How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi: all the ways to MIUI 12-14

Screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones seem like a simple task — until you encounter unusual situations. The classic combination of buttons “Loud down + Power” does not always work: on some Redmi or POCO models, it can conflict with a voice assistant call, and in games or applications with a locked interface (for example, banking), the standard method is completely disabled. In addition, new gesture commands have appeared in MIUI 14, which many users do not even know about.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to create screenshots on Xiaomi devices, including hidden firmware features, working with Game Turbo, and even methods for broken buttons. Separately, we’ll focus on the nuances for older models (like the Redmi Note 4X) and flagships (the Xiaomi 13 series), where the implementation is different. If you’re looking for a way to take a screenshot with one hand or without using physical buttons, here’s the solution.

1. Classic method: volume and power buttons

The most versatile method, working on all Xiaomi models - from the budget Redmi 9A to the flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

1. Open the screen you want to save.
2. At the same time, press the Volume Down button and the Power button.
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 F3) Long retention of these buttons can cause the reset menu. If this happens, try pressing short and sharp rather than holding.

Screen unlocked and active |Finger not closing buttons |Sound on (for confirmation) |No active gestures in settings-->

This method works even in Safe Mode and on locked bootloaders, but there are exceptions:

• 🎮 In games with Game Turbo enabled, the standard combination can be disabled – use the game’s toolbar.
• 🔒 In banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff) screenshots are often blocked for security reasons.
• 🛠️ On devices with a faulty power button, alternative methods will be required (see Section 5).

2.Gestural commands in MIUI (three fingers down)

Since MIUI 9, Xiaomi has been able to create screenshots with a gesture, which is a three-finger swipe-down approach that is particularly useful for devices with large screens (such as the Xiaomi Mi Max 3 or POCO X3 Pro), where it is difficult to reach the buttons with one hand.

To activate this function:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Special features → Gesture for a screenshot.
2. Turn on the swipe switch three fingers down.
3. If necessary, adjust the sensitivity of the gesture.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro), this gesture may conflict with a back gesture. If a screenshot is not created, check your gesture settings in Settings → System system → Gestures and turn off unnecessary combinations.

Advantages of the method:

• 👆 It works with one hand on large smartphones.
• 🔄 You can adjust the direction of the swipe (up or down).
• 🎯 Accuracy higher than when pressing buttons – there is no risk of accidentally turning off the screen.

💡

If the gesture is triggered by chance (for example, when scrolling through the feed in social networks), reduce sensitivity in the settings or turn off the function for specific applications through Settings → Applications → Permissions → Special Access

3. Screenshot via notification panel

A little-known but extremely useful way is to use a fast notification bar, which works on all devices with MIUI 10 and later, including the Redmi 9T, POCO M4 Pro and Xiaomi 12 Lite.

Instructions:

1. Turn the notification bar swipe from top to bottom.
2. Find the Screenshot icon (usually located in the front row or hidden under the Still).
3. Slip it on it - the screenshot will be taken instantly.

If the icon is not in the visible area:

• 🔧 Click on Edit (pencil icon) in the notification bar.
• 🔍 Find a screenshot in the list and drag it to the active area.
• 📌 Secure the icon so that it does not disappear during automatic sorting.

This method is convenient because:

• ⚡ No need to remember button combinations.
• 🎯 It works the first time (no risk of “missing” the buttons).
• 🔄 It works even if one of the physical buttons is faulty.

4 Screenshots in Games via Game Turbo

If you’re trying to take a screenshot of an in-game (like Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile), standard methods may not work due to Game Turbo optimizations.

Algorithm of action:

1. Launch the game – a Game Turbo floating panel (usually in the upper left corner) should appear.
2. Put the badge on. ⚙️ Settings or 📸 Screenshot (depending on version) MIUI).
3. Select a screenshot - the image will be saved in the gallery.

If the panel is not:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Game Turbo.
• 🎮 Turn on the floating panel switch.
• 📱 Add the game to the list of optimized applications.

⚠️ Note: In some games (such as Call of Duty: Mobile), screenshots via Game Turbo can be saved without the game interface. HUD (controls, use the screenshot delay:

1. In the Game Turbo panel, select Settings → Screenshot Delay.
2. Set the value at 3 seconds.
3. Take a screenshot – you will have time to return the controls to the screen.

5. Alternative methods: Voice assistant and ADB

If the physical buttons on your Xiaomi don’t work (for example, after a drop or moisture hit), and the gestures are turned off, there are two reliable ways to do this:

Method 1: Google Voice Assistant or XiaoAI

Activate the voice assistant with the command:

• 🎤 For Google Assistant: Say, OK, Google, take a screenshot".
• 🤖 For XiaoAI (on Chinese firmware): "" (xiaǒ ài tóngxué, jiétú).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro), a voice screenshot may require additional permissions. → Annexes → Permits → Special access → Voice assistant.

Method 2: ADB commands (for advanced users)

If you have access to the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can take a screenshot via your computer:

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.png

To copy the file to the PC:

adb pull /sdcard/screenshot.png

This method works even on locked devices (if USB debugging is enabled) and is suitable for automating screenshots (for example, for testing applications).

💡

Voice commands and ADB are the only ways to take a screenshot on Xiaomi with a broken screen (assuming the sensor responds to touch).

6 Where screenshots are stored and how to edit them

By default, all screenshots on Xiaomi are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

or (on some firmware):

/storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Screenshots/

To quickly find the screenshots:

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Go to the Screenshots album (usually automatically created by the system).
3. Use a search by date or keyword (such as “screen”).

For editing:

• 🖌️ Built-in editor: tap a screenshot in the gallery → Edit → cropping, filters, text.
• 📝 Markup app: allows you to add arrows, blur, signatures (available in Tools) → Markup).
• 🔗 Cloud Services: Upload a screenshot to Google Photos or Mi Cloud for editing on PC.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

Even with simple actions like screenshots, Xiaomi users are facing challenges.

Problem 1: Screenshots are not saved

Possible causes and solutions:

• 📁 Lack of space: Clear the memory (minimum 100MB required on the system partition).
• 🚫 Recording ban: Check permissions for Gallery app in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Memory.
• 🔄 System failure: Restart the device or clear the gallery cache (Settings) → Annexes → gallery → Clear the cache).

Problem 2: Black screenshots in games or videos

This is because of content protection (DRM).

• 🎮 Use the Game Turbo panel (see Section 4).
• 📺 For video, try taking a screenshot through Screen Recording (then cut the frame out).
• 🔧 Turn off Hardware Acceleration in Graphics Settings (for some emulators).

Problem 3: The three-finger gesture doesn't work

Check it out.

• ⚙️ Is the function included in the settings → Additionally. → Special facilities → Screenshot gesture.
• 👆 Sensitivity of gesture (increase if swipe is not recognized).
• 🔄 Conflict with other gestures (turn off the return gesture in Settings) → System system → Gestures).

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If screenshots are saved in low resolution, check the quality settings in Settings → Screen → Screen Resolution. On some models (for example, Redmi Note 11), when choosing HD+ instead of FHD+, screenshots are saved in reduced resolution.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions