How to take a screenshot on a Xiaomi phone: all the ways of 2026

How many times have you tried to save important information from the Xiaomi screen but couldn’t remember the button combination? Or the gesture for the screenshot suddenly stopped working after the MIUI update? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi smartphones – the brand’s interface offers several ways to copy the screen, but not all of them are intuitive.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of creating screenshots on Xiaomi devices (including models from 2023-2026), compare them in speed and convenience, and also tell you how to return the feature if it is Suddenly disappeared after an update. From classic Power + Volume Down to voice commands and shooting via computer – choose the option that suits you.

1. Standard method: power and volume buttons

It is a universal method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones regardless of the MIUI version or model, and is suitable even for devices with a faulty sensor.

To take a screenshot:

  1. Open on the screen what you want to save (web page, message, settings, etc.).
  2. Press the Power (on) button and the Volume Down button at the same time.
  3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the shutter sound or see an animation of the screenshot.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5 Or the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+) Long-term retention of these buttons can cause the switch-off menu. If this happens, try pressing the buttons short and sharp rather than holding them down.

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If the screenshot is not saved, check if Do Not Disturb or Game Turbo mode is enabled, which can block the creation of screenshots.

Where to look for a finished screenshot?

  • πŸ“ In the gallery: Screenshots folder (or Screenshots in Russian).
  • πŸ” File Manager: Internal Memory β†’ Pictures β†’ Screenshots.
  • πŸ“± In the notification panel: immediately after creation, a preview will appear with the buttons Share and Delete.

2. Three fingers down gesture (fastest method)

The gesture screenshot feature is available on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 9 and later.This is the most convenient way for those who often take screenshots - do not need to search for buttons or remember combinations.

How to turn on:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Additional functions β†’ Gestures.
  2. Find the screenshot by gesture and activate it.
  3. Select the direction of the gesture: by default, this is a wire with a finger from top to bottom, but you can configure other options.

How to use:

  • πŸ‘† Place three fingers on the screen (no matter where).
  • πŸ“± Quickly swipe them from top to bottom (as if you were swiping the screen).
  • 🎯 Screenshot saved, thumbnail at the bottom of the screen.
πŸ“Š What kind of screenshots do you use more often?
Power and volume buttons
Three-finger gesture
Voice assistant
Through the PC.
Other

⚠️ Note: If the gesture does not work, check it out:

  • 🧹 Screen Cleanliness – dirt or protective glass may interfere with touch recognition.
  • πŸ”§ Sensor Sensitivity Settings in Settings β†’ Display. β†’ Sensitivity of touch.
  • πŸ“± Is the One Hand mode enabled (Settings) β†’ Additional functions β†’ One-hand mode).

3. Screenshot with voice assistant

If your hands are busy or your buttons are not working, you can take a screenshot with a voice command, using the built-in Google Assistant or XiaoAI (on Chinese firmware).

Instructions for Google Assistant:

  1. Activate the assistant by saying OK, Google, or holding the Home button.
  2. Tell the command: Take a screenshot or Make a screenshot (in English it works more stable).
  3. Confirm the action if necessary.

For XiaoAI (on Chinese versions of MIUI):

  • 🎀 Tell me (Xiǎo’ài tΓ³ngxuΓ©) activate.
  • πŸ“Έ Then say it (JiΓ©tΓΊ) β€” It means screenshotΒ».

⚠️ Note: Voice commands may not work in some applications (e.g. banking or gaming) due to security limitations. Also make sure the assistant has access to Special Options settings.

Why doesn’t the voice assistant take a screenshot?
If Google Assistant refuses to execute the command, check: 1. The Assistant language must be English (USA) or Russian. 2. Permissions in Settings β†’ Annexes β†’ Google β†’ Permissions (requires storage and screen access rights). 3. No restrictions in Settings β†’ Special facilities β†’ Special Opportunity Services (Google App must be enabled).

4. Advanced method: long screenshot (scroll)

Sometimes you need to save not only the visible part of the screen, but also what is hidden outside of it - for example, the entire web page, correspondence in the messenger or a list of settings. MIUI There is a β€œLong Screenshot” function (or Scrolling Screenshot).

How to do this:

  1. First, create a regular screenshot in any of the ways described above.
  2. Immediately after the thumbnail appears at the bottom of the screen, click on it.
  3. In the editor that opens, tap the Scrolling icon (two arrows down).
  4. Wait for the system to automatically scroll through the page and connect the pieces into one long shot.

Limitations of the method:

  • ❌ It doesn’t work in some apps (e.g. Instagram, TikTok).
  • ❌ Can β€œshort” dynamic content (video, animations).
  • ❌ On older models (Redmi) 5/6) function may not be present.

Open the content you want to use (slip through to the end)

Make sure that mobile internet or Wi-Fi is enabled (to download hidden parts of a page)

Close pop-up windows and banners

Check that the screen settings are turned off "Read Mode" (Settings β†’ Display β†’ Read Mode)

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5. Screenshot via computer (ADB and Mi PC Suite)

If the sensor or buttons on the phone don't work, you can take a screenshot from a PC, and there are two ways to do this: with ADB (for advanced users), or through the Mi PC Suite utility.

Method 1: Mi PC Suite (Simple)

  1. Download and install Mi PC Suite from the official website.
  2. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable (turn on debugging by USB In Settings β†’ The phone. β†’ Version. MIUI β†’ 7 times tap to unlock the developer mode).
  3. In the program, select the screenshot in the tool menu.

Method 2: ADB (for technical users)

adb devices # check the connection


adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png # screenshot creation




adb pull /sdcard/screen.png # download on PC

⚠️ Attention: When in use ADB Screenshot is saved in the root folder of the phone (/sdcard/). If you don’t see a file, check permissions or use a root file manager (e.g., Root Explorer).

MethodSpeed.DifficultyIt works without buttons.Suitable for long screenshots
Power buttons + volume⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐❌ No.❌ No.
Three-finger gestureβ­β­β­β­β­β­β­βœ… Yes.❌ No.
Voice assistantβ­β­β­β­β­β­βœ… Yes.❌ No.
Long screenshot.β­β­β­β­β­βœ… Yes.βœ… Yes.
Through PC (ADB)β­β­β­β­β­βœ… Yes.❌ No.

6. Problem Solving: Screenshots Are Not Saved or Are Not Working

Sometimes the screenshot function suddenly stops working, and here are the most common reasons and ways to eliminate them:

Problem 1: Screenshots are not saved in the gallery.

  • πŸ” Check the folder. Pictures/Screenshots via file manager – it is possible that the pictures are saved but not displayed in the gallery.
  • πŸ“ Restart your phone – sometimes the media scanner doesn’t update your library.
  • πŸ› οΈ Clear the gallery cache: Settings β†’ Annexes β†’ gallery β†’ Warehouse β†’ Clear the cache.

Problem 2: The three-finger gesture doesn't work.

  • πŸ”§ Go to Settings. β†’ Additional functions β†’ Gestures and turn on the function again.
  • πŸ“± Check if the gesture conflicts with other functions (e.g., one-hand mode).
  • πŸ”„ Reset your gesture settings to standard.

Problem 3: The power + volume buttons don't work.

  • πŸ”‹ Check if one of the buttons is stuck (move them carefully).
  • πŸ› οΈ Update the firmware - in older versions MIUI There were combination recognition bugs.
  • πŸ”„ Try an alternative combination: Nutrition + Increased volume (on some models).

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If neither method works, check to see if Guest or Child mode is enabled in user profiles, which often limit the functionality of screenshots.

On models Xiaomi 13/14 series with MIUI 14+ has a new feature: screenshots can be done by double pressing on the back panel (if you include in Settings β†’ Additional functions β†’ Double tap).

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi

Can I take a screenshot in safe mode?
Yes, but only with power buttons + volume, gestures and voice commands in safe mode are disabled because they work through third-party services.
How to edit a screenshot immediately after creation?
Once you create a picture, tap on the thumbnail at the bottom of the screen. You'll see a built-in editor where you can crop the image, add text or drawings. For advanced features (blurring, filters), use Google Photos or Snapseed.
Why are screenshots black in some apps?
This is a security limitation, where some applications (banks, content-protected messengers) block screenshots, which can only be done by recording the screen (but there will be a black screen) or by using ADB (root rights required).
How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi with a broken screen?
If the sensor is not working, but the phone is turning on: Connect the mouse on OTG-Use the cable. ADB If the buttons are working, use the Power combination. + Volume down. If the screen is completely black, but the phone is responding to a PC connection, try Mi. PC Suite.
Where are the screenshots on Xiaomi with two SIM-map?
The place of conservation does not depend on the quantity SIM-All screenshots are defaulted to the map: /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/ (internal memory, if used SD-The map as an internal memory – the path will be /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Pictures/Screenshots/. To change the save folder, install a third-party screenshot app (e.g. Screenshot Easy).