How to take a screenshot with three fingers on Xiaomi: full instructions with nuances

The three-finger screenshot feature on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most convenient ways to quickly save screen content without using physical buttons. This gesture is especially useful when it is difficult to hold power and volume buttons with one hand at the same time, or if they are worn out. However, many users are not even aware of its existence, since the default option is disabled.

In this article, we will discuss in detail how to activate and configure a screenshot with three fingers on all modern Xiaomi devices, including the Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models. You will learn not only the basic steps, but also the nuances of the function on different versions of MIUI (12 to 14), as well as possible problems and solutions. If you often take screenshots for work, study or communication, this method will save you time!

Why a three-finger screenshot is better than the standard method

The traditional way to create a screenshot on Android — a combination of buttons Power + Volume down — has several drawbacks:

• 🔹 Physical wear of buttons - frequent pressing leads to their loosening or breakage.
• 🔹 Discomfort when pressed simultaneously – especially on larger smartphones (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra or the likes of the two-in-one) POCO F5 Pro).
• 🔹 Shooting delays – while you’re looking for buttons, the right moment on the screen may disappear.
• 🔹 Restriction: It is impossible to take a screenshot if one of the buttons is broken.

The three-finger gesture solves all these problems:

• ✅ Works on any screen – even in games or full-screen applications.
• ✅ No physical pressure required – only a light touch.
• ✅ You can set up additional actions (for example, a long screenshot).
• ✅ Supported on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 10 and newer.

It is also useful for people with disabilities or who often wear gloves (such as outdoors in winter), and it is also faster, as the tests show that screenshots with three fingers are created 0.3 to 0.5 seconds faster than the standard method.

What Xiaomi models support screenshot with three fingers

The feature is available on all Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI 10 and above.

• 📱 Xiaomi series: 11/12/13 (including Pro, Ultra, Lite).
• 📱 Redmi series: Note 10/11/12, K40/50/60, Redmi 10/12/13 etc.
• 📱 Series POCO: F3/4/5, X3/4/5, M4/5/6.
• 📱 The Black Shark Series: 4/5/6 (even on gaming smartphones!).
• 📱 Tablets: Xiaomi Pad 5/6.

The only exceptions are older models on MIUI 9 and below (like the Redmi 4X or Mi A1), and custom firmware devices where the feature may have been removed. To check your version of MIUI, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X3 NFC) post-update MIUI 13 function may reset. Check settings after each major update!

Step-by-step: how to turn on a screenshot with three fingers

Activation of the gesture takes less than a minute.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Additional Features section (on some firmwares - Special Features).
3. Choose gestures and movements (or gesture control).
4. Find the screenshot item with three fingers and activate the switch.
5. (Optional) Click on the Screenshot bar with three fingers to configure additional settings.

The visual path looks like this:

Settings → Additional features → Gestures and movements → Screenshot with three fingers

If you have a MIUI 14, the menu may be slightly different.

Settings → Special features → Physical and motor → Gestures → Screenshot with three fingers

Once turned on, try taking a screenshot: swipe three fingers across the screen from top to bottom (as if you swipe down), you will hear the characteristic shutter sound and see the animation of the save.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi Pad 5/6 In book orientation, use the standard method or notification panel.

Additional settings: what can be changed

The three-finger screenshot is flexible, and once activated, tap the name on the menu to open the settings:

• 🔧 Gesture direction – you can choose from top to bottom or bottom to top (convenient for left-handed people).
• 🔧 Shutter sound - turn on / off the soundtrack.
• 🔧 Preview – Show a screenshot miniature after creation.
• 🔧 Long screenshot – automatically scroll through the page to capture long content (not working in all apps).
• 🔧 Editing – Open the editor immediately after creating a screenshot.

MIUI 14 has a gesture sensitivity option, a slider that adjusts how hard you swipe your fingers, which is useful if screenshots are created randomly (for example, in games) or, conversely, do not work the first time.

For POCO and Black Shark owners, a unique setting is available: Game Mode.

• 🎮 Disable gestures in games (to avoid accidental screenshots).
• 🎮 Assign another action (such as starting a screen recording).

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If screenshots are created randomly, reduce the sensitivity of the gesture or change direction to the opposite (for example, from top to bottom to top).

What to do if the screenshot with three fingers does not work

If the gesture doesn’t work, check the following points:

1. Update MIUI – on older versions (below MIUI 12), the function may not work well. Check for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.
2. Check conflicts with other gestures – if you have navigation gestures enabled (like swipe side to return), they can block the screenshot. Turn them off temporarily in Settings → Display → Navigation Bar.
3. Clear the system cache – sometimes crashes are caused by clogged cache. To do this: Settings → Apps → Application Management → Three points (menu) → Show system → Settings → Storage → Clear the cache
4. Reset your gesture settings – if nothing helps, reset all gestures to factory: Settings → Additional features → Gestures and movements → Three dots (menu) → Reset the settings

If the problem persists, try alternative methods:

• 📱 Use the Notification Panel – swipe down and click on the screenshot icon".
• 📱 Configure the Google Assistant (Xiao or Google Assistant) AI) Take a screenshot of the team".
• 📱 Install a third-party app (like Screenshot Easy or Screen Master).

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi 12S Ultra with MIUI 13.0.12 was an error that only made the gesture work after the reboot.Fixed in version 13.0.15 - update!

Hidden chips: what else can you do with three fingers

Few people know, but the three-finger gesture on Xiaomi supports advanced features if you configure the system correctly:

• 📜 Long screenshot - after you create a normal screenshot, tap on the thumbnail and select Scroll. The system automatically scrolls down and connects the frames. Works in browsers, instant messengers and some applications (for example, Twitter or VKontakte).
• 🎥 Screen recording – in some firmware (for example, MIUI 14 on POCO F5) You can make a gesture to start a screen recording. → Additional functions → Gestures and movements → Screenshot with three fingers → Additional action → Screen recording
• 🔄 Quick app switching – on Black Shark, a three-finger left/right gesture switches between the latest apps (analogue of swipe on the navigation bar).
• 🔍 Screen search - in MIUI 13+ You can turn on text recognition in a screenshot. Once you've created the image, tap on the text, and the system will suggest you copy, translate or find it online.

Another life hack: if you need to take a screenshot without sound (for example, at night), hold your finger on the thumbnail of the screenshot immediately after you create the shutter sound will be canceled.

Security and Privacy: What You Need to Know

Screenshots can contain sensitive information -- passwords, bank details, personal correspondence -- and here's how to protect yourself:

• 🔒 Auto-delete screenshots - in MIUI 14 has a function to automatically delete screenshots after a given time. Included in: Settings → Confidentiality → Autodelete files → Screenshots
• 🔒 Folder protection – transfer screenshots to the Private Safe secure folder (available in the Gallery).
• 🔒 Disable notifications – if you take a screenshot of the notification screen, they may contain personal data. → Notifications.
• 🔒 Edit before saving – always check the screenshot for sensitive information before sending.

Pay special attention to banking apps and instant messengers, many of which (like SberBank Online or Telegram) block screenshots from being taken at the app level. If you need to save a screen from such an app, use alternative methods:

• 📸 Take a picture of the screen with another device.
• 🎥 Take a screen recording and take the frame out.
• 🖥️ Connect your smartphone to your PC and take a screenshot via scrcpy or Vysor.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI Europe (EEA) Screenshot autodelete function may not work due to limitations GDPR. In this case, use third-party apps (such as Files by Google) to clean up.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions