How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 8: 5 working ways + problem solving

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is still a popular budget smartphone due to the reliable “stuffing” and support for current versions of MIUI. But even experienced users sometimes have difficulties with basic functions, such as creating screenshots. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to take a screenshot on Redmi 8, including hidden firmware chips and avoiding typical errors.

You'll learn not only the standard button combinations, but also alternative methods, from gestures to voice commands, and we'll also go into detail on why screenshots sometimes don't save, how to change the file format, and where to find images if they've disappeared from the gallery. This is relevant for all versions of MIUI 10-14 and doesn't require root rights.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most reliable and versatile method is the use of hardware keys. On Redmi 8, it uses power and volume buttons.

1. Open the screen you want to capture (app, web page, settings).
2. At the same time, press the Power + Volume down for 1-2 seconds.
3. Wait for the characteristic shutter sound (if the sound is on) and visual animation.

⚠️ Note: Redmi 8 with worn buttons can only fire one click. If you don't get a screenshot, try it:

• 🔧 Press a little longer (up to 3 seconds) – sometimes the delay is due to slow sensor response.
• 🧹 Clean the buttons from dust with an alcohol napkin (especially relevant for the volume button).
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – temporary failures MIUI can block the processing of presses.

The screenshot is saved in the Pictures/Screenshots folder in.png format. If you use a dark MIUI theme, the background of the save notification will be black – that’s fine.

Press the power + Volume down → should appear screenshot

Try to take a picture in safe mode (excludes the influence of third-party applications)

Check the button response in the Settings menu → About the phone → Equipment test

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2.The three-finger gesture is a quick way without buttons

MIUI has a hidden feature for swiping screenshots across the screen, which is disabled by default, but turns on in 30 seconds:

1. Go to Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
2. Select the screenshot with three fingers.
3. Activate the switch and select the swipe direction (usually down).

Now to take a screenshot:

1. Touch the screen with three fingers at the same time.
2. Swipe down (or in the selected direction) with a light pressure.
3. Release your fingers after vibration or sound.

🔹 Advantages of the method:

• 🚀 Faster than a button combination (especially for large hands).
• 🛠️ It does not wear physical buttons.
• 🎯 Works in games where hardware keys are occupied by the gamepad.

⚠️ Note: If the gesture does not work, check it out:

• 📱 Screen cleanliness – greasy spots interfere with touch recognition.
• 🔧 Sensor sensitivity in Settings → Display. → Sensitivity of touch.
• 🚫 Conflict with other gestures (e.g., navigation with gestures).

Buttons Power + Volume

Three-finger gesture

Voice command.

Through Quick Ball.

Another option-->

3. Voice command "OK Google" or Alice

If you have a voice assistant on, you can take screenshots without manual intervention.

Method 1: Through Google Assistant

Make sure that:

• 🔊 Google Assistant enabled (Settings) → Google → Assistant settings).
• 🗣️ Activated voice activation by phrase «OK Google».
• 📱 Allowed commands to control the device.

Say it:

OK Google, take a screenshot.

Or alternative language:

• 📸 Take a screenshot.
• 🖼️ Save the screen.
• 📱 Screenshot (short team)

Method 2: Through Alice (for Russian firmware)

If you have a Russian version of MIUI with Alice integrated:

1. Activate Alice with a long press on the Home button (or a swipe from the bottom corner).
2. Say, Alice, take a screenshot.

⚠️ Note: Voice screenshots do not work in banking apps and games with lock screen recordings (for example, PUBG Mobile, Wild Rift. That's the security limitation of Android.

💡

If the voice assistant doesn't recognize the command, try to pronounce it more clearly or reformulate it. For example, instead of "screenshot," say "screenshot."

4. Quick Ball - floating screenshot panel

Quick Ball is a virtual button from Xiaomi that makes it easier to access frequently used features, including screenshots, to customize it:

1. Go to Settings → Additional features → Quick Ball.
2. Activate the switch.
3. In the Functions section, add the Screenshot icon (scissors icon).
4. Set the position and transparency of the circle.

Now to take a screenshot:

1. Tap Quick Ball (a semi-transparent circle on the screen).
2. Select the Screenshot icon.
3. Confirm with touch (if required).

🔹 The Pros of Quick Ball:

• 🎯 Convenient for large screens – no need to reach the buttons.
• ⚡ Faster gestures (one touch instead of swipe).
• 🔧 Customizable – Up to 5 commonly used functions can be added.

🔹 Cons:

• 🚫 It takes up space on the screen (may interfere with games).
• 🔄 Sometimes it works accidentally when scrolling pages.

5. Screenshot of the page being scrolled (long screen)

If you want to capture a web page in its entirety or a long chat, Redmi 8 has a Scrolling Screenshot feature that works in:

• 🌐 Mi Browser or Chrome browser.
• 💬 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
• 📄 Some vertically scrolling apps (e.g. Twitter).

Instructions:

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the miniature appears in the lower right corner, tap on it.
3. Select the Scroll option (icon with arrows down).
4. Wait for automatic scrolling and gluing of parts.
5. Press Ready to save the result.

📌 Limitations:

• 🚫 Not working on Instagram and TikTok (blocking) API).
• 📏 Maximum screen length – up to 10 screens.
• 🔄 Sometimes “tears” layout of sites with dynamic loading (for example, VKontakte).

6. Problem Solving: Screenshots Are Not Saved or Disappear

If screenshots are not created or disappear from the gallery, check out these points:

Problem 1: Screenshots are not saved

• 📁 Check the folder: by default, the screens are in Pictures/Screenshots. If the folder is damaged, create it manually through the file manager.
• 🛠️ Clear the Gallery app cache (Settings) → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 🔧 Check the permissions: go to Settings → Annexes → Permits → Warehouse and make sure the Gallery has access.

Problem 2: Black screen in the screenshot

This is a common mistake when trying to take a picture in:

• 🏦 Banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff).
• 🎮 Genshin Impact (Honor of Kings).
• 📺 Streaming services (Netflix, Film Search).

🔹 Solution: Use an external camera or special screen recording apps (e.g, AZ Screen Recorder).

Problem 3: Screenshots are kept in low quality

By default, Redmi 8 saves screens in screen resolution (720×1520), but sometimes compression spoils the details.

1. Install Screenshot Touch from Google Play.
2. In the application settings, select Quality: Maximum and Format: PNG.
3. Take a screenshot through the app widget.

💡

If screenshots disappear after the MIUI update, reset the Gallery app settings (Settings → Apps → Gallery → Storage → Reset) to return the standard save paths.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi 8