Screenshots on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 are taken in a matter of seconds, but not all users are aware of all the available methods.Some are used to pinching buttons, some use gestures, and some do not even know about the built-in feature of scrolling long pages. In this article, 5 proven methods, including hidden MIUI chips, that work even on outdated versions of the firmware.
The Redmi Note 8 (codenamed ginkgo) was released in 2019, but is still one of the most popular in the Xiaomi lineup due to its balanced performance. Despite its age, the device supports all modern methods of creating screenshots, from the classic Power + Volume Down to voice commands through Google Assistant, we tested each method on MIUI 14 (Android 12) and made sure that they work steadily.
1. Classic method: power and volume buttons
Itβs a versatile method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi Note 8.
- π± Press the Power button (right) and the Volume Down button (left) at the same time).
- π― Hold them for 1-2 seconds until the screen blinks and screenshot animations appear.
- π The finished photo will be saved in the folder DCIM β Screenshots or Pictures β Screenshots.
If the screenshot didnβt work the first time, check:
- β‘ Do you hold the buttons for too long (more than 3 seconds β turn off / reboot will work).
- π Do not the buttons conflict with the case (especially relevant for thick bumpers).
- π οΈ Are hardware buttons disabled in settings (Settings) β Special facilities β Power button completes call).
β οΈ Note: On the Redmi Note 8 with non-original firmware (e.g. LineageOS), the button combination may be different.
Press both buttons simultaneously |
Screen not locked |
No active gestures (e.g., "Double touch to wake up")|
Memory is not full (minimum 50 MB free)-->
2. The three-finger gesture is faster than the buttons
This is a MIUI signature feature that saves time: instead of pressing buttons, you just swipe three fingers down on the screen, and it works with one hand, and it doesn't require precise coordination.
How to turn on the gesture (if it is turned off):
- Open the Settings β Additional β Screenshot button.
- Activate the screenshot switch with a gesture with 3 fingers.
- (Optional) Set up a Long Screenshot in the same menu to capture the scrollable pages.
Nuances of use:
- π The gesture only works on the unlocked screen.
- π¨ Does not work in some games and applications with gesture blocking (for example, PUBG Mobile or Banking Apps).
- π§ If the gesture conflicts with other features (such as Swipe for navigation), turn them off in Settings. β System system β Gestures.
What to do if the gesture does not work?
3. Voice assistant: "OK Google, take a screenshot"
If you have Google Assistant set up, you can take voice screenshots -- handy when your hands are busy or your buttons are not working -- and this requires an Internet connection and an activated microphone.
Instructions:
- Say βOK Googleβ or hold the Home button to call an assistant.
- Say the command: βTake a screenshotβ or βPhotography of the screen.β
- Confirm the action (if required).
Limitations of the method:
- π£οΈ Works only in English or Russian (other languages may not be supported).
- π Does not work in Do Not Disturb or with the microphone turned off.
- π‘οΈ In some banking applications, voice commands are blocked for security reasons.
Power + Volume Down| buttons
Three finger gesture |
Voice assistant |
Application from third-party developers |
Another option-->
4. Long screenshot (scrolling page)
The Redmi Note 8 can capture fully scrolling pages, such as chats in Telegram, Instagram feeds or articles in the browser, which is built into MIUI and does not require additional applications.
How to take a long screenshot:
- Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
- Immediately after the screenshot thumbnail appears, click on the Scrolling button (the icon with the arrows down).
- Wait until the page automatically scrolls to the end. Click Ready.
Important details:
| Annex | Is a long screen supported? | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome, Mi Browser | β Yes. | Does not capture dynamic content (e.g. video) |
| Telegram, WhatsApp | β Yes. | Maximum 10 screens at a time |
| Instagram, Facebook | β οΈ Partially. | Doesn't work for Stories and Reels |
| PDF-viewers | β No. | Just a static screenshot. |
β οΈ Note: Long screenshots are saved in.png format and can weigh up to 10-15 MB. Before sending them to instant messengers, we recommend compressing them through Google Photos or Lightroom.
5 Third-party applications: when there are few standard methods
If the built-in MIUI features don't suit you, you can use third-party utilities, which offer advanced functionality: screenshot editing, cloud saving, text recognition (OCR), and even screen recording.
Top.-3 Proven applications for Redmi Note 8:
- πΈ Screenshot Touch - adding watermarks, cropping and blurring parts of the screen.link to Google Play.
- π₯ Screen Master - screenshots + Screen recording without root. GIF-Animation.
- π Screenshot Crop & Share - Automatic cropping and optimization for social networks.
Warnings when using third-party applications:
- π Some utilities require permission to overlay over other windows, which may conflict with games or banking applications.
- π₯ Avoid programs with suspicious permissions (e.g. access to the software) SMS or contact).
- π On the Redmi Note 8 with MIUI Global Some Apps May Not Work Due to Xiaomi's Background Activity Restrictions.
π‘
If after installing a third-party application, screenshots have ceased to be saved, clear the cache of the system gallery: Settings β Apps β Gallery β Storage β Clear the cache.
Problem Solving: Screenshot Not Taken
If none of these methods work, check out these points:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Buttons don't respond. | Sticking or damage to keys | Use a gesture or a voice assistant, and if you have a problem, bring it to the service. |
| The gesture doesn't work. | Disabled in settings or conflict with another gesture | Check the settings β Additional β screenshot button. |
| Screenshot taken, but not saved | Lack of memory or gallery failure | Clear the disk space or restart the phone. |
| Black screen on the screenshot | DRM-Protection in applications (Netflix, banks) | Use the built-in screenshot feature in the app itself (if any). |
The Redmi Note 8 with MIUI EU firmware (unofficial) may not have a long screenshot feature due to the removed Xiaomi components, in which case only flashing to the official version will help.
FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi Note 8
πΉ Can I take a screenshot on a locked screen?
πΉ Where screenshots are saved?
πΉ Why screenshots are blurry?
πΉ How to edit a screenshot immediately after creation?
πΉ Does this work on the Redmi Note 8 Pro?
π‘
On the Redmi Note 8, the most reliable way is to combine the Power + Volume Down buttons. The three-finger gesture is more convenient, but it can conflict with other features. For long pages, use the built-in scrolling in MIUI, which is more stable than third-party apps.