How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Mi A1: The Complete Guide

The Xiaomi Mi A1, powered by a clean Android One operating system, offers users a unique experience that is different from the usual MIUI interface. One of the basic but critical skills for any owner is the ability to quickly capture the contents of the display. Unlike many Chinese counterparts of the brand, there are no specific “triple tap” gestures or buttons in the default notification curtain, which often confuses beginners.

Screenshots are not only necessary to save correspondence or tickets, but also to fix errors, create instructions or simply share interesting content on social networks. Understanding all available methods will allow you to save time and work with the device as efficiently as possible using the built-in functionality of the system without installing third-party software.

In this article, we will take a look at all the existing ways of creating screenshots, from the classic keyboard combination to advanced methods through the computer, you will learn where to look for finished images and what to do if standard functions no longer respond to your actions.

Classical Method Through Physical Buttons

The fastest and most time-tested way to capture the screen on the Xiaomi Mi A1 is to use a physical lock button and volume reduction key. This method works at the core level of the system, so it is always active, even if the touch screen is temporarily unresponsive or you are in the recovery menu. To perform the action, you need to simultaneously press and briefly hold the power button (located on the upper end) and the Volume down button (located on the right side side).

It is important to keep the pressing buttons right: if you hold the buttons too long, the smartphone may perceive this as a command to force a reboot or call the voice assistant. Enough light but clear press lasting about half a second, the system will instantly respond with the characteristic sound of the camera shutter (if the sound is not turned off) and a visual flash of the screen.

⚠️ Attention: On models with physical wear, frequent pressing can speed up the failure of the keys. Try not to push the buttons too hard, with enough confidence to touch.

Once you've successfully created a picture, you'll have a thumbnail at the top of the screen, and a thumbnail at the status bar, which confirms that the image is saved in the gallery. If you didn't get it the first time, try changing the rhythm of your pressing or your finger position, because the button sensors on different instances may have different feelings.

Use of the menu of running applications

The Android operating system installed on the Mi A1 allows you to take screenshots directly from the multitasking menu, which is especially convenient when the buttons on the case are difficult to use.

Find the window of the app you want to screen in the list, and underneath the thumbnail of the window or at the top of the app card (depending on the version of Android One), there will be an icon with a picture of scissors or a camera, and clicking on this symbol will instantly create a snapshot of the current state of the program without having to deploy it to the full screen.

This method has its advantages, as it allows you to quickly take several screenshots of different open programs, just by flipping through the list. However, it is worth remembering that in some secure applications, such as bank clients or incognito browser mode, the function can be blocked by security policies, and instead of an image you will get a black screen or a notification of prohibition.

• 📱 Open the menu of running tasks with a swipe or button.
• 🔍 Find the right application in the list of cards.
• ✂️ Click on the icon “Scissors” or “Screenshot” under the preview.

The interface method reduces the mechanical load on the body buttons, which prolongs the life of the device, especially for those who actively use covers that make it difficult to access the side faces, or have problems with motor skills.

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If the standard screenshot icon does not appear in the task menu, check in the settings of "Special features", whether the corresponding system service is disabled.

Voice control of Google Assistant

Modern smartphones, including the Xiaomi Mi A1, are deeply integrated with Google services, allowing voice control, one of the most convenient ways to take a screenshot when your hands are busy or dirty.

Once activated, clearly say “Take a screenshot” or “Photograph a screen.” The system recognizes the request, emits a shutter sound, and saves the image. This method is ideal for creating sequential screenshots in games or applications where it is important not to lose focus or fold the program.

It is worth noting that voice control requires a stable Internet connection, as processing of the request often takes place on Google servers. In addition, in noisy smartphones may not recognize the command the first time, which will require repetition.

Commands for activation:


"Ok Google, take a screenshot."




"Hey Google, capture screen"

Using voice commands opens up new possibilities for people with disabilities, making the smartphone more affordable.The voice assistant can also be set up to run through the headset, allowing screenshots to be taken remotely.

