Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones have powerful cameras and bright displays, but sometimes you need to capture exactly what is displayed on the screen itself. This can be an important dialogue in the messenger, a ticket to a concert, a setup instruction or a funny moment in the game. A screenshot (or screenshot) is the fastest way to keep information unchanged. However, users often face difficulties: the combination of buttons do not work, or the settings menu seems confusing due to the features of the MIUI shell or HyperOS.
There are many ways to do this, from classic mechanical buttons to advanced gestures and voice commands. In this article, we’ll look at all the methods available to help you take a picture of the screen on any device in the Xiaomi line. We’ll look at the nuances of working with “long” screenshots, setting up the notification bar, and even using a voice assistant so you can choose the most convenient option for yourself.
It's important to understand that the software on different models may differ slightly. If you have an old Xiaomi Mi or the newest Redmi Note, the basic principles will remain similar, but the menu layout may vary. Here are the proven action algorithms that are relevant to most current firmware versions.
Classical method: button combination
The most common and versatile way, which works on 99% of Android smartphones, including the Chinese giant’s products, is unconfigured and available immediately after the device is turned on. To take a picture, you need to press two physical buttons simultaneously: Volume Down and Power.
The tapping should be short-term, almost instantaneous. If you hold your finger longer than a second, the phone might take it as a command to call the shutdown menu or reboot. If you hear the characteristic snap of the camera shutter and see the flash of the screen, you will realize that the screenshot was successfully created.
Sometimes it's hard to get the buttons first time, especially on tight-key models, so try changing the angle of pressing a little bit or using a finger pad instead of a nail. It's also worth noting that some POCO models have the power button paired with a fingerprint scanner, which requires sharper and more accurate pressing.
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If screenshots are not saved, check the memory space of the device. A crowded drive is a common cause of failures in image creation.
Once you create an image, you'll see a thumbnail in the top corner of the screen, and tapping will open it up with an editor where you can immediately mark it up or cut it off, and if you don't do anything, it will automatically be saved to the gallery in a few seconds.
Gesture control: three fingers down
MIUI is famous for its convenience, and one of the most useful features is to create screenshots of a swipe, which is ideal for those who like to control a smartphone with one hand or who are uncomfortable reaching for physical buttons, a feature called "Three-finger Screenshot" and requires activation in settings.
To enable this option, go to the Settings menu, then select the Additional Features section (or Advanced Settings in older versions). Find Screenshots and activate the Three Finger Screenshot switch. After that, just swipe three fingers from top to bottom down the center of the screen in any menu, the system will take a picture.
- 🖐️ Universality: The gesture works in most applications, including browsers, gallery and settings.
- ⚙️ Sensitivity setting: In some firmware versions, you can adjust the speed of the reaction to the gesture.
- 🚫 Limitations: The method may not work in secure applications (banks) or while watching videos from the Internet. DRM-protection.
Be careful when using this method in games. Randomly swiping three fingers across a screen during a battle can interrupt the process and display the edit menu, which will lead to loss. In such situations, it is better to rely on physical buttons or software methods.
Control panel and notification curtain
If the hands are busy or the buttons are damaged, a software interface comes to the rescue. In the control center, which is called by a top-down swipe, there is often a ready-made button to create a screenshot. On new versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14, it can be hidden in the second page of the menu or require adding it through the editor.
To add a button, click on the pencil icon or the tripod in the corner of the notification curtain. In the list of available items, find the Screenshot icon (usually looks like scissors or a piece of paper) and drag it to the active area. Now, to take a picture of the screen, just tap on this icon.
This is especially useful when you need to take a series of pictures in a row, for example, recording correspondence or the process of installing an application. You don't have to reach for the buttons every time or hone the gesture with three fingers.
⚠️ Warning: On a locked screen or in Do Not Disturb mode, the curtain call may be limited.Make sure the screen is unlocked before trying this method.
The “Long Screenshot” function for web pages
One of the most popular features for Xiaomi smartphone users is the ability to take scrolling screenshots, an indispensable tool for saving long articles, instant messengers or news feeds that do not fit on a single screen. After creating a regular screenshot (in any of the ways described above), a preview appears in the upper right corner.
Right under or next to the preview, a button appears with a down arrow or a Scrolling button, and when you click on it, the system automatically starts to scroll down, stitching the image in one long band, and you can stop the process at any time by touching the screen, or wait for the end of the page.
The quality of the final image remains high, but it is worth remembering the technical limitations. Too long panoramas can weigh a lot or be displayed incorrectly in some messengers (for example, Telegram can compress them or send them as a file — 3-5 screen.
☑️ Check before creating a long screenshot
Voice control via Google Assistant
For those who prefer voice commands, Xiaomi offers full integration with Google Assistant.This is especially handy when the phone is lying on the table or when your hands are dirty and you don't want to touch the screen.The feature is stable and doesn't require complex settings other than having an active Google account.
Simply say “OK, Google” or press and hold the home button (if configured) to activate the assistant. Then clearly say “Take a screenshot” or “Photograph the screen.” The system will instantly execute the request, emit a sound and save the image to the gallery.
This method also works with third-party launchers and most system menus, but as with gestures, in some secure banking applications, the assistant may respond by denying access to the screen content for security reasons.
Why does the assistant sometimes keep quiet?
Where to look for saved screenshots and how to edit them
Once you've taken a picture of a screen, it's important to know where to find the result. By default, all the pictures are saved to the system folder. The path to the file usually looks like this: Internal memory → DCIM → Screenshots or Internal memory → MIUI → Gallery → cloud → Screenshots.
The built-in Gallery app from Xiaomi has a powerful editor. When you open the screenshot, click the "Change" button.
- ✂️ Cut: Remove the extra edges or system interface.
- 📝 Text: Add explanatory labels or highlight an important marker.
- 🔢 Numbering: Automatically add a serial number if you take a series of pictures.
For more advanced file management, you can use Explorer. In Explorer, select Images, then Screenshots, where files can be renamed, compressed, or sent directly via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct.
| Method | Speed. | Convenience | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttons (Loudness + Power) | Tall. | Average. | Always. |
| Gesture (3 fingers) | Very high. | High. | Requires customization |
| Notification curtain | Medium | High. | Only unlocked. |
| Google Assistant | Low. | Average. | Depends on the network. |
⚠️ Note: When sending screenshots via WhatsApp, Viber, the image quality may be degraded by automatic compression. Use Document or non-compression to transfer important details.
In conclusion, the Xiaomi ecosystem provides users with a wide range of tools to work with the image on the screen. Regardless of whether you have a budget Redmi or flagship Xiaomi 14, you can always choose the right method. Experiment with settings to find your ideal way to capture information.
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The fastest way to use everyday is to set up a three-finger gesture, and the most reliable in critical situations is a classic combination of physical buttons.