How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi: all the ways for MIUI 12-14

Creating screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you encounter unexpected nuances. Some models require you to pinch buttons with perfect synchronization, others support gestures, but only after activation in hidden settings, and on some devices, standard combinations do not work at all because of custom firmware. This article will not just list methods, but will analyze all possible scenarios, from basic combinations to little-known MIUI functions, which the manufacturer does not advertise.

We'll focus on the challenges that users face: why screenshots aren't saved in the gallery, how to take a long-page screenshot (scroll screen), and what to do if standard methods stop working after the update, and also reveal the secrets of hidden modes that are only available through ADB or the engineering menu.

1. Standard method: button combination

The classic method works on all Xiaomi models, from Redmi 4A to Xiaomi 14 Ultra. The algorithm is simple: simultaneously press the power and volume button for 1-2 seconds.

• 🔊 Audible signal (if not disabled in settings)
• 📸 Animation "shot" at the edges of the screen
• 📂 Notice of preservation in the gallery

But there are pitfalls here. First, some devices (like the POCO F3) have buttons that are too sensitive, so you have a minimal time offset, and instead of a screenshot, you have volume adjustment or locking, and second, after upgrading to MIUI 14, some devices have a 0.5 second delay before activation, which knocks users down.

⚠️ Note: On models with a physical home button (e.g. Redmi Note 4), the standard combination may conflict with the Double Tap to Wake function. If screenshots don't work, disable double tap in Settings → Screen. → Additionally.

To check the working capacity of the method:

2.Gestural screenshots in MIUI

Xiaomi offers alternative ways to create screenshots through gestures, but most users are unaware of their existence.These features are hidden in the Special Features menu and require pre-tuning.

The most popular gesture is "Three-toed swipe down." To activate it:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Gestures
2. Select a screenshot with three fingers
3. Turn on the switch and test (swipe three fingers from top to bottom across the screen)

A lesser-known but equally useful gesture is "Double-touch the back side." It works on proximity sensor devices (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro): double-touch the back of the phone, and the screenshot will be taken automatically. Activated in Settings → Additional → Double-touch.

3. Scrolling Screen: How to Take a Long Screenshot

Scrolling screenshot allows you to capture a full web page, a chat in Telegram or a contact list, and in MIUI it is implemented in an unobvious way and often “hidden” after updates.

To make a scrolling screen:

1. Take a regular screenshot in any way.
2. Immediately after the thumbnail appears in the lower right corner, click on it.
3. In the editor that opens, tap the Scrolling icon (two arrows up and down)
4. Wait for automatic scrolling or scroll manually
5. Click Ready when you capture the desired fragment

Important nuances:

• 🚫 Does not work in content protection applications (banks, some messengers)
• 📏 Maximum screenshot length: 10 screens (limited) MIUI)
• 🔄 Some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro) require you to enable the feature in Settings. → Additionally. → Extended screenshot

4. Voice commands and Google Assistant

Few people know, but you can take screenshots on Xiaomi with your voice without touching the screen.

Method 1: Using Google Assistant

Activate the assistant with a voice (OK, Google) or hold the Home button, then say:

Take a screenshot.


or




Take a screenshot

The team will only work if:

• 🗣️ Google Settings Enables Screen Access (Settings) → Annexes → Google → Permits → Special access → Screen capture)
• 🌐 Language of voice established in Russian or English
• 🔊 The microphone is not blocked by other applications

Method 2: Through the built-in XiaoAI assistant (China/Global firmware only)

The Chinese versions of MIUI have their own voice assistant, which can also take screenshots. Activated by holding the Home button long (on models without a physical button, swipe from the bottom edge up with a delay).

(Jié tú) - in Chinese


or




Take a screenshot - English

⚠️ Note: Voice screenshots do not work in banking applications, VPN-Clients and games with cheat protection due to Android security restrictions.

5. Screenshot Problems and Solutions

Even on new Xiaomi devices, users face typical screenshot problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

The problem with black screenshots is particularly noteworthy, and it arises in applications that use black screenshots. FLAG_SECURE (You can get around that restriction, you can get around that restriction:

• 📱 Using the second device (to take a picture of the screen with another phone)
• 🖥️ Through mirroring on the PC on the USB Miracast
• 🔧 On rooted devices, through ADB Magisk Disable Flag Secure

💡

If screenshots are saved in low resolution, check the screen camera settings in Settings → Additional → Screenshot Quality. Some firmware defaults to “Saving Space.”

6. Hidden Opportunities: ADB and Engineering Menu

For advanced users, Xiaomi offers advanced screenshot tools via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and engineering menus, which are useful when standard methods are not available (for example, on a locked screen or in recovery mode).

Method 1: Screenshot via ADB

Connect your phone to your PC, activate Debugging via USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – 7 times press to unlock the developer menu, then Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB) and execute the command:

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.png

The file will be saved in the root folder of the storage.

Method 2: Engineering menu (for experienced ones only!)

Type #4636## in the phone app, then go to Phone Information and find the Screenshot option. This method doesn't work on all models and can cause crashes!

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB And the engineering menu can break the warranty and cause software failures. Before experimenting, back up through Settings. → System system → Backup.

💡

Screenshots via ADB are the only way to capture the screen in recovery mode or on a locked device (if debugging is enabled).

7. Alternative applications for screenshots

If the built-in MIUI features don't suit you, consider third-party utilities, which offer advanced functionality: recording screen videos, editing screenshots in real time, and automatically uploading to the cloud.

Top.-3 apps:

1. Screen Master – supports scrolling screens up to 50 screens, has a built-in editor with meme-jics.
2. Screenshot Easy – allows you to take pictures by timer or when shaking your phone.
3. Super Screenshot – saves the history of screenshots and is able to recognize text (OCR).

Important observations:

• 🛡️ Applications require permission to capture screen in Settings → Annexes → Special access
• 🚫 Nana MIUI 14 Some utilities may conflict with system gestures
• 💰 Free versions often add watermarks

To install alternative launchers (like Nova Launcher) that offer their own screenshot techniques, you’ll need to disable MIUI Optimization in the developer settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi