Creating a screenshot is one of the most popular functions in a modern smartphone. Users Xiaomi and Redmi often face the need to save correspondence, a plane ticket, or an interesting moment from a game. The shell MIUI (and the new one HyperOS) provides many flexible tools for performing this task, going far beyond the standard key combination.
Unlike the “pure” Android, where the functionality is often limited to basic capabilities, the ecosystem of the Chinese manufacturer allows you not only to capture an image, but also instantly edit, highlight important details, or create a long scrollshot of the entire web page. It is useful for every device owner to understand this variety of methods in order to choose the most convenient option for a particular situation.
Next we will take a detailed look at all the available methods for creating pictures, analyze the gesture settings and answer questions about why the function may not work. You will learn to manage this process as efficiently as possible, saving time and nerves.
Classic method: combination of physical buttons
The most reliable and universal method, working on absolutely all models of smartphones, from old Redmi Note 4 to the latest flagship series Xiaomi 14. This method does not require preliminary setup and works even in cases where the touch screen temporarily does not respond to touches.
To capture an image, you must simultaneously press two hardware keys: the power (lock) button and the volume down button. The pressure should be short, almost instantaneous. If you hold the buttons for too long, the system may interpret this as a command to call the shutdown menu or reboot the device.
Successful completion of the action is accompanied by a characteristic camera shutter sound (if the phone is not in silent mode) and a visual flash of the screen. A thumbnail of the photo taken will appear in the upper corner of the display, by clicking on which you can immediately proceed to editing.
- 📱 Make sure the screen is active and unlocked before clicking.
- 🔊 Check if the Do Not Disturb mode is turned on if you are expecting a sound confirmation.
- ⚡ Press buttons synchronously, without delays between clicks.
This method is hardwareso it works regardless of the firmware version or installed security updates. However, with frequent use, mechanical buttons can wear out, so it is useful to master alternative control options.
⚠️ Attention: On some models with very sensitive volume buttons, accidentally pressing a combination in your pocket can lead to the creation of many unnecessary screenshots. It is recommended to periodically check the gallery for junk files.
Using the notification curtain and control menu
The shell MIUI is famous for its convenient control center, which is placed in a separate curtain. This allows you to take screenshots literally with one touch, without using physical buttons. This method is especially convenient when the phone is on a table or when you need to take a photo with one hand.
To use this method, swipe your finger from the upper right corner of the screen down (in new versions of the system) or from top to bottom across the entire screen area (in older versions). In the icon menu that opens, find the scissors icon. Clicking on it will instantly create a snapshot of the current display contents.
If you do not see the desired icon among the main ones, it may be hidden in the additional menu. Click on the edit button (usually a pencil icon or three dots) and drag the Screenshot icon to the main quick access toolbar. This action will only take a few seconds, but will significantly simplify further work.
Settings → Control Center → Editing buttons
The advantage of this method is that it completely eliminates the risk of accidentally changing the media volume or calling up the power menu. You simply touch the screen and the task is completed. This is an ideal option for those who value ergonomics and speed.
Three-finger gesture: speed and convenience
One of the most popular features of smartphones Xiaomi is the ability to take a screenshot using a gesture. Swiping down with three fingers from top to bottom of the screen is an intuitive action that is associated with “swiping” content to the clipboard or saving.
This feature may be disabled by default on some devices or in certain firmware regions. To activate it, you need to go to the system settings. The path usually looks like this: the “Advanced Settings” section, then the “Gestures” or “Quick Actions” subsection. Here you need to find the “Take screenshot” item and select the “Drop three fingers” option.
After activation, simply slide three fingers over any active area of the screen. The system will instantly respond to the gesture. It is important to note that the movement must be smooth and cover a sufficient area of the display so that the sensor recognizes it as a command action and not as an accidental touch.
- 🖐️ Fan out your fingers for better coverage of the screen area.
- ⬇️ The movement should be strictly vertical from top to bottom.
- 🧹 Clean the screen from grease and moisture for better sensor performance.
This method is especially popular among gamers and users who often work with documents. It allows you not to take your hands away from your comfort zone and not reach for the buttons on the case. However, on large screens (tablets or models), performing this gesture with one hand can be problematic. Max) performing this gesture with one hand can be problematic.
If the three-finger gesture does not work, try increasing the speed of your hand movement or, conversely, making it smoother. The sensitivity of the sensor may vary depending on the protective glass attached.
Long screenshot: capturing entire pages and correspondence
Often one screen is not enough to save all the information. For example, you need to screenshot a long correspondence in WhatsApp, an article in a browser, or a contact list. For such cases, the “Extended Screenshot” or “Long Screenshot” function has been implemented. Xiaomi The “Extended Screenshot” or “Long Screenshot” function has been implemented.
Immediately after creating a regular photo (by any of the methods described above), a thumbnail appears in the corner of the screen. Below it are action icons. Look for an icon that looks like a scroll or two down arrows. Clicking on it will launch the scrolling mode.
