Owners of smartphones Redmi and Poco often face the need to quickly save information from the display, whether it is correspondence, recipe or error in the application. the Standard procedure for creating a screen image on Xiaomi is not much different from other Android devices, but the shell MIUI and the new HyperOS offer advanced functionality that is hidden from the eyes of the average user. Understanding all available methods allows you to save time and avoid unnecessary actions when working with the interface.
The system provides several ways to capture images, from the classic combination of buttons to advanced gestures and voice control. Depending on the model of your device, whether it is a budget Redmi Note or flagship Xiaomi Pro, the toolkit may vary slightly, but the basic principles remain the same throughout the brand ecosystem.
In this article, we will take a look at all the existing methods of creating screenshots, setting up automatic scrolling for long pages and how to edit the resulting files. You will learn how to configure convenient gestures and what hidden features are available in the screenshot gallery. This guide is relevant for most modern models running current versions of firmware.
Classical method using physical buttons
The fastest and most time-tested way to capture the current state of the display is through the use of hardware control buttons, which works across all Redmi and Poco devices regardless of the operating system version, and requires both the Power and Volume Down buttons to be pressed to perform the action.
It's important to press the buttons in a short and synchronous manner. If you hold them too long, the system can perceive this as a command to call the emergency call menu or turn off the device. The characteristic sound of the camera shutter and the visual flash of the screen will confirm the successful creation of the file. The picture taken will instantly appear in thumbnail in the upper corner, allowing you to immediately go to editing.
This is ideal in situations where the screen is slow to react or when you are in an app that blocks gestures. Physical buttons take precedence over the software limitations of most interfaces. However, if the buttons are corrupted or stuck, you should turn to alternative software methods described below.
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If the volume buttons are not comfortable, try turning the phone into landscape mode – sometimes this makes it easier to press the combination at the same time.
Use the Quick Settings Menu and Control Center
The second popular method doesn't require you to press buttons at the same time, which is especially useful when you're holding your phone with one hand. The MIUI and HyperOS shells have a special shortcut in the notification curtain. To use it, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Control Center.
In the icon list, find an icon with a scissor or rectangle signed "Screenshot." Clicking on this element will instantly create a copy of the screen. If you can't see this icon among the active ones, it may be hidden. To return it, tap the edit icon (usually a pencil or a square with an arrow) in the top corner of the curtain and drag the desired widget to the active zone.
The advantage of this method is that it is visually obvious and there is no risk of random call of other functions. In addition, you can immediately select Scrolling Shot (long screenshot) mode through the menu, if this option is provided separately in your firmware version, which eliminates the need to flip through the menu after you create a regular shot.
Setting and using gestures with three fingers
One of the most ergonomic ways for large smartphone owners is through gesture control, which allows you to create screenshots by simply swiping three fingers across the screen from top to bottom, a feature that is not activated by default on some global firmware versions, so you need to pre-enable it in your settings.
To activate, go to Settings, then select Additional Settings. In the list that opens, look for Screenshots or Screenshots and Screenshots and Screen Recording. Here you need to activate the switch opposite the option "Three-finger Swipe." After that, simply slide three fingers over any area of the display will save the image.
In the same menu, you can often customize the gesture area, you can limit the swipe to the home screen only, or you can allow it in all applications. This helps to avoid random screenshots during games or watching videos, where casual touch may be undesirable. The gesture works smoothly and does not require a stop halfway.
☑️ Tweaking the gesture with three fingers
Voice control via Google Assistant and Mi Assistant
Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with powerful voice assistants that can execute system commands. If your hands are busy or the device is far away but connected to the headset, you can simply say a command. For users of global versions, Google Assistant is relevant, and for Chinese firmware or if you adjust it, Mi Assistant.
To take a picture, just say, "Ok Google, take a screenshot," or "Hey Google, take a screenshot." The system recognizes the command, emits an audible signal, and saves the file to the gallery. It's important that the microphone is active and the assistant has the necessary permissions to interact with the interface. In some cases, you need to confirm the action on the lock screen.
Voice control is especially useful for people with disabilities or in situations where touching the screen is impossible (for example, wet hands). Recognition accuracy depends on the quality of the diction and the absence of extraneous noise.
Why can't the voice command work?
Long screenshot function and automatic scrolling
One of the most sought-after features in the Xiaomi ecosystem is the ability to create long screenshots, which allows you to capture the entire page of a site, long correspondence in a messenger or a document as a whole, not just the visible part.
Click on the down arrow button or "Scroll" button. The device will automatically start scrolling down, stitching the footage into a single long image. The process will stop when you touch the screen or reach the end of the page. In some versions of MIUI, the "Autoscroll" feature is available, which defines the boundaries of the content itself.
Long screenshots can have significant weight and resolution, so they take up more memory space. The system automatically optimizes them, but when you keep very long pages (more than 10 screens), the text quality can decrease slightly.
| Parameter | Normal screenshot | Long screenshot (Scroll shot) |
|:--- |:--- |:--- |
| Coverage area | Visible part of the screen only | Entire page |
| | Standard PNG/JPG | PNG (often elongated) |
| How to create | Buttons, gestures, menus | Scroll button after the photo |
| File size | Standard (1-3 MB) | Enlarged (can reach 10+ MB) |
| Editing | Available immediately | Available after scroll completion |
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The long screenshot feature automatically trims the extra empty fields below if the page content is shorter than the maximum scroll length.
Editing, markup and file management
Once you've created a picture, it suggests you move to editing. The built-in MIUI Gallery editor allows you to type text, draw arrows, blur sensitive data and add stickers. It eliminates the need to install third-party applications for basic image processing. The tools are located in the bottom panel and intuitive.
Special attention should be paid to the Magic Erase tool or similar AI-based features in new versions of HyperOS, which allow you to remove unnecessary objects from a photo or screenshot, and the text recognition function (OCR) is also available, which translates text from an image into an editable format. To access these functions, click "More" in the editing menu.
Files are saved to a separate Screenshots folder inside the main gallery, and can be quickly sent via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, or instant messengers, and automatically sorted by date of creation, and if you've taken many pictures, use the Favorites feature or create albums to keep important information from being lost among the many files.
⚠️ Note: When sending screenshots via messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) without compression, the image quality can be reduced. Use the option "Send as a file" or "Document", if the original clarity of text and details is important.
Solutions and answers to popular questions
Despite the simplicity of the process, users sometimes face difficulties: screenshots are not created, buttons do not respond or images are saved in black. Most often, the problem lies in the security limitations of a particular application. Banking programs, incognito modes and some streaming services block the creation of screenshots to protect user data.
If screenshots are no longer being created systemically, check for free storage space in the device. A crowded drive is a common cause of system failures. It is also worth rebooting the device to reset temporary interface errors. In rare cases, cleaning the cache of the Gallery or System UI application helps.
For advanced users, the option to change the default save format is available through the engineering menu or ADB-Standard settings strike a balance between quality and compatibility. If neither method works, you may need to upgrade your firmware to the latest stable version.
⚠️ Warning: Attempts to modify system files to bypass screenshot protection in banking applications may result in account access being blocked or the app being removed by the bank’s security services.