Why is Redmi 8 not always a screenshot?
Xiaomi Redmi 8, launched in 2019, is still popular with users due to its price-performance balance, but many people face a problem: standard button combinations to create screenshots sometimes don’t work, due to the features of MIUI firmware and hardware limitations of the budget model.
For example, if you’re trying to take a screenshot while playing or watching a full-screen video, the system may ignore the button press.This is due to resource optimization: Redmi 8 based on the Snapdragon 439 processor prioritizes performance over background tasks. In addition, some versions of MIUI 12/13 turn off gestures for default screenshots.
In this article, we’ll discuss 5 working ways to capture a screenshot on Redmi 8, including little-known tricks for complex cases, and how to set up saving screenshots to the cloud and automatically cropping unnecessary items.
Method 1: Classical button combination
The most reliable method that works on all versions of MIUI is the simultaneous pressing of physical buttons.
- Open the screen you want to capture.
- Press the Power button (right) and the Volume Down button (left) for 1-2 seconds.
- Wait for the characteristic shutter sound and visual animation (the screen narrows with the white frame).
⚠️ Attention: If you have a case with thickened edges, the buttons may lock. Remove the case or press with great effort. Also check if the button is stuck Volume reduction is a common problem in the Redmi 8 after a year of use.
Make sure the screen is not locked.
Turn off Do Not Disturb mode.
Check the space in the memory (needs at least 50 MB)
Remove the cover if it interferes with the pressing-->
Method 2: Three-finger gesture (starting with MIUI 10)
Xiaomi's signature feature is to swipe a screenshot across the screen, and to activate this way:
- Go to Settings → Additional → Special. features → Three finger gesture.
- Turn on the screenshot switch.
- Select the direction of the swipe (default - down).
Now swipe your three fingers across the screen from top to bottom (or in the chosen direction) and the speed should be average, so that the system ignores too slow or fast swipe.
💡 Useful Life Hack: If the gesture doesn't work, try calibrating the sensor. → Display. → Calibrate the sensor and follow the instructions. Once calibrated, gesture recognition accuracy will increase by 30-40%.
💡
To take a long screenshot (scrollable), after a normal screenshot, click on the thumbnail in the lower right corner and select Scrolling. This works in the browser, messengers and some applications.
Method 3: Quick settings panel
A lesser known but convenient way to do this is to use the notification bar.
- Turn the notification bar swipe from top to bottom.
- Find the screenshot icon (scissors) and tap it.
- If there is no icon, click on Edit (pencil in the upper right corner) and add it to the active elements.
This method is especially useful if you have a broken power button or use your smartphone with one hand, but note that some firmware may not have a screenshot icon, depending on the regional version of MIUI.
Power and volume buttons|Three-finger gesture|Notification panel|Voice assistant|Other-->
Method 4: Voice command (for MIUI 12 and later)
If you have Xiaomi Voice Assistant (or Google Assistant) enabled, you can take a voice screenshot.
- 🎤 Say, “OK, Google, take a screenshot” (for Google Assistant).
- 🎤 Or: "Little assistant, screenshot" (for Xiaomi's corporate assistant).
🔊 Important: Voice commands only work when you connect to the Internet and the microphone is turned on, and the assistant settings must allow access to Media Management and Screenshots.
⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 8 with 2GB of RAM, the voice assistant can slow down while running heavy applications (such as games.
Method 5: Applications from Third Party Developers
If standard methods don't work, you can install specialized utilities.-3 Checked screenshot applications:
| Annex | Features | Cons | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screenshot Easy | Floating button, editor, screen recording | Advertising in the free version | Google Play |
| Screen Master | Long screenshots, cloud storage | Requires root for some functions | Google Play |
| Super Screenshot | No advertising, gesture support | No Russian language | Google Play |
🛠️ Technical detail: Screenshot applications require permission Screen recording in Settings → Annexes → Special access. Without it, they won't be able to work. Also note that some banking applications (like SberBank or Tinkoff) block screenshots for security reasons.
How to bypass the screenshot blocking in banking applications?
Where are the screenshots stored and how do you manage them?
By default, all screenshots on Xiaomi Redmi 8 are saved in the folder:
/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/To change the save location or set up automatic upload to the cloud:
- Open the gallery → Albums → Screenshots.
- Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.
- Enable the Autoboot option in Mi Cloud (you will need a Xiaomi account).
Importantly, if you're using a microSD card, the default screenshots are saved to internal memory to redirect them to the internal memory. SD-Install a file manager (for example, file manager, FX File Explorer and manually move Screenshots folder.
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Clean your screenshot folder regularly, which can take several gigabytes. Use the built-in Cleanup utility in Settings → Memory to automatically delete old files.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after following the instructions, screenshots may not work, and here are the most common errors and ways to correct them:
- 🔕 No shutter sound: Check if the system sound is turned off in Settings → Sound. → Systemic sounds.
- 📱 Black screenshot: This happens when you try to photograph protected content (Netflix, banking apps). No solution - Android-level restriction.
- ⚙️ Three-finger gesture doesn't work: Update firmware to latest version MIUI Or reset your gesture settings in Settings. → System system → Resetting settings → Reset your gesture settings.
🔧 Secret Mode: If you need to take a screenshot in an app that blocks it (like WhatsApp with chat protection enabled), use guest mode:
1. Create a second user in Settings → Accounts → Users.
2. Enter the guest account.
3. Open the app and take a screenshot – the restrictions will only work for the main profile.