Xiaomi screenshot: all ways to take a screenshot and save it correctly

What is a screenshot and why it is needed by Xiaomi owners

A screenshot is a static image that captures the current contents of your smartphone’s display. On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, this feature is implemented with the MIUI branded shell in mind, which adds unique features compared to stock Android. For example, not only standard button combinations, but also gesture controls, as well as advanced editing tools immediately after the image is created.

Why would you want a screenshot on Xiaomi? First, it's a convenient way to save important information: tickets, checks, correspondence or data from apps that can't be copied. Second, screenshots are indispensable for demonstrating errors in the work of programs - they are often requested by support services. Finally, it's an easy way to share moments from games, social networks or messengers when the usual screencast (screen video recording) is redundant.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to create screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones, including models with physical buttons and completely buttonless devices (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or POCO F5).

Standard method: button combination

The most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi models – from the budget Redmi 10A to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Pro. To create a screenshot, press two buttons at the same time:

• 🔘 Power button (on/off) + volume-button
• 🕒 Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the characteristic shutter sound (if the sound is on) and see the save animation.
• 📁 The finished screenshot is automatically saved to the gallery in the Screenshots folder.

This method is reliable, but it has a nuance: on some models (for example, the POCO X3 Pro), the power button is located too close to the volume button, which can accidentally press three keys at the same time and call the emergency reboot menu. To avoid this, use the second finger to fix the volume button, and the first one for the power button.

⚠️ Warning: If the screen flashes after pressing the combination, but the picture is not saved, check if the mode is activated Do not disturb with blocking notifications. MIUI It prevents the creation of screenshots.

Three finger gesture: quick screenshot without buttons

The MIUI feature is the ability to swipe screenshots with three fingers down, which is enabled by default on most devices, but if it doesn't work, you can activate it manually:

1. Go to Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
2. Select the screenshot with three fingers.
3. Activate the switch and if necessary, adjust the direction of the swipe (down or up).

Advantages of this method:

• 👆 You don’t need to remember button combinations.
• 🎯 It works with one hand (if the fingers are flexible).
• ⚡ Faster than the standard method by 30-40%.

There are drawbacks, however: For example, on the Xiaomi 12T with a curved screen, a gesture can be triggered accidentally when scrolling through social media, so to avoid this, adjust the sensitivity of the gesture in the same settings or turn off the feature for specific applications.

Quick settings panel and voice assistant

If the physical buttons on your Xiaomi are faulty or you prefer alternative methods, use one of these methods:

1. Through the notification panel

• 📱 Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
• 🔍 Find the screenshot icon (usually hidden under the button) ⋮ or edit).
• 🖼️ Slip on it - the picture will be taken instantly.

2.Voice command

If you have Google Assistant or XiaoAI (branded Xiaomi Assistant) activated on your device, you can say:

• 🎤 "OK, Google, take a screenshot (for Google Assistant).
• 🎤 "XiaoAI, screenshot" (for corporate assistant).

Voice is convenient when hands are busy, but requires an internet connection to process commands. In addition, on some models (such as the Redmi Note 11), XiaoAI may not recognize commands due to regional restrictions, in which case switching the system language to English or Chinese will help.

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Add the Screenshot icon to the visible part of the notification panel so you don't waste time searching. To do this, tap your pencil (Edit) and drag the icon to the active zone.

Editing and annotating screenshots

After you take a screenshot on Xiaomi, you get a thumbnail with quick access buttons in the lower right corner.

• ✏️ Edit – crop, add text, drawings or mosaics.
• 📤 Share – send a screenshot to the messenger or cloud.
• 🗑️ Delete if the photo is unnecessary.
• 📋 Copy – Save to the clipboard for insertion into other applications.

The screenshot editor at MIUI supports:

V MIUI 14+ The function "Smart text recognition" appeared" (OCR) It's right in the screenshot editor, and it allows you to copy text from the image without any third-party application. To use it, open the picture, tap the magnifying glass icon (🔍) And select the desired fragment.

⚠️ Note: If the screenshot is not saved after editing, check the permissions for the Gallery app in the settings. MIUI Resets storage access after updates.

Where are the screenshots stored and how to transfer them

By default, all screenshots on Xiaomi are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

It is accessible to:

• 📂 Through the Gallery app → album.
• 🔍 Through any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Total Commander).
• 🖥️ When connecting a smartphone to a computer USB (file transfer mode).

If the Screenshots folder is missing, check:

1. Have you changed the way you save in the Screenshot settings (available in some versions of MIUI)?
2. Is the folder hidden by system settings (enable the display of hidden files in the file manager).
3. Is there a third-party screenshot app (like Screenshot Touch) that saves files to its folder?

To transfer the screenshots to another medium:

Connect. USB-plug-in SD-map|Open the Screenshots folder in the file manager|Select the required files with a long tap|Click "Copy" or "Cut"|Go to the target folder and select "Insert"-->

Problems with screenshots on Xiaomi and their solutions

Even on modern Xiaomi smartphones, users face difficulties in taking screenshots. Consider typical situations and ways to fix them:

1. Screenshot not saved

Causes and solutions:

• 📱 End of memory: free up at least 100-200 MB in the Settings section → Warehouse.
• 🔧 Failure to work MIUI: restart the device or clear the cache of the Gallery app.
• 🚫 Application restrictions: some banking programs or games (e.g, PUBG Mobile blocks screenshots for security reasons.

2. The three-finger gesture doesn't work.

What to do:

1. Check if the function is included in Settings → Additional features → Gestures.
2. Update MIUI to the latest version (in older versions, the gesture may not work stable).
3. Reset your gesture settings to factory (Settings → System → Resetting → Reset gesture settings).

3. Low quality screenshots

If the images are blurry:

• 📸 Make sure that the camera settings do not activate Traffic Savings mode (affects screenshot resolution in the camera). MIUI 13+).
• 🔍 Check if there is a screen resolution limit in Settings → Display. → Screen resolution.
• 🖼️ Use third-party apps (like Screenshot Easy) if standard tools don’t work.

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If screenshots are not taken in a particular app (e.g. Netflix or a banking app), this is not a bug, but a measure of protection. In such cases, use a second smartphone to take pictures of the screen or special programs with a screen recording function.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi