Creating screenshots is one of the most popular functions in the modern mobile ecosystem. Smartphone users Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO often face the need to save important correspondence, record an error in an application, or share an interesting moment from a game. However, the interface of the shell MIUI or the new HyperOS offers not one, but several methods for performing this task, which can confuse a beginner.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available ways to take screenshots, from classic keyboard shortcuts to advanced gestures. You'll learn how to set up automatic saving, use the built-in editor for quick annotation, and solve common problems if the image is not saved in the gallery.
Knowledge of these tools will significantly speed up your work with your smartphone. We will consider the nuances for different versions of the operating system Android, since the logic of the menu may differ slightly depending on the firmware.
The classic method of combining buttons
The fastest and most universal method that works on the vast majority of devices is to use physical keys. This method does not require preliminary setup and is intuitive even for those who have picked up a smartphone for the first time. Android-smartphone.
To take a screenshot, you must simultaneously hold down the power (lock) button and the volume down button. You need to hold them literally for a split second until a characteristic shutter sound or a visual flash appears on the display.
It is important not to confuse this combination with holding the buttons for a long time, which can bring up the shutdown menu or reboot the device. The press should be brief and synchronous. If you have a custom theme installed, the animation may differ, but the principle remains the same.
⚠️ Attention: On some older models or specific firmware versions, the combination may be inverted (Volume up + Power), but this is extremely rare in the line. Xiaomi.
After successful image capture, a thumbnail will appear at the top of the screen. By clicking on it, you will immediately be taken to the editing mode, where you can trim off excess or make notes.
☑️ Checking the correctness of the photo
Using the notification shade and control menu
If the physical buttons are inconvenient to press for some reason (for example, if the case is damaged or in a case), you can use the software interface. In the control center MIUI i HyperOS there is a separate icon for taking a screenshot.
Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to expand the quick settings panel. Among the icons, find the icon with the image of scissors. In some versions of the interface, it may be on the second page of the menu, so swipe right if you don't see it right away.
Clicking on this icon instantly takes a snapshot of the current display contents. This method is especially convenient when you need to take a screenshot while watching a video or playing a game, where pressing physical buttons can interrupt the process or cause side effects.
- 📱 Quick access without using the side keys
- 🎨 Instant transition to the editor after pressing
- ⚙️ Ability to move the icon to a convenient place in the menu
It is worth noting that in full-screen application mode (games, video players), the notification shade can be blocked by the system to prevent accidental clicks. In such cases, the classic method with buttons remains the only option.
If the "Screenshot" icon has disappeared from the curtain, hold down any free area in the quick settings menu and drag the icon from the list of available functions to the active panel.
Screenshots using a three-finger gesture
Shells from Xiaomi are famous for their convenient control gestures, and taking a screenshot with a swipe is no exception. This function requires prior activation in the system settings, but once enabled it becomes the most ergonomic way.
To enable this option, go to section Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures. In the menu that opens, select the item Three-finger screenshot and move the switch to the active position.
Now, to take a picture, just swipe three fingers from top to bottom in the center of the screen. The system will instantly recognize the gesture and save the image. This is especially convenient when using your smartphone with one hand or when the device is lying on a table.
⚠️ Warning: The gesture may not work if you swipe too slowly or touch the screen unevenly. The movement must be confident and fast.
Also in this menu, setting the capture area is often available. You can choose whether to capture the entire screen or just a specific area, which is useful for creating instructions or highlighting specific interface elements.
Long screenshot and page scrolling
Often there is a need to save not just one frame, but an entire web page, a long correspondence in a messenger or a document. To do this, MIUI implements the "Long Screenshot" or "Scroll" function.
Take a regular screenshot in any convenient way. Immediately after this, a panel with a thumbnail and several control buttons will appear at the top of the screen. Click on the down arrow icon or the inscription Scrolling.
The system will automatically scroll the screen content down, capturing new areas and merging them into a single long image. The process will stop automatically when the content ends, or you can interrupt it manually by pressing the button again.
| Content type | Recommended method | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Web pages | Long screenshot | Automatic scrolling to the end of the page |
| Chat correspondence | Long screenshot | You can stop at the desired message |
| Games and video | Regular shot | Scrolling is usually unavailable or distorts the frame |
| System settings | Regular shot | It is better to take one screen at a time for clarity |
The resulting image is saved in the gallery as one file. However, it is worth considering that if the image is very long, the quality of the text may decrease slightly when scaling.
