Creating a screenshot is one of the most popular functions in the everyday use of a smartphone. Owners of devices from Xiaomi, Redmi i POCO are often faced with the fact that standard methods familiar to other brands work differently here or are not configured at all by default. This is due to the deep customization of the shell MIUI and the new system HyperOS, which offer unique tools for image capture.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the existing methods of creating screenshots on Xiaomi devices. You'll learn not only the classic keyboard shortcut, but also advanced features like taking long screenshots, capturing an area, or using triple taps on the case. This knowledge will help you save time and effectively manage content on your gadget.
Methods may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and model of your device. However, the basic principles remain the same throughout the brand ecosystem. We will look at both hardware and software solutions available in the settings section. Are you ready to turn your smartphone into a powerful tool for working with information?
Classic method: a combination of physical buttons
The most universal and reliable method that works on any device running Android, including models Xiaomi is to simultaneously press the power and volume control buttons. This method does not require preliminary setup and works instantly, even if the touch screen temporarily does not respond to touches.
To take a photo, you need to hold down the Power on (Power) button and the Volume down (Volume -) button. You need to hold them for no longer than one second. If you hold them for too long, the system may interpret this as a command to call the shutdown or reboot menu, which will lead to the appearance of unnecessary windows on the screen.
Successful action is accompanied by a characteristic camera shutter sound (if the sound is on) and visual animation minimize the screen. A thumbnail of the captured frame will appear in the upper right corner; by clicking on it, you can immediately proceed to editing or sending the file. This hardware method is a priority for quickly capturing information in stressful situations.
If you have the “Pocket Mode” function enabled, make sure that the buttons are not accidentally jammed in your bag or pocket to avoid a series of unnecessary screenshots.
It is worth noting that on some older models with capacitive buttons under the screen the combination could be different, but in modern smartphones from 2018 and newer the standard is unified. Users often confuse the direction of volume down, especially if the phone is in a case with tight buttons. Training muscle memory will help you perform this action blindly.
Control through the notification shade and Control Center
The second most popular way to take a screenshot on MIUI i HyperOS is using the quick settings panel. This method is ideal for those who prefer one-handed operation or have trouble with physical buttons. The interface may look different depending on which version of the system you are using: old or new.
In the classic version of the interface, just swipe down from the top edge of the screen to expand notification curtain. Among the quick switch icons, find the scissors icon. Clicking on it instantly takes a snapshot of the current display contents. If the icon is not on the first screen, swipe to the right to see additional buttons.
In new versions of the shell, where it is implemented Control Center (a separate panel for switches), the algorithm of actions is similar. Swiping down from the upper right corner opens a panel where the Screenshot button is also located. The convenience of this method lies in the ability to take a picture when the volume buttons are busy adjusting the sound of media or a call.
☑️ Checking button availability
You can configure the order in which these buttons are displayed. Go to the panel edit mode (usually the pencil icon) and drag the screenshot icon to a visible place. This will speed up access to the feature in the future. Remember that when the processor is fully loaded, opening the curtain may take a fraction of a second longer than usual.
Advanced gestures: triple tap and swipes
The shell from Xiaomi is famous for its ability to customize gestures. One of the most convenient, but often ignored by beginners, is the “Triple Tap” function. It allows you to take screenshots simply by tapping three fingers on the screen, which looks impressive and is done very quickly.
To activate this option, you need to go to the system settings. The path may vary slightly, but usually it looks like this: Settings → Additional settings → Gestures and buttons → Take screenshot. In the menu that opens, select “Three fingers”. Now any triple tap on any part of the screen will save the image.
There is also a lesser-known but useful gesture - swipe down with three fingers. It works similarly, but requires swiping your fingers from top to bottom. This option may be preferable for users with large hands who find it difficult to fit three fingers on one point of the screen at the same time.
Why might the gesture not work?
The gesture does not work if the screen is in high sensitivity mode for gloves or if you are using a low-quality protective glass that distorts multi-touch The feature is also disabled automatically in some games and banking applications for security reasons.
It is important to note that activating gestures takes some getting used to. At first, you may accidentally call up the multitasking menu or other functions. However, after a couple of days of use triple tap becomes a reflex. This is especially convenient when viewing long articles or correspondence in instant messengers, when your hands are busy holding the phone.
Creating long screenshots (Scrolling)
One of the killer features of smartphones Xiaomi is the built-in function of creating long screenshots, or “scrollshots”. It is indispensable for saving correspondence in WhatsApp or Telegram, long articles in the browser and product lists in online stores without the need to glue together many ordinary pictures.
The process begins as usual: you take a standard screenshot in any convenient way. Immediately after this, a preview appears in the upper right corner. Below it is a button with a down arrow or the words “Scroll”. By pressing it, the system automatically scrolls the screen down and adds a new area to the image.
You can press the button repeatedly until you capture all the desired content, or press the Stop button when the capture area reaches the desired size. The system itself will glue the parts into a single long image. The quality of the final file remains high, and the text remains readable.
| Content type | Recommended method | Processing features |
|---|---|---|
| Correspondence in messenger | Long screenshot | Automatic scrolling to the end of the dialogue |
| Web page with complex layout | Full screenshot (in the browser) | It is better to use the built-in browser function |
| System settings | Normal screenshot | Scrolling may distort the menu |
| Game interface | Normal screenshot | Long screenshot not available in games |
Keep in mind that the scrolling feature does not work in applications where content is updated dynamically (for example, an endless news feed on social networks can behave unpredictably). In such cases, it is better to take several regular shots. Also long screenshot may have restrictions on the maximum resolution in pixels.
Capture a selected area and edit
It is not always necessary to save the entire screen. Often you only need to highlight a specific message, the price of a product, or a fragment of an image. In MIUI i HyperOS a convenient tool has been implemented for selecting an arbitrary area immediately after creating a picture.
After you have taken a regular screenshot, do not cover the thumbnail in the corner. Click on the edit icon (pencil) or select the “Select area” mode. The screen will dim and you can use your finger to select the rectangular area you want to save. Anything left outside the frame will be cropped.
The built-in image editor offers rich functionality. You can add text, arrows, blur sensitive data (such as card numbers or addresses) using the Marker tool, or apply stickers. This allows you to prepare an image for publication on social networks without using third-party applications.
⚠️ Attention: When using the blur tool, make sure that sensitive information is completely hidden. Sometimes a translucent layer does not hide the data when the image is enlarged, so use a solid marker color.
The edited fragment is saved in the same folder DCIM/Screenshots. The original full screenshot is usually saved separately, unless you select the “Save selected only” option. This makes it possible to return to the source if you accidentally cut off the excess.
Using a voice assistant and applications
For those who prefer voice control, smartphones Xiaomi have an assistant Google Assistant or built-in Xiao Ai (in Chinese versions). Just say the phrase “Ok Google, take a screenshot” or “Take a screenshot” and the system will execute the command. This is especially convenient when your hands are busy, for example, when cooking or driving.
There are also third-party applications from Google Playthat offer advanced functionality: automatic saving to the cloud, adding watermarks with date and time, creating screenshots on a schedule. However, the built-in system tools usually work more stable and do not require unnecessary permissions.
In some scenarios, for example, when using Second Space or Guest Mode, the rights to take screenshots may be limited by privacy settings. In such cases, the voice command may not work and you will have to use physical buttons.
Voice control is a great alternative method, but it requires an active Internet connection for speech recognition in the case of Google Assistant.
Remember that the use of third-party screen capture apps in banking applications is often blocked by Android security at the kernel level. You will get a black screen instead of an image. This is a data protection standard, not a fault of your phone.
Where are screenshots stored and how to find them
By default, all created images are saved in the internal memory of the device. The folder path is standard: Internal memory → DCIM → Screenshots. In the gallery, they are usually separated into a separate album called “Screenshots,” which simplifies searching and sorting.
If you cannot find the file through the gallery, use the standard explorer Files. It has an “Images” category where you can sort files by creation date. This is useful if you have accumulated thousands of photos and the desired frame is lost in the general feed.
You can set up automatic uploading of screenshots to cloud services, such as Google Photos or Xiaomi Cloud. This guarantees the safety of data even if the smartphone is lost or damaged. In the cloud settings, simply activate synchronization for the folder Screenshots.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and menu layout may be updated with the release of new firmware versions. If you do not find the described item in the settings, use the search in the settings by entering the word “screenshot” or “gestures.”
Regularly cleaning the folder with screenshots will help free up memory space. Often we take pictures “just in case” and forget about them. Use the built-in Cleanup tool in the Security app to find duplicates and old files.
Why does the screenshot turn out black in some apps?
This is to protect sensitive data. Banking applications, instant messengers with secret chats, and services with DRM content (for example, Netflix) block the ability to capture screens at the system level. It is impossible to get around this using standard means.
Is it possible to change the format for saving a screenshot to PNG or WEBP?
In the standard settings of MIUI and HyperOS, the format is usually fixed (most often PNG for quality). Third-party applications may allow you to select the format, but this will require installing additional software and granting it broad access rights.
How to disable the shutter sound when taking a screenshot?
The sound of the screenshot is tied to the general volume level of the system or media. To take a photo silently, switch your phone to silent mode or reduce the media volume to minimum before capturing the screen.
What to do if the “Screenshot” button has disappeared from the curtain?
Go into editing mode for the notification curtain (pencil icon). Find the “Screenshot” button in the list of hidden elements at the bottom of the screen and drag it to the active area. If it is not even there, check the access rights in the “Accessibility” setting.
Does long screenshot work in split screen mode?
In Split Screen mode, the long scroll function is usually not available, since the system cannot correctly determine the scrolling area for two active applications at the same time. Only regular capture of the visible area is available.