How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi: all the ways to MIUI 14/15

Taking screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you encounter unexpected problems. Buttons don’t respond, gestures don’t work, and in games the screen refuses to fix at all. This article will not just list the standard keyboard combinations, but will reveal all possible ways to take a screenshot on Redmi, POCO and Mi devices — from basic to hidden MIUI 14/15 features, which even the official instructions are silent about.

We'll focus on common user errors, like why the Xiaomi 13 Ultra screenshots turn black in some apps, or how to get around locking screenshots in banking programs. And we'll also look at little-known features like scrolling screenshots (long screenshots) and saving images to the Mi Cloud automatically. If you think you know everything about screenshots on Xiaomi, this article will prove otherwise.

1. Standard method: button combination

The classic method that works on all Xiaomi models – from the budget Redmi A2 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Pro. Here the main thing is not to confuse the sequence of clicks, otherwise instead of a screenshot you will run Google Assistant or turn off the screen.

Instructions:

• 📱 At the same time, press the power button (on/off) and the volume reduction button.
• 🕒 Hold them down. 1-2 seconds until you hear the characteristic shutter sound (if the sound is on) and see the save animation.
• 📁 The finished screenshot will appear in the gallery in the Screenshots folder or Screenshots.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5) If you don't get a screenshot the first time, try pressing the buttons in a short, sharp movement rather than holding them.

If the combination does not work:

• 🔋 Check if the battery is under 5% discharged – the system can block the “extra” functions.
• 🛠️ Update. MIUI up to the latest version: in old firmware there were bugs with recognition of simultaneous pressing.
• 🎮 In games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile) standard combination may conflict with game controls. Use alternative methods from the following sections.

2. Three-finger gesture: quick screenshot without buttons

The Three-Finger Gesture is one of the most convenient MIUI features, but it's disabled by default, and it's especially useful if you have a broken power button or you often take screenshots with one hand.

How to turn on:

1. Open Settings → Additional settings → Gestures.
2. Select the screenshot with three fingers.
3. Activate the switch and select the action: Take a screenshot or Scrolling Screenshot.

How to use:

• 🖐️ Swipe three fingers from the bottom up the screen (the gesture is like swiping to close apps on iPhone).
• 🔄 For a scrolling screenshot (long page shot), swipe three fingers up and down (movement is similar to the letter "W").
• 🎨 In some versions MIUI 15 you can adjust the direction of the gesture: vertical or horizontal.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi Pad 6 and other tablets, the default three-finger gesture is responsible for the split screen. To reassign it to screenshots, go to Settings → Screen. → Tablet gestures and disable conflicting function.

3. Screenshot via notification panel

If the buttons are jammed and the gestures are uncomfortable, use the quick bar. This method works even on a locked screen (if not configured). PIN-code) and in most applications where standard methods are blocked.

Step-by-step:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find a screenshot icon (usually a scissors or a screen thumbnail) If it's not there, click on Edit (pencil) and add it to the panel.
3. Slip the icon - the screenshot will be taken instantly.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ It works in 90% of apps, including Telegram, WhatsApp and VK.
• 🔒 Can be used on a locked screen (if the protection is not configured).
• 📶 No physical buttons required – convenient for devices with damaged housing.

Add the screenshot icon to the quick panel|Check that the panel is not hidden in the settings|Turn off energy saving for system applications|Update. MIUI last-minute-->

💡 Secret Lifehack: If the screenshot icon is not in the panel, but there is a Screen Record, click on it and hold it for 2 seconds - in some versions MIUI This will trigger a menu with a screenshot option.

4. Voice Commands and Google Assistant

There are two ways to take a voice screenshot: through Google Assistant or through the built-in voice assistant Xiao AI (available on Chinese firmware), the first method is universal, the second requires additional customization.

Method 1: Google Assistant

• 🎤 Say, “OK Google, take a screenshot” or “Hey Google, take a screenshot".
• 📲 Confirm the action on the screen (if required).
• 🔊 Make sure the voice assistant is enabled in Settings → Google → Assistant settings.

Method 2: Xiao AI (Chinese firmware only)

• 🌐 Switch the system language to Chinese or English (in Russian version) MIUI Xiao AI switched off).
• 🗣️ Say it. AI, screenshot).
• ⚙️ To activate your voice, press the Home button twice (if it is physical).

⚠️ Attention: Voice screenshots do not work in banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff) and secure messengers (Signal, Threema) due to Android security limitations.

5. Scrolling (long) screenshots

Scrolling screenshots allow you to capture an entire web page, long chat or contact list in one file, and it doesn't work in all applications, but it covers 80 percent of typical scenarios: browsers, instant messengers, system settings.

How to do this:

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the thumbnail appears, the screenshot in the lower right corner tap on it.
3. In the editor that opens, select the Scroll option or Long Screenshot (an icon with two down arrows).
4. 📜 Wait until the system automatically scrolls the page and connects the parts into a single file.

Limitations and nuances:

💡

If a long screenshot is cut in the middle, try to scroll the page manually to the end before shooting.

6. Screenshots in games and secure applications

Many games (Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail) and apps (SberBank Online, VTB Online) block standard screenshots, and this is done to protect against cheating or data leakage. There are workarounds.

Method 1: Developer Mode + Debugging

• 🔧 Enable Developer Mode: Go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI and tap 7 times on the assembly number.
• 🖥️ Back to Settings → Additional settings → For developers and activate debugging by USB.
• 📱 Connect your phone to your PC, install it. ADB and execute the command: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png

Method 2: External camera

• 📷 Use a second smartphone or camera to take a picture of the screen.
• 🔍 For better quality, turn off automatic brightness on Xiaomi and set maximum backlighting.

Method 3: Screen recording + frames

• 🎥 Enable screen recording through the notification panel.
• 📽️ After you complete the recording, extract the desired frame using any video editor (such as CapCut or InShot).

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB For circumvention of security in banking applications, it may lead to the blocking of the account on suspicion of fraud.

7. Automatic Save and Cloud Services

By default, screenshots on Xiaomi are saved to the Pictures/Screenshots folder, but this can be changed, and you can automatically upload them to Mi Cloud or Google Photos so you don’t take up space on the device.

How to set up the preservation:

• 📁 To change the save folder, install a file manager (such as Mi File Manager) and manually transfer files.
• ☁️ To automatically download to Mi Cloud: Open Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud. Activate Gallery Sync. Select Download over Wi-Fi to avoid wasting mobile traffic.
• 🖼️ For Google Photos: Install the app from Play Market. Enable Backup and Sync. Choose High Quality (free) or Original (with account space).

How to find screenshots:

• 🔍 Through the Gallery: Open the album Screenshots.
• 📂 Through the Guide: The Way /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots.
• 🌐 Mi Cloud: Go to i.mi.com from PC.