How to take a screenshot on a Xiaomi smartphone: all ways + secret MIUI chips

Taking a screenshot on Xiaomi seems like a simple task — until you encounter unexpected nuances. Some models require you to pinch physical buttons, others support gestures, and MIUI 14 has a voice assistant for screenshots, while on POCO and Black Shark the combinations may differ from the standard Redmi. If you are here for the first time or have tried all the methods, but nothing worked, this article will help you understand.

We tested all the techniques on the latest firmware (including HyperOS), took into account the features of old and new devices, and also collected a compatibility table for popular models. In addition to basic instructions, you will find here hidden MIUI features for working with screenshots that 90% of users do not even suspect, from editing images to automatically uploading to the cloud. And yes, we will not forget about gaming smartphones – there are separate life hacks for them.

1. Classic method: power and volume buttons

The most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones is from Redmi 4A to Xiaomi 14 Ultra. It does not matter which version of MIUI or HyperOS you have installed: the button combination works even on a locked screen (if the appropriate setting is enabled).

What to do:

• 🔘 At the same time, press the power button and the volume reduction button.
• 📸 Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the shutter sound (or see an animation screenshot).
• 📁 The finished picture is saved in the folder Pictures/Screenshots or DCIM/Screenshots.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5) Holding the buttons too long can cause the switch-off menu. If the screenshot doesn't work, try pressing faster.

2. "Triple touch" gesture (3 fingers down)

The screenshot gesture feature appeared in MIUI 10 and has since become one of the most convenient features, allowing you to take a screenshot just by swiping your three fingers across the display from top to bottom, and the main advantage is that you don't have to look for buttons, which is especially valuable for larger smartphones like the Xiaomi 13T Pro.

How to turn on:

1. Open Settings → Special features → Gestures and movements → Gesture for a screenshot.
2. Activate the Triple Touch switch.
3. Test the gesture on any screen (except for the keyboard and some games).

💡 Useful tip: If the gesture doesn’t work, check if it conflicts with other features (such as split screen or fast camera start). HyperOS can adjust the sensitivity of the gesture in additional settings.

3. Screenshot via notification panel (quick access)

Few people know, but MIUI and HyperOS have a built-in screenshot button right in the notification bar, which saves you when physical buttons are broken or the gesture fails to work, and works on all devices starting with MIUI 12.

Instructions:

• 📱 Swipe your finger down to open the notification bar.
• 🔍 Find the screenshot icon (usually hidden under the button) ⋮ or edit).
• 🖼️ Click on it – the picture will be taken instantly.

If the button is not in the panel:

1. Tap it on. ⋮ → Edit.
2. Find a screenshot in the list and drag it to the active area.
3. Save the changes.

4. Voice command for screenshot (Google Assistant and XiaoAI)

Taking a screenshot with a voice sounds like a fantasy, but it has been working for Xiaomi for several years, and there are two options: through Google Assistant (on global firmware) or through XiaoAI (on Chinese versions of MIUI).

Method 1: Google Assistant

• 🎤 Say, “Okay Google, take a screenshot»).
• 📲 Hold the Home button (if physical) and say the command.

Method 2: XiaoAI (for Chinese firmware)

• 🗣️ Say "" (XiaoAI, screenshot).
• 🔊 Hold the power button and wait for the voice assistant to activate.

⚠️ Note: Voice commands may not work if:

• 🔇 The microphone is off for Google/XiaoAI privacy settings.
• 🌐 Unofficial firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) installed).
• 📶 No Internet connection (some teams require cloud computing).

5. Screenshot in Games (for POCO and Black Shark)

POCO and Black Shark gaming smartphones have a unique feature – a gaming assistant that lets you take screenshots right during gameplay without folding the app.This is especially useful for streamers or those who want to save epic moments in PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact.

How to take a screenshot in the game:

• 🎮 Launch the game in full screen mode.
• 🖼️ Swipe your finger on the left or right edge of the screen (depending on the settings of the game assistant).
• 📸 In the panel that appears, click on the Screenshot icon.

If the panel does not appear:

1. Open Settings → Special features → Game Assistant.
2. Turn on the switch and adjust the position of the panel.
3. Add the game to the exclusion list if it blocks the overlay.

💡

On Black Shark 5 Pro, you can assign a screenshot of the physical shoulder buttons (Shark Space). To do this, go to Settings → Shark Buttons → Customize buttons and select the Screenshot action.

6. Advanced features: Scrolling screenshot and editing

MIUI and HyperOS are more than just a static image, here are 3 hidden features that make Xiaomi stand out from other brands:

1. Scrolling (long) screenshot

• 📜 Take a regular screenshot in any way.
• 🔄 Immediately after the appearance of the thumbnail, tap the scroll button (or Long screenshot).
• 📱 Automatically scroll down the page – the system will glue all the parts into one file.

2. Rapid editing

• ✏️ After creating a screenshot, tap on its thumbnail in the lower right corner.
• 🎨 An editor with tools will open: cropping, blurring, text, drawing.
• 💾 Save the edited version or share it immediately.

3. Automatic upload to the cloud

• ☁️ Enable synchronization in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Screenshots.
• 📤 All images will be automatically copied to the cloud (free of charge 5GB available).

💡

Scrolling screenshots don’t work in some applications (e.g., banking or DRM-protected) If the Scrolling button is inactive, take a few separate shots and glue them manually into the editor.

7.Alternative methods: ADB and third-party applications

If standard methods don't work (for example, on a broken screen or after a failed update), you can take a screenshot through ADB or special utilities, this method requires a connection to a computer, but saves in critical situations.

Method 1: Through ADB (for power users)

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png


adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

These commands will save a screenshot to a memory card and then copy it to a PC.

Method 2: Apps from Google Play

• 📱 Screenshot Easy – Supports gestures and timer.
• 🎮 Screen Master – for high-quality game screenshots FPS.
• ☁️ Screenshot Touch – with automatic cloud apploade.

⚠️ Attention: When in use ADB or third-party applications:

• 🔓 Allow debugging on USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).
• 🛡️ Check apps for viruses – some screenshots can collect data.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even on new Xiaomi smartphones, there are sometimes errors in creating screenshots. TOP-5 Problems and ways to correct them:

1. Screenshot not saved

• 📁 Check the available space on the device (needs a minimum of 100 MB).
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes cache resetting helps.
• 📂 Make sure the Screenshots folder is not deleted (if so, create it manually).

2. Black screenshot

• 🖥️ The problem is typical for applications with DRM (Netflix, banks. Try taking a picture through Google Assistant.
• 🔄 Turn off Hardware Acceleration in the Problem Application Settings.

3.The three-finger gesture doesn't work

• 👆 Check if the gesture is included in the Settings → Special facilities.
• 🧹 Clear the Launcher app cache (sometimes settings get lost).
• 📱 Make sure there is no low-sensitivity protective film on the screen.

4. It is impossible to take a screenshot in the game

• 🎮 Enable the Game Assistant in the settings.
• 🔧 Add the game to the list of exceptions for overlays (Settings) → Annexes → Special access → Displaying on top of other applications).

5. Screenshots are kept in low quality

• 📸 Check the screen resolution in Settings → Display (should be) FHD+ or QHD+).
• 🔧 Turn off Adaptive Brightness – Sometimes it affects color reproduction.

💡

If screenshots are saved with artifacts (strips, stains), try to disable HDR-rendering in camera settings. This feature sometimes conflicts with the screenshot system.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions