The app prohibits taking screenshots on Xiaomi: how to remove the screenshot lock in 2026

You try to take a screenshot of a big moment in a banking app, messenger or game on Xiaomi, but instead of saving a picture, you see a notification "The app forbids taking screenshots"? This is not a bug, but a MIUI security feature that blocks the creation of screenshots in certain programs. Developers protect sensitive data — passwords, billing information or personal correspondence. However, sometimes this protection interferes with: for example, when you need to save a check, proof of transfer or gameplay.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 working ways to get around screenshot blocking on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, from standard MIUI settings to advanced ADB and third-party utilities. All instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS versions, including the latest 2026 updates. Importantly, some methods require root rights or may violate application security policies – use them at your own risk.

Why Xiaomi is blocking screenshots in some apps

Screenshot Banning is part of the MIUI security system, which works on two levels:

• 🔒 Android-level protection: Apps (such as banking or instant messengers) can use the flag FLAG_SECURE, It's a standard Android mechanism, not a Xiaomi feature.
• 🛡️ Additional protection MIUI: Xiaomi firmware reinforces this lock by adding its own limitations. MIUI 14 has a separate switch to manage screenshots in privacy settings.
• 📱 Hardware protection: On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) The lock is implemented at the level of the security chip, which complicates its circumvention.

The list of apps where screenshots are prohibited by default includes:

Important: blocking screenshots can work even if you have disabled it in the MIUI settings – some applications (for example, SberBank Online) ignore user permissions and forcibly prohibit saving the screen.

Method 1: Disable screenshot protection in MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI settings. It works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models with MIUI 12 firmware and later, but may not be available in some regional versions (for example, in China).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Permissions.
2. Select Special Permissions → Screenshots (or Screen Recording in MIUI 14).
3. In the list of applications, find where the screenshots are blocked and turn on the switch.
4. Confirm the action if a safety warning appears.

If this item is not in your MIUI version, try an alternative path:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Confidentiality → Special permits.
• 📱 In some models (POCO F5, Redmi Note 11 option hidden in Settings → Screen. → Screenshots.

Check out the MIUI version (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version)

Make a backup copy of important data

The battery should be at least 30% charged.

Close all applications where screenshots are blocked-->

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Does not work for applications with forced blocking (for example, banking).
• ❌ After updating MIUI settings may reset.
• ❌ On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50) no option.

Method 2: Use the "Unlimited" mode (Game Turbo)

If screenshot blocking works in games or heavy apps, you can try to bypass it through Game Turbo mode, which works because MIUI views games as a “special zone” where some security restrictions are relaxed.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Special Features → Game Turbo (or just search for Game Turbo through the Settings search).
2. Add the problem app to the list of games (click Add the app and select it from the list).
3. Launch the app via Game Turbo (the icon will appear on the home screen or in the notification curtain).
4. Try taking a screenshot with the standard combination of Volume Down + Nutrition.

If this method does not work, try additional settings:

• 🎮 Enable the option Without restrictions in Game Turbo settings for the selected application.
• 📱 Turn off Performance Optimization (sometimes it conflicts with screenshots).
• 🔧 Restart your phone after adding the app to Game Turbo.

💡

If the app doesn’t appear in the Game Turbo list, try renaming it. APK-file (root required) or use a third-party launcher that allows you to add any programs to the “game” mode.

⚠️ Note: Some banking applications (such as Tinkoff) may block Game Turbo because of security policies.

Method 3: Bypassing the lock through ADB (without root)

If standard methods didn’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that allows you to change system settings without superuser permissions, which works on most Xiaomi devices but requires a connection to a computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB Tools.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI Version until the "You're a developer" notification appears.

Settings

Additionally.

For developers

• USB debugging
• Allow debugging (when connected to USB)
• Connect the phone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
• Open the command line (CMD on Windows or Terminal macOS/Linux) Enter: adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1 This team will unlock the hidden API, which can be used to circumvent restrictions.
• Restart your phone and try to take a screenshot.
• Start the record, open the desired application and perform the actions you want to record.
• Stop recording and find the video in the gallery (ScreenRecords folder or Screen Records).
• Use any video editor (such as CapCut, InShot, or standard Google Photos) to extract the frame.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works in 90% of apps where screenshots are blocked.
• ✅ Does not require root or complex manipulation.
• ✅ You can record a dynamic process (e.g., an error in a game).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Video takes up more space than screenshot.
• ❌ The quality of the shot may be worse than that of a direct screenshot.
• ❌ Some applications (for example, SberBank Online) block screen recording.

💡

If you're blocking your screen recording, try using an external camera (like another smartphone) to take a picture of the screen, which is an extreme method, but it works 100% of the time.

Method 5: Install custom firmware or Magisk module (for advanced)

If you often have to take screenshots in secure applications, consider installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) or using a Magisk module to circumvent restrictions, a method only suitable for advanced users, as it requires unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root rights.

Step-by-step instructions for installing the Disable Flag Secure module:

1. Unlock the bootloader on your Xiaomi (instructions on the official Xiaomi website or 4PDA forum).
2. Install Magisk (the latest version can be downloaded on GitHub).
3. Download the Disable Flag Secure module (e.g., with XDA Developers).
4. Install the module via Magisk Manager: Open Magisk → Modules → Install from storage. Select the downloaded file and confirm the installation. Reboot the phone.

After the reboot, try taking a screenshot in the previously blocked app.

Popular modules for bypassing screenshot blocking:

⚠️ Warning: Installing custom firmware or Magisk modules violates warranty and may result in: 🚨 Blocking of banking applications (due to root detection). 🔄 Data loss in case of incorrect installation. 📵 Problems with OTA-Before installation, make a backup copy through TWRP Mi Cloud.

What to do if nothing helps: alternative solutions

If all of these methods fail, there are alternative ways to save information from the screen:

• 📸 Camera of another device: Take a picture of the screen with another smartphone or camera.
• 🖥️ Screen mirroring on PC: Use Miracast, Scrcpy or TeamViewer QuickSupport to display the screen on your computer and take a screenshot there.
• 🔄 Temporary Disconnection of Protection: Some apps (e.g. Telegram) allow you to disable screenshot blocking in their settings (Privacy section).
• 📋 Manual Data Entry: If you need to save text (such as an account number), rewrite it manually or use Google Keep to save it quickly.

To mirror the screen through Scrcpy (free utility without root):

1. Download Scrcpy from the official website (GitHub).
2. Connect your phone to your computer via USB (with debugging enabled).
3. Run Scrcpy from the command line: scrcpy
4. On your computer, open a screenshot program (like Win + Shift + S in Windows) and take a screenshot.

Screen mirroring via Scrcpy or Miracast may be blocked by some apps (such as Netflix or banking services) due to Widevine DRM protection.

FAQ: Frequent questions about blocking screenshots on Xiaomi