Screenshots are one of the most sought-after features in today’s Android operating system, and Xiaomi’s MIUI shell offers many convenient tools to do so. Users often need to capture correspondence in the messenger, save proof of a transfer of funds, or simply share an interesting moment from the game with friends. Unlike earlier firmware versions, where functionality was limited, modern Redmi and Poco smartphones allow you to do this with just one touch or even without using your hands.
Many device owners still use only the classic button-clamping method, unaware of the existence of more advanced and faster ways. Xiaomi screenshot can be created through notification curtains, special gestures, voice assistant or even double tapping on the body. Understanding all the options available significantly speeds up the work with the gadget and makes interaction with the interface more comfortable.
In this article, we will take a look at every method available, from basic to hidden features that may not be known even to advanced users, and we will also discuss the topic of setting up the quality parameters of stored images and discuss common problems when a function stops working correctly.
Classical Method: A Combination of Physical Buttons
The most reliable and versatile way, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones, regardless of the Android version or the presence of touch navigation buttons. To implement this method, you need to simultaneously press the Power button and Volume Down button. The mechanics of the process are simple: the system captures the simultaneous pressing of two keys and creates a snapshot of the current state of the display.
It's important to press the buttons simultaneously, not sequentially. If you press the volume first and then the power, the phone may perceive this as a command to turn off or call the emergency call menu. Successful image creation is accompanied by the characteristic sound of the camera shutter (if the sound is on) and short-term vibration of the device.
☑️ Checking buttons
When you create a picture, you have a thumbnail in the top right corner of the screen, and you can quickly do the basic things: edit, share, or delete it immediately if the screenshot fails, and if you don't respond to the thumbnail, it disappears in a few seconds, and the file automatically goes into memory.
⚠️ Note: On some models with a front-facing camera cutout or bang, the thumbnail may overlap part of the image, in which case it is better to use alternative methods or swipe the thumbnail down immediately to save without preview.
Use of notification curtain and control menu
For those who are uncomfortable reaching for buttons or prefer one-handed control, MIUI offers a convenient software method. The control center (curtain) that is called by the top-down swipe is called a special label "Screenshot" that depends on the control panel settings, but it is usually activated by default.
To add this feature, if it is not available, you need to go to the editing mode of widgets. To do this, open the control center and click on the icon with three dots or the edit button (usually at the top or bottom of the screen). In the list of available tools, find the icon “Screenshot” and drag it to the active area of the panel.
This method is especially useful in situations where physical buttons may be damaged or crashed. Software-based duplication of features allows you to fully control the device even if the hardware is partially malfunctioning.It is also the only way to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Pad tablets where button combinations may work differently.
It's worth noting that using a shortcut in the curtain doesn't create a thumbnail for quick editing, but it immediately saves the file to the gallery. This can be both an advantage (less unnecessary actions) and a disadvantage if you need to quickly send a file to a chat. In any case, the file falls into the standard Screenshots folder in internal memory.
Gesture control: three fingers and a floating window
One of the most convenient features of the MIUI shell is that you can create screenshots with gestures, and by default, you activate the "Three fingers" gesture. To take a picture, just swipe three fingers from top to bottom of the screen, and this action instantly captures the image and opens the editing menu.
To activate or check settings, go to Settings → Additional Features → Screenshots. This option can be turned on or off. This menu also contains a switch for the Floating Window function. If it is active, a floating button will appear on the screen after you create a screenshot, allowing you to take a long screenshot, edit or send a file without interrupting the current task.
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A gesture with three fingers can be set to create a long screenshot (scroll), if you select the appropriate action in the gesture settings instead of the usual shot.
Using gestures requires a certain skill, especially on large screens, but once used, it becomes the fastest method, and it also allows you to take screenshots in games where physical buttons can be locked or perform other functions.
| Method | Speed. | Convenience | Setting up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttons | Tall. | Average. | Not required |
| Curtain. | Medium | High. | Addition of a widget |
| Gesture (3 fingers) | Very high. | High. | On/off menu |
Voice control and Google Assistant
Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with powerful voice assistants that allow you to control the device without touching, this is especially true when the user’s hands are busy or dirty. To create a screenshot, just say the command “OK, Google, take a screenshot” or “Take a screenshot”.
To work this feature, you need the voice assistant to be active and have the necessary permissions. You can check the settings from the Google menu → Settings → Google Assistant. Make sure that the Voice Match feature is on, then the phone will react even on a locked screen (if allowed by security policy).
In addition to the standard assistant, the global versions of firmware can work with the built-in Mi AI assistant, although its functionality in the Russian segment is often limited. Voice control is not just convenient, but also an important element of accessibility for people with disabilities.
⚠️ Note: In some banking applications and secure services (e.g. Netflix), screenshots may be blocked at the security level, in which case you will receive a black screen or a notification of the ban, regardless of the method chosen.
Long screenshot and extended functions
Often, a single screen is not enough to capture all of your correspondence or web page. The Long Screenshot (or Scrolling) feature allows you to create a single long image. After you create a regular screenshot (by any method) in the menu that appears, select the down arrow button or the Scrolling icon.
The device will automatically start scrolling down, taking pictures and gluing them into a single file. The process will stop when you touch the screen or when the content of the page is over. It is an indispensable tool for saving articles, contact lists or long dialogues.
Technical Limitations of Long Screenshots
Also worth mentioning is Screen Recording, which is in the same quick action menu as screenshots, which allows you to record screen video with sound, which is often a more effective alternative to a series of static images, especially when showing bugs or passing levels in games.
Where to find and how to adjust the quality of screenshots
All images you create are saved to a standard gallery. Open the Gallery app and go to Screenshots. Here, files are sorted by date. For more advanced file management, you can use the built-in MIUI file manager, the path to the folder usually looks like Internal Memory → DCIM → Screenshots or MIUI → Gallery → Cloud → Screenshots.
You can change the format of the stored images in the system settings. You can use JPG by default, which provides good compression. However, if you want maximum detail and you plan to further process, you can choose the PNG format from the Settings menu → Additional Features → Screenshots.
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The PNG format takes up more space in memory, but does not lose quality when compressed, which is critical for screenshots with text or graphs.
Remember to periodically clean the folder with screenshots, as they can take up a significant amount of memory, especially if you often take high-resolution pictures or record screen videos.
Solution: Why screenshots are not saved
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the screenshot is not created. The most common reason is a lack of free storage. If the internal memory is filled critically, the system cannot create a new file. Check the available space in the Settings menu → About the phone → Memory.
The second is a software failure of a particular application, and some optimized versions of applications may conflict with the system's screen capture function, try updating the application or clearing its cache, and the problem may lie in the damage to system files after a failed firmware update.
If none of the methods work, try rebooting your device. In rare cases, resetting interface settings through the Settings menu → Advanced Settings → Resetting your Wi-Fi, mobile internet, and Bluetooth settings (this won’t delete personal data, but will restart network modules and related services).