Xiaomi’s current smartphones, as well as its sub-brands Redmi and POCO, provide users with a variety of ways to capture the contents of the screen. This may be necessary to save correspondence, fix an error in the application or create instructions. The standard screenshot feature is built into the shell of MIUI and HyperOS, but not everyone knows about its advanced capabilities. Understanding all methods will allow you to work with the device much faster and more efficiently.
In this article, we will discuss in detail not only basic button combinations, but also lesser-known features such as creating long screenshots and automatically removing unnecessary interface elements. Screenshots taken with Three Fingers are automatically saved to a separate folder in the gallery for quick access. You will learn to use system gestures and voice control to take pictures in any situation, even when your hands are busy.
Consider settings that will help avoid random clicks or, on the contrary, make the process more convenient. Xiaomi’s smartphone interface is highly customized, and media management is no exception. We will touch on editing issues immediately after you create a picture, so you can immediately send ready images.
Use of physical buttons and menus
The oldest and most proven method that Android users have known since the early versions is the use of mechanical buttons. On modern Xiaomi models without a physical home button at the bottom of the screen, the algorithm of actions is the same. You need to simultaneously press the power button and the volume down button.
If you did everything right, the device would emit a characteristic shutter sound, and the screen would blink for a split second. In the upper right corner, a thumbnail of the image will appear with a countdown timer. At that point, the system would suggest two actions: edit the file or share it through messengers. If you do nothing, the thumbnail will disappear in 5 seconds.
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where instead of taking a screenshot, they call the off menu or voice assistant, which happens if you press the buttons too hard or hold them for longer than one second. The mechanical buttons on new models have a clear stroke, so the habit of "pressing" is not required here. A light touch with both fingers at the same time is quite enough.
An alternative method available in the notification curtain often goes unnoticed: swipe from top to bottom to open the control center. Find the Screenshot icon (usually looks like scissors), which is ideal if the side buttons of the smartphone are faulty or uncomfortable to reach with one hand.
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If the volume and inclusion buttons are located on the same side, use your thumb to press simultaneously, covering the body with your palm.
Three finger gestures and additional actions
Xiaomi has introduced one of the most convenient features in the Android segment, which is to create a three-finger screenshot, which can be disabled by default, so it needs to be activated in the settings. The path to the function is: Settings → Additional settings → Screenshots. Here you need to switch the switch toggle "Three fingers" to the active position.
Once turned on, just swipe three fingers down the center of the screen, and the device will take an instant shot, but there is a hidden potential in the gesture. In the same settings menu, you can activate the option "Add menu after screenshot." If it's on, after you swipe your fingers, you'll see a toolbar that allows you to immediately highlight the area, add text, or take a long screenshot.
There's also a Long Three-Finger Press mode, which can be configured to call other features, such as opening a multitasking menu or running a scan. QR-This makes a simple gesture a powerful navigation tool, so to activate, look for "long three-finger press" in the gesture menu and select the desired action.
- 🖐️ Spending three fingers from top to bottom – a quick snapshot of the entire screen.
- ✏️ Appearance of the editing menu – if the appropriate option is enabled in the settings.
- ⏱️ Long three-finger press – start the assigned function (often disabled by default).
- 🚫 Gesture blocking – works even on a locked screen unless otherwise configured.
☑️ Tweaking the gesture with three fingers
Long screenshot and page scrolling
Often, you need to save not just one screen, but an entire article, correspondence in the messenger or a list of products in an online store. To do this, MIUI and HyperOS implement the “Long Screenshot” (or “Scroll”) function. After creating a normal picture (by buttons or gesture), in the preview that appears, click on the button with the down arrow or the “Scroll” icon.
The device will automatically start scrolling downwards, stitching the image into one long band, which will stop when you touch the screen, reach the end of the page, or reach the 10 screen limit, a restriction that is imposed to prevent the creation of huge files that can cause the gallery to freeze.
It's important to note that the feature doesn't work in all apps. It's active in browsers, notes, social media, and most system menus. In secure applications like bank clients or incognito mode, screenshots can be blocked by Android's security system, and you'll see a ban notice.
