Creating screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task — as long as you do not encounter unexpected nuances. buttons do not respond, gestures do not work, and there are no usual options on the menu. This is especially true for owners of new models of Redmi or POCO, where the manufacturer regularly updates the MIUI firmware and changes the location of functions. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to take a screenshot on Xiaomi — from classic keyboard combinations to hidden features that are not written even in the official documentation.
It is important to understand that the methods differ not only depending on the version of the MIUI (12, 13, 14 or HyperOS), but also on the device model. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with a curved screen, the three-finger gesture can work differently than on the Redmi Note 12 with a flat display. And owners of the POCO F5 will have to consider the features of the POCO Launcher shell. We tested all methods on current firmware from 2026 and identified those that work stably.
1. Classic method: power and volume buttons
The most reliable method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones, from the budget Redmi A2 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. The combination is universal and does not depend on the firmware version.
- Open the screen you want to save (for example, a chat in Telegram or a page in your browser).
- At the same time, press the Power (on/off) button and the Volume Down button.
- Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the sound of the camera shutter and see the animation of the screenshot.
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Black Shark) 5) This combination can cause a reboot menu, so if you have a window with the "Off/Reboot" option instead of a screenshot, you've been holding the buttons too long. 0.5-1 seconds.
Where to look for the screenshot taken? By default, the files are saved in the folder:
/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/Or through the gallery: open the Photos app → Screenshots album.
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If screenshots are not saved, check permissions for the Screenshots app in Settings → Apps → Permissions Management → Storage.
2. Three-finger gesture: quick screenshot without buttons
The screenshot gesture feature was introduced in MIUI 10 and has since become one of the most convenient features, allowing you to take a screenshot in one motion without pressing physical buttons. Here's how to set it up and use it:
- Go to Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
- Find the screenshot option with three fingers and turn it on.
- Select action: Swipe down (recommended) or Touch and Hold.
Now to take a screenshot:
- 👆 Swipe three fingers across the screen from top to bottom (if you have chosen swipe).
- 🖐️ Or touch the screen with three fingers and hold for 1 second (if you choose to hold).
⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi Pad 6), this gesture may conflict with the "Share Split" function. If the screenshot fails, check if the split is enabled in Settings. → Screen. → Screen splitting.
Is the gesture activated in the settings?|Is screen splitting disabled?|Whether clean fingers (dirty interferes with the operation)?|Have you tried swipe from different parts of the screen?-->
3. Screenshot with the Google Assistant
If you have Google Assistant installed (the default is on most Xiaomi models with Google services), you can take screenshots with voice. This is especially convenient when your hands are busy or the buttons are not working.
- Activate Google Assistant with the “OK, Google” voice command or hold the Home button.
- Say, "Take a screenshot" or "Photograph the screen."
- Confirm the action if the assistant requests permission.
🔹 Advantages of the method:
- 🎤 It works without physical contact with the phone.
- 🔄 It can be used if the touch screen is turned off.
- 📁 Screenshot is automatically saved to a standard folder.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI In China (without Google services), this method does not work, and the voice assistant may not work if the settings disable access to Special features for the Google app.
Power and volume keys|Three-finger gesture|Voice assistant|Other-->
4. Screenshot through the Quick Settings panel
Few people know, but MIUI has a built-in button for screenshots right in the notification curtain, which is useful if you don't want to remember gestures or keyboard combinations.
- Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
- Swipe down again to open the full Quick Settings panel.
- Find the Screenshot icon (usually looks like a scissor or a rectangle with lightning).
- Slip it on the phone immediately takes a screenshot.
If the icon is missing:
- 🔧 Press on. ⚙️ Edit in the Quick Settings Panel.
- 🔍 Find a screenshot in the list and drag it to the active area.
On some models (such as the Redmi K60), this icon is hidden by default and only appears after manual addition.
| Xiaomi model | Screenshot icon in the curtain by default | Is manual adjustment required? |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13/14 | Yes. | No. |
| Redmi Note 12 | No. | Yes. |
| POCO X5 | Yeah (at POCO Launcher) | No. |
| Black Shark 5 | No. | Yes (via editing only) |
5. Advanced features: long screenshot and editing
The standard screenshot captures only the visible area of the screen, but MIUI has tools for taking long screenshots and instant editing. Here's how it works:
How to take a long screenshot:
- Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
- Immediately after the miniature appears in the lower right corner, tap it.
- In the editor that opens, select the Scroll option (an icon with two down arrows).
- Wait for the phone to automatically scroll through the page and connect the pieces into one long shot.
🔹 Limitations:
- ⚠️ It does not work in some applications (for example, TikTok, Instagram*).
- ⚠️ Maximum length: 10 screens (after this scroll stops).
- ⚠️ Google Chrome can only capture text without images.
Quick editing:
After taking a screenshot, you can immediately:
- ✏️ Cut the edges (frame icon).
- 🎨 Add text or drawing (pencil icon).
- 🔍 Blurr part of the image (Mosaic icon).
- 📤 Share directly in messengers (icon Send).
Why does scroll work in some applications?
6. Screenshot via ADB: for developers and advanced users
If standard methods don’t work (e.g., on custom firmware or after a system crash), you can take a screenshot via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a computer and minimal command line knowledge.
Instructions:
- Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB
- Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
- Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type in: adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
- Run the command for a screenshot: adb exec-out screencap -p > screenshot.png The screenshot.png file will be saved in the folder where the command was launched.
⚠️ Note: This method does not work on phones with a locked bootloader and debugging disabled. MIUI You can block screencap command for security reasons.
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ADB-Screenshot is the only way to get a screenshot on a locked phone (for example, if the sensor or buttons are not working), but requires debugging pre-setting.
7. Alternative applications for screenshots
If the built-in MIUI features don't suit you, you can use third-party apps, which offer advanced features like screen recording, editing, cloud saving, and even text recognition (OCR).
| Annex | Features | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Master | Long screenshots, editor, screen recording | Google Play |
| Screenshot Easy | Gestures, timer, cloud storage | Google Play |
| Super Screenshot | Text recognition, templates for social networks | Google Play |
⚠️ Note: When installing third-party screenshot apps, they will ask permission to Overlay over other windows, without this right, programs will not be able to take screenshots:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Permissions Management → Overlay.
- Find the screenshot app and turn on the switch.
🔹 The benefits of third-party applications:
- 📱 It works even if the built-in functions MIUI switched off.
- ⏱️ You can set a delay timer (useful for menu screenshots that disappear).
- 🌐 Some support automatic upload to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox).
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even on new Xiaomi smartphones, users are faced with errors in creating screenshots, let’s analyze the most common cases and ways to fix them.
Problem 1: The buttons don’t respond to the press.
- 🔋 Check if the battery is discharged (at the charge level) <5% some functions are turned off).
- 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes helps with temporary crashes.
- 🛠️ If the buttons are physically damaged, use a three-finger gesture or ADB.
Problem 2: Screenshots are not saved.
- 📁 Check the space in memory (you need at least 100 MB on the system partition).
- 🔧 Go to Settings. → Warehouse → Screenshots folder and clear the cache.
- 📋 Make sure the Gallery app has storage rights.
Problem 3: The three-finger gesture doesn't work.
- 👆 Check if the gesture is enabled in the settings (Additional features) → Gestures).
- 🧹 Clean the screen of dust and moisture – the sensor may not recognize touch.
- 🔧 If you use a protective glass with rounded edges, try making a gesture closer to the center of the screen.
Problem 4: The long screenshot is broken.
- 📱 Update the app you’re trying to take a screenshot of (like Chrome or Twitter).
- 🔄 Try scrolling the page manually while creating a screenshot.
- 📏 Use third-party apps like Screen Master that are better at handling long pages.
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If none of these things work, try resetting your gesture settings: Settings → System → Resetting → Reset gesture settings. This won't delete your data, but it will return all gestures to factory settings.