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

Why do you need screenshots on Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro?

Screenshots on the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro are not just a screen saver, but a tool for work, learning and communication, which can capture important messages in instant messengers, save performance test results, share system settings with friends or technical support, especially for owners of flagship models in 2018, where the combination of hardware power and proprietary shell MIUI opens up advanced opportunities for creating screenshots.

Unlike budget devices, the Mi 8 Pro supports several ways to create screenshots, from classic button combinations to innovative gestures. However, not everyone knows that hidden features are available on this model, such as a scrolling screenshot for long pages or saving in PDF format. In this article, we will analyze all methods, from basic to advanced, and also tell you how to customize them to your needs.

Method 1: Classical button combination

The most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones is to simultaneously press physical buttons. On the Mi 8 Pro, you need to press the screenshot:

• 🔘 Power button (right) + volume-reduce button (left)
• 🕒 Hold them 1-2 seconds until the screen blinks and save animations appear
• 📁 The finished screenshot is automatically saved in the folder DCIM → Screenshots

This is a reliable method, but it has nuances, for example, if you press the buttons at the same time, you can work volume control or lock the screen. Also on the Mi 8 Pro with worn buttons sometimes require more effort, here will help calibration of the sensors (which will be discussed below).

⚠️ Note: If after pressing the buttons the screen goes out instead of creating a screenshot, check the gesture settings in Settings → Additionally. → Buttons and gestures: possibly activated conflicting gesture (e.g. double tapping on power for camera).

Make sure the buttons don't stick |Fingers don't block the light sensor |The screen is unlocked (screenshots don't work on the locked screen) |Switch off the magnetic lock cases-->

Method 2: Three finger gesture (fastest)

MIUI's signature feature is the ability to take screenshots with a gesture of wiring three fingers across the screen, which is convenient when you hold your phone with one hand and scroll through content with the other hand to activate it:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
2. Turn on the switch "Swipe with three fingers".
3. Choose the direction of the swipe: down (recommended) or up.

Now, you just swipe your three fingers across the screen from top to bottom (or vice versa) to take a picture. On the Mi 8 Pro, this gesture works even in games and full-screen applications where the buttons are hidden. However, there is a limitation: if you have one-hand mode on, the gesture can conflict with screen zoom.

💡

To avoid random screenshots, set the gesture delay in the settings. The optimal value is 0.3 seconds.

Method 3: Quick settings panel

If you don't like physical buttons or gestures, you can use a virtual screenshot button in the notification panel.

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the screenshot icon (scissors) – if it is not there, tap on Edit and add it to the active buttons.
3. Click on the icon to take a screenshot.

The advantage of this method is that you can select the screen area for a screenshot (on MIUI 10+), and then you click on the icon and you can stretch your fingers, and it's convenient for capturing individual interface elements, such as dialog boxes or graphs.

⚠️ Note: In some firmware (for example, MIUI Global Stable) The screenshot button in the notification bar may not be available by default, in which case update the system or manually install it through Settings → Notification panel → Add tiles.

Method 4: Google Voice Assistant

On the Mi 8 Pro, with Google Assistant preinstalled, you can take screenshots with your voice, which is useful if your hands are busy or your buttons are faulty.

1. Activate the voice assistant with the “OK, Google” command or by holding the Home button.
2. Say, “Take a screenshot” (English: “Take a screenshot”).
3. Confirm the action if necessary.

Cons: Internet connection is required for voice recognition, as well as screen access permission for Google Assistant (you can configure in Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Screen access).

Method 5: Advanced Features – Scrolling Screenshot and PDF

On the Mi 8 Pro, there are advanced options for working with screenshots that many users go unnoticed:

• 📜 Scrolling Screenshot: After you create a regular screenshot, tap on the thumbnail in the bottom right corner and select Scrolling. The system will automatically "scroll" the page down and combine the frames into one long shot (works in browsers, instant messengers, Google Play).
• 📄 Keeping in PDF: In the same screenshot editing menu, you can select Save as PDF. Useful for saving web pages or documents with formatting.
• 🎨 Quick editing: Immediately after the screenshot is created, a toolbar will appear for cropping, drawing or adding text.

These features require MIUI 10 or later. If they are missing, update the firmware via Settings → About Phone → System Update. Note that the scrolling screenshot may not work in apps with dynamic content (such as Instagram or TikTok).

Problem Solving: Screenshots Are Not Working

If none of the methods work, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔧 System failure: Reboot your phone (hold the power button for 10 seconds).
• 📱 Damaged buttons: The Mi 8 Pro often wears out the power button. Check its responsiveness in the Settings menu → The phone. → Equipment test.
• 🛠️ Application conflict: Some programs (such as Greenify or Tasker) can block screenshots. Try to start your phone in safe mode (hold the power button). → «Safe regime»).
• 🔒 Security restrictions: in banking applications or DRM-In protected services (e.g. Netflix), screenshots are blocked at the system level.

If the problem persists, reset your gesture settings:

Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures → Reset gesture settings

⚠️ Note: On the Mi 8 Pro with custom firmware (like LineageOS), standard screenshot methods may not work. In this case, install a third-party app like Screenshot Touch or Screen Master and give it the rights to record the screen.

💡

Before resetting gesture settings, back up through Settings → Additional → Backup to avoid losing custom combinations.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro