Brand smartphones Xiaomi are equipped with one of the most functional shells on the market, known as MIUI. In version Android 11, which is often combined with MIUI 12 or MIUI 12.5, the developers have provided users with many tools for working with the image on the screen. Screenshots are necessary not only for saving correspondence or interesting articles, but also for sending error reports or saving game achievements.
Users who switched from other devices may initially get confused due to the abundance of gestures and interface settings. However, once you master the basic combinations keys and hidden menu functions, the process of taking screenshots becomes intuitive and instantaneous. In this guide, we will analyze all the available methods, from classic to advanced.
Understanding exactly how the image capture system works in your model Redmi or Pocowill save time and avoid unnecessary steps. Below are detailed instructions for various usage scenarios.
Standard combination of buttons for a screenshot
The fastest and most reliable method that works on any device running Android 11 without exception, is to use physical buttons. You don't need to go into settings or look for special icons. You just need to simultaneously hold down the button Volume Down and the button Power.
You should hold the buttons for literally a split second. If you press for too long, the shutdown menu may appear instead of a screenshot or the voice assistant may start. The system will instantly make a characteristic camera shutter sound and the screen will blink.
Immediately after taking a photo, a thumbnail image will appear in the upper corner of the display. This is not just a picture, but an interactive element preview. If you click on it, an editor will open where you can immediately trim off the excess, add text or send a file to the messenger.
If the screenshot thumbnail disappears too quickly, go to the notification settings and allow the display of pop-ups for the Screenshot system application.
Sometimes the physical mechanism of the buttons may malfunction due to the protective cover. In such cases, make sure that you press both keys clearly and simultaneously without bending the body of the smartphone.
Using the control panel and gestures
The MIUI shell is famous for its convenient Control Center, which extends by swiping down from the upper right corner of the screen (depending on the navigation settings). There is a special “Screenshot” icon made in the form of scissors.
Clicking on this icon instantly takes a snapshot of the current display contents. This method is ideal if one of the physical buttons is broken or if you're holding the phone in an awkward position with one hand. In addition, the control panel allows you to quickly move on to editing.
For fans of gesture navigation, MIUI provides the “Three Fingers Down” function. To activate it, you need to go to menu Settings → Additional settings → Quick launch gestures. There you need to select the option Screenshot and set the action "Three fingers down".
- 🖐️ Swipe three fingers from top to bottom in the center of the screen for instant snapshot.
- ⚙️ Adjust the sensitivity of the gesture in the accessibility menu if it is triggered rarely.
- 🚫 Disable the gesture if it accidentally triggers while playing games or watching videos.
Using gestures significantly speeds up the work, since it does not require taking your hands off the body of the device. However, it is worth remembering that in some applications with content protection (for example, banking clients or Netflix), this method, like any other, will be blocked by the security system.
Three-button navigation mode
If you prefer the classic control style with Back, Home and Menu buttons at the bottom of the screen, you have another exclusive method. In the navigation mode with three buttons it becomes possible to take a screenshot with a swipe.
To activate this function, go to Settings → Additional settings → Navigation mode and select "Buttons". Then click on the gear icon next to the selected mode and activate the option Swipe on the "Menu" button to take a screenshot.
After enabling this setting, enough Simply swipe up on the Menu button (the square or three bars in the lower right corner) to save the image. This is very convenient when the phone is lying on the table and it is difficult to reach the side buttons.
⚠️ Attention: This function is only available when the “Buttons” navigation mode is active. When using full-screen gesture navigation, swiping along the bottom of the screen will return you to the desktop, rather than take a screenshot.
This approach minimizes mechanical wear on the physical volume and power keys, which is especially important for older smartphone models, where the buttons begin to loosen over time.
How to do it long screenshot (Scrolling)
One of the most requested features in the ecosystem Xiaomi is the ability to create long screenshots. This is indispensable for saving long correspondence in instant messengers, articles in the browser or news feeds on social networks.
The process begins as usual: you take a standard screenshot using the buttons or through the panel. Immediately after this, a thumbnail appears in the upper corner. Below or next to it you will see a button that says Scrolling (or an icon with two down arrows).
