How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Mi A2: all ways with explanations

Why are the screenshots on the Mi A2 different from other Xiaomis?

Xiaomi Mi A2 is a unique smartphone in the company’s lineup, running on pure Android One instead of the usual MIUI shell. This means that the standard keyboard combinations and gestures for taking screenshots here may not match other models of the brand. For example, on devices with MIUI, a three-finger screenshot is often available, and on the Mi A2 this method is disabled by default.

Another feature is that Xiaomi doesn't have a customized quick-setting menu, and instead, users get a naked Android with minimal tweaks. This simplifies the system, but sometimes causes confusion: where do you look for screenshot settings? How do you edit them? In this article, we'll look at all the current ways, including hidden features and workarounds for non-standard situations.

It’s important to consider the firmware version: after the update to Android 10/11, new gestures appeared on the Mi A2, and some old methods stopped working, we tested each method on current versions of the software (2023-2026) and indicated where additional adjustments are required.

Method 1: Classic button combination (always working)

The most reliable method that is guaranteed to work on any version of Android is to simultaneously press the power button and reduce the volume. On the Xiaomi Mi A2, this combination works even when the screen is locked (if the appropriate setting in the security settings is enabled).

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 Open the screen you want to save (application, web page, settings).
• 🔘 Press Power (right) and Loudness down (left) for 1-2 seconds.
• 🎨 You will hear the sound of the camera shutter and see the animation of the save in the upper right corner.
• 📁 The image is automatically saved in the folder Pictures/Screenshots or DCIM/Screenshots.

If the combination does not work:

• ⚡ Check if one of the buttons stuck (especially after the phone drops).
• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes system processes block the processing of presses.
• ⚙️ Make sure that in the settings → System system → Gestures not disabled hardware buttons.

⚠️ Note: Some of the Mi's firmware A2 After upgrading to Android 10, the button combination may conflict with a Google Assistant call. → Annexes → Special access → Assistant and voice input and disable the start of the assistant buttons.

Method 2: Triple touch gesture (requires settings)

The Xiaomi Mi A2 has a feature that allows you to take a screenshot through triple tapping, but it's disabled by default, which is useful if the hardware buttons are faulty or you prefer gesture control, activated via the special feature menu:

Instructions for inclusion:

1. Open Settings → Special features → Interaction management → Touch & hold delay.
2. Select Short (this will reduce the delay in the gesture).
3. Return to Special Opportunities and tap Special Opportunity Services.
4. Activate the triple-touch screenshot option (could be called Touch Assist).

After setting up:

• 👆 Quickly touch the screen three times in a row (with intervals). ≤ 0.5 sec).
• 🖼️ The screenshot will be taken without sound, but with vibration.
• 🔧 If the gesture doesn’t work, check the sensor sensitivity in Settings. → Display. → Touch and retention.

Method 3: Voice command via Google Assistant

If you have Google Assistant enabled, you can take voice screenshots -- this is especially convenient when hands are busy -- and it works on all versions of Android, but requires an internet connection to recognize speech.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate the assistant with the “OK, Google” command or hold the Home button.
2. Say, "Take a screenshot" or "Screenshot."
3. Confirm the action (if required).

Limitations of the method:

• 🗣️ Works only in languages supported by the assistant (Russian, English, etc.).
• 📶 Requires an active internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔒 Does not work in banking apps and some games due to security restrictions.

💡

If the voice command is not recognized, try to pronounce it more clearly or go to the assistant settings (Settings → Google → Settings for applications → Search, Assistant and Voice) and retrain the voice model.

Method 4: Screenshot applications (additional functions)

The standard Android tools on the Mi A2 don't allow you to edit screenshots immediately after you've created them or take scrolling screenshots. This will require third-party utilities. We tested 3 tested apps:

How to set up Screenshot Easy (Step-by-step):

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Grant permissions to Overlay over other windows and access storage.
3. Turn on the floating button in the utility settings.
4. Press the button to take a picture, or use a gesture (shake the phone).

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Screen Master) may conflict with Mi system gestures A2. If standard screenshots stop working after installation, clear the Settings app cache → Annexes → Screen Master → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

Method 5: Screenshot via ADB (for advanced users)

If the Xiaomi Mi A2 screen doesn’t respond to touch, but the phone is on and connected to a PC, you can take a picture via Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method requires command-line skills and enabled USB debugging.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the Build Number 7 times.
2. Go back to Settings → System → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices


adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png




adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

The finished shot will be saved in the folder where the command was launched, under the name screen.png.

Advantages of the method:

• 🖥️ It works with a faulty screen (if it is not a good screen). USB-ported).
• 📊 Allows you to take screenshots in the background (for example, for error logs).
• 🔧 It can be automated through scripts (for example, for periodic monitoring).

💡

ADB-Teams are working on Mi A2 Even without root rights, but require debugging pre-setting, a method that is indispensable for diagnosing system failures or creating screenshots in recovery mode).

Where to find and how to edit the screenshots?

By default, all screenshots on the Xiaomi Mi A2 are saved in the Pictures/Screenshots folder.

• 📂 Gallery (in the album Screenshots).
• 🗃️ Files (internal storage) → Pictures).
• 🌐 Google Photos (if synchronization is enabled).

For quick editing:

1. Open the screenshot at the Gallery.
2. Slap the icon. ✏️ Edit.
3. Use pruning tools, add text or draw.
4. Save the changes (Save as a copy option will not wipe the original).

On Mi. A2 Android 11+ The built-in editor supports the WebP format, which takes up the 30–40% less space than PNG, To enable saving in WebP, use the command ADB: adb shell settings put global screenshot_format webp.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even on a device as trusted as the Xiaomi Mi A2, users have difficulty taking screenshots, and we’ve collected common bugs and ways to fix them:

If none of the methods work:

1. Check if guest mode is enabled (limits some features).
2. Update the firmware through Settings → System → System Update.
3. Reset the settings to factory (pre-save data!).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions