Taking a screenshot on Xiaomi smartphones is a basic feature that can be needed in a variety of situations, from saving important correspondence to fixing errors in applications. Despite its apparent simplicity, many users face difficulties - especially owners of new models with updated MIUI 14 firmware or custom control gestures. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to print screen on Xiaomi, including hidden functions and solutions for broken buttons.
Itโs important to understand that methods can vary depending on the firmware version and device model. For example, on Xiaomi 13/14 flagships with Android 13/14, advanced gestures are available, while on the budget Redmi Note 12, some of the features may be limited. We tested all methods on devices with MIUI 12-14 and collected only working solutions โ without outdated tips from old instructions.
1. Classic method: power buttons + volume
The most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi models, from Redmi 9A to Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
- Open the screen you want to capture (such as a message in Telegram or a page in Chrome).
- At the same time, press the power button (on) and the volume reduction button.
- Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the sound of the camera shutter and see the animation of the screenshot.
โ ๏ธ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5) Button sensitivity can be too high. If you don't get a screenshot the first time, try it:
- ๐ Press the buttons at the same time, not sequentially.
- ๐ Hold them for a little longer (up to 3 seconds).
- ๐ Check if the buttons are locked in the settings (Settings) โ Special facilities โ Physical buttons).
After successful creation, the screenshot will appear in the Gallery โ Screenshots and in the notification panel, where it can be immediately edited or shared.
2. Three-toed swipe gesture (hidden MIUI function)
Starting with MIUI 10, Xiaomi has an alternative way to create screenshots, swipe with three fingers across the screen, which is convenient if the physical buttons are faulty or you prefer gesture control.
To activate the function:
- Go to Settings โ Additional โ Buttons and gestures โ Screenshot gestures.
- Turn the switch on the Three-toed swipe down.
- (Optional) Set the swipe direction down or up.
Now to create a screenshot:
- Place three fingers on the screen (for example, index, middle and ring finger).
- Then, turn them upwards (or downwards if you change the setting).
๐ก Useful tip: If the gesture doesnโt work, check if it conflicts with other gestures (like Navigation buttons or Split screen). 12/13 You can set the priority of gestures in the settings โ System system โ Gestures.
Make sure the function is enabled in the settings|Check that there is no gesture blocking on the screen (e.g. in games)|Use three fingers at the same time, not alternately.|The screen must be unlocked (not working on the locked device)-->
3. Screenshot through the Quick Settings panel
If you don't feel comfortable remembering button combinations or gestures, you can use the notification bar, which works on all devices with MIUI 11 and later, including POCO and Black Shark.
Instructions:
- Open the desired screen (for example, a page in the browser or chat).
- Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
- Find the screenshot icon (usually it looks like a scissor or a rectangle with serrated marks).
- ๐ง Click on Edit (pencil in the upper right corner of the panel).
- ๐ง Find a screenshot in the list and drag it to the active area.
โ ๏ธ Note: On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro), the screenshot icon can be hidden behind the button More (three dots). Also make sure the notification bar is fully deployed - swipe twice.
What if the screenshot icon is not in the panel?
4. Voice assistant Google or Xiao AI
If you have busy hands or buttons are not working, you can take a screenshot with a voice command, which is suitable for both the built-in Xiao AI (on Chinese firmware) and Google Assistant.
Method 1: Google Assistant
- Activate the assistant with your voice (OK, Google) or hold the Home button.
- Say, Take a screenshot or take a screenshot.
- Confirm the action if necessary.
Method 2: Xiao AI (for Chinese firmware)
- Hold the Home button or say Xiao AI.
- Say: (jiรฉtรบ - "screenshot" in Chinese) or ("take me a screenshot").
๐ Important: Voice commands are required:
- ๐ค Enable microphone access for Google or Xiao AI customized.
- ๐ Internet connection (to process commands on servers).
- ๐ Activate the voice assistant in Settings โ Annexes โ All applications โ Google/Xiao AI โ Notifications.
On devices with MIUI for the global market (for example, Xiaomi 13T Pro), Xiao AI can be disabled โ in this case, use only Google Assistant.
5. Screenshot via ADB (for advanced users)
If the smartphone screen is not responsive to touch and the buttons are broken, you can take a screenshot through your computer using the ADB tool (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for all Xiaomi models, but requires pre-tuning.
What you need:
- ๐ฅ๏ธ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
- ๐ USB-cable (preferably original).
- ๐ ๏ธ Installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools.
Instructions:
- Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings โ About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI until you become a developer.
USB debugging
Settings โ Additional โ For Developers
Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
Command line.
Terminal
adb devices
adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png
adb pull /sdcard/screen.pngAfter the commands are executed, the screenshot will be saved on the computer under the name screen.png.
โ ๏ธ Attention: Use ADB Do not follow other commands unless you understand their purpose, which can cause system failure. USB, Otherwise, the team won't work.
๐ก
If ADB doesnโt recognize the device, try reinstalling drivers via the Mi Flash Tool or using an alternative Minimal ADB and Fastboot package.
6. Screenshot of a long page (scrollable screenshot)
Xiaomi has a unique feature called a scrolling screenshot that allows you to capture not only the visible part of the screen, but also the part hidden behind the scrolling, which is useful for saving long chats, web pages or lists in apps.
How to do this:
- Create a regular screenshot in any of the ways described above.
- Immediately after the screenshot appears in the lower right corner, click on it.
- In the editor that opens, select the Scrolling option (or Long Screenshot).
- Wait until the system automatically scrolls the page and combines the pictures.
โ ๏ธ Limitations:
- ๐ซ It doesnโt work in some apps (e.g. TikTok, Instagram due to content protection).
- ๐ซ Maximum screenshot length: about 10 screens (depending on model).
- ๐ซ On devices with MIUI 12 and below may require manual scrolling.
The finished long screenshot will be saved in the Gallery โ Screenshots as a separate file. It can be edited, cropped or immediately sent via instant messengers.
๐ก
Scrolling screenshot is an exclusive MIUI feature not available on pure Android, which works even on Chrome and Mi Browser, but can be blocked in banking applications for security reasons.
Comparison of methods: which one to choose?
To make it easier for you to determine, we have collected a comparative table of all methods with their pros and cons:
| Method | Difficulty | Speed. | Is it working on a locked screen? | Suitable for a faulty screen? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power buttons + volumes | โญ | โก Instantly. | โ No. | โ No (work buttons needed) |
| Three-toed swipe | โญโญ | โก Quickly. | โ No. | โ No (workscreen required) |
| Quick settings panel | โญ | โณ 2-3 seconds | โ No. | โ No. |
| Voice assistant | โญโญโญ | โณ 3-5 seconds | โ No. | โ Yes, if the microphone is working) |
| ADB via PC | โญโญโญโญ | โณ 1-2 minutes | โ Yes. | โ Yes. |
For most users, the best solution is a combination of buttons or a three-toed swipe, but if you have a broken screen or buttons, use ADB or voice commands.