App bans screenshots on Xiaomi: how to remove the restriction

You're trying to take a screenshot of an important message in a banking app, but Xiaomi persists in issuing a notice saying, "The app forbids screenshots"? This lock is not a whim of the manufacturer, but a security measure built into Android and enhanced by the MIUI shell. It protects sensitive data from accidental spread, but sometimes interferes with legitimate user actions, such as when you need to save a receipt from a government application or a screenshot of supportive correspondence.

In this article, we'll look at 5 proven ways to get around the limitation, from standard MIUI settings to technical workarounds for advanced users. Importantly, some methods require root rights or ADB debugging, which can affect device warranty and security, and we'll point out the risks for each option so you can choose the best one.

Why Xiaomi is blocking screenshots in some apps

The ban on creating screenshots is not a “chip” Xiaomi, and the standard security mechanism Android, implemented through the flag FLAG_SECURE. Application developers (banks, instant messengers, payment systems) include it to:

• 🔒 Prevent leakage of sensitive data through screenshots that can be automatically uploaded to the cloud (e.g. Google Photos).
• 📱 Protect users from phishing: attackers will not be able to take a screenshot of the password entry screen and use it to create fake pages.
• 📜 Comply with regulators (e.g., the Central Bank of the Russian Federation for financial applications).

MIUI This policy is further tightened: even if the application does not use the FLAG_SECURE, The system can block screenshots at the shell level. MIUI 14 A separate “Privacy Protection” switch has appeared, which is active by default for all “sensitive” applications.

⚠️ Attention: Disabling screenshot blocking may violate the terms of use of certain services (e.g. Sberbank Online or Tinkoff), in extreme cases, it threatens to block the account for “suspicious activity».

Method 1: Disabling the protection of privacy in MIUI

The safest and most official method is to use the built-in settings. MIUI. It works for applications that are not used. FLAG_SECURE It's code-level, and it's blocked by the shell, like some streaming services or social media.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to allow screenshots (like YouTube or VK).
3. Slip on the item "Permissions" → "Additional".
4. Find the option “Privacy protection disable it”.
5. Restart the app.

If you don't have a privacy protection clause, you've got a lockdown at the application level, and it won't work. Try the following.

Check out the MIUI version (Settings → About the phone)

Make a backup copy of important data

Close all background applications

Connect your phone to charge (in case of prolonged manipulations)-->

Method 2: Using Google Assistant to bypass the lock

Little-known life hack: Google Assistant can take screenshots even in secure applications, because it works at the system services level.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Google Assistant: Go to Settings → Google → Settings for Google apps → Search, Assistant and Voice → Google Assistant and turn it on.
2. Open the app where you need to take a screenshot.
3. Activate Assistant with a voice command ("OK, Google") or hold the Home button (if any).
4. Say “take a screenshot” or type this command in the text box.
5. Assistant will save the picture to the gallery, bypassing the limitations of the application.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Does not work in banking applications with high level of protection.
• 🔊 Requires voice input or pressing a button, which is not always convenient.
• 📱 Some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro) may require pre-setting the rights for the Assistant.

Volume buttons + power

Finger gesture on the screen

Google Assistant

Special annexes-->

Method 3: ADB-Removal of restrictions (without root)

If previous methods didn’t work, you can try disabling the protection via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which doesn’t require root rights, but requires a computer and enabled USB debugging.

Warning: improper use of ADB may disrupt the system. Follow the instructions carefully.

⚠️ Note: After completing the commands, some applications (e.g. banking) may detect a change in system settings and require re-authorization or block access before reinstalling.

Instructions:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to become a developer) → go back to Settings → Additional → For developers → turn on “Debugging over USB”.
2. Connect the phone to the PC, confirm the trusted device.
3. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into a folder.
4. Open the command prompt (Win + R → enter cmd) and go to the folder with ADB:

cd C:\path\pad\platform-tools

1. Enter a command to check the connection:

adb devices

If the device is displayed, execute the command to disable the protection:

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

For a specific application (for example, Sberbank Online with the ru.sberbankmobile package):

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings$SecuritySettings


adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy_pre_p_apps ru.sberbankmobile

If the screenshots are still blocked, try an alternative command:

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 0

Method 4: Screenshots via screen recording (bypass)

If all the previous methods didn't work, it's a crutch, but the working option is to record the screen and then extract the frames, which doesn't require root or ADB, but it gives you a slightly worse image quality.

How to do this:

1. Turn on screen recording: Swipe down the notification bar and find the Screen Record button (if not, add it through Settings → Notification Panel → Change order). or use the Screen Recorder app from Google Play.
2. Write down the desired screen (for example, a receipt in the bank application).
3. Stop recording and find the video in the gallery.
4. Use any video application (like CapCut or VLC) to extract a frame: Open the video in the editor. Rewind to the right moment. Take a stop frame and save it as an image.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works on any application, including banking.
• ✅ No changes to the system are required.
• ✅ Videos can be used as evidence (e.g. for support disputes).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ The quality is worse than the actual screenshot (especially if the video is compressed).
• ❌ It takes more time.
• ❌ On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Poco) F3) Screen recording can also be blocked in protected applications.

💡

If the screen recording is blocked, try using an external camera (like another phone) to take a screenshot, which is the last but most viable option for banking applications.

Method 5: Root access and edit system files (for advanced ones)

If you're willing to sacrifice warranty and security for the ability to take screenshots, you can remove system-level restrictions.

• Root access (for example, via Magisk).
• A file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
• Knowing the consequences: Some apps (like banking or Netflix) will stop working.

Warning: This method can lead to system instability or data loss, and only use it if you understand the risks.

Instructions:

1. Get root access (instructions vary by model; OrangeFox Recovery + Magisk is often used for Xiaomi).
2. Install Root Explorer and open the file:

/system/build.prop

1. Add a line to the end of the file:

ro.debuggable=1

1. Save the file and restart the phone.
2. For a specific application, find it. APK into /data/app/ and remove the flag FLAG_SECURE Apktool (requires knowledge of reverse-engineering).

⚠️ Note: After rooting, many banking applications will not work due to the SafetyNet trigger.To get around this, you will need additional Magisk configuration with modules like Universal SafetyNet Fix.

💡

Root access is a last resort, and before you get it, evaluate whether screenshots are really more important than security and warranty.

Alternative solutions: what to do if nothing helps

If all methods are useless, consider alternatives:

• 📱 Second phone: Take a picture of the main phone screen on the spare (quality will be worse, but it's better than nothing).
• 🖥️ Android Emulator: Install the app on the emulator (e.g. BlueStacks) – there’s often no screenshot locking.
• 📧 Data export: many applications allow data to be stored in PDF or send by post (for example, receipts to Sberbank Online).
• 🔄 Web version: Open the service in the browser – sometimes the web version does not block screenshots (for example, Telegram Web).

For banking applications, the best way to do this is to use built-in save functions, such as Tinkoff, where you can:

1. Click on the receipt → “Share” → “Save to PDF”.
2. Or send a check to the post office through Export.

If it’s critical to take screenshots in a banking app, consider using a virtual machine with Android x86 or buying a separate phone without MIUI (for example, on a pure Android One).

FAQ: Frequent questions about blocking screenshots on Xiaomi