How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi: the full guide

Creating a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones has become an integral part of everyday use of the device. Users often need to save correspondence, capture an error in the application or share an interesting moment from the game with friends. The MIUI operating system and the new HyperOS provide many flexible tools for capturing images that go far beyond the standard keyboard shortcut.

The variety of methods is due to the fact that different scenarios require different approaches, for example, it is more convenient to use physical buttons to quickly capture one frame, while creating long screenshots of the pages you scrolle requires software solutions. Understanding all the options available will allow you to work with the gadget as efficiently as possible without spending time searching for the desired function in the depth of the menu.

In this article, we will take a closer look at every available way to take screenshots on Xiaomi and Redmi devices, not only the basic combinations, but also the hidden settings that make the screenshot process truly convenient and automated.

Classic method: combination of power and volume buttons

The most common and time-tested method familiar to Android device owners is the simultaneous pressing of physical keys. On Xiaomi smartphones, this feature works consistently in 99% of cases, even if the touch screen temporarily does not respond or is blocked by a third-party application. To create a picture, you need to press and briefly hold the Volume down button along with the Power key.

It is important not to pinch the buttons for too long, as long-term retention of this combination (usually more than 3 seconds) can start the fast start mode of applications or trigger the shutdown menu, depending on the settings of your model. The mechanical response of the buttons should be clear: you will hear the characteristic click of the camera shutter and see visual animations of the screen narrowing, which will confirm the successful execution of the command.

When you create an image, you'll see a thumbnail in the top right corner of the display, and you'll click on it, and you'll be taken to the editor, where you can immediately add annotations, cut the edges, or share a file in the messenger, and if you ignore the notification, the file will automatically be saved to the gallery in the Screenshots album.

⚠️ Warning: If you have a protective film or high-sided case installed, make sure you press the buttons evenly, not on the boundary areas of the body, so as not to damage the side keys by loosening the buttons.

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If the volume buttons are not comfortable for your hand, try pressing the volume button first and adding a power button after a split second – this method of “ladder” often works just as effectively.

Screenshots with three fingers and other gestures

One of the most popular features of MIUI is the ability to take screenshots with a simple swipe. The Three Fingers feature allows you to capture what is happening on the screen with a single hand movement, which is especially convenient when the phone is lying on the table or when the second hand is busy. To activate this mode, you need to swipe three fingers from top to bottom in the center of the screen.

However, by default, this option can be disabled. To enable it, go to the Settings menu, select the Additional (or Advanced Settings) section, then look for Screenshot. Here you need to tick the box against the Three fingers. Once activated, the system will respond to the gesture instantly.

You can also set up other useful activities in the same menu, such as as assigning a screenshot to a long press of the menu button or using gestures to call the screenshot menu without creating it immediately, giving the user complete freedom to choose the most ergonomic method.

• 🖐️ Three fingers: quick swipe from top to bottom for instant snapshot.
• 🔘 Menu button: Long press of the software button (if enabled in navigation).
• 📱 Control Panel: use of a special widget in the notification curtain.
• 🗣️ Voice control: command to Google Assistant or Xiao AI.

Use of control panel and screenshot menu

If the physical buttons are busy or damaged and the gestures don't work, a software interface comes to the rescue. In the control center, which is called by the top-down swipe, there's often a separate Screenshot icon, which looks like a scissor or a phone image, and one tap is enough to take a snapshot of the current contents of the screen.

There is also a more advanced menu called a swipe down three fingers (not to be confused with swiping to create a screenshot) that opens a toolbar where you can choose not only to take a normal shot, but also to record a screen, create a long screenshot or draw on the screen.

For those who prefer classic navigation, you can add a screenshot button to the navigation bar. In System Navigation settings, select the three-button option and activate the screenshot button next to the Home and Back buttons, which will make the feature available in one click in any application.

Creating long screenshots (scrolling)

One of the most popular features for Redmi smartphone users is the creation of long screenshots, which is indispensable when you need to save long correspondence on Telegram or WhatsApp, an article in the browser or a contact list. A standard image captures only the visible area, but the scrolling mode allows you to “stitch” several screens into one long picture.

To take a long screenshot, first create a regular shot in any convenient way (buttons or gestures). Immediately after that, a preview of the image will appear in the upper right corner. Underneath it will be the Scroll button (the icon with the arrows down).

You can stop the process at any time by touching the screen or waiting for the end of the page. The system will automatically glue all the parts together. However, it is worth considering that if there is dynamically loadable content on the page (for example, a social media feed), gluing can be interrupted or go in cycles if the content begins to repeat.

⚠️ Note: When creating long screenshots, avoid touching the screen while scrolling automatically or the process will stop.

Voice control and assistants

Today’s Xiaomi smartphones feature powerful voice assistants that let you control your device without hands. If your hands are stained or busy, you can just say a command. For users using Google Assistant, just say “Ok Google, take a screenshot” (or “Make a screenshot” in English).

Owners of devices sold in China or using the corresponding firmware can use the built-in Xiao AI assistant. It also understands the commands to create a screenshot. Voice control is especially convenient when the phone is far away from you, but connected to the headset or in hands-free mode.

To activate voice control, make sure that the appropriate permissions are given in the settings. Go to Settings → Google → Settings for Google apps → Search and Assistant → Voice control. Here you can configure activation by voice and check the list of available commands.

• 🎙️ Google Assistant: a universal assistant that works on most global firmware.
• 🤖 Xiao AI: Native Assistant available in Chinese versions MIUI.
• ⚙️ Customization: requires access to the screen and microphone.
• 🌐 Language: commands are best recognized in English, Russian is partially supported.

Editing and Saving: Where to Look for Files

Once you've taken a screenshot on Xiaomi, the system offers you to edit it right away. The built-in editor allows you to crop the image, add text, draw arrows or blur sensitive information (the "Magic Erase" function or just a brush) This saves time, since it does not require you to run individual applications like Photoshop Express.

All images created are automatically stored in the device's internal memory, and can be found through the Screenshot Gallery app. If you prefer file managers, the path to the folder is usually: Internal Drive/DCIM/Screenshots or Internal Drive/Pictures/Screenshots, depending on the Android version and storage settings.

The default format is JPG or PNG. PNG is preferred for text screenshots, as it provides a clearer display of fonts without compression artifacts, although it takes up slightly more space. In the screenshot settings, you can choose the priority format if such an option is available in your version of MIUI.

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Use the PNG format for screenshots with fine text or graphs – this will ensure maximum readability when sending files.

Delay settings and additional parameters

In some scenarios, the user may need to take a screenshot of a pop-up menu, context window, or moment in a game where touching the screen is undesirable. For such cases, in advanced settings or through third-party launchers, you can adjust the screenshot delay. Although in stock MIUI, the timer is not built into all menus, it can be emulated through voice commands or special application timers.

Also worth mentioning is the quality settings. In the Settings → About Phone → The MIUI version (multiple taps to enable advanced features) sometimes opens hidden developer menus where you can adjust the interface rendering options, which indirectly affects the clarity of the images you create.

Remember to clean the screenshot folder regularly. Because we take them so often, this section of the gallery grows faster than others, taking up precious space. Use the Cleanup feature in the Security app to remove duplicates and old files.

⚠️ Warning: When cleaning up memory, be careful: automated algorithms can mark important screenshots as “junk” if they have been in the folder for a long time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)