Creating screenshots is one of the basic functions that millions of smartphone owners use every day. In an ecosystem Xiaomiworking on a shell MIUI or new HyperOS, this process is implemented especially flexibly. Users have access to no less than five different methods for capturing images, from classic key combinations to advanced gestures and voice control. This allows you to choose the most convenient option depending on the situation: whether you are holding the phone with one hand, are in a game, or are taking a long screenshot of a conversation.
In this article we will analyze in detail each available method, explain the nuances of the “Long Screenshot” function and consider the reasons why the snapshot may not be saved. You'll learn where to look for ready-made images and how to set up automatic editing immediately after capture. The information is relevant for most modern models of the brand, including series Redmi, Poco and flagship Mi.
Classic method: combination of physical buttons
The most universal and reliable method that works on any device running Android, regardless of the firmware version or phone model. It does not require preliminary setup and works even in cases where the touch screen temporarily does not respond to touches. To take a picture, you must simultaneously press two hardware keys.
Hold down the power (lock) button and the volume down button. There is no need to hold them down for a long time - a short simultaneous press lasting less than a second is enough. If you hold the buttons for too long, instead of a screenshot, the power off menu may appear or the voice assistant may start, which is a common mistake for beginners.
Successful completion of an action is accompanied by a characteristic camera shutter sound (if the sound is not turned off) and a screen flash. A thumbnail of the captured image will appear at the top of the display with a quick action bar. This is where you can immediately proceed to editing, share a file or delete an unsuccessful frame.
⚠️ Attention: On some older models or specific modifications, the combination of buttons may differ. If the standard method does not work, check the “Home” + “Power” combination, although this is already a rarity for modern frameless Xiaomi smartphones.
If you have cases with thick sides, press the buttons with your fingertips closer to the center of the case to ensure clear operation of the mechanical switches.
Control through the curtain notifications
For those who find it inconvenient to reach for the side edges of the case, the developers Xiaomi have implemented a soft button in the quick settings panel. This method is ideal when the phone is lying on a table or when you operate it with one hand in an awkward position. The function is accessed by swiping down from the top edge of the screen.
Open the notification shade completely to see all available toggles. Among them, find an icon with a picture of scissors or a camera, labeled “Screenshot”. One touch of this element instantly takes a snapshot of the current display contents. If the icon is not on the first screen, slide the panel to the right - it may be on the second page of widgets.
The advantage of this method is that there is no risk of accidentally pressing other keys. In addition, it is completely silent if interface sounds are disabled in the system settings, which is useful in quiet rooms, libraries or at meetings where unnecessary sounds can disturb others.
- 📸 Instant access without using physical buttons
- 🔇 Completely silent process with appropriate settings
- ⚙️ Ability to move the icon to a convenient curtain section
Three-finger gestures and additional settings
The shell MIUI is famous for its advanced control customization capabilities. One of the most popular features is taking a screenshot by swiping down the screen with three fingers. This gesture looks impressive and saves time, but it is often disabled by default, so it must be activated manually in the settings menu.
To enable this option, go to section Settings → Additional features → Screenshots. Here you will find the Three Finger Swipe toggle. Activate it and the system will remember your gesture. Now just swipe three fingers from the top of the screen to the bottom in any application to capture an image.
In the same settings menu, you can change the action performed after taking a photo. The system offers several options for the development of events: show a preview window, immediately open the editor, or automatically go to the gallery. The choice depends on whether you plan to process the image or just save it for history.
⚠️ Warning: The three-finger gesture may conflict with the functionality of some applications that also use multi-touch gestures. If a certain game or app does not take a screenshot, try temporarily disabling this option or using the buttons.
Long screenshot: capturing long pages and conversations
A standard snapshot captures only the area that is currently visible on the screen. However, there is often a need to save an entire website page, a long conversation in an instant messenger, or an entire document. For these purposes, smartphones Xiaomi provide the “Long Screenshot” or “Scrolling” function.
You can take such a picture in two ways. The first is after taking a regular screenshot (using buttons or a gesture), in the preview window that appears, click the down arrow button or the “Scroll” inscription. The second method is to immediately after taking a regular photo, press and hold the volume down button until the system begins to automatically scroll through the content.
