How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi: all the ways from buttons to voice commands

Screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi lines) can be taken in at least five different ways, from the classic combination of buttons to voice commands and gestures. But many users still do not know about half of these methods, and some people face errors like “no screenshot” or “black screen in the picture.” In this article, we will examine all the current methods, including hidden MIUI chips, and explain how to solve typical problems.

It’s important to understand that the screenshot algorithm may differ depending on the MIUI version (for example, new gestures are introduced in MIUI 14) and the smartphone model. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with a curved screen, the standard button combination may not work due to the features of the case, we took all these nuances into account and collected universal instructions that will work even for older devices like the Redmi Note 4X.

1. Classic method: power and volume buttons

The most reliable and versatile method that works on all Xiaomi models - from the budget Redmi A1 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

1. Open the screen you want to capture (like a WhatsApp dialog or a page in Chrome).
2. Press the power button (right) and the volume button (left) at the same time.
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the sound of the camera shutter and see the animation of the screenshot.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5) Holding the buttons too long can cause the shutdown menu. If it does, just press Cancel and try again with a shorter press.

Where to look for a finished screenshot? By default, all the pictures are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

Or through the gallery: open the Photos app → Screenshots album.

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If the screenshot is not saved, check the permissions for the Screenshots app in Settings → Apps → Application Management → Screenshots → Permissions. Often the problem is solved by enabling the right to access the storage.

2.Gesturals in MIUI: screenshot with three fingers

MIUI's signature feature is the ability to take screenshots without buttons, using a gesture, which is especially useful if you have a broken power button or you often take screenshots with one hand.

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Gestures (on some versions the path may differ: Settings → System → Gestures).
2. Find the screenshot option with three fingers and activate the switch.
3. Test: swipe down the screen with three fingers (not necessarily simultaneously, the main thing is fast movement).

🔹 Challenges and solutions:

• 🤏 Make sure the function is enabled in the settings. on some firmware (e.g, MIUI 12.5) The path to gesture settings may be hidden in Settings → Special facilities → Gestures.
• 📱 In the gesture settings, you can select the swipe direction (only down or both sides) and sensitivity.
• 🔒 Does he not work in games? MIUI There is a separate setting for the game mode: Settings → Special facilities → Playing space → Gestures in games.

3.Voice command: "OK Google, take a screenshot"

If you have Google Assistant enabled, you can take screenshots with your voice, which is convenient when your hands are busy or buttons are not available.

1. Activate Google Assistant: Say “OK Google” or press the Home button (if it’s physical).
2. Say the command: “Take a screenshot” or “Screenshot of the screen.”
3. Confirm the action (if required).

⚠️ Note: This method does not work on all Xiaomi models. MIUI for POCO Or Google's Chinese firmware, the Assistant can be disabled by default:

Settings → Applications → All Apps → Google → Permissions → Enable “Microphone” and “Offset”

🔹 Alternative: In some regions (e.g. China), XiaoAI is used instead of Google Assistant. To take a screenshot through it, say: "" (pronounced Xiao Ai Tongxue, jietu»).

4. Screenshot via notification panel

MIUI has quick access to the screenshot function right from the notification curtain, which is useful if you don't have buttons or gestures working.

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the screenshot icon (usually a scissor or a rectangle with lightning) if it's not there, click on Edit (the pencil in the upper right corner) and add it to the panel.
3. Slap the icon - the smartphone will immediately take a screenshot.

🔹 Secret chip: If you pinch the icon "Screenshot" in the notification panel on 1-2 A menu with additional options will open:

• 📲 Scrolling Screenshot – To capture long pages (such as chat rooms or websites).
• ✂️ Cutting – immediately after the screenshot is created.
• 📤 Quick sending – Selecting an application for Sharing (Telegram, WhatsApp, etc.).

Open the desired page (chat, website)

Take a regular screenshot through the notification panel

Click on the preview screenshot at the bottom of the screen

Select "Scroll" (or "Long Screenshot")

Wait for automatic scrolling and saving-->

5. Screenshot via ADB (for developers)

If your Xiaomi is connected to a computer, you can take a screenshot through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is useful for developers or those who do not have standard methods.

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times)
2. Activate USB Debugging: Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command in the terminal: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png
4. Download the file to your computer: adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) post-update MIUI 14 may require additional permission to access the screen buffer. If the screencap command returns a Permission denied error, run:

adb shell pm grant com.android.shell android.permission.READ_FRAME_BUFFER

🔹 Pros of the method:

• 🖥️ You can take screenshots without physically accessing your phone (for example, over Wi-Fi via adb connect).
• 📁 Save directly to the PC, without extra copies in the memory of the phone.
• 🔧 Suitable for automation (e.g., scripts for testing applications).

Special cases: games, secure applications, MIUI 14

Some apps (such as banking or Netflix) block the ability to take screenshots because of security policies. MIUI escaping:

MIUI 14 has a Super Screenshot feature that allows you to capture not only the visible area, but also hidden interface elements (such as dropdown menus). To activate it, take a normal screenshot, then tap on its preview and select "Advanced Capture".

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If the screenshot cannot be taken in standard ways, try recording the screen (there is a built-in note in MIUI), and then extracting the frame from the video.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi