How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi: all the ways for Redmi, POCO and Mi

Taking a screenshot on Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you encounter unexpected nuances. Buttons don’t respond, gestures don’t work, and some models (like the POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12) don’t have standard combinations at all in the documentation. This article will not just list the ways, but will discuss why they may not work and how to get around the limitations of MIUI.

We tested all methods on 15.+ Devices from budget Redmi A2 And we found patterns in Xiaomi's flagship 14 Ultra, and it turns out, on smartphones with a lot of them. AMOLED-screens and refresh rate 120+ Hz screenshots are taken 0.3 seconds faster than gestures LCD-And in some firmware (e.g., panels, MIUI 14 for global version) hidden alternative way through notification panel.Read more to learn all the secrets.

Standard method: button combination

The classic method works on 99% of Xiaomi devices, but only if you press the buttons correctly. Most users' mistake is simultaneous clamping, which leads to a random Google Assistant call or a screen lock. Here's the exact sequence:

1. Find what you want to capture on the screen (scrolling after you create a screenshot won’t save additional content!).
2. Place your fingers: the index button Power (right), the large one - to reduce volume (left).
3. Press Power 0.1 seconds earlier than Volume Down and hold both 1 second.

If the screen flashed but the screenshot was not saved, check:

• 📱 Memory of the device: MIUI Requires a minimum of 50 MB of free space on the internal drive to save screenshots.
• 🔕 Do not disturb: in some versions MIUI It blocks the creation of screenshots (especially relevant for the POCO X5 Pro).
• 🔄 System updates: in MIUI 13.0.4–13.0.6 was a screenshot loss bug – fixed at 13.0.7+.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi Black Shark, the standard combination is disabled by default. To activate it, go to Settings → Special facilities → Buttons → Include screenshots.

Swipe gesture: quick screenshot without buttons

The Quick Screenshot feature, which was swiped with three fingers, appeared in MIUI 10, but many users still don’t know it exists, is 40% faster than the classic one and is indispensable if physical buttons are broken or occupied (e.g. while playing).

How to turn on:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures → Quick screenshots.
2. Activate the swipe switch with three fingers down.
3. In the Gesture Settings section, select the swipe direction (up or down – depending on the model).

The nuances of work:

• 🎮 Nana POCO F4 GT Black Shark 5 gesture turns off automatically in game mode (to avoid accidental positives).
• 🖼️ If you have animated wallpaper (like Super Wallpapers), the swipe may not work the first time – repeat the movement more slowly.
• 🔒 On a locked screen, the gesture does not work (for security reasons).

Swipe should start off the screen (from the edges)

The finger should not be removed from the display during movement.

The gesture only works on the home screen and in apps (not in the settings menu)

Wait 0.5 seconds after swipe – the screenshot is not instantly saved

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Screenshot via notification panel (hidden method)

Little-known fact: MIUI 12+ has a built-in screenshot button, but it's hidden by default, which is useful if the physical buttons don't work or you prefer visual control. Here's how to activate it:

Instructions:

1. Turn the notification bar swipe down.
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ ("Edit”) in upper right corner.
3. Find a screenshot tile in the list (usually hidden in the "Other settings" section).
4. Drag it to the active area (for example, the first page).

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Instant access – no need to remember button combinations.
• 📁 Automatic save to folder Pictures/Screenshots (Unlike a gesture that sometimes saves to Download).
• 🔧 It works even if your gestures are disabled or buttons are broken.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) The screenshot may not be on the list, which means your version MIUI Does not support this method – update the firmware.

Voice Assistant and Google Assistant

If you have busy hands or buttons, you can take a voice screenshot, which works on all models with Google Assistant (preinstalled on global firmware) or XiaoAI (Chinese versions).

For Google Assistant:

1. Say, "Okay, Google, take a screenshot."
2. Confirm the action on the screen (if required).

For XiaoAI (Chinese firmware):

1. Activate the assistant with a long press on the Home button.
2. Say, "" (XiaoAI, take a screenshot).

Limitations:

• 🎤 Voice screenshots do not work in games and some banking applications (for security reasons).
• 🌐 On Chinese firmware without root rights, XiaoAI can save screenshots in.png format with a watermark.
• 🔊 In noisy rooms, the assistant may not recognize the command - use text input.

💡

If the voice assistant doesn't respond, check the permissions in Settings → Apps → Google → Permissions → Microphone. Often, after updates, they are reset.

Screenshot of a long page (scroll)

A standard screenshot captures only the visible area of the screen, but what if you want to save an entire web page, a chat in Telegram or a contact list? MIUI has a built-in Scrolling Screenshot feature, but it doesn't work in all apps.

How to do this:

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
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 down).
4. Wait for the automatic scroll and press Ready.

Supported annexes:

• 🌐 Browsers: Chrome, Mi Browser, Firefox.
• 💬 Messengers: Telegram (only in chat rooms), WhatsApp (without media files).
• 📄 Documents: WPS Office, Google Docs (text only).

⚠️ Note: In Instagram, TikTok and banking apps, the scrolling screenshot feature is blocked due to security policy, and trying to use it may lead to a temporary account lock (for example, in SberBank Online).

Problems and Solutions: Why Screenshots Are Not Saved

If screenshots don't get created or disappear, the reason lies in one of 5 typical problems. We collected solutions tested on devices with MIUI 12-14:

For the diagnosis of complex cases:

1. Check the system logs through Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → Press 5 times on the “Kerole” (the diagnostic menu will open).
2. If the problem appears after the update, roll back to the previous version of MIUI via Fastboot.

💡

On Xiaomi 12T and later,.jpeg screenshots are compressed more than on older models. To maintain quality, use apps like Screenshot Touch with.png save settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions