Where to look for screenshots on Xiaomi: A complete guide to finding and managing screenshots

It takes a few seconds to get a screenshot on a Xiaomi smartphone, but finding it can sometimes be a quest, especially if you're using a device for the first time on MIUI or switching from a different brand, and the screenshot storage system has its own peculiarities: it depends on the version of the shell, the model of the phone, and even the way you create the screen.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible places that screenshots can be stored on Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO, from standard folders to hidden directories, and how to quickly find snapshots through embedded search, cloud services, and even recover randomly deleted files, and for those who like automation, we’ve prepared instructions to change the default way screens are saved.

If you use custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the paths may be different, and if you use custom firmware, look for alternative search methods.

1. Standard location of screenshots in MIUI

In 90% of cases, screenshots on Xiaomi are saved in the Screenshots folder, which is in the root directory of internal memory.

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

But there are nuances:

• 📱 On Xiaomi MIUI 12 The newer folder may be called Screenshot (without ending "-s") — This is not a mistake, but a feature of localization.
• 🔄 If you took screenshots through scrolling mode (long screen), they may lie in a separate folder. Scrolling_Screenshots.
• 🎨 Pictures created through the Screen Capture tool in the notification panel are sometimes saved in the DCIM/Screenshots.

To quickly open the folder with screens:

1. Open the Files app (yellow folder icon).
2. Go to the Category tab → Images.
3. Scroll down to the Screenshots section - here are all your screenshots collected.

⚠️ Note: If you connected your phone to your computer in file transfer mode (MTP) If you haven't seen the Screenshots folder, check the settings for displaying hidden files in Windows Explorer. MIUI System folders are sometimes hidden by default.

2. Alternative storage locations for screenshots

You didn't find the screenshots in the standard folder? Maybe they're saved elsewhere.

Special attention should be paid to screenshots taken through third-party applications, for example:

• 📸 Lightshot saves files in the /Pictures/Lightshot/.
• 🖼️ Screenshot Easy is used for use /ScreenshotEasy/.
• 🎮 Game Tools (built-in game launcher) can duplicate screens in /MIUI/GameCenter/Screenshots/.

Important: if you use the Scrolling Screenshot function in MIUI 14, The final file can be saved in format. PDF (not PNG/JPG) and lie in a file /Documents/Scroll_Captures/.

3. How to find screenshots through phone search

If you don’t want to manually search for folders, use the built-in MIUI search, which indexes all files on the device, including screenshots.

Search instructions:

1. Open the Files app.
2. Slip on the magnifying glass icon (🔍) top-right.
3. Enter the request: screenshot or screenshot (in English layout).
4. The system will show all the files found with sorting by date.

Alternatively, search through the gallery:

• 🖼️ Open the Gallery app.
• Go to the Album tab.
• Scroll down to the Screenshots section - here are collected all screenshots sorted by date.

Check the Pictures/Screenshots | folder

Use the search in the Files app |

View the album "Screenshots" in the Gallery |

Check the folders of third-party applications (Lightshot, Game Tools)-->

If the search does not give results, try the following steps:

1. Update the file index: go to Settings → Applications → Files → Memory and cache → Clear the cache.
2. Check if the search is turned off by files: Settings → Additional → Search → Search by files (should be enabled).

⚠️ Note: On some models POCO (for example, POCO X3 Pro) File search only works after the first Screenshots folder is manually opened.

4. How to change the default screenshot saving folder

If you don't like the standard screenshot layout, you can change it, either by using a third-party app or by using a different screen. ADB-Teams (for advanced users).

Method 1: Through Screenshot Folder

Method 2: Through ADB (PC)

1. Connect your phone to your computer and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap on version → return to Additional → For developers).
2. Open the command line on PC and type: adb shell settings put global screenshot_save_path /sdcard/New Pope/
3. Reset the device.

Limitations:

• ❌ Nana MIUI 14 changing the path through ADB It may be reset after the update.
• ❌ Some system applications (such as Game Turbo) ignore user settings and save screens to their folders.

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If you often take screenshots for work, create a folder Work_Screenshots on a memory card (if you have one) and redirect the saving there, which will save space in internal memory and make it easier to back up.

5. Recovering deleted screenshots

Did you accidentally delete an important screenshot? Don't panic -- there are several ways to get it back. The rule is, don't write new files to your phone until you restore the deleted ones (this will reduce your chances of success).

Method 1: Through the basket in the application "Files"

• 🗑️ Open the files. → Basket.
• 🔍 Find a deleted screenshot (files are stored here for 15 days).
• 🔄 Tap on the file and select Restore.

Method 2: DiskDigger (without root)

1. Install DiskDigger from Google Play.
2. Select Start the basic scan.
3. Note the file types: PNG and JPG.
4. After scanning, find the desired screenshot and save it.

Method 3: Through PC (with root rights)

1. Use programs like Recuva or EaseUS Data Recovery to scan your internal memory.

⚠️ Note: If you used the Garbage Cleanup feature in the Security App, the chances of recovery drop dramatically – this utility deletes files without the possibility of returning through the Recycle Bin.

6. Cloud services and screenshot synchronization

If your Xiaomi has cloud sync enabled, screenshots can be automatically copied to Mi Cloud or Google Photos, not only as a backup, but also as a convenient way to access files from other devices.

How to check screenshots in Mi Cloud:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Make sure that the synchronization of the gallery is enabled.
3. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
4. In the Gallery section, find the Screenshots folder.

How to find screenshots in Google Photos:

• 📱 Open the Google Photos app.
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter a screenshot.
• 📁 The system will show all downloaded screenshots, including those deleted from the phone (if the Recycle Bin feature is enabled in Google Photos settings).

Important nuances:

• 🔄 V MIUI 13/14 The default is that only photos are synced, and screenshots are not. To enable their upload, go to Google Photo Settings. → Backup → Device folders and activate Screenshots.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud only provides 5GB for free. If the space runs out, new screenshots won't sync.

7. Screenshot problems and their solutions

Sometimes, users find that screenshots are not saved, lost or saved in the wrong format, and here are the most common problems and ways to solve them:

If none of these methods helped, try resetting the Files app settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Files.
2. Select Warehouse. → Clear the data.
3. Reboot the phone.

Critical information: On some Redmi Note models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) after upgrading to MIUI 14, screenshots can be saved to /MIUI/ScreenShot/ instead of the standard folder.

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If screenshots are no longer saved after the MIUI update, try clearing the Gallery and Files cache, which solves the problem 80 percent of the time without resetting.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi