Modern Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI shells or the new HyperOS provide users with many tools for interacting with the interface. One of the most popular features remains the ability to capture the contents of the screen. Screenshot on Xiaomi can be done in several ways, and the choice of a particular method often depends on the device model, the version of the operating system and personal preferences of the owner of the gadget.
Some users are used to using the classic physical keyboard combination, while others prefer more elegant gestures or voice control. Understanding all the options available will allow you not only to quickly save the necessary information, but also effectively manage saved images. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to make a screen on the shawmi, what hidden functions exist and how to solve typical problems with creating screenshots.
The topic is driven by the Chinese manufacturer’s software updates, the interface can change, new gestures appear, and old methods sometimes stop working or change the logic of action, so it’s important to rely on the latest data relevant for 2026 so as not to waste time on broken tips from outdated instructions.
Classical method using physical buttons
The most common and common way for most Android smartphone owners is to simultaneously press the volume and power buttons. On Xiaomi devices, this combination works in almost all versions of the firmware, from the early versions of MIUI to the latest HyperOS. To create a screenshot, you need to simultaneously press the volume button and the lock button.
It's important to keep the order and timing of the presses right. You need to press the buttons almost simultaneously, but don't hold them for too long. If you hold them for a few seconds, the smartphone might perceive this as a command to force reboot or enter Recovery mode, which is not what you need at the moment.
Successful screenshots are accompanied by the characteristic sound of the camera shutter (unless the sound is turned off in the settings) and visual animation of the window folding. In the upper right or left corner of the screen, a thumbnail of the image will appear, which can be immediately edited or sent to the interlocutor.
Mechanical buttons have a resource, and frequent use of the combination for screenshots can theoretically lead to their faster wear, although in modern smartphones this resource is very large.
⚠️ Attention: If you press the buttons too slowly or at a long interval, the screenshot will not work. At best, you will just turn the volume down or lock the screen. Practice to develop muscle memory.
Checking buttons:
Make sure the buttons are not stuck and have a clear move
Check if there is a cover that prevents simultaneous pressing
Clean the area around the buttons from dust and dirt
Try pressing buttons with different strengths to find the optimal effort.
Three finger control and other gestures
MIUI is famous for its rich gesture functionality, and swipe screenshots are one of the most convenient features, especially when the phone is on the table or when the other hand is busy, and you need to swipe three fingers down the screen to activate this feature.
However, this option can be disabled by default. To activate it, you need to go to the settings, select the "Additional" section, then "Screenshots" and enable the "Three-finger screenshot" option. In some versions of the firmware, the path may be slightly different: Settings → Special features → Screenshots.
In addition to the standard swipe, you can find the option “long three-finger tap” in your gesture settings, which allows you to take screenshots in applications where swipe down can conflict with navigation, such as in contact lists or a gallery, and you can choose the most convenient interaction option for you.
Using gestures makes screenshots more smooth and less visible to others, especially in situations where you need to capture information quickly without attracting attention, gestures work even on a locked screen if you have the screenshot on a locked screen on the corresponding menu.
Tip: If a three-finger gesture doesn't work, try changing the speed of the swipe. If you move too fast or too slow, the system may not recognize as a command. Also make sure you touch the screen with three fingers at the same time.
Use of menus and notification curtains
It's not always convenient to reach for buttons or make complex gestures, especially if you're holding your phone in an uncomfortable position with one hand. In these cases, a software menu comes to the rescue. There's a convenient way to screen through the control center in the HyperOS shell and the latest versions of MIUI.
To do this, swipe down to open the notification curtain and control center. Among the quick setting icons, find the Scissors or Screenshot icon. Clicking on it will instantly take a snapshot of the current contents of the screen. If the icon is not in the visible area, click on a pencil or edit button to add it to the active ones.
Another software method is to use the multitasking menu, open a list of running apps (a swipe from the bottom up and hold or button menu), find the right window and click on the screenshot icon, which is usually located in the corner of the application preview, which allows you to take a picture without opening the application itself.
These methods are ideal for users who prefer software control over physical control, eliminate the risk of accidentally pressing other buttons and work consistently even when physical volume keys are damaged.
What is the most common way to create screenshots?
