How to draw on the screen Xiaomi: from screenshot marker to professional canvases

Drawing on the screen of a Xiaomi smartphone or tablet is not only entertainment, but also a useful tool for taking notes, editing screenshots or even professional design. Unlike the iPad with the Apple Pencil, Xiaomi devices do not require expensive accessories: enough of your fingers, a standard stylus (if supported by a model), or even a Bluetooth pen from third-party manufacturers.

In this article, we will analyze all available methods - from built-in functions. MIUI to third-party applications with advanced capabilities:

• 🎨 Use a screenshot marker without installing additional programs;
• ✏️ Activate the drawing mode in standard Xiaomi notes;
• 📱 Connect the stylus to supported models (e.g. Mi Pad 5 or Mi Pad 5) POCO X3 Pro);
• 🖌️ Choose the best app for artists among free and paid options;
• 🔧 Set up a press sensitivity if your device supports Active Pen.

We pay special attention to hidden functions. MIUI 14/15, And the ones that many users miss out on, like the ability to draw over any screen with a three-finger down gesture (not available on all models), and the common mistakes that make drawing lag or lines get ragged, and how to fix them.

1. Built-in marker for screenshots: a quick way

The easiest method is to use the markup tool, which appears immediately after you create a screenshot. It works on all Xiaomi devices with the help of the user. MIUI 10 and newer, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO F5 Xiaomi 13.

How to do this:

1. Take a screenshot in the standard way: simultaneously press the power button + volume-reducing.
2. In the menu that appears at the bottom of the screen, select the Edit icon (pencil).
3. In the editor that opens, select the tool “Peer” or “Marker” (line thickness can be adjusted with a slider).
4. Colors are available in the palette below - they can be further customized by clicking on «+».

⚠️ Note: If the editing menu does not appear after the screenshot, check the settings: go to Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures → Screenshots and enable the option “Show the toolbar».

Make sure the toolbar is included in the settings|

Choose the maximum quality of the screenshot (PNG instead JPEG)|

Disable “Smart Text Recognition” if it interferes with|

Check that all the tools are available in the editor (sometimes hidden under the “More»)-->

Advantages of this method:

• 🔹 No need to install additional applications;
• 🔹 It's offline;
• 🔹 Allows you to quickly share results through “Share».

Disadvantages:

• 🚫 Limited set of tools (no brushes, gradients, layers);
• 🚫 You can’t paint on top of a live screen – only on a static screenshot;
• 🚫 Colors of the palette are fixed (no pipette to select the shade from the screen).

2. Drawing in the standard Xiaomi "Notes"

Appendix "Notes" (yellow notebook icon) in MIUI It has a built-in drawing editor that many users don't notice, and it's suitable for creating simple diagrams, sketches or children's drawings.

Instructions:

1. Open the Notes app.
2. Create a new note and click on the Pencil icon in the lower menu.
3. Select a tool: 🖋️ The pen is for fine lines; 🎨 Brush for broad strokes; 📏 Line/figures - for geometric shapes; 🎨 Pouring - to paint over areas.

Color and thickness of the line adjust in the upper panel.

💡 Useful tip: If you need to draw something symmetrical (like a snowflake or mandala), use the Mirror Display feature:

1. Draw half the image;
2. Select it with the help of Lasso;
3. Click Copy, then Insert, and select Reflect Horizonally/Vertically.

3. Stylus use: supported models and setup

Not all Xiaomi devices support active stylus (e.g., Xiaomi Smart Pen), but some models are equipped with the necessary sensors:

• 📱 Mi Pad 5/5 Pro – Full support for Active Pen 2 s 4096 sensitivity;
• 📱 POCO X3 Pro – works with passive styluses (without pressure);
• 📱 Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G — Xiaomi Smart Pen (requires an upgrade to the new one) MIUI 13.5+);
• 📱 Xiaomi 12 Pro – compatible with Smart Pen, but without magnetic mount.

🔧 How to connect a stylus:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on the device.
2. Remove the stylus from the package (or unplug it from the tablet if there is a magnetic fastening).
3. Press and hold the button on the stylus for 3 seconds until the indicator starts flashing.
4. Settings menu → Connected devices → Add accessory select Xiaomi Smart Pen.

