Complete guide to taking screenshots on Xiaomi: methods, tricks, editing, and solutions

Don't know how to take screenshots on your Xiaomi phone? These days, taking a screenshot on a Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO smartphone is an essential function for both beginners and advanced users. When switching devices, especially if you're coming from another brand, it's common to have questions about the procedure, as each manufacturer may implement different methods for taking screenshots, often customized according to the operating system's customization layer (like MIUI or HyperOS on Xiaomi).

Screenshots have become an indispensable tool. They 're not only for sharing what we see on the screen, such as conversations, images, relevant information, or even technical issues, but they're also essential for saving important data, tutorials, purchase receipts, or for collaborating with technical support.

Xiaomi devices offer various ways to take screenshots, some traditional and others innovative thanks to the evolution of MIUI and HyperOS. Below, you'll discover all the methods available on Xiaomi phones , as well as advanced options , additional settings, customization, screenshot management, editing, storage, and even recommendations for third-party apps so you can choose the system that best suits your needs. We also analyze specific cases such as partial or long screenshots and common issues that resolve many problems experienced by users of this Chinese brand.

Screenshots on Xiaomi mobile: the classic method of using physical buttons

The most common and widespread method among Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO users is to take a screenshot by pressing the device's physical buttons. This method is available on virtually all models and versions of MIUI and HyperOS.

• Press the power button and the volume down button simultaneously.
• Do this while viewing the screen you want to capture.
• You'll hear a sound similar to a camera shutter and see a thumbnail or animation of the capture at one end of the screen.
• This image is automatically stored in the gallery from the device, within the specific capture album.

Advantages of this method: It's fast, universal, requires no configuration, and works even when the screen is locked or in system apps. Furthermore, it's compatible with almost all Xiaomi devices, even older models.

Disadvantages: Frequent use of physical buttons can, over time, cause them to wear out. Therefore, there are alternatives that prevent wear and tear on the phone's controls and are even more comfortable.

Capture from the Notification Panel or Quick Settings

For those who prefer to avoid using physical buttons or have problems with them, the notification bar and quick settings offer an equally effective way to take screenshots :

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen to display the notification menu or the control center (depending on the MIUI or HyperOS version).
2. Look for the icon "Screenshot", usually identified by scissors or a rectangle with lines.
3. Press it and the screenshot will be taken automatically.

This method is customizable: you can move the screenshot icon to the top position or to any other convenient location for quick access. This is done from the same panel by tapping the "Edit" option or by customizing the quick access settings.

Advantages: Intuitive process, no wear and tear on physical buttons. It's ideal if your phone has a faulty button. Plus, it's usually accessible from any system screen.

Practical tip: If you have small fingers or use your Xiaomi with one hand, rearrange the quick access icons so that the capture icon is always within easy reach, making the process even more efficient.

The Floating Ball Trick: Fast Ball or Floating Ball for Screenshots

Xiaomi pioneered the floating ball (also called the "speedball"). This tool functions as a customizable, on-screen shortcut button, similar to the shortcuts in accessibility systems. It allows users to include the screenshot function, among other options such as going back, locking the screen, accessing recent apps, and more.

How to activate and use the hover ball for captures:

1. Go to «Settings» of your Xiaomi.
2. Accede to "Additional settings" and search Floating ball.
3. Activate the option and access Select shortcuts.
4. Choose the shortcut for the button Screenshot.
5. When activated, you'll see a small floating icon on the side of the screen. Once you've deployed the ball, tap the scissors icon to capture it instantly.

Advantages of the floating ball: 

• Avoid using physical buttons altogether.
• Allows you to take screenshots from anywhere in the system, even in apps that block traditional button usage.
• Highly customizable: you can assign other functions in addition to capturing.

This is a very useful option for people with reduced mobility or users who want to perform quick actions without having to memorize button combinations or gestures.

Three-finger screenshots: the fastest and most efficient gesture

One of the most innovative and fastest ways to take screenshots on Xiaomi is through the three-finger gesture . This gesture-based system allows you to capture any content simply by sliding three fingers across the screen.

1. Accede to Settings → Additional adjustments → Button shortcuts or Gesture shortcuts (name may vary depending on MIUI or HyperOS version).
2. In the section Take a screenshot, Select Swipe three fingers down.

