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

Screen capture on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most popular features that users use every day. Whether you want to save important information from correspondence, capture an error in the application or share a game achievement, the ability to quickly take screenshots and screen recordings saves time and nerves. However, not everyone knows that on devices with a shell MIUI there are several ways to fix the screen at once – from standard button combinations to hidden gestures and voice commands.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, including those that work on the latest Xiaomi models. 14, Redmi Note 13 and POCO F6. We will pay special attention to the nuances: why sometimes a screenshot is not saved, how to change the format of the saved file (PNG/JPEG), And what to do if standard methods don't work, and you'll also learn how to get around the limitations of some apps (e.g., banking or streaming services) that block screenshots from being taken.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi models - from the budget Redmi A2 to the flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra. To create a screenshot at the same time, press:

  • πŸ“± Power button (on/off) + volume-cut
  • ⏱️ Hold them down. 1-2 seconds until you hear the shutter sound or see the animation
  • πŸ“ The finished screenshot will appear in the gallery in the Screenshots folder or Screenshots

This method works even on a locked screen (unless the settings are disabled), and on some models (e.g., the POCO X5 Pro), a thumbnail appears in the lower right corner with additional options: edit, send or delete.

⚠️ Note: If you have an informal firmware installed (e.g. LineageOS), the button combination may be different. β†’ Gestures β†’ Screenshots.

πŸ“Š What kind of screenshots do you use more often?
Button combination
Swipe gesture
Voice assistant
Quick settings panel
Other

2. Screen swipe gesture (MIUI only)

The MIUI shell offers a unique way to create screenshots without using physical buttons, a three-finger swipe gesture that is enabled by default on most devices, but can be configured or disabled.

How it works:

  1. Place three fingers on the screen (no matter what part).
  2. Swipe down the screen in one quick move (as in scrolling a page).
  3. The screenshot will be taken instantly, without delay.

If the gesture does not work, check the settings:

  1. Open Settings β†’ Additional Features β†’ Gestures β†’ Screenshot swipe down.
  2. Make sure the switch is active.
  3. If necessary, change the direction of the swipe (up or down).

Make sure there is no gesture blocking on the screen (e.g. in games)

Check that the function is enabled in the MIUI settings

Use three fingers (two or four will not work)

Swipe should be sharp, not slow.-->

This method is especially useful for users with POCO F4 GT or Black Shark, where physical buttons are not convenient for the standard combination, and swipe gesture allows you to take screenshots of long pages (for example, chats or websites) – for this, after you create the first screenshot, tap the thumbnail and select the Scroll option.

3. Quick settings panel

Another quick way is to use the notification bar, which is suitable for those who prefer visual elements to remember button combinations.

Instructions:

  1. Swipe your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification bar.
  2. Find a Screenshot icon (usually a scissor or a zipper rectangle) if it's not there, click on Edit (pencil) and add it to the active elements.
  3. Slip the icon - the screenshot will be taken instantly.
Xiaomi modelScreenshot icon in the default panelShould I edit the panel?
Xiaomi 13/14Yeah (scissors)No.
Redmi Note 12/13Yeah (rectangle)Sometimes.
POCO X5/F5No.Yes.
Redmi A2Yeah (lightning)No.

The advantage of this method is the ability to take a screenshot with one hand, which is true for devices with large screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi K60 Pro). Also in the Quick Settings panel you can find the option to Record the screen if you want a video instead of a static image.

πŸ’‘

If the screenshot icon disappears from the panel after the MIUI update, reset the panel settings: Settings β†’ Notification Panel β†’ Reset.

4. Voice Assistant (Google Assistant or Xiao AI)

For those who prefer to control the phone with voice, it is possible to take screenshots using voice commands, which works with both Google Assistant and Xiao AI, a proprietary assistant available on Chinese firmware.

Instructions for Google Assistant:

  1. Activate the assistant with your voice (OK, Google) or hold the Home button.
  2. Tell the command: Take a screenshot or take a picture of the screen.
  3. Confirm the action if necessary.

For Xiao AI (if installed):

  1. Press the Power button for 1-2 seconds to call the assistant.
  2. Say in Chinese or English: (Jietu) or Take a screenshot.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 10A With lightweight firmware, the voice assistant may not support the screenshot command.

