How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: all ways with explanations

Taking a screenshot on a smartphone is a basic feature that will be useful to every user. However, even in such a simple procedure there are nuances, especially if we are talking about the Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro with its proprietary shell MIUI. This model, released in 2019, runs on Android 9-11 (depending on the firmware version) and supports both standard methods of creating screenshots and unique chips from Xiaomi.

Many users are facing problems: gestures are not working, files are not saved or buttons in the notification panel are missing. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to take a screenshot on Redmi 8 Pro, including hidden features and workarounds for unusual situations, focusing on typical errors and how to fix them without resetting.

If you've just moved from an iPhone or other Android smartphone, some of the techniques may seem obscure. For example, MIUI has a unique way of creating long screenshots that is not available in pure Android. And owners of devices with unofficial firmware sometimes lose access to standard tools. We took all of these scenarios into account and prepared a universal guide.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most reliable and versatile method is the use of physical buttons, which works on all versions of MIUI (from 10 to 14) and does not depend on gesture settings or touch screen status.

To take a screenshot:

1. Open the desired screen (application, web page, settings).
2. At the same time, press the Power button (right) and the Volume Down button (left).
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the sound of the camera shutter and see the save animation.

⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi 8 Pro, the power button is sensitive to the duration of pressing. If you press it longer than 3 seconds, the switch-off/reset menu will go off and the screenshot will not be taken. Also, avoid accidentally pressing the Volume Up button, which can lead to Emergency mode activation. SOS (firmware).

Where to look for a ready screenshot? By default, files are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

Or through the gallery: open the Photos app → Screenshots album.

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If screenshots are not saved, check the permissions for the Media Storage application in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points (⋮) → Permissions for all applications.

2. Three finger gesture (sliding down)

MIUI offers a handy gesture that works even with the hardware buttons turned off.

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
2. Turn on the screenshot switch with three fingers.
3. Choose the direction of the slide: down (recommended) or up.

Now, to take a screenshot:

1. Place three fingers (usually ring, middle and index) on the screen.
2. Swipe them down quickly (as if you were swiping the screen).
3. Wait for the beep and the save notification.

⚠️ Note: The gesture may conflict with other features, such as Split Screen (if you have Multi-Window Mode enabled), in which case, turn off unnecessary gestures in the same settings menu.

Advantages of the method:

• 👆 Works with faulty power/volume buttons.
• 👆 Faster than a button combination (after training).
• 👆 You can adjust the direction of the gesture to yourself.

3. Notification panel: Quick screenshot button

MIUI has a built-in button to create screenshots straight from the notification curtain, which is useful if you need to take a series of pictures in a row.

How to use:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find a Screenshot icon (usually a scissor or a zipper rectangle) if it's not there, tap the Edit button (pencil in the lower right corner) and add the button to the active button.
3. Click on the icon – the screenshot will be taken instantly.

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS) may not have this button.

Additional panel features:

• 📱 After creating a screenshot, a thumbnail will appear in the notification - tap on it to immediately edit or share.
• 🔄 If the button is missing after the update MIUI, Reset the panel settings: Settings → Notifications → Additionally. → Reset the control panel settings.

4. Google Voice Assistant or XiaoAI

If you have busy hands or sensor/buttons are not working, you can take a voice screenshot, which is suitable for both the built-in XiaoAI (voice assistant from Xiaomi) and Google Assistant.

Method 1: Google Assistant (works on all firmware):

1. Activate the Assistant: Say OK, Google, or press the Home button (if it's physical).
2. Tell the command: Take a screenshot or Take a screenshot.
3. Confirm the action (if required).

Method 2: via XiaoAI (Chinese/global firmware with support only):

1. Press the Home button (if it's touch-sensitive) or say Hey, XiaoAI.
2. Say: (in Chinese, “screenshot”) or Take a screenshot (in global versions).

⚠️ Note: Voice commands may not work if:

• 🔇 Microphone for assistants in privacy settings disabled.
• 🌐 You have firmware installed without XiaoAI support (for example, EU-rum).
• 📶 No Internet connection (Google Assistant requires a network to handle commands).

Enable the microphone for Google/XiaoAI in the settings

Check your Internet connection (for Google Assistant)

Activate voice control in the assistant settings

Make sure that the voice language matches the system language-->

5. Long screenshot (page swipe)

A unique feature of MIUI that is not found in standard Android is the ability to create a screenshot of an entire web page or chat, even if it does not fit on a single screen.This works in the Mi Browser browser, Chrome, as well as in some applications (such as Telegram or WhatsApp).

How to take a long screenshot:

1. First, create a regular screenshot in any of the ways described above.
2. Immediately after the thumbnail appears in the notification, tap on it.
3. In the editor that opens, click on the Scrolling button (or Long Screenshot).
4. Wait until the system automatically scrolls down the page and combines the frames.
5. Press Ready to save the result.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Does not work in games and some apps (for example, Instagram blocks scrolling).
• 📏 The maximum screenshot length is about 5 screens. If the page is longer, break it down into pieces.
• 🔄 Chrome may need to enable an experimental feature: type in the address bar chrome://flags, Find Long Screenshot and activate it.

Where does the long screenshot stay? In the same Screenshots folder, but marked _scroll_ filename.

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A long screenshot is the only way to save a full correspondence in messengers or an article from the Internet without losing context.

6. Alternative methods (for non-standard situations)

If standard methods do not work (for example, due to a break in buttons or a firmware failure), use these options:

Method 1: Through ADB (for advanced users)

You will need a computer with ADB drivers installed and USB debugging enabled on your phone.

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.png

The file will be saved in the root folder of the device.

Method 2: Apps from Google Play

If system features are disabled, install one of these apps (checked on Redmi 8 Pro):

• 📱 Screenshot Easy – Supports gestures and timer.
• 🖼️ Super Screenshot – can take long screenshots in any application.
• 🎯 Screen Master – Adds a floating button for quick access.

Method 3: Through Recovery Mode

If the phone is not booting, but the screen is working, you can take a screenshot in recovery mode:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press Power + Volume Up to Enter Recovery.
3. Some versions of MIUI Recovery have a Screenshot option (available via PC connection via ADB).

⚠️ Warning: When using third-party apps, turn off battery optimization for them, otherwise they may not work in the background. → Battery → Optimizing the battery → Select an application → No restrictions.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even with these simple features, Redmi 8 Pro users are facing challenges.

Problem 1: Screenshots are not saved

Possible causes and solutions:

• 📁 We're out of space on the device. → Clear the cache or transfer files to the memory card.
• 🔧 Permits for Multimedia Storage Disabled" → Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Three points (⋮) → Permissions for all applications → Multimedia storage and enable access to files.
• 📱 Failure to work MIUI → Restart your phone or reset the Gallery app settings (Settings) → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the data).

Problem 2: Three finger gestures don't work

What to check:

• 👆 Disabled in settings → Turn it on on along the Settings path → Additionally. → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
• 🖐️ Conflict with other gestures → Turn off the split screen or double tap to wake up.
• 📲 Faulty sensor → Check the screen performance in Settings → The phone. → Diagnostics → Sensor test.

Problem 3: The button in the notification panel is missing

How to get it back:

1. Smash the notification panel and tap Edit (pencil).
2. Find the Screenshot icon in the inactive buttons and drag it up.
3. If there is no icon at all, reset the panel settings: Settings → Notifications → Additional → Reset the control panel settings.

Problem 4: The long screenshot is broken

Decisions:

• 📄 Too long a page too long. → Break it up or use the Super Screenshot app.
• 🔄 Bug in MIUI → Update the firmware or clear the browser cache (Settings) → Annexes → browser → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 🚫 Application blocks function → Try to take a screenshot in safe mode (press the power button). → Safe regime).

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi 8 Pro