- button combination (Loudness + Power)
- Three-finger gesture.
- Through the notification curtain.
- Voice assistant.
Voice control and assistants
Voice control technology has come a long way, and Xiaomi is keeping up with the trend. You can take a screenshot just by saying a command. This is especially handy when your hands are busy, dirty or your phone is in the dock.
To use this feature, you need to activate Google Assistant or the built-in voice assistant Xiao AI (for Chinese versions of firmware, but it also works with Russian in some regions), just say: “OK, Google, take a screenshot” or “Take a screenshot of the screen.”
The system recognizes the command, emits the characteristic sound, and stores the image to the gallery, a method that requires an internet connection to perform the most accurate speech recognition work, although basic commands can work offline.
Voice control is not just a fashion nod, it's a real help to people with disabilities or in specific smartphone situations, and it allows you to have complete control of your device without touching the screen.
⚠️ Warning: Voice commands may not work if the microphone is closed with your hand or indoors is very noisy.
Long screenshot: how to capture the entire page
Often, a single screen is not enough to capture a correspondence, article or web page. For such cases, MIUI and HyperOS have a “Long Screenshot” or “Scroll Shot” feature. After you create a regular screenshot (in any of the ways described above), a thumbnail will appear in the corner.
Underneath the thumbnail, you'll have a button with an arrow down or you'll have a "Scroll" button, and you'll automatically scroll through the page, and the smartphone will scroll down the content itself, taking a series of pictures and gluing them together into one long image.
It stops when you touch the screen, or when you reach the end of the page, and you can edit the image you get, cut it, draw it, or add text, and it's an indispensable tool for saving checks, messengers, and instructions.
The long screenshot feature is smart: it recognizes the boundaries of the scrollable area. If you're in an app where scrolling isn't supported, the long screenshot button may be inactive or missing.
Secrets of editing long screenshots:
After you take a long screenshot, click on the thumbnail to log in to the editor. Here you can use the "Tearn-up" tool to remove the extra parts from the top or bottom. Add a frame is also available, which makes the screenshot more presentable for posting on social media. Remember to check the quality of the text after gluing - in very long images, small text can become unreadable.
Where are the screenshots stored and how to find them
Once you have created a screenshot, it is important to know where to look for it. By default, all screenshots are saved in the gallery system folder. In the Gallery app, go to the Albums tab and find a folder called Screenshots or Screenshots.
If you’re using a file manager, the path to files will be: Internal Memory → MIUI → Gallery → Cloudcache (for some versions) or simply DCIM → Screenshots. The exact path may depend on the Android version and the specific phone model.
For ease of search, you can use the built-in search in the gallery, type in the word “screenshot” or the date of creation, and the system will filter the desired images, and screenshots automatically enter the Xiaomi Cloud or Google Photos cloud if synchronization is enabled.
Knowing the file path is useful when cleaning up memory or transferring files to a computer via USB if necessary. You can copy the entire screenshot folder at once, saving time.
Table of comparison of methods of creating screenshots
To make it easier for you to choose the right method, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you quickly navigate the advantages and disadvantages of each method depending on your situation.
| Method | Speed. | Convenience | Dependence on buttons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttons (Loudness + Power) | Tall. | Average. | Complete. |
| Three-finger gesture | Tall. | High. | No. |
| Menu/Stork | Low. | Average. | No. |
| Voice command | Medium | High (for occupied hands) | No. |
Problem Solving: Why a Screenshot Is Not Getting
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where screenshots are not taken, and this can be due to several reasons: First, some applications (banking, incognito mode in the browser) block the creation of screenshots for security purposes, in which case you will see a black screen or a restriction message.
Second, the problem may be a lack of free memory, so if the internal storage is crowded, the system won't be able to save the new file.
Third, software failures may occur in the MIUI shell itself. Rebooting the phone often solves the problem, and it’s also worth checking if the screenshots feature in the special features settings is disabled.
⚠️ Note: If screenshots stopped taking after the system update, try resetting the settings of the Gallery and System applications. UI» It's not going to delete your photos, but it's going to return the factory interface settings.
If standard methods don’t work, check if you’re in a secure app and make sure there’s free space on the phone.