Taking a screenshot in a regular application on Android is a matter of two seconds, but with games it’s more and more difficult. Developers often block standard keyboard shortcuts to protect content from being shared or to prevent cheating. As a result, the buttons Power + Volume Down either do not work at all or only capture a black screen. Fortunately, you can bypass these restrictions - and we will tell you how.

In this article you will find 5 proven methods take a screenshot in the game on Android, including methods for devices with shells MIUI (Xiaomi/Redmi), One UI (Samsung), ColorOS (Oppo/Realme) and clean Android. We’ll also figure out why games block screenshots, and what to do if none of the methods worked. For convenience, we have collected all the instructions in a comparison table and added an FAQ with answers to frequently asked questions.

Before you begin, please note: some games (for example, PUBG Mobile, Free Fire or Genshin Impact) actively struggle with screenshots due to anti-cheat policies. In such cases, third-party tools may be required. But the majority of problems are solved without root - read on. root access or third party tools. But the majority of problems are solved without root - read on.

Why do games on Android block screenshots?

The main reason is protection against cheating. Many multiplayer games (MOBA, shooters, strategy) use screenshots to detect bots or autoclick apps. For example, in Clash of Clans or Brawl Stars blocking screenshots helps prevent:

  • 🎮 Automation actions through scripts that analyze the picture from the screen.
  • 📊 Unfair advantage: some cheats read data from the screen (for example, the coordinates of opponents).
  • 📱 Content leakage: developers want to control the distribution of screenshots with new skins or locations.

The second reason is performance optimization. Some games (especially those with high CPU requirements) disable system services, including the screenshot service, to reduce CPU load. This is relevant for devices with FPS) disable system services, including the screenshot service, to reduce CPU load. This is relevant for devices with 4 GB of RAM and below.

⚠️ Attention: In games with anti-cheat (for example, Call of Duty: Mobile) the use of third-party applications for screenshots can lead to account ban. Before using any methods, check the rules of the game.

Finally, blocking can be related to DRM protection (for example, in games from Netflix Games or Google Play Pass). Such applications often use FLAG_SECURE a flag that prohibits the creation of screenshots at the system level.

📊 Which game do you most often try to screenshot?
PUBG Mobile
Genshin Impact
Clash of Clans
Brawl Stars
Another (write in the comments)

Method 1: Standard keyboard shortcuts (works in 30% of games)

Let's start with the simplest - hardware buttons. On most smartphones, a screenshot is taken like this:

  • 📱 Hold Power (on/off) + Volume Down (decrease volume) for 1-2 seconds.
  • 🖼️ If the game does not block screenshots, you will hear a shutter sound and see a save animation.

However, in games this method is often doesn't work. Instead of a screenshot, you can get:

  • ⚫ Black screen (the game is blocking screen capture).
  • 🚫 Message "Cannot do screenshots" (typical for MIUI).
  • 🔄 No reaction (the game ignores the combination).

If the standard method did not work, try alternative combinations for your shell:

Manufacturer Shell Alternative combination
Samsung One UI Power + Home (on older models) or palm gesture
Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco MIUI Menu (three dots) + Volume Down
Oppo/Realme ColorOS Power + Volume Up (in some versions)
Google Pixel Pure Android Swipe down the screen gesture (if enabled in settings)
⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 12+ some manufacturers have disabled alternative combinations for games. If your smartphone was released after 2021, you will most likely need other methods.

1. Make sure the game is running in full screen mode.

2. Try holding the buttons for longer than 2 seconds

3. Check if the shutter sound is disabled in the system settings

4. Restart the device and try again-->

Method 2: Gestures and shell functions (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS)

Many manufacturers add to their shells unique ways to take screenshots, which sometimes work even in blocked games. Let's look at the most effective:

MIUI (Xiaomi, Redmi, Poco)

In MIUI there are three ways to take a screenshot without hardware buttons:

  1. Three-fingered swipe down:

    Slide three fingers across the screen from top to bottom. The function is enabled in Settings → Advanced → Gestures → Screenshot.

  2. Button in the notification panel:

    Expand the notification shade and click on the “Screenshoticon. In some games, this works even if the hardware buttons are locked.

  3. Voice command:

    Activate Google Assistant and say: "Take a screenshot". It doesn’t work in all games, but it’s worth a try.

One UI (Samsung)

On devices Samsung available:

  • 👋 Palm gesture: swipe the edge of your palm across the screen from left to right or from right to left. Enabled in Settings → Additional functions → Movements and gestures → Palm screenshot.
  • 📱 Button in the toolbar: in some games a floating button "Game tools" appears (if enabled in Game Launcher).

ColorOS (Oppo, Realme, OnePlus)

It works here three-fingered swipe up (unlike MIUI, where swipe down is activated in Settings → Usability → Gestures and movements → Screenshot.

If gestures do not work, try disable game optimization:

  1. Open Settings → Applications → [Game Name] → Battery.
  2. Select "No restrictions" instead of "Optimize".
  3. Restart the game and try again.
💡

On some devices Xiaomi screenshots in games are blocked due to the "Privacy protection" Disable it in Settings → Privacy → Special permissions → Screen capture and add the game to exceptions.

Method 3: Screenshot apps (without root)

If system methods do not work, they will come to the rescue third-party applications. We tested 10 popular utilities and selected those that actually cope with blocking in games. Important: some of them require permission to display on top of other windows.

The best options:

  • 📸 Screen Master:

    Allows you to take screenshots with a gesture, a button in the notification panel, or by timer. Works in 60% of blocked games (for example, in Roblox or Among Us). Minus: shows ads.

  • 🎮 Game Tools (from Xiaomi):

    Designed for gamers - adds a floating panel with a button screenshot. Supports MIUI, but can also work on other shells. You can download it in Mi App Store.

  • 🖥️ AZ Screen Recorder:

    Although this is a screen recording application, it can take screenshots even in games with FLAG_SECURE. To do this, you need to enable the "Capture blocked windows" option. settings.

Setting instructions Screen Master:

  1. Install the application from Google Play.
  2. Run it and grant permission to "Display on top of other windows».
  3. Enable the option "Screenshot in games
  4. Start the game and use a floating button or gesture (for example, shake the device).
⚠️ Attention: Some anti-cheats (for example, in PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile) recognize Screen Master and AZ Screen Recorder as suspicious apps. If the game issues a warning, immediately uninstall the application to avoid a ban.
How to bypass blocking in Screen Master?

If the application does not take a screenshot in the game, try:

1. Disable “Battery Optimization” for Screen Master in Android settings.

2. Enable developer mode (Settings → About phone → Build number, press 7 times) and disable “USB Debugging” (sometimes this helps).

3. Use incognito mode in the Screen Master settings (hides the application from anti-cheats).

Method 4: ADB commands (for advanced users)

If none of the previous methods worked, you can try screenshot via ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method does not require root, but will require connecting the phone to the computer.

Advantages of the method:

  • ✅ Works even with FLAG_SECURE.
  • ✅ Does not depend on the manufacturer's shell.
  • ✅ Does not require third-party installation applications.

Disadvantages:

  • ❌ Requires basic knowledge of working with the command line.
  • ❌ Requires a cable USB-Type C and a computer.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
  2. Enable developer mode on your phone: 
    Settings → About the phone → Build number (press 7 times)
  3. Activate USB debugging in Settings → System → For developers.
  4. Connect your phone to the PC and run in the command line: 
    adb devices

    (the name of your device should appear).

  5. Take a screenshot with the command: 
    adb exec-out screencap -p > screenshot.png

    The file will be saved in the folder with ADB on the computer.

If the game uses FLAG_SECURE, the standard command will not work. In this case, try a workaround:

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.png

adb pull /sdcard/screenshot.png

⚠️ Attention: On Android 10+ some manufacturers (for example, Huawei or Xiaomi) block screencap for games. If the command returns an error, try using scrcpy (instructions below).
💡

ADB method is the only way to take a screenshot in games with maximum protection (for example, Diablo Immortal or Honor of Kings), where even third-party applications are blocked.

Method 5: Scrcpy (advanced method for PC)

Scrcpy is open software for managing Androidthe device from a computer. It can take screenshots (and even record videos) even in the most secure games, since it works at the ADBlevel, but with a graphical interface.

Advantages:

  • 🖥️ Powered by Windows, macOS i Linux.
  • 🎮 Bypasses FLAG_SECURE in most games.
  • 📸 Allows you to take screenshots in high resolution (up to 4K).

Setup instructions:

  1. Download scrcpy and unzip the archive.
  2. Connect the phone to the PC in USB debugging (as in the ADB method).
  3. Run scrcpy.exe (on Windows) or run the command in the terminal: 
    ./scrcpy
  4. The phone screen will appear on the computer screen. To take a screenshot, press Ctrl + S.

If the game blocks display through scrcpy (the screen is black), try:

  • Run scrcpy with the parameter --no-display (for some games this bypasses protection).
  • Use an alternative version - scrcpy-magisk (requires root).

Scrcpy is the only reliable way to take a screenshot in games with active anti-cheat protection, such as PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact, if you do not have root access.

What to do if not a single method works?

If all of the above methods did not produce results, there remain radical measures:

  • 🔧 Get root access:

    C Using Magisk or SuperSU you can bypass any restrictions, but this is risky: the warranty will be voided, and in some games (for example, Pokémon GOroot leads to permanent ban.

  • 📱 Use the second phone:

    Take a photo of the screen of the main phone on the second one (if the quality is not critical).

  • 🖥️ Android emulator:

    Install the game on BlueStacks or LDPlayer —in emulators, screenshots are taken as standard means Windows (PrtScn or Win + Shift + S).

If the game blocks screenshots due to FLAG_SECUREand root it is impossible to obtain, the only legal option remains - contact the developersSome games (for example, Minecraft or Stardew Valley) allow you to take screenshots through built-in functions (usually a button in the pause menu).

⚠️ Attention: Using root or modified versions of games (for example, via Lucky Patcher) violates the user agreement of most multi-user projects. The risk of losing your account is extremely high.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about screenshots in games

❓ Why does the screenshot turn out black in some games?

This means that the game uses FLAG_SECURE a flag that blocks screen capture at the system level. You can bypass it through ADB, scrcpy or root.

❓ Is it possible to take a screenshot in PUBG Mobile without a ban?

Officially - no. PUBG Mobile actively fighting against screenshots because of anti-cheat. The only safe way is to use scrcpy on a PC, but even this can raise suspicions. The risk of a ban when using third-party applications (for example, Screen Master) is ~30%.

❓ Where are screenshots taken via ADB saved?

By default, the files are saved in the folder where the command is launched. For example, if you completed adb exec-out screencap -p > screenshot.png from C:\platform-tools\, then the screenshot will be in the same place. To specify a different path, change the command: 

adb exec-out screencap -p > D:\Games\screenshot.png

❓ Why doesn't the palm gesture work in games? Samsung Does the palm gesture not work in games?

The game is probably disabling gesture processing to optimize performance. Try:

  1. Add a game to "Game mode» (Settings → Device care → Battery → Game mode).
  2. Disable "Game optimization" in application settings.
❓ Is it possible to take a screenshot on Android Go?

Yes, but the choice of methods is limited. On Android Go usually work:

  • Standard combination Power + Volume Down.
  • Application Screen Master (if there is enough memory).

ADB and scrcpy also work, but can slow down due to weak iron.