Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones allow you to capture the right moment in just one touch, but not all users are aware of the hidden capabilities of the operating system. The standard method with volume buttons is familiar to everyone, but it is not always convenient, especially when you hold the device with one hand or are in motion. That is why the function of creating a screenshot with a gesture becomes an indispensable tool for those who appreciate speed and ergonomics.
In this article, we will take a closer look at how to activate and use a three-finger gesture, and look at alternative methods available in the MIUI shells and the new HyperOS. You will learn how to adjust sensitivity, avoid accidental positives, and what nuances exist for different device models, from budget devices to flagships of the Mi series.
The ability to quickly take screenshots greatly improves the productivity of your smartphone. Instead of looking for physical buttons on the case, you can respond to information instantly, whether it is a correspondence in the messenger, an interesting post on the social network or an error in the application that you need to send to technical support.
Activation of the function of creating a screenshot with three fingers
The first and most popular way is to use a three-finger swipe, which is a regular feature of the system that does not require third-party software installation, and to start using it, you need to go to the device settings. Usually the path is: Settings → Additional Features → Screenshot. In some versions of the firmware, this item may be in the Advanced Settings section.
Once you log in, you'll see a switch that activates gesture recognition. Importantly, it can be turned off by default, so you have to manually turn it on. The system will immediately suggest you try swiping down three fingers across the screen to check if the function is working, and if everything is set up correctly, the screen will blink, and you'll hear the characteristic sound of the camera shutter.
It's worth noting that some models with large screen diagonals can swipe not only from top to bottom, but also in any other direction, if the shell version allows it. However, the classic option is to move down the center of the display, which should be fast and sure that the sensor has time to recognize three touch points at the same time.
- 📱 Open the settings menu for your Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone.
- 🔍 Find the "Additional Features" or "Extended Settings" section".
- 🖐 Activate the Tumbler Screenshot with Three Finger".
- ✅ Check the work by swiping three fingers down the screen.
If the gesture doesn't work the first time, try changing the speed of movement or the density of the finger pressing. Xiaomi's touch layer is quite sensitive, but requires three separate points to touch simultaneously. It's critical that the fingers don't overlap and are at a sufficient distance to register individual touching events.
Alternative methods: button and floating menu
It's not always convenient to use three fingers, especially on compact models or if you have large palms, and in these cases, the system offers an alternative, a floating button or menu, and you can turn this option on in the same settings section where you activated the gesture, and you'll see a translucent icon that you can drag around the edges of the screen.
Pressing this button instantly takes a screenshot of the current content of the display, which is a great option for those who often take many pictures in a row, for example, while saving long articles or correspondence. In addition, the control menu (notification curtain) often has a separate screenshot button, which can be taken to the top row for quick access.
⚠️ Note: A floating screenshot button may overlap interface elements in some applications or games. If you notice that it interferes with viewing, temporarily hide it through settings or turn off the feature.
Another method is to use a sidebar (side menu), which if this feature is activated, a swipe from the edge of the screen will cause a panel with app shortcuts and tools, including a screenshot tool, which is especially convenient in horizontal orientation when physical buttons are uncomfortable to use.
Use of voice assistant and key combinations
Voice control in Xiaomi smartphones is quite well developed, and the Google Assistant or Si Xiao Ai (in Chinese versions) can command to take a screenshot. Just say "Ok Google, take a screenshot" or activate the assistant with a button and say a command. This is ideal when your hands are busy or dirty.
The classic button method has also been around, and it remains the most reliable one: pressing the volume down and the power button simultaneously creates a screenshot. On newer side-fingerprint models, this button is paired with the on button, making the process even faster. It takes a short, sharp press.
For users who need to take screenshots with one hand, there is a lifehack using the special feature menu. In the settings, you can assign a triple press on the volume button (any) or a long press of the Home button (if virtual) to perform the Screenshot action. This is configured in the Special Opportunities section → Special Opportunities Menu.
☑️ Checking gesture settings
Set up the area and edit immediately after creation
Once you take a screenshot of it in any way, you have a thumbnail in the top corner of the screen, and if you click on it, you open up the built-in MIUI editor, and you can not just save it, you can also process it right away, and you have tools to trim, draw, add text and blur sensitive information.
One of the most useful features is a Long Screenshot or Scrolling, and if you take a picture of a page or a text, you'll see a button at the bottom with a down arrow or a Scroll icon, and you'll click on it and you'll grab content that doesn't fit into one screen, gluing it into one long picture.
The editor also has a text recognition (OCR) feature, and the camera or system analyzes the image and allows you to copy text from the image to the clipboard, which is extremely convenient for working with documents or translations, and you can instantly share a screenshot through any messenger without saving it to the gallery.
- ✂️ Cutting the frame to remove unnecessary interface elements.
- 🖊 Drawing with a marker to highlight important details.
- 🔒 Blurring (blur) to hide passwords or personal data.
- 📜 Create a long screenshot with a page scroll.
Method compatibility table for different versions of MIUI
The interface and available features may vary depending on the version of the operating system installed. Below is a table that will help you navigate the available options for different versions of the shell.
| System version | 3 finger gesture | Floating button | Long screenshot. |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12 / 12.5 | There is. | There is. | Automatically. |
| MIUI 13 / 14 | There is. | There is. | Automatically. |
| HyperOS 1.0 | There is. | There is. | Improved. |
| Global ROM | There is. | There is. | There is. |
| China ROM | There is. | There is. | There's a + OCR |
As you can see from the table, the basic functionality is the same for all modern versions. However, in Chinese versions of firmware (China ROM) there are often more advanced editing tools that appear in global versions with a delay or do not appear at all.
Why can’t the gesture work on older models?
The solution: Why the gesture doesn’t work
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where everything seems to be on, but the screenshot is not taken. The first reason may be a conflict with the running application. Some banks, streaming services (for example, Netflix) or secure messengers block the creation of screenshots for security purposes, in which case you will see a black screen or a notification of the ban.
The second reason is a protective film or a glass of poor quality, and if the coating is too thick or has poor electrical conductivity, the sensor may not register the touch with three fingers at once, try removing the cover or rubbing the screen, and the problem may be the touchscreen calibration, which can be checked in the engineering menu.
⚠️ Warning: If screenshots are no longer saved in the gallery, check for free space in the device's memory. When internal storage is overflowing, the system can block the creation of new image files.
The third reason is a Screenshot system failure, in which case a simple smartphone reboot helps, and if the problem persists, try resetting special features or upgrading to the latest version available.
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Use the "Do Not Disturb" mode before creating screenshots of important data so that pop-up notifications do not spoil the frame and reveal excess information.
Additional features and hidden functions
Few people know, but Xiaomi has the ability to automatically hide the navigation bar or status bar when creating a screenshot through special developer settings or themes, allowing you to get “clean” images of the interface without unnecessary bezels, which is especially appreciated by designers and bloggers.
There's also a Quick Note feature, which if you set a screenshot to be created in your gesture settings or special features and then open the editor, you can immediately annotate the image, which makes your smartphone a powerful tool for work and learning.
Mode available for advanced users ADB, It allows you to take screenshots on command from a computer, which is useful for automation or instruction creation. -p /sdcard/screen.png. For ordinary users, gestures are sufficient.
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The fastest and most ergonomic way on modern Xiaomi smartphones is a three-finger gesture, but it requires getting used to and a good touchscreen.