⚠️ Note: If the stylus is not identified, check:

• 🔋 Stylus battery charge (charged through USB-C);
• 📱 Model compatibility (e.g. Smart Pen 1 doesn't work with Mi Pad 6);
• 🔄 Firmware update MIUI (Some versions require a patch to support the stylus).

💡

If the stylus lines twitch or are late, try turning off Battery Optimization for the app you're drawing in. → Annexes → Application management → [name] → Battery → No restrictions.

4.The Best Drawing Apps on Xiaomi

If built-in tools aren't enough, install one of the specialized apps. We tested them on the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+ Mi Pad 5 with different styluses – here are the best options:

🔍 How to choose?

• 🎨 For professional design – SketchBook or Concepts;
• 📖 For comics/manga, Medibang Paint or Ibis Paint X;
• 👶 Drawing Cartoons 2 (Simple Interface).

⚠️ Note: Apps like Adobe Fresco or Procreate don’t officially support Xiaomi on the Web MIUI Because of the limitations of Google Play Services, they may not work smoothly or they may not run at all, and the alternative is to install them through the Internet. APK Developer’s website (but this violates security rules).

💡

For smooth drawing in third-party applications, turn off "Gesturals" MIUI» They can conflict with the drawing gestures (e.g., canceling the swipe to the left).

5. Drawing on top of a live screen (Quick Ball function)

Few people know, but in MIUI There's a hidden Quick Ball feature that lets you draw on top of any screen, whether it's a browser, messenger or game. It's the equivalent of AssistiveTouch on the iPhone, but with advanced features.

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Quick Ball.
2. Activate the slider "Enable Quick Ball".
3. In the panel settings, select "Add» → «Drawing».
4. Now, when you click on the floating button, a menu with drawing tools will appear.

🎯 Where it's gonna come in handy?

• 📝 Make notes on web pages (e.g., circle important parts of text);
• 🎮 Draw clues over games (e.g., mark the location of opponents);
• 📊 Annotate graphics in apps like Google Sheets.

🚨 Limitations:

• The drawing is not automatically saved – it must be manually exported through the “Save”;
• Does not work in some overlay protection games (e.g, PUBG Mobile);
• Colors are limited to the basic palette (no customization of shades).

6. Problem Solving: lags, torn lines, lack of sensitivity

If the drawing on the Xiaomi screen is not working properly, check out the following points:

🔧 Additional advice:

• 🔄 After the update MIUI Painting gestures stopped working, reset the Gesture settings in Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset your gestures;
• 🛠️ For models with AMOLED-With a screen (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra) disable Adaptive Brightness – it can cause delays when drawing;
• 📱 If you use a case with a magnet, it can interfere with the work of the stylus – remove it before drawing.

7. Alternative ways: drawing through PC and cloud services

If you don't like drawing on the device, you can use Xiaomi as a graphics tablet for your computer.

• 🖥️ PC Windows/macOS;
• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone or tablet;
• 🔌 USB-cable or stable Wi-Fi connection;
• 🛠️ Screen duplication app (e.g. ApowerMirror or TeamViewer QuickSupport).

🔗 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Install ApowerMirror on your PC and smartphone.
2. Connect devices through USB Wi-Fi (in one network band).
3. In the ApowerMirror settings on PC, select the PC Management mode.
4. Open a drawing app on your smartphone (like SketchBook).
5. Now you can draw with a stylus on the Xiaomi screen, and the result will be displayed on the PC in real time.

⚠️ Attention: With such a connection, there may be a delay (lag) of up to 100-200 ms:

• Use it. USB-cable;
• Close all background applications on your smartphone;
• In the ApowerMirror settings, select “Quality: High” and “No Latency”.

🌐 Cloud services (like Google Jamboard or Miro) also allow you to draw on Xiaomi and sync results between devices:

• 👥 Working together on sketches;
• 📚 Creating interactive learning boards;
• 📊 Visualization of ideas in real time.

FAQ: Frequent questions about drawing on Xiaomi