Taking screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you face unexpected limitations. For example, why the Redmi Note 12 does not work the usual combination of buttons, and the POCO F5 has disappeared the screenshot menu from the curtain? Or how to take a screenshot if the sensor does not respond to touch? In this article, we will examine all the current methods, from basic to little-known, including bypassing locks in banking applications and games.
The manufacturer regularly updates the MIUI shell, and with each release, not only the visual elements change, but also the logic of the system functions. We tested all methods on the latest firmware versions (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS) and collected data on compatibility with popular models, from the budget Redmi A2 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
1. Standard method: button combination
The classic method, which works on 99% of Xiaomi devices, is to press power buttons and turn down the volume simultaneously.
- 🔘 Nana POCO M6 Pro and some 2023 Redmi models require holding buttons longer than 1 second – a short press can be perceived as a call to the voice assistant.
- 📱 On smartphones with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) The screenshot is accompanied by vibration and animation, which can be turned off in Settings → Sounds and vibrations → Vibration of the system.
- 🔋 If the battery is under 5%, the system can ignore the button combination – it is protection against accidental actions at a critical charge level.
After a successful shot, a thumbnail with edit and share buttons will appear in the upper right corner. If the thumbnail doesn't appear, check the notification settings for the Screenshots app (Settings → Apps → App Management → Screenshots → Notifications).
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi Black Shark (game series), the default button combination is locked in Shark Space mode. To unlock, go to Settings → Special facilities → Game settings → Allow screenshots.
2 Screenshot by three fingers gesture
The gesture screenshot feature is available on all devices with MIUI 10 and later, but is disabled by default.
- Open Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
- Turn on the switch Screenshot gesture.
- Choose the gesture type: Swipe down with three fingers (recommended) or Touch and hold three fingers.
Advantages of the method:
- ⚡ It works even with a faulty power button.
- 🎮 Easy to play – doesn’t lock the screen like physical buttons.
- 📁 Allows you to take long screenshots (scrollable) - after the first picture, tap on the thumbnail and select Scrolling.
Activate the function in settings|Check the sensitivity of the gesture (by default - the average)|Disable conflicting gestures (such as swipe for returns)|Test in Safe Mode if it is not working-->
If the gesture doesn't work, check:
- 🧤 Is not the Glove mode enabled (Settings) → Screen. → Gloves mode – it can block multi-finger touch recognition.
- 🔄 Does the gesture conflict with other features (such as Smart Assistant or Game Turbo).
3. Quick settings menu (curtain)
The most reliable way to do this is if the physical buttons or sensors don't work.
- Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
- Swipe down again to open the full curtain.
- Find a screenshot tile (usually in the front row). If it's not there, tap on it. ✏️ Edit and add to active tiles.
Features of the method:
- 🔒 Works even on a locked screen (if the option Screenshots on the locked screen is enabled in Settings) → Lock screen).
- 📊 On Xiaomi Pad 6 and other tablets, the screenshot tile may be in the second row due to the adaptive layout.
| Model of the device | Tile screenshot by default | Is the curtain editing required? |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Yeah (front row) | No. |
| POCO X5 Pro | Yes (second row) | Sometimes. |
| Xiaomi 13 Lite | No. | Yes. |
| Xiaomi Pad 5 | Yes (third row) | Yes (because of adaptive layout) |
⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14), the screenshot tiles may disappear after the updates. To return them, reset the curtain settings: Settings → Annexes → Application management → System settings → Warehouse → Clear the data.
4. Voice assistant Google or Xiao AI
If your hands are busy or your screen is not responding to your touch, you can take a voice screenshot.
- 🎤 Google Assistant: “OK Google, take a screenshot” (requires English language system or Russified version of the assistant).
- 🤖 Xiao AI (Chinese firmware: "(literally: Xiao Ai, screenshot»).
Limitations of the method:
- 🔇 Does not work in Do Not Disturb or with the microphone turned off.
- 🛡️ In banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff) and some messengers (Telegram Secret Chat) voice commands are blocked for security reasons.
- 🌐 On Xiaomi’s global firmware (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ 5G Global) Xiao AI Not available – only Google Assistant.
How to Set Up Voice Screenshots on Chinese Firmware
5. Advanced Methods: ADB and Third Party Applications
For users with an unlocked bootloader or root rights, alternative methods are available:
Method 1: ADB-team
Connect the device to the PC and perform in the terminal:
adb shell /system/bin/screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.pngThe file will be saved in the root folder of internal memory. For long screenshots, use:
adb shell am start -n com.miui.screenshot/.ui.ScreenshotScrollActivityMethod 2: Screenshot applications
Recommended Utility (tested for compatibility with MIUI):
- 📱 Screen Master – supports scrolling screenshots and annotations.
- 🎨 Screenshot Touch – Adds a floating button for quick access.
- 🔧 Tasker – for automation (e.g. screenshot when shaking the device).
💡
If screenshots are saved in.webp format (by default to MIUI 14), convert them to.png via the Gallery app: open the picture → Edit → Save as → PNG.
⚠️ Attention: When in use ADB Xiaomi with a blocked bootloader may need a temporary shutdown MIUI Optimization (via adb shell setprop) persist.sys.miui_optimization 0). This will cause some resets after the reboot!
6 Problem Solving: Black screen, no sound, save errors
Typical faults and ways to eliminate them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Screenshot turns out black. | DRM Blocking (Netflix, banking applications) | Use ADB or third-party applications with MediaProjection support |
| No shutter sound. | Disabled in settings or mode No sound | Settings → Sounds and vibrations → System sounds → Screenshot |
| Screenshots are not saved | Pictures/Screenshots folder is damaged or out of place | Clean up memory or create a folder manually through a file manager |
| Three finger gestures don't work. | Conflict with other gestures or damaged settings | Reset gesture settings in Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset gesture settings |
If screenshots are not taken in a particular app (such as Genshin Impact or Wild Rift), check:
- 🔒 Overlay permission settings (Settings) → Annexes → Special access → Overlay).
- 🎮 Game Turbo Performance Mode – Some Profiles Block System Functions.
💡
On HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14), screenshots in games can be blocked due to the new security policy. Bypass: use screen recording and then retrieve frames via VLC or CapCut.