Long screenshot limitations
The function does not work in some protected applications (banking clients, streaming services with DRM protection). In such cases, you will receive a black screen or a security error message.
Voice control and Google Assistant
For those who prefer hands-free control, the capabilities of voice assistants are great. Assistant Google or built-in Google Assistant can execute the command to take a screenshot upon voice request.
Activate the assistant with the phrase “Okay, Google” or long press the Home button (if configured). Then clearly say the command: “Take a screenshot” or “Take a photo of the screen.”
The system will process the request and capture the image in the same way as when pressing buttons. This is an indispensable option if your hands are full or if the physical buttons of the smartphone are faulty.
- 🗣️ Completely contactless control method
- 🌍 Works in any language supported by the assistant
- 🔋 Saves the resource of the device's mechanical buttons
Make sure that the voice assistant has the necessary permissions to access the screen and file system. They are usually provided automatically when you first set up your account, but may be limited in corporate profiles.
⚠️ Warning: Voice command may not work if the microphone is covered with a cover or the room is very noisy. In such cases, duplicate the command with text in the assistant interface.
Voice control is an ideal solution for people with disabilities or in situations where physical contact with the screen is undesirable (for example, when working with dirty hands).
Setting the quality and saving format
By default, screenshots are saved in format PNG, which ensures high image quality without loss. However, this means that the files can take up a significant amount of memory, especially if you take hundreds of pictures.
In some versions of the firmware, you can change the saving settings. Go to the application Gallery → Albums → Screenshots. Click on the three dots in the corner of the screen and select Settings.
Here you can disable saving thumbnails in notifications or change the behavior when you long press a thumbnail. It is also worth cleaning out this album regularly, as it is often forgotten by users and takes up space.
Folder path: /Internal Storage/DCIM/ScreenshotsIf you plan to transfer screenshots via instant messengers, it is worth knowing that WhatsApp i Telegram can compress images when sent as "photos". To maintain original quality, send them as a "file" or document.
Secret Developer Menu
In the Developer Menu, you can enable the "Show touches" option, which will visualize your taps on screenshots. This is useful for creating video instructions, but is useless for ordinary tasks.
Problem solving: why the screenshot is not saved
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where a combination of buttons is pressed, there is sound, but there is no image in the gallery. Most often this is due to a lack of free space in the internal storage.
Check the available space in the memory settings. If it is critically small (less than 100 MB), the system may block the creation of new files. Clear the cache or delete unnecessary videos.
Another common reason is the application is running in protected mode. Banking applications, incognito browser mode and some streaming services block the ability to take screenshots at the security level Android.
- 💾 Check the free disk space
- 🔒 Make sure the application is not protected by DRM
- 🔄 Reboot the device if it crashes clipboard services
Also, the problem may lie in damage to the "Gallery" or "Screenshot" system application. Try clearing the cache of these applications in the section Settings → Applications → All applications.
⚠️ Attention: If screenshots are no longer saved after a system update, this may be a temporary firmware bug. Follow official security updates, which often correct such errors.
To automatically organize screenshots, use third-party file managers with a function to sort by date, or create a shortcut to the Screenshots folder on your desktop for quick access.
Is it possible to change the screenshot saving format to JPG?
In the standard settings MIUI i HyperOS there is no such option; the system is forced to use PNG for maximum quality. You can change the format only using third-party applications for creating screenshots or through root access, which is not recommended for ordinary users.
Where are screenshots stored in the phone memory?
By default, all screenshots are saved in the internal memory along the path DCIM/Screenshots. You can find this folder through any file manager or in the Gallery application in a separate “Screenshots” album.
Why is there a black space in the screenshot instead of a video?
This is content copy protection (DRM). Many video services (Netflix, Kinopoisk, etc.) prohibit screen recording to protect copyright. It is impossible to take a screenshot of a video in such applications using legal methods.
How to take a screenshot without the shutter sound?
You cannot completely turn off the screenshot sound in the settings, since this is a system notification. However, if you put your phone in Silent or Vibrate mode, the shutter sound will not play.
Does long screenshot work in Chrome browser?
Yes, the scrolling feature works fine in mobile browsers. After taking a regular photo, click the "Scroll" button, and the browser will automatically scroll down the page, saving all the content.