How to make a screen on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Screenshots are one of the most basic but critical features in any modern smartphone. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices often face the need to save correspondence, an app error or an interesting frame from the game. However, standard methods may not always work correctly, especially after a firmware update or on new versions of the shell.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available ways to create screenshots, from classic button combinations to advanced MIUI features and the new HyperOS system. You will learn to take full pictures of long pages, use voice commands and automate the process to improve productivity.

Some users don’t even realize that their phone can do much more than just capture the current image. We’ll cover editing topics immediately after you’ve created the shot, adjusting handy gestures, and solving typical problems when the feature stops responding. This guide will help you unlock the full potential of your screen’s camera.

Classical Method with Physical Buttons

The most reliable and versatile way, which works on 99% of Android devices, including the entire Xiaomi range. It requires no configuration and is available immediately after you turn on the phone. The mechanics of action are simple: you need to press two buttons on the device body at the same time.

It's a Power button and a Volume Down button, and you press them almost simultaneously, at a minimum interval, so that the system recognizes the command as a single action, and if you press the volume button sooner or later, you just change the sound level or you call the switch menu.

⚠️ Warning: Do not hold the buttons tight for too long. Prolonged holding of the power and volume buttons can trigger fast photo shooting or trigger an emergency call menu. SOS, not take a screenshot.

Once you've done the action, you'll hear the characteristic shutter sound of the camera, and a thumbnail of the image will appear in the top corner of the screen, which is a signal that the screenshot is saved in the gallery, which is ideal for situations where you need to capture information quickly and the screen responds to touch normally.

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If you have large palms or a phone in a bulky case, try pressing the volume button first, and then, in a split second, the power button, which often helps to avoid accidental changes in volume.

Use of notification curtain and control menu

For those who are uncomfortable reaching for buttons on the body or using a two-handed grip, the MIUI shell has a convenient software button, which is in the control center (curtain), where you can swipe from top to bottom, which is especially relevant if one of the physical buttons malfunctions or falls.

To take a picture, unlock your phone, open the notification curtain, and find the scissors icon, usually called a Screenshot or a Screenshot. One slipper on this icon instantly creates a copy of the current contents of the display. The system automatically saves the file and shows the preview.

If you don't see the icon in the top row, it's probably hidden. Click on the menu edit button (usually a pencil icon or three dots in the corner of the curtain) and drag the Snapshot icon into the active area. This will take a couple of seconds, but in the future it will save you time and nerves.

• 📸 Instant access without using the body buttons.
• 🖌️ Ability to edit quickly after creation.
• ⚙️ Easy adjustment of the location of the button in the curtain.
• 📱 Perfect for devices with broken physical buttons.

Importantly, some custom launchers or full screen (with the neckline and bangs hidden) may have slightly different locations, but the logic remains the same across the Redmi and Poco ecosystem.

Handling gestures: three fingers instead of buttons

One of the most convenient features Xiaomi offers is to create screenshots with a three-finger swipe, which is spectacular and speeds up the process when the phone is on the table or in one hand, but by default, this feature is often disabled.

To activate, go to the settings, select "Additional" or "Extended settings", then find "Screenshot." Here you need to activate the "Three-finger swipe" switch, and then simply swipe three fingers down the screen will instantly take a picture.

This method is especially loved by users who often take screenshots in games or when reading books, as it does not require removing their hands from the content management zone.

⚠️ Note: A three-finger gesture may conflict with functions in some photo-drawing or editing applications where three-fingers are used for other actions (e.g., cancel action.

If the swipe doesn't work the first time, try changing your speed or pressing your fingers tighter against the display. The touchscreen sensitivity also plays a role, so on low-quality safety glasses, the gesture may be performed less accurately.

Voice control via Google Assistant and Xiao AI

Xiaomi’s current smartphones are equipped with powerful voice control systems, allowing you to take screenshots without touching the screen at all. This is useful when your hands are busy, dirty or your phone is in a hard-to-reach place. For global firmware versions, the main assistant is Google Assistant.

Just say "Ok Google" or "Hey Google," and then "Take a screenshot" or "Take a screen off." The assistant will execute the command instantly. In China and some specific firmware, the Xiao AI brand assistant is used, which understands similar commands in Chinese, and sometimes others, depending on the version.

Voice control is not just a tribute to fashion, but a real help in accessibility situations, where people with disabilities can fully control the creation of screenshots with their voices without resorting to complex finger motor skills.

• 🗣️ Completely contactless method of creating images.
• 🌍 Works in most languages through Google Assistant.
• 🔇 Useful when the screen is dirty or wet.
• 🚀 Fast start without unlocking (in some configurations).

It is worth considering that voice assistant requires an active Internet connection, since the processing of the request often takes place on the servers of the company.

Long screenshot and magnifier mode

Often, a single screen is not enough to capture all the correspondence in the messenger or the article in the browser. In such cases, the function "Long screenshot" (or "Scrollable shot") comes to the rescue. After creating a normal screenshot (in any of the ways described above), a floating window with a preview appears in the corner.

In this window, you click on an icon that resembles a down arrow or a piece of paper with a continuation. The phone will automatically start scrolling down the contents, stitching the frames into one long picture. You can stop the process at any time by touching the screen.

One of the things that we're looking at is the Loopa Mode, which is also activated through the screenshot menu, which allows you to zoom in on a certain portion of the screen before saving, and it's a unique MIUI feature that's useful for people with poor eyesight or for looking at small interfaces in detail.

The magnifier mode is particularly convenient when showing settings or maps, so you can swipe across a larger area, pick the perfect angle, and then save the result, which turns a regular screenshot into a presentation tool.

Automation and scenarios for advanced users

For those looking to take smartphone usage to the next level, Xiaomi offers the Scenarios app (formerly known as Mi Automation) that can be used to set up a screenshot on a schedule, when you run a particular app or when you connect to Wi-Fi.

For example, you can create a scenario like, "If you're running an Instagram app and 18:00, take a screenshot." Or a more practical one, "When you connect to a car Bluetooth headset, take a screenshot of the current track in the player." The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

Setting up scripts takes time, but the result is worth it: you create your own macros that perform routine tasks for you, and this is especially true for bloggers, testers, or just for the digital world.

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The combination of techniques is the best approach. Use buttons for speed, gestures for comfort, and voice for situations where your hands are busy.

Where to look and how to edit saved photos