From that moment on, by sliding three fingers simultaneously from the top of the screen to the bottom, the system will immediately capture the visible screen.

• Fast and intuitive: After a short adaptation period, it turns out to be the most agile method.
• Prevents button wear.
• Configurable and deactivatable if you accidentally take unwanted screenshots.

This feature can be disabled or modified from the same path, by selecting other gestures or removing the command if you find it uncomfortable.

Knuckle Screenshot: Accuracy for Partial Captures

Recent versions of MIUI, and many high-end Xiaomi phones, have incorporated the ability to take screenshots using your knuckles . This lesser-known but very innovative method is ideal for capturing a specific area of ​​the screen without needing to crop it afterward.

1. Sign in Settings → Additional adjustments → Gesture shortcuts.
2. Choose Partial screenshot.
3. Activate the options Press and hold with three fingers I Draw a circle with your knuckle.

This way, you can:

• Draw a specific area with your knuckle to capture only that area, without editing or cropping afterward.
• With a double tap of the knuckle, take a full screenshot if you have it configured so.

Main advantages:

• Allows you to select the area precisely.
• Ideal for sharing fragments of an image, map, conversation, etc.
• Avoid additional editing steps, saving time.

This feature may vary in availability depending on the model and system version, but is most common on mid- to high-end devices.

Screenshots using the Google Assistant: using only your voice

For those seeking maximum accessibility or convenience, Google Assistant allows you to take screenshots using only your voice . This method is compatible with almost all Xiaomi models that have the Assistant enabled.

1. Activate the Assistant by saying "Hey Google" o «Ok Google», by holding down the home button or swiping in from a bottom corner if you have gestures enabled.
2. Ask him to make one "screenshot".
3. Grants necessary permissions if requested.
4. The image will be saved, and you can share or edit it from the gallery or the pop-up menu.

Advantages of this method:

• You don't need to touch your phone (ideal with your hands full).
• Useful for people with disabilities or reduced mobility.
• It doesn't rely on buttons or gestures, which avoids confusion.

Note: The permissions for the assistant to access the screen may vary depending on the active app and privacy settings, so you may need to enable it from the Google Assistant options.

Capture from the accessibility menu: floating orange button

A little-known but very useful alternative is the ability to take screenshots on Xiaomi using the Accessibility Menu . When activated, this menu adds a floating orange button that provides quick access to essential functions without using physical buttons.

1. Go to Settings → Additional adjustments → Accessibility.
2. Activate Accessibility Menu and its direct access.
3. The orange floating button will appear on the screen. Pressing it will bring up several options, including the screenshot (green icon).

When you select the appropriate option, the capture is automatically taken and saved, just like the previous methods. This is a practical option for those who have physical difficulties with traditional buttons or prefer customizable floating shortcuts.

How to take long or scrolling screenshots on Xiaomi

Sometimes, it's necessary to save more content than what's displayed on the screen at once , such as a WhatsApp conversation, a Twitter thread, a webpage, or a very long settings menu. This is where long or scrollable screenshots come in.

1. Take a screenshot using any of the methods explained above.
2. In the animation that appears (usually in the upper right corner), tap the option "Displace" o «Scroll».
3. The system will perform a scrolling animation and capture everything displayed until you stop or until the end of the scrolling content.
4. The resulting image will contain multiple screens joined into a single image.

These screenshots are ideal for archiving large amounts of information, sharing complete stories, or keeping a record of communications without losing details.

Where to find and how to manage screenshots on Xiaomi

Once you've taken the screenshot, you can access it in a variety of ways depending on your preferences:

• Gallery: All captures are stored by default in the mobile gallery, inside the folder or album "Screenshots" o Screenshots.
• File Browser: You can search for your screenshots in the folder Pictures/Screenshots or in DCIM/Screenshots, depending on the model and operating system.
• From the notification bar: When taking a screenshot, a notification appears with the option to share, edit, or delete the image directly without going to the gallery.

It's not possible to change the default screenshot storage folder on Xiaomi through system settings, so if you want to move them to another location or an SD card, you'll have to do it manually from the gallery or file manager.

How to change the storage location of photos and screenshots on Xiaomi

If you frequently take screenshots and your internal storage fills up, you can change the destination for photos taken with the camera to the SD card, but currently MIUI and HyperOS do not allow you to modify the default screenshot folder . However:

1. Open the application Camera and access the adjustments (cogwheel icon).
2. Look for the option «Storage location«.
3. Select between internal storage or SD card (only affects camera photos and videos).
4. For screenshots, you'll need to manually move them from the gallery if you want to free them up from the main storage.