The device will smoothly scroll the page down, “stitching” the frames into one long picture. The process will stop automatically when it reaches the end of the page, or you can interrupt it manually by tapping the screen. The resulting image is saved in the gallery as a single file with high vertical resolution.
| Activation method | Ease of use | Risk of blurring | Application support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Button in preview | High | Low | Maximum |
| Volume Hold | Medium | Medium | High |
| Third-party applications | Low | High | Depends on software |
The long screenshot function does not work in all applications. For example, in secure banking apps or some video players, scrolling may be blocked by the security system.
Voice control and timer
Modern smartphones allow you to control the camera and system using your voice. If your hands are busy, like holding a box or preparing food, you can simply ask your phone to take a screenshot. To do this, you need an activated voice assistant Google Assistant or a built-in assistant MIUI.
Say the command “Okay, Google, take a screenshot” or “Take a screenshot.” The assistant will recognize the request and perform the action without physical contact with the device. This is especially convenient when demonstrating content at presentations or when the phone is mounted on a holder.
Another useful feature is delayed screenshot. In the capture tools menu (appears after taking a regular photo), a timer option is often available. You can set the delay to 3 or 5 seconds. This time is given to you to open the desired menu, call up a contextual message, or prepare the screen for fixation, which cannot be done instantly due to overlap with interface elements.
Why may the voice assistant not work?
For voice commands to work correctly, you need a stable Internet connection and allowed microphone access for the assistant. Also check if the “Access from Lock Screen” function is disabled in the security settings.
Where to find and how to edit ready-made screenshots
All created images are automatically saved in the internal memory of the device. You can find them through the standard Gallery application. The system creates a separate album called “Screenshots”, where files are sorted by creation date. This allows you to quickly find the desired frame among hundreds of photos.
The file structure is also available through Explorer. The path to the folder usually looks like DCIM/Screenshots or MIUI/screenshot depending on the version of the operating system. Knowing the path is useful when connecting your phone to a computer to transfer files or clear memory.
The built-in image editor Xiaomi offers a powerful set of tools. Immediately after taking a photo, you can trim off excess edges, draw arrows or highlight text with a marker, add blur to sensitive data (card numbers, passwords) and apply stickers. These tools save time by eliminating the need to install third-party processing applications.
- 📁 Automatic sorting in a separate gallery album
- ✂️ Quick cropping and highlighting important areas
- 🔒 Tools for hiding personal information before sending
Problem solving: why not done screenshot
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the usual methods do not work: the screen does not blink, the sound does not play, and the file is not created. Most often, the reason lies in the security restrictions of specific applications. Banking apps, services with paid content (Netflix, some streaming services) and browsers in incognito mode block the creation of images at the system level.
In such cases, instead of an image, you may see a black screen or a message stating that the action is prohibited by the security policy. This is not a malfunction of the phone, but protection of data from unauthorized copying. It is impossible to bypass this limitation using standard means without obtaining root access, which is not recommended for ordinary users.
Another reason may be a lack of free memory. If the phone's storage is full, the system will not be able to write a new file. Check your available space in Settings and remove old videos or unnecessary apps if necessary. Also make sure that the Do Not Disturb mode with severe restrictions is not activated in the settings, although this rarely affects the screen capture function.
⚠️ Note: The interface and menu layout may vary slightly on different versions of MIUI and HyperOS. If you do not find the described item, use the search in the settings by entering the word “Screenshot”.
☑️ Diagnosing problems with screenshots
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to change the screenshot saving format from PNG to JPG?
By default, the system saves screenshots in PNG format for maximum lossless quality. There is no direct format change in the standard settings. However, you can convert images to JPG through the Gallery application when sending a file, or using third-party converters if saving space is critical.
Why does the screenshot turn out black in some games?
Many modern games use special renderers that block image capture to protect copyrights or prevent cheating. In such cases, the standard screenshot will be black. Try using the built-in screen recording feature and then extracting a frame from the video.
How to take a screenshot without the shutter sound?
You can completely turn off the screenshot sound by putting your phone in silent mode or Do Not Disturb mode. In some regions, due to legal requirements, the shutter sound cannot be turned off programmatically unless the phone is set to vibration mode.
Where are long screenshots stored?
Long screenshots are saved in the same folder as regular screenshots. In the gallery they are displayed in the “Screenshots” album. You can distinguish them by their characteristic elongated preview format.