Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Mi 10 are full of information that users share every day. Whether it’s a funny moment in correspondence, an important piece of an article or a bank transfer confirmation, the need to save an image from the screen arises constantly. The MIUI operating system, which is based on Android, has many ways to accomplish this task, and the choice of the specific method depends on your personal preferences and current situation.
Learning basic features is essential immediately after purchase, so you don’t waste time looking for options in stressful situations. Screenshots are not just pictures, they’re a way to capture data that can come in handy at any time. Flagship owners often forget about the hidden capabilities of the shell, relying only on standard buttons, but Xiaomi offers a much more flexible toolkit for working with content.
In this article, we will take a look at all the options available for taking screenshots, from the classic button combination to advanced features like a delayed screenshot. You will learn how to set up handy gestures and where to look for saved files after they are created. Understanding these nuances will make you feel confident user of your gadget.
Classical Method: A Combination of Physical Buttons
The fastest and most time-tested way to take a screenshot on the Xiaomi Mi 10 is to use physical control keys, which works even when the touch screen is temporarily unresponsive or the system is under load. You need to simultaneously press and briefly hold the volume down and the screen lock button, and the location of these keys on the side of the body is ergonomically designed to perform this operation with one hand.
When you successfully execute a command, you'll hear the characteristic click of the camera shutter, and in the upper right corner of the screen, a thumbnail of the image will appear. This thumbnail allows you to instantly edit or share a file without opening the gallery. If the device does not respond to simultaneous pressing, try changing the rhythm: pressing buttons almost simultaneously, but at a minimum interval, so that the system recognizes the command as a single action.
⚠️ Warning: Do not hold the buttons too long, as long-term pressing of the power and volume buttons can activate the emergency call mode or reboot menu, depending on the settings of your version. MIUI.
For many users, this method remains a priority because of its reliability.The mechanical buttons of Xiaomi 10 have a clear stroke and respond perfectly to commands.
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If you have large palms, try pressing buttons with your knuckle or the back of your thumb – this is often more convenient than trying to cover the entire body of your smartphone.
Use of notification curtain and control panel
An alternative to mechanical buttons is the system's software interface. On the Xiaomi Mi 10, the control panel can be swiped down from the top of the screen. Depending on the settings for displaying the elements, the Screenshot icon (often looks like scissors) can be on the first screen of widgets or require a swipe left to access the second tool page. This method is ideal when the phone is lying on the table or with one hand awkwardly reaching the side edges.
The location of the shortcuts in the curtain is fully customizable by the user. You can drag the screenshot icon into the quick access area so that it is always on hand. To do this, you need to click on the edit icon (usually a pencil or gear) in the corner of the notification panel and move the desired item. MIUI individual usage habits.
The advantage of using a curtain is that you can visually feedback before you do something, and you can actually reverse it by simply removing your finger, and it also eliminates the risk of random volume changes, which sometimes happens when you use side keys in a hurry.
Three fingers gesture for quick capture
One of the most convenient features of the MIUI shell is the ability to create a screenshot simply by swiping three fingers down the screen. This feature can be disabled by default, so it needs to be activated in the settings. The path to the option usually looks like: Settings → Additional Features → Screenshot. Once you turn on the "Three Finger Swipe" slider, the function becomes active in all system interfaces.
Using a gesture requires a certain skill, but after a couple of dozen exercises, the fingers themselves begin to perform the desired movement, which is especially useful when browsing long web pages or documents, when the hands are busy holding the device in a horizontal position. The gesture does not require finding buttons on the case or in the menu, which greatly speeds up the process of fixing information.
It is worth noting that the sensitivity of the Xiaomi Mi 10 sensor allows you to recognize even light touches. However, if the screen is installed thick protective film or glass of poor quality, the system may not always correctly read the simultaneous touch with three fingers, in such cases, it is recommended to slightly increase the force of the press or use other methods.
☑️ Tweaking the gesture with three fingers
Delayed screenshot function (Timer)
The owner of Xiaomi 10 has a powerful tool, a delayed screenshot, which is indispensable when you want to capture a context menu, a pop-up prompt or any interface element that disappears when you touch the screen, activates it through the menu of the power button or through the notification curtain (when you add the appropriate timer widget).
