How to scan the screen of the Xiaomi phone: all the ways MIUI before ADB

Scanning the screen of the Xiaomi smartphone may be needed in a variety of situations: from saving important information from the screen to text recognition (OCR) Or backups of an interface, and unlike a simple screenshot, scanning involves more in-depth processing of content — whether it's converting an image into editable text, analyzing interface elements, or even automating actions. In this article, we will analyze all available methods - from standard tools. MIUI Advanced solutions with the use of ADB and third-party utilities.

It's important to understand that when you say "scanning," you often mean different processes (OCR) from the screen, for others - recording video with subsequent analysis, and for developers - obtaining the interface structure through UI Automator.We will cover all these scenarios, paying special attention to the nuances of working on Xiaomi devices (including models with the same name). MIUI 14/15 If you just need to take a screenshot, this guide is also good, but with an emphasis on advanced features.

Standard instruments MIUI: screenshots and screen recording

Let’s start with the basic features that are available out of the box on any Xiaomi smartphone, which do not require additional apps and are suitable for most screen scanning tasks.

The easiest way is to take a screenshot, and on Xiaomi devices, you can take it in three ways:

• 📱 Buttons: simultaneously press the Volume down + Meals for food 1-2 On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) It's a combination of upward volume. + Nutrition.
• 👆 Gesture: swipe three fingers across the screen from top to bottom (the function must be enabled in Settings). → Additionally. → Gestures).
• 🔧 Notification panel: unfold the curtain and click on the screenshot icon (if not, add through editing panels).

For screen recording (useful if you need to “scan” dynamic content, such as video or animation):

1. Deploy the notification bar and find the Screen Record icon (if not, add it via Settings). → Notification panel).
2. Click on the icon and confirm the recording start. It's recorded without sound by default -- to turn on the microphone, tap the microphone icon in the control panel.
3. To stop recording, tap the red bar at the top of the screen or re-open the notification curtain.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12), screen recording can automatically stop when the device is locked. To avoid this, activate the option “Continue recording when locked” in the recording settings.

Where can I find the saved files?

• 📁 Screenshots: /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/ Or in the gallery on the album "Screenshots".
• 🎥 Video footage: /storage/emulated/0/Movies/ScreenRecords/.

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If you need to quickly edit the screenshot (cut, add text), immediately after creating the picture, a thumbnail will appear in the lower left corner - click on it to open the editor. MIUI.

2. Text recognition (OCR) on the Xiaomi screen

If by “scanning” you mean converting text from a screen to an editable format, then technology will help. OCR (Optical Character Recognition! on Xiaomi devices there are built-in and third-party solutions.

V MIUI 14/15 HyperOS and Text from the Screen (part of Google Lens services):

1. Take a screenshot (in any of the ways described above).
2. Open the screenshot in the gallery and click on the Text icon (usually at the bottom of the screen next to the edit buttons).
3. Select the desired text fragment – it will be copied to the clipboard or suggested for search in Google.

For the more advanced OCR We recommend the Google Lens app (set by default on most Xiaomi devices):

• 🔍 Open Google Lens from the search bar or as a standalone app.
• 📸 Point the camera at the screen (or select an existing screenshot from the gallery).
• 📋 Click on the text block – the application recognizes the text and offers to copy, translate or find on the Internet.

Alternatives OCR-apps:

⚠️ Attention: When in use OCR For small text screenshots (e.g. terminals or logs), zoom in before recognition. Recognition accuracy drops if the character height is less than 12 pixels.

3. Screen scanning through ADB: developer

If you need to programmatically retrieve screen content (e.g., to automate tests or analyze interfaces), you can use tools to get the contents of the screen. ADB (Android Debug Bridge is suitable for advanced users and developers.

First of all, activate the developer mode and enable debugging by USB:

1. Go to Settings. → About the phone and 7 times click on the line "Version" MIUI". You will receive a notification saying, “You are a developer".
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and turn on the switch "Debugging by" USB".
3. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable and confirm trust in the computer on the smartphone screen.

Install. ADB on the computer (instructions for Windows/macOS/Linux You can use the Android website and follow the following commands:

1. Screenshot through ADB:

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png


adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

This command saves a screenshot of the device and then copies it to the computer.

2. Screen recording through ADB:

adb shell screenrecord /sdcard/record.mp4 --time-limit 30


adb pull /sdcard/record.mp4

Here. --time-limit 30 limit 30 To stop the recording early, press Ctrl.+C at the terminal.

3. Obtaining the structure of the interface (UI Automator):

adb shell uiautomator dump /sdcard/window.xml


adb pull /sdcard/window.xml

This command maintains the hierarchy of interface elements in XML-A file that is useful for automated testing.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ HyperOS and some teams ADB If screencap or screenrecord doesn't work, try adding a flag. --include-system Check the security settings in For Developers.

