Smartphones of the series Poco X3 have deservedly become one of the most popular devices in the mid-price segment thanks to their powerful hardware and bright display. However, when buying a new gadget, users are often faced with the nuances of the MIUI shell, which differs from pure Android. One of the most common questions concerns how exactly to save an image from the screen if the usual buttons work differently or their location is inconvenient.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the possible methods for creating screenshots on Poco X3 NFC i Poco X3 Promodels. You'll learn not only about standard keyboard shortcuts, but also advanced features like long screenshot, voice control, and automatic fingerprinting through the control panel. Mastery of these tools will allow you to effectively save content for work or entertainment.
Before moving on to specific action algorithms, it is worth noting that all the methods described below are relevant for the current firmware versions MIUI 12, 13 and 14. The interface may vary slightly depending on the regional version of the software, but the logic of the system remains the same for the entire line of brand devices.
Standard combination of physical keys
The fastest and most reliable method that works on any Android smartphone, including Poco X3, is to use mechanical buttons. This method does not require setup and is available immediately after turning on the device. To take a picture, you need to press two keys simultaneously.
Find the Power button and volume control on the right side of the case. Press them simultaneously for a split second. Important: do not hold the buttons for a long time, otherwise, instead of a screenshot, the shutdown menu may appear or the voice assistant may start. A light and synchronized press is enough.
After the action is successfully completed, the screen will blink and you will hear the characteristic sound of the camera shutter (if the sound is turned on). A thumbnail of the captured image will appear in the upper right corner, by clicking on which you can immediately go to edit or sending the file. If the thumbnail does not appear, check whether vibration and system sound are disabled in the settings.
⚠️ Attention: If you frequently use the volume buttons for screenshots, make sure that the protective case does not block access to the keys. Dense silicone bumpers sometimes make it difficult to press simultaneously, which leads to errors.
This method is universal, but has one drawback: the need to use two hands or an unnatural grip on the device. For one-handed use, there are more ergonomic solutions built into the MIUI shell.
The button combination works even in Recovery mode or during boot when the touch screen is not yet active.
Using the three-finger gesture
MIUI shell offers a convenient gesture that allows you to screenshots with one hand. The Three Finger Screenshot feature may be disabled by default, so you need to enable it in the Settings menu. This is especially convenient when viewing long web pages or conversations in instant messengers.
To enable this option, go to the Settingssection, then select Additional functions. In the list that opens, find the item Screenshots. Here you will see a switch opposite the inscription “Screenshot with three fingers”. Activate it by moving the slider to the right.
After activation, the procedure for creating a picture becomes intuitive. Just swipe down with three fingers on any area of the screen. The system will instantly recognize the gesture and save the image. You can also customize the action when holding three fingers for a long time by selecting the option to create long screenshot (scrollshot).
- 🖐️ The gesture works in most applications, including browsers, gallery and social networks.
- ⚙️ The setting is deep in the menu, so it’s better to spend time activating it once.
- 🚫 The gesture may not work in protected applications (banking clients) or when playing video with DRM protection.
It is worth considering that the sensitivity of the sensor is low. Poco X3 high enough, so accidental touches with three fingers are rare, but possible with active use of the stylus or game. If a function interferes, you can always deactivate it in the same way.
Control panel and notification shade
If physical interaction with buttons or gestures is inconvenient for some reason, you can use the software interface. Hidden in the notification shade Poco X3 is a powerful control center containing a shortcut for instantly taking a screenshot. This method is ideal when the smartphone is lying on a table or secured in a holder.
Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to expand the notification panel. In the grid of quick settings icons, find the scissors icon. It is usually called "Screenshot". Tap on it and the device will immediately save the current display image. If the icon is not on the first page, swipe right to see additional buttons.
To expand functionality, you can add this shortcut to the priority list. Click on the pencil icon in the corner of the control panel and drag the screenshot icon to the top of the list. Now the function will be accessible with one touch without having to look for a button in the depths of the menu.
⚠️ Attention: In some MIUI themes, the screenshot icon may be hidden or replaced. If you can't find the scissors icon, return the theme to the default one ("Classic") through the "Themes" application.
This method also allows you to take screenshots in situations where the buttons are blocked or damaged. However, it requires the touchscreen to be fully functional and responsive to touch. In one-handed mode, accessing the top curtain may be difficult on large screens.
Add the Screenshot widget to the home screen through the MIUI widgets menu to take pictures even faster by simply tapping the icon on your desktop.
