Can't Save Snapshots from Your Xiaomi Camera?
The snapshot feature on your Xiaomi security camera is a crucial tool, allowing you to instantly capture a still image from your live feed. It's incredibly frustrating when you tap the button and nothing happens, or you receive an error message. If the snapshot function on your Xiaomi camera isn't working through the Mi Home app, don't worry. This is a common issue with a few potential causes, and most are easy to fix.
This guide will walk you through the troubleshooting steps to diagnose why you can't save snapshots and how to resolve the problem, getting this essential feature back in working order.
### Understanding the Core of the Problem
Before we dive in, it's important to understand that when you take a snapshot, the image is saved to your smartphone's storage, not the microSD card inside the camera. This is a key distinction, as it means the problem almost always lies with the app's configuration on your phone, not the camera itself.
## Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
Let's work through the most likely solutions, starting with the simplest.
### 1. Check App Permissions
This is the most common reason for the snapshot feature failing. For the Mi Home app to save an image to your phone, it needs your permission to access the phone's storage.
- On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Mi Home > Permissions. Look for "Storage" or "Files and Media" and make sure it is set to Allow.
- On iOS: Go to Settings > Privacy > Photos > Mi Home. Ensure it is set to "All Photos" to give it the necessary access.
If you previously denied this permission, the app simply has nowhere to save the file, causing the function to fail without a clear error message. After enabling the permission, force close the Mi Home app and reopen it before trying again.
### 2. Verify Your Phone's Storage Space
While it may seem obvious, it's an easy check to overlook. If your smartphone is running low on storage space, it won't be able to save new files, including snapshots from your camera.
- Go to your phone's Settings > Storage.
- Check if you have sufficient free space (at least a few hundred MBs).
- If storage is low, try deleting old files, photos, or unused apps to free up space.
### 3. Clear the App's Cache
Sometimes, the app's temporary files (cache) can become corrupted, leading to unexpected behaviour. Clearing the cache can resolve this without affecting your settings or camera connections.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Mi Home > Storage.
- Tap on the "Clear Cache" button. (Do not tap "Clear Data", as this will log you out and remove your settings).
- Restart the app and test the snapshot function again.
## Advanced Solutions
If the basics didn't work, there might be a deeper issue with the app's installation or the camera's software.
### 4. Update the Mi Home App and Camera Firmware
Bugs can sometimes be introduced in software updates. Running an outdated version of the app or camera firmware can cause compatibility issues.
- App Update: Go to the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and check if there is an update available for the Mi Home app.
- Firmware Update: Open the Mi Home app, select your camera, and tap the three-dot menu (...) in the top-right corner. Go to "Firmware update" and install any available updates.
### 5. Reinstall the Mi Home App
If all else fails, a fresh installation of the app can resolve persistent, hard-to-diagnose issues.
- Uninstall the Mi Home app from your phone.
- Restart your smartphone.
- Reinstall the app from the official app store.
- Log in and be sure to accept all necessary permissions during the setup process, especially storage access.
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the snapshot issue and once again save important moments from your Xiaomi camera's feed.