Install ADB PC-only|Enable the developer mode on Xiaomi|Activate debugging by USB|Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable|Check the connection with the adb device command-->

4. Screen scanning for automation (Tasker, AutoInput)

If the purpose of the scan is to automate actions (for example, clicks on certain elements of the interface), then in addition to the ADB You can use applications like Tasker or AutoInput, and these tools allow you to analyze the content of the screen and perform actions based on recognized elements.

Example of settings in AutoInput:

1. Install AutoInput (requires Tasker or works as a standalone application).
2. Create a new profile and select the "Element" condition UI".
3. Click Scan Screen – the app will show all interactive elements (buttons, text fields, etc.).
4. Select the desired item (for example, the OK button in the dialog box) and save the condition.
5. Set up the action to be performed when an item is detected (such as clicking or typing).

For text recognition on the screen for automation purposes, the AutoTools plugin (works with Tasker) is suitable:

• 📱 Create a Tasker task and add the action "AutoTools Text".
• 🔍 Select the source of "Screen Text" - the application scans the text on the screen.
• 📋 Use %attext() variables to work with recognized text (e.g., to compare or copy).

Important: On devices with MIUI 14+ HyperOS and some AutoInput features may require additional permissions in "Special Access" (Settings) → Annexes → Special access → Auto-Running and Access to Notifications).

5. Screen scanning for diagnostics (checking for broken pixels, color reproduction)

And sometimes, screen scanning is what you mean by screen diagnostics -- checking for broken pixels, uneven lighting, color distortion -- and there are specialized applications and tests to do that.

How to diagnose the screen on Xiaomi:

• 🎨 Color Test: Use the Screen Test app (available on Google Play) that consistently displays monochromatic screensavers (red, green, blue, black, white) that show the broken pixels clearly.
• 🔍 Manual check: Enable the Developer Mode and activate the Show Screen Updates option (Settings) → For developers → Debugging → Show screen updates. This will help identify artifacts when scrolling.
• 📊 Backlight analysis: Display Tester app allows you to check the uniformity of the backlight, contrast and color coverage.

To check the touch layer (touch screen):

1. Go to the phone test mode: dial ##6484## (on some models Xiaomi works #4636## → "Testing").
2. Select "Touch Test" and you'll see a grid on the screen. Swipe your finger around all areas to check for feedback.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi) K60) Broken pixels on a black background are less visible than on a color background. Use a gray background (50% brightness) for accurate diagnosis).

6. Alternative methods: screen mirroring and remote scanning

If you need to “scan” the Xiaomi screen on your computer (for example, to create manuals or remote support), you can use screen mirroring.

Mirror techniques:

• 🖥️ Mi PC Suite: Official Xiaomi software for controlling your phone from a computer, supports real-time screen viewing, but with a delay ~1 second.
• 🔄 Scrcpy: Free utility with open source, works on USB Or Wi-Fi. Commands to run: scrcpy To record the screen: scrcpy --record=file.mp4
• 🌐 TeamViewer QuickSupport: Allows you to remotely connect to your phone and see its screen. Requires an Internet connection.

To scan the screen in the background (for example, to monitor notifications), the ApowerMirror application is suitable:

1. Install the application on your phone and computer.
2. Connect devices through USB or over Wi-Fi (on the same network).
3. Enable the option “Screen Record” in the desktop version – all actions on the phone will be saved to the video file.

Unique Feature: On Devices with MIUI 15 and HyperOS mirroring via Scrcpy may require you to disable the "Writing Protection" option in the security settings (Settings) → Privacy → Special access).

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Scrcpy is the most versatile solution for mirroring Xiaomi screen, as it does not require root rights and works even on locked devices (when debugging is enabled). USB).

7. Screen scanning for security (spyware search)

Sometimes, “screen scanning” means checking for suspicious interface elements that may indicate spyware or viruses, such as unexpected pop-ups, unknown icons in the notification panel, or suspicious permissions from applications.

How to scan the screen for threats:

• 🛡️ Permissions Checker: Go to Settings → Annexes → Permissions and see which apps have access to "Map on Other Windows" or "Special Features." Unknown applications with such permissions can be malicious.
• 🔍 UI Analysis: Use the VirusTotal app to scan APK-Check the screen for suspicious items (such as banners asking you to transfer money).
• 📱 Safe Start Mode: Restart your phone in Safe Mode (press the power button) → "Safe Mode”). If suspicious items have disappeared, a problem is in one of the installed applications.

Use it for in-depth analysis ADB-team:

adb shell dumpsys window | grep -E "mCurrentFocus|mFocusedApp"

This command will show which app is currently active, even if it is hidden under other windows.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi devices with third-party firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu), some malicious applications may be masquerading as system services (e.g. com.miui.daemon). MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screen scanning Xiaomi