from left to right or right to left, and the system recognizes the gesture and creates a snapshot of the current contents of the display.

• 🖐️ Intuitivity: Motion mimics swiping, which is easy to remember.
• ⚙️ Flexibility: You can adjust the sensitivity or direction of the gesture.
• 🚫 Limitations: may not work in some content-protected games or applications.

⚠️ Attention: The gesture function may conflict with navigation in some book or news readers that use a horizontal swipe to flip pages.

This method is often underestimated, but it is one of the most elegant solutions in the arsenal of Xiaomi A1.It eliminates the need to reach for the buttons on the end of the device, which is especially true when using a phone with one hand.

Voice control via Google Assistant

Modern smartphones allow you to control most functions with voice, and the Xiaomi A1 is no exception.The built-in Google Assistant is able to take screenshots on command, which can be useful if the hands are busy or the device is far away.

To use this method, make sure you have the voice assistant turned on and the "Ok Google" activator set up. Say the activation phrase, and then clearly say the command: "Take a screenshot" or "Take a screenshot."

The system will process the request, emit an audible signal and save the image, which requires an active Internet connection, because voice commands are processed on Google servers, and it may not work in Do Not Disturb mode or if the microphone is blocked by another application.

Commands for activation:


"Okay, Google, take a screenshot."




"Hey Google, take a screenshot"

Using voice control is not just a convenience, but also an important element of accessibility for people with disabilities. On the Xiaomi A1, this feature works steadily thanks to the optimization of pure Android.

One-handed use mode and other chips

Owners of the Xiaomi A1 with large palms or just a lover of convenience can appreciate the one-handed control mode. Although it does not directly take screenshots, it changes the scale of the interface, which makes it easier to reach the control buttons.

Also, you should mention the possibility of creating long screenshots (scrolling). After you have taken a normal screenshot (by buttons or gesture), click on the thumbnail that appears. From the editor menu, select the option Scroll (the icon with arrows down).

This is an indispensable feature for storing long correspondence in messengers, articles in the browser or lists in applications. On the Xiaomi A1, the gluing algorithm works quite well, minimizing artifacts at the joints.

• 📜 Long scroll: Keeps the entire page, not just the visible part.
• ✏️ Editing: the ability to crop and draw on a screenshot immediately after creation.
• 📤 Quick Sharing: sending a file to the messenger with one touch from the preview.

Keep in mind that long screenshots take up more memory space. Check the image folder regularly to keep the device's internal storage from overflowing.

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Scrolling mode allows you to save entire web pages and long dialogues in one file, which is much more convenient than a series of ordinary screenshots.

Where screenshots and problem solving are stored

By default, all images created are stored in the smartphone's internal memory, and can be found through the standard Gallery or Photos app. The folder is usually called Screenshots and is located at the root of the albums.

If you use a file manager, the full path will look like /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots or /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Screenshots, depending on the version of the operating system, the files are saved in format PNG, That ensures high quality without loss.

What if screenshots are not created? First, check for space in memory. If the memory is full, the system will not be able to save the new file. Also, try to restart the device - this eliminates temporary software failures.

⚠️ Note: In some banking applications and services with protected content (e.g. Netflix), screenshots are blocked at the security level, in which case you will see a black screen instead of an image.

If persists is a problem, check the permission settings for the system interface. Sometimes after updates, access to the storage can get lost, and in extreme cases, resetting application settings or returning to factory settings will help.

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To automatically sort screenshots, use the Google Files app, which can automatically categorize files and suggest that duplicates or old screenshots be deleted.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)