How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Mi A3 after the update: all working ways

After updating the firmware on Xiaomi Mi A3, many users face a problem: the usual key combinations to create a screenshot stop working. This is due to changes in the logic of gesture management, updating the MIUI shell or switching to a new version of Android (for example, from Android 9 to Android 10/11).

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to create screenshots on the Mi A3 after the update, from standard keyboard shortcuts to alternative methods using ADB and third-party applications. Particular attention will be paid to typical errors (for example, when the screen just flashes, but the picture is not saved) and how to fix them. If you upgrade your phone and find that screenshots stopped being created, here you will find a solution.

Why is the screenshot on the Mi A3 not working after the update?

The reasons for a broken screenshot after an update can be divided into software and hardware, and in 90% of cases, the problem lies in the first:

• 🔄 Change key combinations in new versions MIUI (for example, 12.5+) Developers can reassign standard gestures, for example, instead of Volume down. + Food may now be required to be louder up + Nutrition.
• 🛠️ The com.android.systemui system service, which handles screenshots, often crashes when versions are interrupted or conflict.
• 📱 Conflict with the shell - Mi A3 Originally worked on “pure” Android One, but after the updates could get a hybrid firmware with elements MIUI, Where the logic of screenshots differs.
• 🚫 Blocking rights – some firmware restricts the creation of screenshots in certain applications (for example, banking or other applications). DRM-protected).

Less commonly, the problem is physical damage to buttons (such as after a phone drop) or a memory module malfunction where files are not stored. If none of the methods below work, check your phone for hardware malfunctions.

Method 1: Standard key combination (relevant to MIUI 12.5+)

The easiest method is to use hardware buttons, but after the update, the combination may have changed.

1. Open the screen you want to capture.
2. Press and hold Volume Down + Power button for 1-2 seconds.
3. If it doesn’t work, try Volume Up + Power Button.

🔹 Signs of a successful screenshot: the screen will blink, save animation will appear (in the MIUI — There's a running wave at the bottom of the screen, and a preview will appear in the notification panel, and if the screen just goes out or locks, the combination is wrong.

Press Volume Up - Volume scale should appear|Press Volume Down – Volume scale should appear|Press the Power button – the screen must lock/unlock.|If at least one button does not respond, the hardware problem-->

⚠️ Note: Some of the firmware for Mi A3 After upgrading to Android 11+ You may need to double-press the power button (quickly double-click) due to changes in gesture processing.

Method 2: Three fingers down gesture (if enabled in settings)

MIUI has an alternative way to take screenshots with a touch gesture, but once it's updated, it can be disabled by default to activate:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Special features → Gestures and movements.
2. Find the screenshot with three fingers (or swipe with three fingers).
3. Activate the slider and select the swipe direction (usually down).

📌 How to use: swipe three fingers across the screen from top to bottom (as if you were swiping the screen) and the speed should be medium – a swipe that is too slow or fast may not work.

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If the three-finger gesture doesn't turn on, try resetting your gesture settings to the standard. Go to Settings → System → Resetting → Reset gesture settings.

Method 3: Quick Settings Panel (for MIUI and Android One)

If the hardware buttons or gestures don't work, use the notification bar. This method is universal and works on most firmware:

1. Turn the notification bar swipe from top to bottom.
2. Find a Screenshot icon (usually looks like a scissor or a zipper rectangle) if it's not there, click on the pencil (Edit) and add it to the active buttons.
3. Slip the icon - the screenshot will be taken instantly.

🔍 What to do if there is no badge?

• 🔧 Check if it is hidden in the Other Settings section (at the end of the panel list).
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the panel resets after the update.
• 📱 If you use Android One, the icon can be called Capture or Screen capture.

Method 4: Voice Command (Google Assistant)

If the sensor or buttons don't respond, you can take a screenshot using the voice assistant, which works on all versions of Android, but requires an active Internet connection:

1. Activate Google Assistant with the voice command OK, Google or by holding the Home button (if any).
2. Say: Take a screenshot or Make a screenshot (in English it often works better).
3. Confirm the action if the assistant requests permission.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI voice commands for screenshots are disabled by default due to privacy policy:

1. Open Google Settings → Google Services → Search Settings → Voice input.
2. Activate the slider Allow voice commands for screenshots.

📌 Alternative: If Google Assistant does not recognize the command, install Yandex Alice or Siri (for iPhone, if Mi). A3 In Alice, the team sounds like Alice, take a screenshot.

Method 5: ADB-Team (for advanced users)

If none of the above methods worked, you can take a screenshot via USB debugging using the ADB command. This method requires a computer and minimal technical skills, but works 100% of the time.

🔧 What's the matter:

• 💻 A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Assembly number (shap 7 times) → Developer settings → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

📝 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Connect the Mi A3 to your computer and confirm the debugging permission on your phone.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (serial number should appear).
4. Take a screenshot with the command: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.png
5. Download the file to your computer: adb pull /sdcard/screenshot.png

Important: If screencap doesn’t work, try an alternative with a path to DCIM:

adb shell screencap -p | sed 's/\r$//' > screenshot.png

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ADB-The command is the only way to take a screenshot if the phone’s screen doesn’t respond fully to touch (for example, after a failed update).

What if a screenshot is taken but not saved?

A situation where the screen flashes but the file does not appear in the gallery is typical of the Mi A3 after the update.

• 📁 Incorrect rights to the folder - screenshots are saved in /Pictures/Screenshots or /DCIM/Screenshots. If the folder is damaged, the files are lost. Solution: Manually create the Screenshots folder at the root of the internal memory.
• 🗑️ Overflowing Storage – Check the free space in Settings → Warehouse. Clear the cache or delete unnecessary files.
• 🔄 Media scanner failure – after the update, the system may not see new files.Reboot the phone or type in the dial: ##4636## Then select Media Check and click Update.
• 🚫 Antivirus blocking – some antiviruses (such as Avast or 360 Security) block the recording of screenshots.

🔹 How to Find Lost Screenshots?

1. Connect the phone to your computer and check the folders manually through the conductor.
2. Use a file manager (such as Solid Explorer) with hidden file displays enabled.
3. Type:image date:today (for Google Photos) in the gallery search.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Mi A3