How to highlight text on Xiaomi: from basic gestures to hidden MIUI features

Selecting text on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones only seems like a simple task. In practice, users are faced with non-obvious gestures, MIUI shell bugs or simply unaware of the hidden features of the system. For example, did you know that MIUI 14/15 allows you to select text with two fingers for precise control? Or that Smart Selection automatically recognizes phone numbers and addresses?

In this article, we will discuss all the ways of highlighting – from the classic long tap to voice commands and work with the MIUI clipboard. Particular attention will be paid to the problems that arise on older models (for example, the Redmi Note 8 Pro) and new flagships (Xiaomi 14 Ultra).

1. Classic method: long press and sliders

The most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones – from Redmi 5A (2017) to Xiaomi 14 (2026) – is suitable for highlighting text in:

• 📄 Browser (Chrome, Mi Browser)
• 💬 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)
• 📝 Notes (Notes) MIUI, Google Keep)
• 📧 Mail (Gmail, Mi Mail)

Algorithm of action:

1. Find the text you want to highlight and press it with your finger (hold 1-2 seconds).
2. Two blue markers (sliders) will appear – drag them over to cover the desired fragment.
3. In the menu that appears, select the action: Copy, Cut, Share or Translate (if you have Google Translate installed).

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F3, Redmi Note 10 Pro) after a long tap can open the context menu MIUI instead of highlighting:

⚠️ Warning: If instead of sliders, a menu appears with the items Open a link or Save an image, then you clicked on a hyperlink or a picture. Try tapping strictly on the text, avoiding interactive elements.

💡

On smartphones with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro) highlight sliders may not be visible in dark backgrounds. Include Light theme in settings or increase contrast in Settings → Display. → Colors and contrast.

2. Two finger highlighting: accuracy to symbol

The multi-finger selection feature appeared in MIUI 12 and works on all Xiaomi smartphones with a shell newer than 2020.

• 🔤 One character in the middle of a word (e.g., a typo)
• 📏 A fragment of text in a table or list
• 🔍 Text on a web page with small print

How it works:

1. Place one finger at the beginning of the desired fragment, the second finger at the end.
2. Hold both fingers for 1 second until the text lights up.
3. Let your fingers go, and a menu of actions will appear.

🔹 Example: You want to copy the word "smartphone" from the sentence "Buyed a new Xiaomi smartphone on credit." Instead of pulling sliders, just put your fingers on the letters "c" and "n" and hold on.

3.Smart allocation in MIUI: data recognition

The MIUI shell can automatically identify text types and suggest contextual actions, for example, if you highlight:

• 📞 Phone number → A button will appear to call or save contact.
• 🌐 Reference → Offer to open in the browser.
• 📍 Address → Open Google Maps or Yandex.Maps.
• ✈️ Flight number → Shows Status in Google Search.

How to turn on/off this function:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Advanced Functions → Smart Selection.
2. Activate the text recognition switch.
3. In the Data Types section, select which items should be recognized (phones, addresses, dates, etc.).

4. Selecting text with the help of voice assistant

If you have a busy hand or a little text, you can use voice control.

1. Activate Google Assistant (long-term press on Home or voice command "OK, Google").
2. Say, “Sell me the text [of the phrase]” or “Copy me the desired fragment”.
3. The assistant will highlight the text and suggest actions (copying, searching the Internet, etc.).

⚠️ Attention: Voice selection does not work in all applications, such as Telegram or Telegram VK The assistant may not recognize the text due to limitations API. In such cases:

• 🔊 Try to pronounce the command more clearly, with pauses.
• 📱 Switch to manual allocation.
• 🔄 Restart the app (sometimes helps to reset restrictions).

Also, voice control supports commands to work with the clipboard:

“Insert the last copy of the text”


- "Show the history of the clipboard"




- "Remove everything from the buffer"

5.Selection problems: why the text is not copied

Sometimes text on Xiaomi can't be highlighted in standard ways. Consider the reasons and solutions:

🔹 Secret method: If the text is blocked (for example, in the PDF or images, use the built-in MIUI text scanner:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Select Document Mode (Icon) 📄).
3. Point the camera at the text and click on the scan button.
4. The system recognizes the text and prompts it to be copied.

Try to select with two fingers |Reboot the application |Use the read mode in the browser |Take a screenshot and recognize the text-->

Working with the clipboard in MIUI: history and synchronization

After the selection, the text is placed in the MIUI clipboard, which has advanced functions:

• 📋 Copy history (saves up to the last 20 fragments).
• 🔄 Sync between Xiaomi devices (if Mi Account is enabled).
• 🔍 History search (you can find copied text by keywords).

How to operate a buffer:

1. To open a story, click and hold the input field (for example, in Messages or Notes).
2. Select the clipboard item.
3. Here we can: 📎 Secure important snippets (click on three dots next to the text). 🗑️ Clear History (Delete Everything button). 🔗 Share the text in other applications.

⚠️ Warning: The clipboard history is not encrypted. If you copy passwords or bank card data, be sure to clear it after use:

1. Open the clipboard.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
3. Choose Clear everything.