⚠️ Note: When creating a long screenshot, try not to touch the scroll area with your finger, otherwise the process will interrupt and you will have to start again.
Once you've finished scrolling, you can crop the tape by removing the extra parts from the top or bottom, which is especially useful if you've got a status bar at the beginning of the tape with a clock and a battery that you don't need in the final image, and the editor lets you do it with a single finger movement.
Quality and format of preservation
In the screenshot settings section, users can control the quality of the images they store. By default, the system chooses the optimal balance between the quality and the size of the file. However, if you plan to take screenshots of fine print or detailed drawings, it makes sense to check the compression settings.
Xiaomi’s modern shells allow you to hide system interface elements in a screenshot. There’s a “No Bez” or similar button in the edit menu that clips the image along the outline of the active application window, which makes screenshots more presentable when sent to customers or posted in instructions.
The default format for saving is PNG, which provides high quality without data loss. This is important for images with text, since the JPG format can create compression artifacts around letters. If you take screenshots of photos to save space, you can consider conversion, although Xiaomi systemically insists on PNG to maintain clarity.
| Parameter | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| File format | Image without loss of quality | PNG (default) |
| Scrolling length | Maximum number of screens | Up to 10 pages. |
| Shutter sound | The audio signal from the photo | On (can be turned off in modes) |
| The way to preserve | Directory in memory | DCIM/Screenshots |
Where are the screenshots stored?
Automation and voice control
For those who prefer to minimize physical contact with the screen, Xiaomi offers control via voice assistant. You can activate Google Assistant or Mi AI (depending on the region) and say the command "Take a screenshot" or "Make a screenshot."
An even more advanced way is to use the Scripts app (in some versions of Automation), where you can create a script that takes a screenshot of a cotton in your hands, tapping the back (if supported by sensors), or connecting to a specific Wi-Fi, which opens up the possibility of creating complex chains of action.
For example, you can configure a script: “When I open the Bank app, automatically turn on Do Not Disturb mode.” While there may not be a direct command to screenshots in secure apps due to security policies, in other cases automation makes life much easier. To set up, go to Settings → Additional Settings → Special Features → Scenarios.
- 🎙️ Voice command “OK, Google, screenshot” – works without hands.
- 👆 Tap on the back panel – requires customization in special features.
- 🤖 Automation scenarios – creating complex rules of behavior of the phone.
- 📅 Schedule – you can set up a screenshot of the system’s state at a certain time.
Editing and hiding data before sending
Once you've created a picture, if you activate the preview menu, you get access to a powerful, built-in editor that not only crops the image, but also blurs sensitive data. The Blurring tool is perfect for hiding card numbers, passwords or private messages.
You can add text, arrows and shapes directly to the screenshot, which turns a normal screenshot into a full-fledged illustration for an instruction or a bug report, and all changes are applied in a non-destructive manner until you save a copy or replace the original.
An important feature of the Xiaomi editor is the ability to recognize text (OCR). If there is text in the screenshot, you can click on the Text button and the system will try to highlight it, allowing you to copy it to the clipboard or translate it into another language, which eliminates the need to print text manually.
⚠️ Warning: When using blur tools, make sure you hide the data completely. Sometimes, translucent blur allows you to restore the original numbers when processing contrast.
Once edited, the file can be immediately sent via Mi Drop (now ShareMe) or saved to a hidden folder if the content is confidential.The system will also prompt you to delete the screenshot, if it failed, directly from the preview interface.
Frequent problems and their solution
Sometimes users complain that screenshots are not created or saved in black. The black screen in a screenshot is often found in DRM-protected applications (video services, banking applications).
If the screenshot is not taken at all, check if the device is full. To create a picture, the system needs to create a temporary file. Also make sure that the Special Opportunities settings do not include services that intercept screen control and block the creation of images.
In rare cases, cleaning the cache of the Gallery app or restarting the device helps. If the problem persists after resetting, there may be a software failure in a particular firmware version, and you should expect an update from the manufacturer.
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If the screenshot is black in the app, it is security protection, not a smartphone breakdown.
Understanding the nuances of screenshots on Xiaomi makes a routine task a quick and convenient process: Experiment with gestures and settings to find the perfect way for yourself.