How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi: a complete overview of methods

Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to capture an image on the display, whether it is correspondence, a route map or an error in the application. The standard procedure, familiar to owners of pure Android, here can be different or supplemented by unique features of the MIUI and HyperOS shell. Understanding all available methods allows you to save time and avoid unnecessary finger movements in stressful situations.

There are many ways to capture the contents of the screen, from the classic combination of physical keys to advanced features such as taking long screenshots or automatically saving when shaking a device. In this article, we will discuss each option in detail so that you can choose the most convenient one for your model.

Some techniques may not be obvious to beginners, especially those involving gestures or voice control. We will look not only at basic settings, but also at hidden features that often go unnoticed, which will help you become a real master at managing your smartphone and quickly respond to any information need.

Classical method using physical buttons

The most common and reliable method, which works on the vast majority of Android devices, including Xiaomi products, is to implement this method, you need to simultaneously press two buttons: reduce volume and lock the screen. The mechanical impact must be short-term, but clear, so that the system has time to register the command.

Once you've done the action, you'll hear the characteristic snap of the camera shutter, and a thumbnail of the image will appear in the top corner of the screen, which confirms that the screenshot is saved in the gallery. If the image didn't appear, it's possible that the buttons were pressed in a different way or at too long intervals.

Importantly, some models with physical buttons on the side may require a little bit more pressing, but don't overdo it to avoid damaging the key mechanism, which is universal and works even when the touch screen is temporarily unresponsive to touch.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t pinch the buttons too long, as long-term retention of the power key can activate the off menu or call the Google Assistant voice assistant instead of taking a snapshot.

💡

If you have In-pocket mode enabled or have protective glass with thick edges, make sure your finger doesn’t override the proximity sensor while you’re taking a screenshot, or the screen may go out.

Using three-finger gestures

The MIUI shell offers one of the most convenient screenshot features, which is to swipe three fingers across the screen, especially for those who hold a phone with one hand or are in a situation where reaching for side buttons is physically inconvenient.

To enable this option, go to Settings, then select Additional Features and find the Screenshots subsection. You need to activate the switch next to "Three fingers," and then just slide your fingers from top to bottom down the center of the display will instantly create a snapshot.

Not only is this method fast, it's also visually pleasing, because it's accompanied by swipe animations, and it's perfect for users who share content on social media, but you should be careful when you flip through news feeds so that random tapping with three fingers doesn't lead to the creation of many extra files.

It's worth mentioning that the touchscreen sensitivity on different Redmi and POCO models may vary. If the gesture doesn't work the first time, try swiping your fingers a little faster or slower. The system calibrates to the touch style, but sometimes you need a little bit of exercise.

Creating images through the control menu

For those who prefer software solutions, the system has a special control menu called by a swipe down from the top of the screen. This menu, often referred to as a "curtain", contains the "Screenshot" icon, usually depicted as scissors, clicking on it instantly captures the current image on the screen.

This method is especially useful when the physical buttons of the device are faulty or locked by the case.In addition, it allows you to take a picture without changing the grip of the phone.In some versions of HyperOS, the icon can be hidden in the second page of the menu, so you may need to swipe left to detect it.

You can also add a screenshot button to the Quick Access bar for more convenient use. Just tap a pencil or three dots in the corner of the control menu, find the item you want and drag it to the active zone. It only takes a few seconds, but it makes it much easier to do that.

Using software to ensure that you don't damage the mechanical parts of the smartphone, especially for older devices where the resource of the buttons may be running out.

Long screenshot and scrolling of the content

One of the most sought-after features in the Xiaomi ecosystem is the ability to create long screenshots, or “scrolls,” which lets you capture a whole web page, a long messaging message, or a document that doesn’t fit on a single screen, starting as a simple screenshot in any convenient way.

Immediately after you take a standard shot, a smaller copy appears in the top corner, and there are several icons underneath, one of which looks like two arrows pointing down, or has the caption "Scroll." Pressing this button triggers the page to automatically scroll down while gluing the image together.

The process continues until you touch the screen or reach the end of the page, and it's the perfect tool for saving articles, receipts from online stores or correspondence, and it automatically processes the joints, making the transitions between parts of the image invisible.

⚠️ Note: When creating a long screenshot, try not to touch the scroll area, otherwise the process may be interrupted, and the function may not work in applications where scrolling is prohibited or content is protected from copying.

The quality of the final image depends on the resolution of the screen and the length of the original content. For very long pages, the file can be heavy, but modern compression algorithms in MIUI effectively optimize the size without losing readability of the text.

Voice control and additional functions

Modern Xiaomi smartphones feature a powerful voice assistant that can execute system commands. You can just say "OK, Google, take a screenshot," or activate Google Assistant with a button and say a command. This is especially handy when hands are busy or the phone is far away.

In addition, in the special features settings, you can find the feature "Tap Screenshot" that allows you to lock the screen with double tapping on the back cover of the device, which requires calibrating the accelerometer and may not work properly in a dense protective case.

Another interesting option is to take a screenshot through the multitasking menu, so you can pick a list of running apps and click on the "More" button (three dots), where the "Screenshot" option often hides, which allows you to quickly save the state of the application without opening it completely.

💡

Voice control is ideal for people with disabilities or in situations where physical contact with the screen is not possible.

Using voice commands requires a stable internet connection to handle the request by Google servers.Offline mode can limit the functionality of the assistant, so make sure the network is active.

Configuring formats and storing files

By default, all screenshots are saved in PNG format, which provides high quality images without loss. However, this leads to an increase in file size. In some versions of the shell or through third-party applications, you can change the format to JPG, which will save space in memory, but slightly reduce the clarity of the text.

You can find the images you created in the Gallery app in the Screenshots album or through the file manager on the path Internal Memory → MIUI → screenshot. The system automatically sorts files by date of creation, which makes it easier to find the desired material.

For users working with large amounts of visual information, it is useful to be aware of the possibility of automatically uploading to the cloud.Syncing with Google Photos or Xiaomi Cloud ensures that your pictures are not lost in the event of loss or failure of the device.

The choice of storage method and format depends on your goals. If you want maximum detail for later editing, leave the PNG format. If screenshots are only for fast transfer of information, you can consider compression options.

Troubleshooting and troubleshooting

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where a screenshot is not created, which can be caused by security protections in certain applications, such as bank clients or incognito browser mode, in which case the system blocks the capture of the image to prevent leakage of sensitive data.

If the problem is systemic, try restarting your device or clearing the Gallery app cache, and it’s also worth checking for system updates, as newer versions of HyperOS often fix bugs related to clipboard operation and screen capture.

In rare cases, it may be necessary to reset special features settings, which will not delete your personal data, but will return the system configuration to factory parameters, which often resolves conflicts between different input methods.