Creating a screenshot on modern smartphones is a basic feature, but in the MIUI shell from Xiaomi it is implemented with many nuances that are not always obvious immediately after purchase. Owners of the Poco X3 NFC model often look for not just a standard method, but ways to automate the process or create long screenshots that save the entire dialogue. Understanding all the options available will allow you to manage content much more efficiently.
In this article, we will take a look at every method available, from classic buttons to advanced gestures, and where to look for saved files and how to edit them with built-in system tools. You will learn to take screenshots with one hand, without using physical keys, which is especially useful when watching videos or reading.
Classical Method: A Combination of Physical Buttons
The fastest and most time-tested way to do this is to press the touch screen temporarily no longer responds to touch or if the interface fails, and you need to press and hold two buttons simultaneously, Volume Down and Power, and it's important to press them in synchrony, because when you delay between taps, the system can perceive this as a separate action and not take a picture.
Once you do this successfully, you'll hear the characteristic shutter sound of the camera (if the sound is on), and a thumbnail will appear at the top of the screen. This method is universal for the entire line of Android devices, but on the Poco X3 NFC, it has one feature: if you hold those same buttons long, you can start the shutter menu or voice assistant, so the movements must be clear and short.
⚠️ Warning: Do not pinch the buttons too hard or for too long to accidentally cause a forced reboot of the device that is activated when the power button is held for more than 10 seconds.
If you can't take a picture the first time, try changing the rhythm of the tap. Sometimes the system requires a softer, but simultaneous touch. Also make sure that the button settings do not have alternative actions that can intercept this signal. In most cases, the standard Loudness - + Power bundle works faultlessly in 99% of use cases.
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To protect the screen from scratches with frequent use of physical buttons, it is recommended to use a protective glass or high-quality film, since mechanical wear of the buttons on the Poco X3 NFC with active use can manifest itself in 1-2 years.
Using three-finger gestures
The MIUI shell offers a more ergonomic way of creating screenshots, which is particularly appealing to users with large screen sizes. The essence of the method is to swipe three fingers from top to bottom down the center of the display. This action instantly creates a snapshot of the current image without having to reach for the buttons on the smartphone body.
To activate this feature, you need to go to the system settings. Go to Settings → Additional Features → Screenshot. Here you need to activate the screenshot with three fingers. Once activated, the system will allow you not only to take normal pictures, but also to choose the area for a screenshot or record video from the screen if you swipe your fingers again after you have created the first shot.
- 🖐️ Standard gesture: swipe three fingers from top to bottom for an instant snapshot of the entire screen.
- ✂️ Area allocation: After activating the gesture, select the “Specificate Area” option to manually trim the desired part.
- 🎥 Screen recording: In the same menu, you can set up the start of the video screen recording via a long press or repeated gesture.
This technique requires some coordination training, because you have to touch the screen with three fingers at the same time and draw a straight line. However, after you develop muscle memory, the speed of creating screenshots increases significantly, and this is especially convenient when the phone is lying on the table or in an uncomfortable position where it is difficult to reach the side buttons.
Screenshot via the multitasking menu
The third, often overlooked, is built directly into the interface for switching running applications, perfect for situations where you've already turned off an application or are in open window view mode. At the bottom of the application card, there's a special icon in the multitasking menu that allows you to take a picture.
To do this, swipe from the bottom up and hold your finger (or press the menu button if activated) to open a list of running programs. Find the right window and click on an icon that visually resembles a square with scissors or just a camera icon located under the application preview. The system immediately creates an image and saves it in the gallery.
The advantage of this method is that it does not require any physical action with the buttons of the case, which reduces the risk of mechanical damage to the smartphone when falling during manipulation.It is also the only way to take a screenshot at the moment when the touch layer is temporarily blocked by the system or other application, but the interface to switch tasks remains available.
Why might not the screenshot work in some applications?
Creating long screenshots (scrolling)
One of the most popular features in MIUI is the ability to create “long” screenshots that capture the entire page of a website, the correspondence in the messenger or the entire document. After you take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods, a thumbnail will appear at the top of the screen (or in the corner, depending on the firmware version).
Without waiting for the thumbnail to disappear, click on the Scroll button (usually looks like two down arrows or a scroll icon). The smartphone will automatically start scrolling down the contents of the screen, taking a series of shots and gluing them into one long picture. You can stop the process at any time by clicking on the screen, or wait for the end of the page.
| Parameter | Description | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum length | Depends on screen resolution and MIUI version | Usually up to 100,000 pixels in height |
| File format | PNG (without loss of quality) | It can take up a lot of space. |
| Dynamic content | Video and animation are static | Not suitable for video scrolling |
| Editing | Available immediately after creation | Requires separation for detailed editing |
Consider that when you create long screenshots on dynamic content (for example, a news feed with auto-update), you can create gluing artifacts. In such cases, it is better to use static pages.
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A long screenshot is not just a series of images, but a single image file that the system processes and glues in real time, which requires processor resources.
Where to look and how to edit saved files
Once a screenshot is created, the system automatically stores it in internal memory, and you can find the file through the standard Gallery app in Screenshots or through the file manager on the Internal Memory → DCIM → Screenshots path. MIUI → screenshot is also often used depending on the file system version.
The built-in MIUI editor allows you to perform basic manipulations immediately after you create a picture. You can crop the image, add text, draw by hand, blur sensitive data (the Magic function), or add stickers. To access the editor, just click on the Change button immediately after you create a screenshot or open the file in the gallery and select the appropriate option.
- ✏️ Drawing: Several colors and brush types are available to highlight important points.
- 🔒 Blurring: A Tool to Hide Passwords, Card Numbers, and Personal Data.
- 📝 Text: the ability to add explanatory inscriptions with a choice of font and color.
If the built-in functionality is not enough, you can open the file in any third-party editor installed on the device. However, for most user tasks, the standard Xiaomi editor is quite enough. It is optimized for fast operation and does not require the installation of additional software.
Solving and setting parameters
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where screenshots are not created or stored incorrectly. First of all, check if the device memory is full. To create a quality image, the system requires free space. Also make sure that the date and time settings are set to automatic mode, since time desynchronization can affect the operation of some system services.
In the Settings section → Additional functions → You can set the filename format to the screenshot. By default, the system uses the format. Screenshot_Year-Month-Day-Hour-Minute, but if necessary, you can change the template or clear the history of creating screenshots.
⚠️ Note: When clearing your screenshot history through system settings, files can be deleted without being able to recover from the cart, so check the contents before cleaning.
If the problem is software-based, try restarting the device. In rare cases, resetting the interface or updating the system to the latest available version helps, as Xiaomi regularly releases patches that fix the clipboard and graphical interface bugs.