Voice control via Google Assistant
Modern smartphones allow you to control many functions with your voice, and Poco X3 is no exception. If your hands are full or you're driving, you can let your voice assistant take a screenshot. This method requires you to first configure the activation of the assistant.
Make sure that Google Assistant is turned on and configured to recognize your "Ok Google" or "Hey Google" command. To check, say this phrase. If the assistant responds, you can proceed to taking a photo. Just say the command: “Take a screenshot” or “Take a picture of the screen.”
The system will process the request and perform the action in the same way as pressing buttons. You will hear a confirmation and see a notification that the save was successful. This method is especially useful for people with disabilities or in situations where physical contact with the phone is not possible.
It is worth noting that voice control requires an active Internet connection to work, since command processing often takes place on Google servers. In airplane mode or in the absence of a network, this function may not be available.
- 🎤 The command works in Russian and English depending on the assistant settings.
- 🌐 A stable Internet connection is required to process the voice request.
- 🔒 In some banking applications, the voice assistant may be limited for the purpose of security.
Creating long screenshots (Scrolling)
One of the most popular features in MIUI is the ability to create long screenshots, or “scrollshots”. This is an indispensable tool for saving long conversations in Telegram, web pages or documents that do not fit on one screen.
First, take a regular screenshot in any convenient way (using buttons or a gesture). Immediately after this, a preview of the image will appear in the upper right corner. Below it will be a button labeled “Scroll” or an icon in the form of two down arrows. Click on it.
The screen will automatically scroll down, capturing a new area of content. You can stop the process at any time by clicking on the stop button or simply tapping the screen. The maximum length of such an image is limited by the capabilities of the system, but is usually enough to save an entire article or dialogue.
| Creation method | Speed | Convenience | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttons (Power + Vol-) | High | Medium | Always works, even in the menu |
| Gesture (3 fingers) | High | High | Requires setup, comfortable for one hand |
| Notification curtain | Medium | Low | Does not require touching buttons body |
| Voice command | Low | High | Requires Internet and silence around |
⚠️ Attention: The scrolling function does not work in applications where the content is updated dynamically (for example, an endless news feed in some social networks), since the system cannot correctly “stitch” the changing parts images.
☑️ Preparing to create a long screenshot
Where are screenshots stored and how to edit
After creating an image, it is important to know where to find it and how to process it. All screenshots on Poco X3 automatically saved to the device’s internal memory in a specially designated folder. They can be accessed through the standard "Gallery" application or file manager.
Open the application Gallery and go to the "Screenshots" album. All your screenshots will be stored here, sorted by creation date. If you use a file manager, the folder path usually looks like this: Internal memory → DCIM → Screenshots or MIUI → screenshot.
MIUI provides a built-in editor that opens immediately after taking a photo (if click on the thumbnail). It offers tools for cropping, drawing, adding text and stickers. You can also immediately share the file via instant messengers or upload it to cloud storage.
To free up space, it is recommended to periodically delete unsuccessful or unnecessary screenshots. The Gallery app has a Cleanup feature that can automatically find duplicate or blurry images. Regular cleaning helps maintain system performance.
Save formats
By default, screenshots are saved in PNG format for maximum quality. In the camera settings or through third-party applications, you can change the format to JPG, which will reduce the file size, but may reduce the clarity of the text.
Why is the screenshot black in some applications?
If you try to take a screenshot in a banking application, Netflix, or the browser's incognito mode, you will get a black screen. This is protection against interception of confidential data (bank cards, passwords) and copyright protection (DRM) for video content. There is no way around this using standard means.
Is it possible to change the format for saving screenshots?
You cannot change the format using standard MIUI tools; the system always uses PNG. To convert to JPG or other formats, you need to use third-party converter applications from Google Play or edit the file after creation.
How to turn off the shutter sound when taking a screenshot?
The screenshot sound is tied to the overall volume level of notifications or multimedia. To take a photo silently, put your smartphone in silent mode or reduce the media volume to zero before taking the image.
Where can I find deleted screenshots?
If you accidentally deleted a screenshot, check the trash in the Gallery app. The files are stored there for 30 days before being permanently deleted. You can also try to restore data through the Xiaomi Cloud or Google Photos cloud service if synchronization was enabled.
Why doesn’t the three-finger gesture work?
Most often the problem is that the function is simply not enabled in the settings. Less commonly, there is a conflict with the protective glass, which impairs the sensitivity of the sensor, or a malfunction of the system. Try rebooting the device or recalibrating the sensor in the engineering menu (with caution).