The voice method is convenient when hands are busy or you are driving (if permitted by local law), and it is also useful for people with disabilities who have difficulty using gestures or buttons.

How to turn on Xiao AI on the global firmware?
On most of Xiao's global firmware AI disabled, but it can be activated through Settings β†’ Annexes β†’ Application management β†’ Xiao AI But the functionality will be limited without Chinese language support.

5. Screen recording (video) instead of screenshot

If static images are not enough, MIUI allows you to record video from the screen with or without sound, a feature useful for creating guides, showing bugs or saving game moments.

How to turn on the record:

  • πŸŽ₯ Open the Quick Settings Panel and find the Screen Record icon (circle with a dot inside).
  • πŸ”Š When you first start up, the system will request permission to record sound – select Microphone Only or System Sound.
  • ⏺️ Click on the icon to start recording. To stop, pull the notification bar and tap on Stop.

Record settings:

  • πŸ“Ή Video resolution: from 480p before 1080p (model).
  • πŸŽ™οΈ Sound source: microphone, system sound or both.
  • ⏱️ Show touches: display taps on the screen (useful for tutorials).

Videos are saved in the ScreenRecordings folder or Screen Records. On POCO F5 and new Xiaomi models, the option Accelerated Recording is available, which shortens the duration of the video without losing key points.

πŸ’‘

Recording a screen with system sound may not work in some apps (such as Netflix or Spotify) due to DRM limitations.

6. Hidden functions and problem solutions

Sometimes the standard way to take screenshots doesn't work, so let's look at the typical problems and their solutions.

Problem 1: Screenshots are not saved

If after clicking the button combination or gesture, the screenshot does not appear in the gallery:

  • πŸ“‚ Check the folder. DCIM β†’ Screenshots via File Manager.
  • πŸ”„ Restart your phone – sometimes the system doesn’t have time to process the request.
  • πŸ› οΈ Clear the cache of the Gallery app in the settings.

Problem 2: Blocked screenshot in the application

Some apps (e.g. SberBank Online or Tinkoff) block screenshots for security reasons.

  • πŸ“Έ Use the second phone to take pictures of the screen.
  • πŸ–₯️ Connect the device to the PC and take a screenshot through ADB (for advanced users).
  • πŸ”„ Turn on Developer Mode and turn off the option to Disable Screenshots (not working in all apps).

Problem 3: Swipe gesture doesn't work

If the screenshot of the swipe stopped working:

  • πŸ”§ Go to Settings. β†’ Additional functions β†’ Gestures β†’ Screenshot swipe down and switch the function.
  • πŸ“± Make sure there is no protected content on the screen (e.g, DRM-video).
  • πŸ”„ Update. MIUI until the latest version - in old assemblies there are bugs with gestures.

For Xiaomi models on Android 13/14, the Partial Screenshot function is available: after creating a normal screenshot, tap the thumbnail and trim the desired area.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi

Can I take a screenshot on the switched off Xiaomi?
No, screenshots are not possible on a phone that is off. However, if the screen is locked but the phone is on, the standard button combination (Power + Volume Down) will work if the settings do not turn off the Screenshots option on the locked screen (Settings β†’ Lock Screen β†’ Additional).
How to change the format of the screenshot from PNG to JPEG?
By default, MIUI saves screenshots in PNG format. To change the format: Install a file manager with a conversion function (for example, FX File Explorer). Open the Screenshots folder and select the desired file. Press Convert β†’ JPEG. Automatic change of format through the MIUI settings is impossible.
Where are the screenshots on Xiaomi stored?
By default, screenshots are saved by the path: /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/ or /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Screenshots/ If the folder is empty, check Downloads or search the Gallery for type:image.
How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi using a computer?
This will require: Connect your phone to your PC via USB (file transfer mode). Set up ADB and execute the command: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png Download screen.png from phone to computer. You can also use programs like Scrcpy to control your phone from your PC and create screenshots.
Why are screenshots on Xiaomi dark?
This is related to Adaptive Brightness or Dark Mode. Solutions: Turn off Dark Mode before you create a screenshot. Increase the brightness of the screen manually. In the camera settings (if the screenshot is taken through Google Assistant), turn off Autocorrection.