The system will automatically start scrolling the page down, “merging” new areas of the screen with the previous image. You can stop the process at any time by clicking on the stop button, or wait until the end of the page when the system itself stops capturing. The resulting image will be saved as a single file.
| Content type | Effectiveness of a long screenshot | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Websites | High | Ideal for articles and instructions |
| Messengers | Medium | There may be gaps in message joints |
| Menu settings | High | Convenient for saving a list of options |
| Video/Games | Low | The image will be blurred due to movement |
It is worth considering that when creation long screenshot resolution of the final file can be very large vertically. Some social networks or instant messengers may compress such images when sending, which will impair the readability of the text at the bottom of the image.
⚠️ Attention: The long screenshot function may not work correctly in applications with dynamic loading of content or in protected applications (banks), where the security policy prohibits creating screenshots.
Voice control and additional methods
Technologies do not stand still, and Xiaomi introduces voice control capabilities through an assistant Google Assistant or your own voice assistant Xiao AI (in Chinese versions firmware). This allows you to take a screenshot without touching the phone at all, which is important when your hands are busy or dirty.
To use this function, just say the command: “Okay, Google, take a screenshot” or “Take a screenshot.” The assistant will recognize the command and capture the screen. Make sure your assistant settings allow actions without unlocking if you plan to use this feature on a locked screen (although this rarely works for security reasons).
Another exotic but working method is to use the accessibility menu. In section Settings → Advanced settings → Special. features you can find a menu that displays a floating button. This menu often has a photo function available on top of any other applications.
Secret function of the debug menu
In the advanced settings for developers, you can activate additional debugging tools, but for regular screenshot creation this is redundant and can complicate the interface. It is recommended to use standard methods.
Where the pictures are stored and how to edit them
After taking a screenshot, the file is automatically saved to the internal memory of the device. The standard path to the folder looks like Internal memory/DCIM/Screenshots or Internal memory/Pictures/Screenshots, depending on the version of the file manager and firmware.
You can open the image through the “Gallery” application. It MIUI has a built-in powerful editor that launches immediately after taking a photo (by clicking on the thumbnail). Tools are available here for cropping, overlaying text, drawing arrows and blurring sensitive information (for example, card numbers or passwords).
The Magic Erase function or similar tools based on AI allow you to remove unnecessary objects from the picture. This turns an ordinary screenshot into ready-made material for publishing on social networks or sending to work chats without the need to install third-party applications.
- 📂 The files have a format .png to preserve the quality of the text.
- ✏️ Editing is available within a few seconds after creation.
- 🗑️ Deletion occurs through the gallery trash, where files are stored for 30 days.
If you often take screenshots, it is recommended to set up automatic synchronization of the folder Screenshots with cloud storage (Google Photos or Mi Cloud). This will protect important data from loss if the smartphone breaks down.
The built-in screenshot editor in Xiaomi allows you to solve 90% of image processing tasks without installing third-party software, saving device memory.
Problem solving: why you can’t take a screenshot
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where when the usual methods do not work: the screen does not blink, there is no sound, and the gallery is empty. Most often, the reason lies in the limitations of a particular application. Banking apps, streaming services (Netflix, Kinopoisk) and some instant messengers in “secret chat” mode block the creation of screenshots at the security system level Android.
In such cases, instead of an image, you may see a black screen or a message that the action is prohibited by the security policy. This is not a malfunction of the phone, but a normal operation of data protection. It is impossible to bypass this limitation using standard means without obtaining root access, which is strongly not recommended for ordinary users due to the risk of loss of warranty and data security.
Another possible reason is a failure in the system process SystemUI. If screenshots stop working everywhere, even in the browser and settings, try restarting your device. In rare cases, clearing the cache of the Gallery application or resetting the interface settings helps.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and names of menu items may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14) or the new HyperOS. If you do not find the described setting, use the search in the settings menu by entering the word “screenshot” or “snapshot.”
☑️ Diagnosing the problem with screenshots
Why is the screenshot saved in low quality?
Usually screenshots are saved in native resolution screen. If the quality seems low, check your camera settings (this doesn't affect screenshots, but users often get confused) or make sure you're not viewing a compressed copy in Messenger. In rare cases, you can change the DPI density in the developer settings, which affects interface scaling.
Is it possible to change the screenshot saving format to JPG?
By default, the system uses the PNG format for maximum clarity of text and graphics. There is no direct format change in the standard settings. However, you can convert an image to JPG through any editor or converter application immediately after creation.
How to turn off the shutter sound when taking a screenshot?
The sound is tied to the overall volume level of media or notifications. To take a screenshot silently, put your phone on silent or Do Not Disturb mode before capturing the screen. There is usually no separate setting only for the sound of a screenshot in global firmware versions.
Where can I find screenshots if I deleted them from the gallery?
Deleted images go to the “Deleted Items” or “Trash” folder inside the Gallery application, where they are stored for 30 days. After that, they are erased permanently, unless synchronization with the Mi Cloud or Google Photos was enabled, where the backup copy can be stored.
Does a long screenshot work in horizontal mode?
The scrolling function (long screenshot) is designed primarily for vertical orientation. In horizontal mode (landscape orientation), this option is often unavailable or does not work correctly, since the content scrolling logic in most applications is vertical.