Screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones are not just about saving the screen, but a whole arsenal of tools for work, learning and communication. Whether you want to save an important message on WhatsApp, capture a bug in the game or share screen settings with friends — the ability to quickly take screenshots saves time and nerves. But not all users know that on devices with a shell MIUI there are 5 different ways to create screenshots, including voice commands and hidden gestures.
In this article, we will look at all the current methods, from the classic button combination to advanced features like a long screenshot and save to the cloud. We will focus on the nuances for different lines: why the three-finger gesture does not work on the POCO F5, how to turn on screenshots with a voice on the Redmi Note 12, and what to do if the pictures are not saved in the gallery. All instructions are tested on the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 and adapted for models from 2020-2026.
1. Classical method: button combination
The most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones – from the budget Redmi A2 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. To create a screenshot at the same time, press:
- 📱 Power button (right) + volume-reduce button (left)
- ⏱️ Hold them for 1–1.5 seconds until you hear the shutter sound or see the animation.
- 🔍 The screenshot will immediately appear in the notification panel and will be saved in the folder. DCIM/Screenshots
This is a reliable approach, but it has drawbacks: on large screens (such as the Xiaomi Pad 6), it is difficult to reach the buttons with one hand, and with frequent use, mechanical buttons wear out faster. If you can't take a picture the first time, check:
- 🔋 Is the battery not discharged (at the charge level) < 5% of the system can ignore the pressing)
- 👆 Do you block buttons with your fingers (a common error on models with covers)
- 🔄 Is not the mode Do not disturb (it turns off the sounds of the screenshot)
Three-finger gesture: fast and convenient
MIUI's signature feature is the ability to take screenshots with a simple movement across the screen, a technique that is particularly popular among POCO and Black Shark owners, where the game mode blocks physical buttons, to activate a gesture:
- Open Settings → Additional functions → Gestures
- Find the screenshot with a three-finger gesture and switch on the switch
- Practice: Swipe top-down with three fingers (no pauses between touches)
Advantages of the method:
- ⚡ Instant response (faster than clicking buttons)
- 🎮 Works in games and applications with button lock
- 👌 Does not wear out physical keys
But there are pitfalls, too, and on some models, like the Redmi 10C, gestures conflict with navigation.
Turn off navigation gestures in Settings → Display
Make sure there are no greasy spots on the screen (the sensor does not recognize touch)
Update MIUI to the latest version (in old firmware gesture bugs)
Reboot your smartphone (sometimes resetting the touch driver helps)-->
⚠️ Attention: POCO F4 GT and Black Shark 5, the three-finger gesture is disabled by default due to game optimization. → Special facilities → Physical buttons and deactivate the option of Game Turbo Mode.
3. Voice commands: "OK, Google, take a screenshot."
If you're too lazy to push buttons or make gestures, Xiaomi offers voice control, which is especially useful for people with disabilities or when hands are busy.
Method 1: Through Google Assistant
Activate the voice assistant with the phrase “OK, Google” and say:
- 🎤 "Take a screenshot (works on all models with Google services)
- 🎤 "Take a picture of the screen" (alternative command)
Method 2: XiaoAI (for China/Global MIUI)
On smartphones with firmware for the Chinese market or global MIUI without Google services, use the built-in XiaoAI assistant:
- Hold the Home button (or swipe from the bottom up and hold it on screens with gesture navigation)
- Say in English or Chinese: 'Take a screenshot' or '
Voice screenshots have limitations:
| Problem. | Decision |
|---|---|
| It doesn't work without the Internet. | Turn on mobile data or Wi-Fi to activate the assistant |
| It's delayed. | Clear the cache of the Google or XiaoAI app |
| He doesn't recognize the team. | Switch the assistant language to English in the settings |
| Doesn't save a screenshot. | Check the permissions for the assistant in Settings → Apps |
💡
If the voice assistant doesn't respond to the command, try saying "Hi, Google" or "Hey XiaoAI" first, and then giving the command to the screenshot, which helps 80% of the time.
4. Quick settings panel: one tap - and done
Few people know, but MIUI has a button for screenshots right in the notification curtain, which is ideal for taking a picture quickly and without unnecessary movement.
- Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar
- Find the icon. 📷 Screenshot (if not, tap on Edit and add)
- Click on the icon – the smartphone will immediately take a picture of the current screen
Advantages of the method:
- 👆 It works on all Xiaomi models, including tablets.
- 🔄 You can take a screenshot even with locked physical buttons.
- 📁 Automatically saves Mi Cloud to the cloud (if synchronization is enabled)
If the button is not in the curtain:
How to add a screenshot button to the Quick Settings panel?
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T Pro after updating to MIUI 15 screenshot button may disappear from the curtain. In this case, reset the notification panel settings in Settings → Notifications → Additionally. → Resetting settings.
5. Long screenshot: How to capture the entire page
A standard screenshot captures only the visible area of the screen, but what if you want to save an entire web page, a correspondence in Telegram or a list in the application? MIUI has a scrolling screenshot feature (also known as a "long screenshot").
- Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods
- Immediately after the appearance of the thumbnail in the corner of the screen, tap on it.
- In the open editor, click on the icon 📜 Scrolling (or a long screenshot)
- Wait until the system automatically scrolls down the page and connects the frames.
The feature doesn't work in all applications, but here's a list of supported and unsupported services:
| Annex | Support for a long screenshot | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome | ✅ Yes. | It only works on static pages (not in video or games) |
| Telegram | ✅ Yes. | Captures up to 50 messages at a time |
| ❌ No. | Blocked by the Privacy Policy | |
| ⚠️ Partially. | Only tape and profiles, does not work in storis | |
| MIUI Launcher | ✅ Yes. | You can grab the entire desktop with widgets |
If a long screenshot is not available:
- 🔄 Try another browser (e.g. Mi Browser instead of Chrome)
- 📶 Make sure that mobile internet is enabled (some apps block offline functionality)
- 🗑️ Clear the cache of the application in which you are trying to take a picture
💡
A long screenshot is saved to a separate DCIM/Screenshots/Scrolling folder, which can weigh 2-3 times more than normal files, so it is better to compress them before sending them.
6. Screenshot Problems and Their Solutions
Even on new Xiaomi smartphones, users are faced with errors when creating screenshots, we have collected the TOP-5 most common problems and ways to fix them:
Problem 1: Screenshots are not saved in the gallery
Causes and solutions:
- 📁 Folder damaged: Go to Files → DCIM Rename the Screenshots folder to Screenshots_old. After the next screenshot, the system will create a new folder.
- 🚫 No permissions: Go to Settings → Annexes → gallery → Permits and enable access to storage.
- 🔄 Cloud Conflict: Turn off autoboot in Mi Cloud for 10 minutes, then try again.
Problem 2: Black screen instead of screenshot
This is a common mistake when trying to take a picture in:
- 🎮 Cheat-protected games (e.g, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact)
- 🏦 Banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff)
- 🔒 Annexes with DRM-Protection (Netflix, Disney)+)
Solution: Use an external camera or special applications like AZ Screen Recorder (but note that this may violate the rules of the service).
Problem 3: Delay in creating a screenshot
If there is >2 seconds between button pressing and saving:
- 🗑️ Clear the system cache in Settings → Memory. → Cleanup
- 🔋 Transfer the smartphone to performance mode in Settings → Battery
- 🛠️ Turn off animation in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times according to version, then select Windows animation ×0.5)
Problem 4: Low quality screenshots
By default, MIUI saves the images in screen resolution, but sometimes they are blurred.
- Open Settings → Display → Screen resolution and select the maximum
- In the screenshot editor (appears after creation) click ⚙️ → Quality. → No loss.
- Turn off compression in Settings → Additional → Image optimization
Problem 5: The buttons or gestures are not working
If none of these methods work:
Check if No Sound is enabled (some functions are blocked).
Make sure that the Child Mode or Guest Mode is not activated
Update the firmware through Settings → System Update
Reset the settings to factory (pre-make a backup!)-->
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi 12S Ultra and Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 after updating to MIUI 15.1.3, there is a bug with the disappearance of screenshots when using multitasking. Solution: disable the function Smooth transition between applications in the developer settings.