How to take a screenshot (print screen) on a Xiaomi phone: all the ways of 2026

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.

Itโ€™s 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 We tested all methods on devices with MIUI 12-14 and collected only working solutions โ€“ without outdated tips from old instructions.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.

  1. Open the screen you want to capture (such as a message in Telegram or a page in Chrome).
  2. At the same time, press the power button (on) and the volume reduction button.
  3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the sound of the camera shutter and see the animation of the screenshot.

โš ๏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:

  • ๐Ÿ”˜ Press the buttons at the same time, not sequentially.
  • ๐Ÿ”˜ Hold them for a little longer (up to 3 seconds).
  • ๐Ÿ”˜ 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.

๐Ÿ“Š What kind of screenshot do you use more often?
Power buttons + volumes
Three-toed swipe
Voice assistant
Through the Quick Settings Panel
Other

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:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ Buttons and gestures โ†’ Screenshot gestures.
  2. Turn the switch on the Three-toed swipe down.
  3. (Optional) Set the swipe direction down or up.

Now to create a screenshot:

  1. Place three fingers on the screen (for example, index, middle and ring finger).
  2. Then, turn them upwards (or downwards if you change the setting).

๐Ÿ’ก Useful tip: If the gesture doesnโ€™t 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:

  1. Open the desired screen (for example, a page in the browser or chat).
  2. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
  3. Find the screenshot icon (usually it looks like a scissor or a rectangle with serrated marks).
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Click on Edit (pencil in the upper right corner of the panel).
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Find a screenshot in the list and drag it to the active area.

โš ๏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?
If your firmware doesnโ€™t have a screenshot icon even after editing the panel, it could mean: 1. Custom firmware is installed (like LineageOS) where the function is disabled. 2. The MIUI version is too old (below 11). Update the firmware through Settings โ†’ About Phone โ†’ System Update. 3. The device has activated Child Mode or Guest Mode where some of the features are limited.

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

  1. Activate the assistant with your voice (OK, Google) or hold the Home button.
  2. Say, Take a screenshot or take a screenshot.
  3. Confirm the action if necessary.

Method 2: Xiao AI (for Chinese firmware)

  1. Hold the Home button or say Xiao AI.
  2. Say: (jiรฉtรบ - "screenshot" in Chinese) or ("take me a screenshot").

๐Ÿ”Š Important: Voice commands are required:

  • ๐ŸŽค Enable microphone access for Google or Xiao AI customized.
  • ๐ŸŒ Internet connection (to process commands on servers).
  • ๐Ÿ”Š 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:

  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ USB-cable (preferably original).
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools.

Instructions:

  1. 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.png

After the commands are executed, the screenshot will be saved on the computer under the name screen.png.

โš ๏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.

๐Ÿ’ก

If ADB doesnโ€™t 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:

  1. Create a regular screenshot in any of the ways described above.
  2. Immediately after the screenshot appears in the lower right corner, click on it.
  3. In the editor that opens, select the Scrolling option (or Long Screenshot).
  4. Wait until the system automatically scrolls the page and combines the pictures.

โš ๏ธ Limitations:

  • ๐Ÿšซ It doesnโ€™t work in some apps (e.g. TikTok, Instagram due to content protection).
  • ๐Ÿšซ Maximum screenshot length: about 10 screens (depending on model).
  • ๐Ÿšซ 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.

๐Ÿ’ก

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:

MethodDifficultySpeed.Is it working on a locked screen?Suitable for a faulty screen?
Power buttons + volumesโญโšก Instantly.โŒ No.โŒ No (work buttons needed)
Three-toed swipeโญโญโšก Quickly.โŒ No.โŒ No (workscreen required)
Quick settings panelโญโณ 2-3 secondsโŒ No.โŒ No.
Voice assistantโญโญโญโณ 3-5 secondsโŒ No.โœ… Yes, if the microphone is working)
ADB via PCโญโญโญโญโณ 1-2 minutesโœ… Yes.โœ… 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.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi

Why is the screenshot not saved in the gallery?
If the screenshot does not appear in the gallery โ†’ Screenshots, check it out: ๐Ÿ“ folder Pictures/Screenshots File Manager (for example, Mi File Manager). ๐Ÿ” Sync settings: Sometimes screenshots are automatically uploaded to Google Photos and not displayed locally. ๐Ÿšซ There's not enough space on the device, free up the memory. If the folder is empty, try rebooting the phone, because sometimes the system doesn't have time to update the media base.
Can I take a screenshot on a locked screen?
No, Xiaomi (as with most Android devices) cannot screenshot a locked screen for security reasons, which prevents personal data (such as notifications or passwords) from leaking, except if you are connected to your phone via ADB and have taken a screenshot command from your PC (see Section 5).
How to turn off the shutter sound when screenshot?
Shutter sound can be turned off in two ways: โ†’ Sounds and vibrations โ†’ Systemic sounds โ†’ Screenshot sound (turn on the No Sound switch) or temporarily put your phone into Silent Mode before creating a screenshot. โš ๏ธ On some models (for example, Redmi Note 11) the sound of the screenshot is tied to the system notifications and is turned off only with them.
Why does the screenshot turn black?
Black screenshots are a common problem when trying to capture: ๐ŸŽฎ Game screen (many games block screenshots due to cheat protection). ๐Ÿ’ณ Banking applications (e.g. Sberbank Online or Tinkoff). ๐ŸŽฌ Video players DRM-Protection (Netflix, Disney)+). Decisions: ๐Ÿ“ฑ Use screen recording (in the notification panel) instead of screenshot. ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Connect your phone to your PC and take a screenshot via My Computer (if debugging is enabled). USB).
How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi with a broken screen?
If the screen doesn't respond to touch, but the image is visible: Connect your phone to your PC via USB and use ADB (If the buttons work, use the power combination + Turn down the volume. If nothing works, plug in the wireless mouse through the USB-OTG Try to take a screenshot through the notification panel. โš ๏ธ If the screen is completely black, but the phone is turning on, try connecting it to an external monitor via a phone. USB-C โ†’ HDMI (supported-model).