The way it works is simple: you select the timer mode, the system starts counting down, and at the appointed time automatically takes a snapshot of what is displayed on the display, and this is the only solution for creating screenshots of the navigation menu or settings of the system itself that overlap the interface of creating a normal screenshot.
Using a timer is also useful for taking neat screenshots without unnecessary interface elements, such as a finger covering part of the screen, or a mouse cursor with a keyboard connected, so you can remove your hands and restore order on the screen until the moment you click the shutter.
⚠️ Note: When using a timer, make sure that no notifications or calls arrive at the time of countdown, as they can block the desired content and spoil the shot.
A delayed start gives the user full control of the composition of the frame, so you can scroll the news feed in advance and capture exactly the moment you planned, which turns the smartphone into a tool for creating quality illustrations and instructions.
Voice control and Google Assistant
Modern technology allows you to control your smartphone without using your hands. The Xiaomi Mi 10 has a Google assistant that understands voice commands. To take a screenshot with your voice, just say the phrase "Ok Google" (or "Hey Google"), and then say "Take a screenshot" or "Take a screen off." The system instantly executes the request and saves the image.
This method is especially relevant in situations where the user's hands are dirty (for example, during cooking or repair) or occupied with other items. Voice control works on top of any application, making it a universal tool. However, it requires a stable Internet connection to work correctly, since voice requests are often processed on the company's servers.
In addition, some versions of MIUI have its own voice assistant Xiao AI (in global versions may be limited), which is also capable of executing system commands. Voice control is a step towards wireless interaction with the gadget, increasing the comfort of operation.
What to do if the voice is not recognized?
Long screenshot and image editing
Often, one screen is not enough to fit all the information, such as a correspondence in a messenger or a long article. Xiaomi Mi 10 supports the function of "Long screenshot" (scroll). Immediately after you create a normal shot, a button in the corner appears in the form of arrows down or the icon "Scroll".
Once you have created a screenshot (either regular or long), the system offers basic editing tools.
- 📐 Cut the image by removing the extra edges.
- ✏️ Add text, pictures or highlight important places with a marker.
- 🔢 Add the numbering of steps if you create instructions.
- 📄 Scan the document (recognition of the text).
The editor is built directly into the screenshot preview, which eliminates the need to install third-party applications. All changes are instant and stored either as a copy or as a replacement for the source as you wish, which makes the information processing as fast as possible.
Table: Comparison of methods for creating screenshots
To make it easier to choose the best way to do things in different situations, we've organized data on how to capture the screen into a spreadsheet, which will help you quickly navigate which tool to use in a particular case.
| Method | Speed. | Convenience | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttons (Loudness + Power) | Instantly. | High. | Always working, requires two hands or agility |
| Notification curtain | Medium | Average. | It is convenient when the phone is on the table. |
| Three-finger gesture | Tall. | Very high. | It requires activation, it takes habit. |
| Timer (Deferred) | Low (3-5 seconds) | Specific | Indispensable for menus and pop-up windows |
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The combination of different methods depending on the situation (for example, gestures for social networks and a timer for settings) makes working with a smartphone as effective as possible.
Where to look and how to remove screenshots
Once you create an image, it's important to know where it's stored. By default, all screenshots are sent to the Gallery app in a separate album called Screenshots (or Screenshots). The path to files in the file system is: Internal memory → MIUI → Gallery → cloud → screenshots or simply DCIM → Screenshots, depending on the Android version and storage settings.
You can remove unnecessary images directly from the Gallery by highlighting files and selecting a shopping cart. There is also a Cleanup feature built into Xiaomi's Security app, which automatically finds similar images, blurred photos and old screenshots, offering to free up space. Regularly cleaning this section helps save space in the device's internal memory.
If you use Xiaomi Cloud or Google Photos, screenshots can automatically sync and save to the cloud, which protects data from loss when you change devices, but requires monitoring cloud storage.
⚠️ Note: When removing screenshots through Cleanup, carefully check the file list so that you do not accidentally delete important images that the system marks as duplicates or blurred.