Redmi 7A: Why Standard Methods Don't Always Work
Xiaomi Redmi 7A is still one of the most popular budget devices of the brand, despite the release of new models, but many users face a problem: buttons for screenshots do not respond, gestures do not work, and there are no usual options on the menu, it’s all about the features of the MIUI firmware for this model and its hardware limitations.
In this article, we’ll look at all the working ways to create screenshots on Redmi 7A, from the classic button combination to the little-known features like voice assistant, and also tell you what to do if the screenshot is saved in.png format with artifacts because of an old Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 graphics chip.
Before proceeding to the instructions, check:
- 📱 Version MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. On the Redmi. 7A 10-12 versions are current, but screenshots may be different.
- 🔋 Battery charge: At levels below 15%, some methods (such as gestures) are automatically turned off.
- 📁 Memory: If your device has less than 500MB of free space, screenshots may not be saved.
Method 1: Classic button combination (always working)
It's a universal method that's guaranteed to work on any Redmi 7A -- regardless of the firmware version or settings.
- Open the screen you want to capture (like a WhatsApp dialog or a page in Chrome).
- Press the power button (right) and the volume button (left) at the same time.
- Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the characteristic sound of the camera shutter and see the animation of the screenshot.
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Attention, Redmi! 7A With worn buttons (especially after a year of use) only the off menu can work instead of the screenshot: 🧹 Clean the dust buttons with compressed air or a soft brush. 🔧 Try to press with more force or from a different angle. 🔄 If the problem persists, use alternative methods in this article.
☑️ Check before screenshot buttons
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If the screenshot is not saved, check the DCIM/Screenshots folder through the file manager. Sometimes MIUI creates duplicate folders like Pictures/Screenshots, especially after updates.
Method 2: Three-finger gesture (quickly, but requires adjustment)
The Three-Finger Screenshot feature is available on Redmi 7A, but is disabled by default.
- Go to Settings → Additional → Special features → Three finger gesture.
- Turn on the switch opposite the "Screenshot".
- (Optional) Set the sensitivity of the gesture – Redmi 7A recommends a mean value, otherwise there will be false positives.
Now to take a screenshot:
- Place three fingers on the screen (for example, index, middle and ring fingers).
- Move them from top to bottom in one quick move.
- Wait for the beep and the save notification.
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Attention, Redmi! 7A With a protective glass or a film, the gesture may not work because of the sensor's low sensitivity: 🔄 Increase the sensitivity of the screen in Settings → Display. → Sensitivity of touch. 🧴 Apply a little hand cream on your fingers – this will improve grip. 📱 Try to make a gesture closer to the center of the screen, where the sensor responds more accurately.
Method 3: Notification panel (if buttons are broken)
If the physical buttons on your Redmi 7A don't work, you can take a screenshot through the Quick Settings Panel.
- Swipe your finger down to open the notification curtain.
- Swipe down again to turn the panel completely.
- Find the screenshot icon (usually hidden under the button) ⋯ or edit).
- Slip on it - the screenshot will be taken in 1-2 seconds.
If the icon is not in the panel:
- 🔧 Click Edit (pencil in the upper right corner).
- 🔍 Find the screenshot list and drag it to the active area.
- 💾 Save the changes.
Why isn't the icon in the notification panel?
Method 4: Voice assistant (for lazy people)
Few people know, but on Redmi 7A, you can take a screenshot with a voice command without touching the screen.
- Activate Google Assistant (long-term home button click) or XiaoAI (if you use Chinese firmware).
- Tell one of the teams: 🎤 «Take a screenshot» 🎤 «Take a picture of the screen» 🎤 «Save the Screen (only available in XiaoAI).
Confirm the action if the assistant requests permission.
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Attention, voice commands only work when: 📶 Internet connection (assistant needs cloud services to recognize speech). 🔊 Enabled microphone (check permissions in Settings) → Annexes → Google/XiaoAI → Permits). 🗣 No noise around the room (on Redmi) 7A It's just one microphone, and it doesn't filter background sounds well).
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The voice method is convenient for creating screenshots in games or applications where you can not interrupt the process (for example, in PUBG Mobile or Free Fire).
Where to look for saved screenshots and how to edit them
By default, all screenshots on Redmi 7A are saved in /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/
or
/storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Screenshots/
(depending on the version of MIUI).
To find them quickly:
- Open the Gallery (camera icon on the home screen).
- Go to the album "Screenshots" - it is created automatically.
- For sorting by date, tap on ⋮ → Sort by → Date.
📊 Comparison of screenshot formats on Redmi 7A:
| Format | File size | Quality. | When used |
|---|---|---|---|
| .png | 2–5 MB | High (no loss) | By default, MIUI |
| .jpg | 0.5–1.5 MB | Medium (compression) | When manually saved through the editor |
| .webp | 1-3 MB | High (optimized) | In some versions of MIUI 12 |
To edit the screenshot:
- 🖌 Open it in the Gallery and tap Edit (pencil icon).
- 📏 Cut the edges, add text or draw arrows with built-in tools.
- 💾 Save the changes – the original will remain intact (a copy will be created).
What to do if screenshots are not saved
The problem of a screenshot being "made" but not showing up in a gallery is typical of a memory-worn Redmi 7A.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| There's sound, but no file. | There's not enough disk space. | Clean the cache in Settings → Memory → Clean |
| Black screenshot. | Conflict with theme or wallpaper | Return the standard theme to Settings → Themes |
| Screenshot kept blank | Graphics driver error | Reboot your phone or update your MIUI |
| File damaged (artifacts) | Failure to encode.png | Use the Screen Master app from Google Play |
🛠 Radical solution: if nothing helps, reset your phone to factory settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and reset. But before you do, make sure to back up through Settings. → System and device → Backup!
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If screenshots are saved in low resolution (e.g., 720p instead of 1440×720), check the screen settings in Settings → Display → Resolution. Sometimes MIUI automatically lowers the quality to save charge.
Secret chips: advanced screenshot capabilities
Redmi 7A has hidden features that even experienced users don’t know about:
- 📜 Long screenshot (scroll screen): after a normal screenshot, tap on the thumbnail in the notification and select Scrolling. Works in Chrome, WhatsApp and Telegram.
- 🔍 Search for text on a screenshot: open a screenshot in Google Photos and tap the lens – the program recognizes the text and will allow you to copy it.
- 🎨 Automatic cropping: in the editor of screenshots MIUI There is a Pruning Tool at the Edges that removes unnecessary items (e.g., a navigation bar).
- 🔗 Quick sending: immediately after creating a screenshot, tap on its thumbnail in the notification and select Share - so you can send it to the messenger in 2 seconds.