Set up and use of special features

Android One has powerful tools for people with disabilities that can be useful to ordinary users, as well as the “Special Features Menu” feature adds a floating button to the screen or allows you to assign actions for prolonged pressing of the volume keys.

To activate this mode, go to the system settings, look for the "Special Features" section, and select "Special Features Menu." Here you can turn on a display button that will duplicate the navigation button functions, including creating a screenshot.

⚠️ Attention: A floating button can overlap interface elements in tightly designed games or applications, and in such cases it is better to temporarily hide or disable it.

Alternatively, you can use the volume button to hold it for a long time, so you can take screenshots with one hand, which is very convenient when you use a smartphone in transport, but beware: accidentally pressing it in your pocket for a long time can lead to a series of unnecessary pictures.

• ⚙️ Go to the settings of "Special Opportunities».
• 🔘 Activate the Special Opportunity Menu».
• 🖱️ Set up the display of the floating button on the screen.

The flexibility of the settings allows you to adapt the interface to any user's needs. You can combine different input methods to create your own unique scenario of interaction with your smartphone.

Remotely create screenshots through ADB

For advanced users, developers or system administrators, there is a method of creating screenshots through USB debugging, which requires connecting a smartphone to a computer and installing the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) platform, which allows you to take screenshots even if the display is broken or does not respond to touch.

Before you start, you need to turn on USB Debugging in the hidden Developer menu, and you need to quickly click on the build number in the About Phone section seven times to activate this menu, and after you connect the cable to the PC and start the terminal, you enter a command to capture the image.

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png


adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

The first command takes the image and saves it to internal memory, the second one copies the file to a computer, which ensures that the image is obtained at the original resolution of the matrix without the compression artifacts that can occur when sent through messengers.

Using ADB gives you complete control over the device, and you can automate the process of creating screenshots through scripts, taking a series of snapshots at a set time interval to create timelapses or monitor.

Where to look and how to edit ready-made pictures

Once you have created a screenshot on the Xiaomi Mi A1, the file is automatically saved to a standard gallery, and can be found by opening the Google Photos app or the standard gallery. The images are sorted by date, but also have a separate Screenshots or Screenshots folder in the Albums or Library section.

Once you've created a screenshot, you'll see a notification in the corner, and you'll click on it, and you'll be taken to an editor where you can cut the edges, draw arrows, add text, or highlight important areas with a marker, and it's a built-in editing tool that's functional enough for quick processing.

If standard functionality is lacking, you can use third-party apps from Google Play that offer more advanced tools like blurring sensitive information or creating long screenshots (although on pure Android One, the scrolling feature is often missing without third-party utilities).

• 🖼️ Open the Photos or Gallery app».
• 📂 Go to the album "Screenshots».
• ✏️ Click “Change” to edit or “Share” to submit.

Regularly cleaning the folder with screenshots helps save space on the internal drive, as PNG images can take up a significant amount of volume, especially if there are many.

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Automatic sorting of screenshots into individual albums allows you to quickly find the right information without going through thousands of personal photos.

Possible problems and solutions

Despite the simplicity of the process, users sometimes face situations where a screenshot is not created, most often due to a software failure of a particular application that blocks screen capture for security purposes, or a device with overflowing memory.

If the buttons don't respond, try restarting your smartphone. In rare cases, the problem is that the physical volume button sticks, so the system doesn't register simultaneous pressing. Check the cleanliness of the buttons and the absence of dirt in the gaps.

⚠️ Note: If screenshots are no longer saved after the system update, try clearing the Photos or Gallery app cache through the application settings without deleting the data itself.

In some cases, especially when using custom launchers or themes, the interface may conflict with system functions. Returning to standard design often solves the problem. Also make sure that there is free space on the device, as when filling up memory, new files simply cannot be written.

Understanding the causes of crashes allows you to quickly diagnose and troubleshoot. On the Xiaomi Mi A1 with pure Android, conflicts of software screenshots (apps from the store) with system functions are extremely rare, unlike the MIUI shells.