How to take a screenshot with three fingers on Xiaomi: a secret gesture that is not known to everyone

Have you ever tried to take a screenshot on Xiaomi with one hand while the other is holding a falling phone? or lost precious seconds pressing the button combination Volume down + Power when the screen has already changed? There is a way much simpler - a screenshot with a three-finger gesture that works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with a MIUI 12-14 shell.

Not only does this process speed up 2-3 times, it also solves problems: you don't have to remember buttons, look for them on the case, or be afraid to accidentally turn off the phone. Just swipe three fingers across the screen and the picture is ready. And this gesture works even with the hardware buttons turned off (for example, if the power module broke), but there are nuances: on some models the function is disabled by default, and on others it can conflict with other gestures. Let's take everything from on to fine-tuning.

Why is a three-finger gesture better than a button?

The advantages of the method are obvious, but let’s compare it with the classical methods:

The key difference between a gesture is instantaneousness. While you search for buttons or open the notification panel, the contents of the screen can change (for example, a pop-up or notification will disappear). With a three-finger gesture, the delay is minimal: the movement takes less than a second, and the picture is saved immediately to the gallery. In addition, this method is universal: it works in games, applications with blocking screenshots (for example, banking programs) and even on a locked screen (if the appropriate setting is enabled).

But there are pitfalls, too: on the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12, for example, a gesture can accidentally trigger when scrolling through social media if you don't hold your phone comfortably, and on older models (like the Redmi 9A), the feature sometimes conflicts with navigation gestures.

What models Xiaomi is running screenshot with three fingers?

The feature is available on all smartphones with MIUI 12 and newer, but there are exceptions:

• ✅ Supported by: Xiaomi 14/13/12 series, Redmi Note 12/11/10, POCO F5/X5, Mi 11 Lite et al. (see full list below).
• ⚠️ Restrictions: On Redmi 9/8 Series and older models may require manual inclusion.
• ❌ Not working: On custom firmware devices (like LineageOS) or if gestures are disabled in special features settings.

Full list of compatible models (as of 2026):

If your model isn't listed, it doesn't mean that the feature isn't available. It's probably hidden in the settings. To check, try making a gesture with three fingers from top to bottom across the screen. If nothing happens, move to the next section with the instruction to turn on.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F3 GT or Redmi K50 Gaming, the default gesture is set to a partial screenshot, so you can take a full screen shot, and you can swipe your fingers from the top edge to the bottom of the screen, and you can't stop.

Step-by-step: how to turn on a screenshot with three fingers

If the gesture doesn't work out of the box, you need to activate it in the settings. Here's the universal instruction for MIUI 12-14:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Additional Features section (on some models – Special Features).
3. Choose gestures and movements (or quick gestures).
4. Find the screenshot option with three fingers and turn on the switch.
5. (Optional) Click on the string with the gesture name to adjust its behavior (e.g., turn off the shutter sound).

Some firmware may have different paths. For example, on Xiaomi 12T Pro with MIUI 13.5, go to Settings → System → Gestures and buttons → Screenshot with three fingers. If you don't find the partition, search by settings (the magnifier icon at the top of the screen) and enter the request for a screenshot with a gesture.

✔️ Update MIUI to the latest version (Settings → About Phone → System Update)

✔️ Make sure that there are no secure applications on the screen (banks, messengers with screenshots blocking)

✔️ Check if the "Children's Mode" or "Guest Mode" is on (they block gestures)

✔️ Remove the case if it interferes with the sensor (especially relevant for Xiaomi 13 Ultra with large cameras)

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After turning on the function, try to take a test screenshot:

1. Open any screen (such as the main page).
2. Place three fingers (usually index, middle and ring fingers) on the screen.
3. Quickly run them from top to bottom, without tearing them off the surface.

If the photo is not saved, check:

• 🔊 Is the system sound turned off (sometimes a screenshot is taken, but without visual confirmation).
• 📱 Is not Do Not Disturb mode enabled (it can block notifications about screenshots).
• 🔄 Does the gesture conflict with other functions (for example, with Swipe for split screen).