By clicking on this button, the system will automatically start scrolling the page down, stitching new areas of the screen into one long image. You can stop the process at any time by clicking on the stop button or simply touching the screen.
| Parameter | Description | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum length | Depends on screen resolution | Usually up to 10-15 screens |
| File format | PNG or JPG | Automatic selection by the system |
| Editing | Available after completion | You can trim the length |
| Applications | Browsers, Messengers, News | Does not work in games and videos |
It is important to note that the scrolling function will not work if A static image or video is displayed on the screen. The system intelligently detects the content and disables the scroll button if further scrolling is impossible or pointless.
☑️ Check for a long screenshot
Voice control and assistants
Modern smartphones allow you to control many functions without using your hands. If your hands are busy, for example, when cooking or driving (in safe conditions), you can use the voice assistant Google Assistant or proprietary XiaoAI (in Chinese firmware versions).
To activate, just say the phrase “Ok Google” or long-press the power button (if configured in the settings). Then clearly say the command: “Take a screenshot.” The system will fulfill the request and save the image to the gallery.
This method is less reliable than the push-button method, as it depends on the quality of speech recognition and the noise level around. However, in situations where physical access to the buttons is difficult, it becomes a real salvation.
It is also worth mentioning that in some regions and versions of MIUI, a command is available to take a screenshot and then immediately send it to a specific application, which requires more complex setup of automation scripts.
Where are screenshots stored and how to find them
After taking a screenshot, the file is automatically saved to the device’s internal memory. The standard path to the folder looks like this: Internal memory → DCIM → Screenshots. In some firmware versions, the folder may be called simply Screenshots in the root of the internal storage.
The easiest way to quickly access images is to use the application Gallery. It automatically creates a separate “Screenshots” album, where all pictures are sorted by creation date. This allows you to instantly find the desired file among thousands of photos.
If you plan to transfer screenshots to your computer, connect your smartphone via a USB cable and select file transfer mode. Find the above folder and copy the data. The files have the format .png, which ensures high quality without loss.
What to do if screenshots are not saved?
If the files do not appear in the gallery, check the availability of free space in the phone memory. Also make sure that the Gallery app has storage permissions in your privacy settings.
⚠️ Attention: Be careful when clearing memory through MIUI's built-in optimization tools. Sometimes the system offers to delete “old screenshots”, considering them garbage. Always check the list of files before confirming the deletion.
Common problems and their solutions
Despite the stability of operation Android 11 on devices Xiaomi, users may encounter a number of common problems. Most often, we are talking about the fact that a screenshot is not taken at all or a black screen remains.
A black screen instead of an image usually indicates that the content is protected. Banking applications, streaming services with licensed video (DRM protection) and some instant messengers in incognito mode block the ability to capture images at the system level. This is not an error, but a security feature.
If the buttons do not respond, the accidental press lock may have been activated or the phone may be frozen. In rare cases, rebooting the device helps. Also check if Do Not Disturb mode is enabled in specific configurations, although it rarely affects the screenshot function.
- 🔋 Make sure the battery is not completely drained, as some functions are disabled when the charge level is critical.
- 📱 Check for system updates in the menu
Settings → About phone, since bugs with screen capture are often fixed with patches. - 🛡️ Disable third-party launchers or applications that impose a filter on the screen, they may conflict with system capture.
Most problems with screenshots on Xiaomi are not due to broken buttons, but to software security restrictions of specific applications or lack of memory.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Why does the screenshot turn out black in some applications?
This is a standard protection of the Android operating system for applications that work with sensitive data (banks, crypto wallets) or copyrighted content (video). It is impossible to get around this using standard means.
Is it possible to change the screenshot saving format to JPG?
By default, MIUI saves screenshots in PNG for maximum quality. This cannot be changed through the standard settings, but you can use third-party image converters or applications for creating screenshots from the Play Market.
How to send a screenshot immediately after creation?
After creating the picture, click on the thumbnail that appears in the corner of the screen. In the editor that opens, click the "Share" button and select the desired application from the list of contacts or instant messengers.
Why doesn't the three-finger gesture work?
Most likely, the function is not activated in the settings. Check the path Settings → Advanced settings → Quick launch gestures. Also, the gesture may not work in full-screen applications if exceptions are configured.
Where can I find the clipboard history after a screenshot?
MIUI has a built-in clipboard, accessible through the keyboard or control panel. However, screenshots are saved immediately as files in the gallery, and not just in the buffer, so you need to look for them in the DCIM folder.