Practical tip: Take advantage of file management apps to move old screenshots to your SD card, or sync them with cloud services like Google Photos, OneDrive, or Xiaomi Cloud to avoid filling up your internal memory.

Customizing and configuring advanced screenshots in MIUI and HyperOS

MIUI and HyperOS offer considerable customization options for the screenshot function. From Settings → Additional settings → Gesture shortcuts or Button shortcuts , you can:

• Choose your preferred capture method (button combinations, finger gestures, floating ball, accessibility menu, etc.).
• Disable or change gestures if you make accidental captures.
• Assign custom shortcuts from the hover ball, accessibility menu or notification panel.
• Combining multiple active methods in parallel, depending on the use you are going to give it in different situations.

How to edit, share, and get the most out of your screenshots on Xiaomi

Once the capture is taken, Xiaomi integrates powerful editing tools and instant sharing options :

• When capturing, a floating thumbnail appears with the options Edit, Share o Delete.
• The integrated editor allows Crop, rotate, adjust brightness, contrast, add annotations, drawings, arrows, and text directly on the capture.
• You can instantly share the image to messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, email, and social media, or save it to cloud services.
• Tools like Canva and other external apps allow you to convert screenshots into animated presentations, videos, collages or add visual effects.

Optimizing your editing before sharing can make all the difference when it comes to conveying information, correcting details, or highlighting important areas.

Other capture methods and third-party apps for Xiaomi

In addition to the native systems offered by Xiaomi, there are specialized third-party applications to further expand the functions of screenshots:

• ScreenMaster: Allows you to capture screenshots using the floating button, shaking the device, and more. Includes advanced image editing and scrolling functions for long screenshots.
• TouchShot: One of the most comprehensive capture apps on Android. It allows you to change the quality, record the screen, has multiple editing options, and, above all, a simple interface. It doesn't require root.
• Screenshots of Touch: It integrates into the notification panel for instant access and also allows you to record your screen as a video, edit screenshots, and share them instantly.

These types of tools can help if you need even more customization, alternative access methods, or capabilities beyond those of MIUI/HyperOS by default.

Troubleshooting common problems when taking screenshots on Xiaomi

Although Xiaomi's capture system is robust, common problems can arise that are usually easy to solve:

• The physical button does not respond: Use alternatives like the notification panel, floating ball, accessibility menus, or third-party apps.
• Captures are not saved: Check your storage space, gallery permissions, and if necessary, restart your device or clear the gallery app cache.
• Accidental captures: If the three-finger gesture is accidentally activated, you can disable it or change it to another gesture in the settings.
• The knuckle method doesn't work: Make sure your model and system version are supported and that the feature is enabled.
• Screenshots blocked in protected apps (banking, private content, etc.): For security reasons, some apps prevent screenshots, regardless of the method. There's no solution other than using third-party apps with root permissions (not recommended).

Frequently Asked Questions About Screenshots on Xiaomi

• Can I schedule automatic captures on Xiaomi? Not natively, but some third-party apps allow you to take periodic screenshots based on a time interval.
• Do the screenshots show notifications? Yes, all content visible on the screen at the time of capture is recorded, including pop-up notifications.
• Can I block screenshots from being taken in specific apps? Not directly from the system. Some apps, like banks, do this automatically to protect sensitive data.

Recommendations to get the most out of the capture function on Xiaomi

• Try all available methods and choose the one that best suits your needs and customs.
• Customize the position of the icons in the quick access panels for easy access to the capture function.
• Keep editing functions enabled to optimize your captures before sharing them.
• Sync your gallery to the cloud so as not to lose captures or fill up internal storage.
• Use long or partial captures when you need to record a lot of content or just a small portion of the screen.

Mastering the different ways to take screenshots on your Xiaomi phone lets you get the most out of your device: share information, save evidence, quickly edit images, and efficiently manage your screenshots. Whether using physical buttons, smart gestures, accessibility menus, voice assistants, or external tools, the possibilities adapt to any user, need, or situation. Experiment with the different methods and configure your Xiaomi so that taking a screenshot is always simple, fast, and secure.