Users of budget smartphones often face the need to capture information on the screen, but do not know all the nuances of the MIUI system. Xiaomi 6 A, despite its availability, offers a wide range of functionality for working with images. To take a screenshot on this device can be several proven methods, each of which has its advantages depending on the situation.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available ways to take screenshots, learn about the standard key combinations, hidden menu functions and special gestures that speed up work, and discuss the topic of editing the received files and solving the typical problems faced by owners of gadgets in this series.
Understanding how the image capture system works will save you time and save important data in high quality. Whether it's a correspondence, a concert ticket or an app bug, you can always capture the moment. Let's look at the tools that are built into your smartphone by default.
Standard button combination
The fastest and most common method most Android users are familiar with is using physical buttons. On the Xiaomi 6 A, this method works stably and does not require additional adjustments. You need to press the on button (located on the right) and the volume down button (located on the left side).
It's important to keep the right rhythm of pressing: press the buttons simultaneously and briefly, as if you were making a quick click. If you press them too long, the phone will go into the off menu mode or launch the voice assistant. Short pressing is the key to success in this method.
☑️ Algorithm of action
Once you've done the action, you'll hear the characteristic shutter sound of the camera, and at the top of the screen, a thumbnail of the image will appear, which confirms that the file is saved in the gallery. If there's no sound, check the media settings, it's possible that No Sound mode blocks audio notifications.
It's worth noting that physical wear on budget models can happen faster, that frequent use of mechanical keys for screenshots can shorten their lifespan, and that alternative software methods should be considered for everyday use.
Use of the Quick Access Menu
The MIUI operating system installed on the Xiaomi 6 A provides a handy widget in the notification curtain. This is ideal if the physical buttons are busy or faulty. To use it, swipe from top to bottom to open the control center.
In the icon list, look for an item called "Screenshot" or a scissor icon, and clicking on it instantly creates a snapshot of the current content of the screen. If you can't see that icon in the front row, click on the edit button (usually a pencil icon or three dots) and drag the widget into the active zone.
⚠️ Note: The screenshot widget in the curtain may not work in some secure applications, such as bank clients or incognito browser mode.
Using a software button eliminates the risk of mechanical damage to the smartphone, which is especially true for devices that are used in the field or by children, and it also allows you to take screenshots with one hand, which is convenient in transport.
Three fingers function and gestures
One of the most convenient features of the MIUI shell is the ability to create screenshots using a three-finger swipe. This feature is not active by default on some versions of the firmware, so it needs to be enabled manually in the settings. Path to setup: Settings → Additional Features → Screenshots.
In the menu that opens, you need to activate the "Three-finger screenshot" switch. Once turned on, just swipe three fingers from top to bottom across the screen any time you want to take a picture. The system instantly responds to the gesture, saving the image.
This technique requires a certain skill, as you need to touch the screen simultaneously with three fingers. On models with small screens, like the Xiaomi 6 A, this may not always be convenient, but with regular training, the fingers themselves find the right position.
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If the three-finger gesture doesn't work, try to hold your fingers a little slower and tighter, and make sure that there's no protective film on the screen that makes the sensory experience worse.
Using gestures makes the process of taking screenshots more intuitive and modern, so you don't have to reach for the side of the device, but it's worth remembering that accidentally touching three fingers can lead to unplanned shots clogging the gallery.
Screenshots from the "More" menu
In some versions of the Xiaomi interface, there is an additional software menu called by the swipe. If you go to Settings → Additional Features → Buttons, you can customize actions for certain combinations or find alternative ways to call.
Often users confuse this with the multitasking menu. To avoid confusion, remember: the standard menu of running applications is called upwards with a delay or a "Menu" button. In some design themes, there may be a screenshot button hidden there, but this is rare for basic firmware.
A more reliable option in this context is to use the built-in editing functionality. Once you create a screenshot by any means, click on the thumbnail that appears. In the editor that opens, you will find the "More" button (three dots), where long screenshot, cropping and markup functions are available.
| Method | Speed. | Risk of button breakage | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttons (Loudness + Power) | Tall. | Medium. | High. |
| Notification curtain | Medium | No. | Average. |
| Three-finger gesture | Tall. | No. | High. |
| Voice commands | Low. | No. | Low. |
Long screenshot and editing
Modern smartphones, including the Xiaomi 6 A, can create so-called “long screenshots.” This is useful when you need to save a correspondence in a messenger or a long web page as a whole, rather than in parts. After you create a regular screenshot, click on the “More” button (or the icon with arrows down) in the preview menu that appears.
The device will automatically scroll down, stitching images into one long band, and you can stop the process at any time by touching the screen, and the resulting file will have a non-standard aspect ratio, but will save all the information in readable form.
The built-in editor allows you to immediately mark up text with a marker, add arrows or hide confidential data (passwords, card numbers) in advance, editing immediately after creation saves time and eliminates the need to install third-party applications.
Where are the long screenshots kept?
And you can also think about framing, and often you get a screenshot of the extra information, the status bar with time, the battery, the extra interface, and the edges, which make it more presentable to send in chat rooms or to post on social media.
Where to look for saved images
Once you have taken a screenshot on Xiaomi 6 A, the system automatically saves it to the device memory. Standard file path: Internal memory → DCIM → Screenshots. This folder stores all screenshots sorted by date of creation.
You can also access them through the Gallery app, and there's a separate album called Screenshots, which is the most convenient way to view them, because the gallery allows you to quickly share files, delete them or send them to the cloud.
⚠️ Note: If you use third-party launchers or file managers, the path to the folder may look different, but the physical file is always in the directory. DCIM Do not delete system files from these folders manually unless you are sure of their purpose.
To free up space on the phone, it is recommended to periodically clean this folder. Screenshots often contain temporary information (tickets, confirmation codes), which after a week is no longer relevant, but takes up precious megabytes.
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Regular cleaning of the screenshot folder can free up to 1-2 GB of memory on budget devices, which is critical for stable system operation.
Decision and advice
Sometimes users find that the screenshot is not created or the file is not saved. First of all, check the free space in memory. If the storage is crowded, the system will not be able to write a new file.
If the button combination doesn’t work, check if In-pocket mode or special features for people with disabilities are turned on, which can block standard keyboard shortcuts.Rebooting the device often resolves software failures.
- 📱 Make sure there is no static electricity on the screen, which can interfere with the touchscreen when using gestures.
- 🔋 In power saving mode, some background processes may run slower, which affects the file retention rate.
- 🛡️ Antivirus programs rarely block screenshots, but in corporate profiles (MDM) This may be prohibited by the administrator.
In conclusion, mastering all the screenshot techniques on Xiaomi 6 A makes smartphone usage much more comfortable. Choose the one that suits you and combine them as you choose.