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If the gesture is too easy (like scrolling through the tape), reduce sensitivity in the gesture settings. Go to Settings → Additional Features → Gestures and Movements → Screenshot with three fingers → Sensitivity and move the slider to the left.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Even when you're fine-tuned, the gesture may not work properly. TOP-5 problems and solutions:

The problem with blurred screenshots is particularly noteworthy, because it occurs when you swipe your fingers too slowly, which the system perceives as multiple individual touches, not as a single gesture. The solution is simple: train to move in 0.3-0.5 seconds (like a finger click). Touch Screen Test from Google Play can be used to test your speed.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi) K60 Pro) too much use of the gesture with three fingers can cause the pixels at the top of the display to burn out, because the system illuminates the touch area, so to avoid the problem, reduce the brightness of the screen to 70% or use a dark theme.

Next Next post: What else can you do with three fingers

The three-finger gesture on Xiaomi is not just screenshots, but it can perform other functions, depending on the model and version of MIUI.

• 📱 Partial screenshot: On some devices (e.g, POCO F4 GT) You can highlight the area of the screen by holding your fingers after a gesture, and it's convenient to grab just the right piece.
• 🎥 Screen recording: Xiaomi 14 and Redmi Note 13 Pro+ Double swipe with three fingers starts recording video from the screen (analogue Game Turbo).
• 🔄 Quickly switching apps: On older versions MIUI left/right gesture with three fingers opens the multitasking menu.
• 🔍 Screen search: In some firmware, holding three fingers activates the Smart Tool (smart text search on the screen).

To set up alternative actions for the gesture:

1. Open Settings → Additional functions → Gestures and movements.
2. Select a screenshot with three fingers.
3. Click on Additional Settings (or Advanced Features).
4. Activate the options you need (such as Partial Screenshot or Screen Recording).

Xiaomi has a new feature with MIUI 14, a smart screenshot, and if you hold your fingers on the screen after you gesture, it automatically recognizes text, phone numbers, or email addresses in the image and prompts you to copy them or open them in the appropriate app, and it works even without an Internet connection!

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The three-finger gesture on Xiaomi isn't just screenshots; on newer models, it can run screen recording, partial capture, or text search. Check the settings to unlock the full potential of the feature!

Alternative ways to take a screenshot on Xiaomi

If a three-finger gesture is not suitable (for example, due to conflict with other functions), here are 5 alternative methods:

• 🔘 Buttons Loud down + Power: Classic, works on all models. Hold the buttons 1-2 seconds.
• 📱 Notification Panel: Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the panel and click on the Screenshot icon (scissors).
• 🎮 Game Turbo: In games, swipe on the top left corner of the screen (if Game Turbo mode is enabled).
• 🗣️ Voice Assistant: Say OK Google, take a screenshot (Internet connection required).
• 🖥️ ADB-Command: For advanced users: connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell input keyevent 120 (this simulates clicking screenshot buttons).

Each method has pros and cons. For example, buttons are reliable but inconvenient for large screens (like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra), and a voice assistant requires the Internet and may not work in a noisy place. A three-finger gesture is a middle ground: it is fast, versatile and independent of external conditions.

If you often take screenshots in games, we recommend setting up Game Turbo:

1. Open Settings → Special features → Game Turbo
2. Turn on the switch and add the game to the list.
3. Start the game and swipe down the upper left corner to take a picture.

Professional tips: how to take screenshots as a pro

Here are a few life hacks that will help you use screenshots on Xiaomi as effectively as possible:

• 📂 Autosave to the cloud: Enable sync with Mi Cloud (Settings) → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Gallery) so that screenshots are automatically copied to all your devices.
• ✏️ Quick editing: Immediately after you create a screenshot, click on its thumbnail in the lower right corner to crop, add text or a drawing.
• 🔄 Serial screenshots: On Xiaomi 14 and Redmi Note 13 you can take several pictures in a row, holding your fingers on the screen after the first gesture.
• 🔍 Screenshot search: You can search for text in pictures at Xiaomi Gallery. Open the Screenshots album and click on the magnifying glass icon.
• 📤 Quick Submitting: Swipe down the screenshot thumbnail to share it immediately on the messenger or social network.

For those who often work with screenshots (such as bloggers or techies), it is helpful to set up hotkeys:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via Mi PC Suite.
2. Press F12 on the keyboard – this will take a screenshot on the phone and immediately open it on the computer.

Another secret: if you need to take a screenshot from a long page (for example, a chat in Telegram or a web page), use the Scrolling Screenshot feature:

1. Take a regular screenshot with a three-finger gesture.
2. Immediately after the miniature appears, click on it.
3. At the bottom of the screen, a scroll button will appear – click it to capture all the content.

⚠️ Note: Scrolling screenshots may not work in dynamic content applications (such as TikTok or Instagram Reels.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions