Taking screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you face unexpected limitations. Depending on the model (Redmi Note 12, POCO F5, Xiaomi 14) and the firmware version (MIUI 14/15), standard button combinations may not work, and alternative methods remain unknown to most users. This article covers all the current ways, from the classic Power + Volume Down to hidden functions for games and voice control.
Xiaomi is a company that is experimenting with the interface. MIUI 15, the quick screenshot menu from the notification panel disappeared, but new gestures appeared. AMOLED-The standard way to use screens (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra) may conflict with the Always-on Display function, and we will analyze the nuances for each case and show you how to get around typical errors, from black screens in games to the lack of sound when shooting.
1. Standard method: button combination
The basic method works on all Xiaomi models regardless of the MIUI version – press simultaneously:
- 🔘 Power button (Power) and
- 🔊 The volume button (Volume Down)
Hold on 1-2 seconds until you hear the characteristic shutter sound (if the sound is on) and see the save animation in the upper right corner. On the Xiaomi 12T and the newer animations may differ - instead of a thumbnail, a flash will appear at the edges of the screen.
Exceptions and nuances:
- 🎮 On Black Shark (gaming smartphones), this combination is disabled by default – it must be activated in the Shark Space settings.
- 🔋 If the battery is under 5%, the system can block the creation of screenshots.
- 📱 Nana POCO F4 GT With physical triggers, the Volume Down button may conflict with the game mode.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Pad 6 and other tablets Power combination + Volume Down by default makes a screen of only the active window, not the entire screen.To capture the entire display, use the three-finger method (see Section 3).
| Xiaomi model | Does Power + Volume Down work? | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 11/12 | ✅ Yes. | Shutter sound can be turned off in Settings → Sounds and vibrations |
| POCO X5 Pro | ✅ Yes. | In game mode, you need to hold the buttons longer (1.5 seconds) |
| Xiaomi 13/14 | ✅ Yes. | Conservation animation - white flash at the edges |
| Black Shark 5 | ❌ No (default) | You need to include in Shark Space → Settings → Screenshots |
2. Screenshot via notification panel (MIUI 14 and below)
In MIUI versions 14 and older, there was a separate screenshot button in the notification panel, which was removed in MIUI 15, but on some models (Redmi 10C, POCO M5) it remained.
- Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
- Find the "Scissors" badge» (📷) or a screenshot.
- Slip it on it - the picture will be taken instantly.
If the button is not available, it can be returned:
- Open the Settings. → Notification panel.
- Choose Edit the icons.
- Find the screenshot in the list and drag it to the active area.
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi 13T 14 Pro with MIUI 15 this method doesn't work -- the manufacturer has completely removed the button from the panel. Use a three-finger gesture instead (Section 3).
3. Three-finger gesture: the fastest method
The three-finger screenshot feature is available on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12+, allowing you to take a screenshot by swiping three fingers from top to bottom at the same time.
- ⚡ Instant capture – no need to look for buttons.
- 🎮 Works in games (even if hardware buttons are disabled).
- 👆 Supports a scrolling screenshot (see Section 5).
How to turn on:
- Go to Settings → Additional → Special features → Gestures.
- Activate the screenshot switch with three fingers.
- In the Gesture Settings section, you can select the swipe direction (up or down).
Challenges and solutions:
- 🤏 If the gesture doesn’t work, check if it conflicts with other gestures (e.g. Swipe down for the notification bar).
- 🖐️ On Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 (folding smartphone) gesture works only on the external screen.
- 🔄 If after the swipe appears menu instead of screenshot, it means that the mode of Part Screen Shot (partial shot) is enabled - turn it off in the gesture settings.
Is the gesture included in the settings?
Do your fingers touch the screen at the same time?
No conflicts with other gestures?
The screen is not blocked (for example, in a banking application)-->
4. Screenshot by voice: Google Assistant and XiaoAI
If you have your hands busy or your touch buttons are not working, you can take a screenshot with a voice command.
Method 1: Google Assistant
- Activate the assistant with your voice (OK, Google) or hold the Home button.
- Say, Take a screenshot or a screenshot.
- Confirm the action (if required).
❗ Restrictions: Does not work in games and some applications (e.g. TikTok, SberBank Online) due to security policies.
Method 2: XiaoAI (China/Global MIUI only)
- Hold the Power button to call XiaoAI.
- Say in Chinese: (jiétú) or in English: Take a screenshot.
⚠️ On the European / Russian firmware XiaoAI can be disabled - check in Settings → Annexes → Application management → XiaoAI.
💡
If the voice screenshot doesn’t work, check the permissions for Google/XiaoAI in Settings → Apps → Permissions → Special Access → Screen capture.
5. Scrolling screenshot (long shot)
Scrolling Screenshot (or Scrolling Screenshot) captures an entire chat, web page, or list into one image, and does not work in all apps, but is supported in:
- 💬 Telegram, WhatsApp (chats)
- 🌐 Chrome, Mi Browser (web pages)
- 📄 WPS Office, Google Docs (Documents)
How to do this:
- Take a regular screenshot in any way (buttons, gestures).
- Immediately after the miniature appears in the upper right corner, tap it.
- In the editor that opens, select Scroll (the icon with down arrows) ⤵️).
- Wait for automatic scrolling or scroll manually.
- Click Ready to save a long shot.
Limitations:
- 🚫 Not working on Instagram, Facebook (blocking) API).
- 🔄 On the Redmi Note 10 Pro, it can “slice” the bottom of the page – try scrolling manually.
- 📱 V MIUI 15 for Xiaomi 14 feature only works in vertical orientation of the screen.
Why does the screenshot not work in some applications?
6. Hidden features: screenshot in games and safe mode
Xiaomi has special modes where the standard way to take screenshots doesn't work. Let's figure out how to get around the restrictions.
1. Screenshot in Games (Game Turbo)
In games with Game Turbo enabled (e.g. Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile), the Power + Volume Down combination can be blocked.
- 🎮 Use the Game Turbo floating panel: Swipe left to right across the screen to open the panel.Slip on the Screenshot icon (scissors) 📷).
Black Shark
Shark Button
Settings → Special features → Game Turbo
2.Safe Mode screenshot
In Safe Mode, most functions are disabled, but you can take a screenshot:
- 🔘 Hold the Power. + Volume Down by 3-4 seconds (longer than usual).
- 🖼️ Xiaomi. 12S Ultra only works with three fingers.
7. Editing and managing screenshots
After taking a screenshot, Xiaomi offers tools for quick editing and-sharinga.
1. Rapid editing
- ✏️ Immediately after creating a screenshot, tap the thumbnail in the corner of the screen.
- 🎨 Tools available: Crop (Crop) Drawing (Pen) Blurring (Blur) Adding text (Text)
- 💾 Changes are saved automatically to a new copy of the file.
2. Sharing options
After tap in miniature screenshot will appear panel with options:
- 📤 Send - the choice of messenger (Telegram, WhatsApp, etc.).
- 🖼️ Scroll - Create a long screenshot (see section 5).
- 🗑️ Delete – remove the picture immediately.
- 🔗 QR-code QR fast transfer to another device.