How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 8: all ways + secrets MIUI

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is still a popular budget smartphone, but many users have difficulty creating screenshots. Unlike modern flagships, there is no universal gesture – you have to combine physical buttons or dig into the settings. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways, including little-known chips of the MIUI firmware, and also solve typical problems: why the screen is not saved, how to change the file format or take a long screenshot.

The Redmi 8 has a feature that doesn't have a touchscreen fingerprint sensor on the screen (unlike the Redmi Note 8 Pro), which limits gesture options. But even with the classic back and the Power button on the right, you can flexibly adjust the process. For example, did you know that MIUI 12+ has a scrolling screenshot feature to capture long pages? Or that you can assign a triple-press backbone shot?

Method 1: Classic button combination (Power + Volume Down)

The most reliable and versatile method, which works on all versions of MIUI, is 10 to 14, and it works even if the touch screen is turned off or turned off.

1. Open the screen you want to capture (like a WhatsApp dialog or a page in Chrome).
2. Simultaneously press the Power button (right) and the volume button (left).
3. Hold them for 1-1.5 seconds until you hear the camera shutter sound and see the animation of the screenshot.

⚠️ Attention: If you press the buttons longer than 2 seconds, the Fastboot or the off menu will work. On Redmi 8, this is especially true because of the sensitive mechanical keys. Also avoid pressing the volume increase - this will cause Recovery Mode.

The screen is unlocked and active

App not in the background

Memory is not filled (minimum 50 MB free)

The sound is not turned off (otherwise you will not hear confirmation)-->

Where to look for a ready screenshot? By default, files are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

Or through the gallery: open the Photos app → Screenshots album. In MIUI 12+, a thumbnail appears in the lower right corner, tap it for quick editing or sending.

Method 2: Three fingers down gesture (starting with MIUI 10)

If you're uncomfortable with buttons, you can use a touch gesture, which is especially useful when physical keys break, or if you often take screenshots with one hand, and it activates this way:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Gestures.
2. Select the screenshot with three fingers.
3. Activate the switch and read the prompt: swipe down the screen with three fingers at the same time.

🔹 nuance:

• 👆 The gesture only works on the home screen or in apps – it won’t work on the lock screen.
• 🎨 If you have left-handed mode enabled, the gesture direction changes to the opposite.
• ⚡ When the screen is low in sensitivity (for example, in the cold), the gesture may not work – try to move more slowly.

To cancel a random screenshot, immediately after the gesture, swipe up with two fingers - the picture will not survive. This feature is only available in MIUI 12.5+.

💡

If the gesture conflicts with other functions (such as Smart Assistant), turn off unnecessary gestures in Settings → System → Gestures.

Method 3: Through the notification panel (fast access)

A lesser-known but convenient method is to use tile in the notification curtain, which saves if the buttons or sensor don't work, and also allows you to take screenshots without sound (useful in public places).

Instructions:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. If the screenshot is missing, tap the icon. ⚙️ Edit.
3. Find a screenshot (scissors icon) in the list and drag it to the active area.
4. Now, with the curtain open, one tap on the tile will create a screenshot.

⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI (For example, 11.0.3), the screenshot tile may disappear after the update. To return it, reset the curtain settings: Settings: → Notifications → Additionally. → Reset the control panel.

Method 4: Voice command (Google Assistant or XiaoAI)

If you have a voice assistant on, you can take a screenshot without touching the screen, which is convenient when your hands are busy or the screen is dirty.

• 🤖 Google Assistant: Say, "OK, Google, take a screenshot." Works on all versions. MIUI, But it requires an Internet connection.
• 🧠 XiaoAI (built into Xiaomi): Activate the assistant with a double press of the Home button (if any) or a voice: Xiao Ai, screenshot".

🔹 Limitations:

• 🔇 In the mode Do not disturb voice commands are blocked.
• 🌐 XiaoAI only works on Chinese firmware or global with China region.
• 📵 If the microphone for the assistants is turned off, the team will not work.

To set up XiaoAI:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → XiaoAI.
2. Enable permissions for Microphone and Warehouse.
3. In the Voice Control section, add the Screenshot command to the quick action list.

Power + Volume Down buttons

Three-finger gesture

Tiles in the curtain

Voice command

Another option-->

Method 5: Long (scrollable) screenshot

A unique feature of MIUI is the ability to capture long pages (such as chats on Telegram or websites) that do not fit on a single screen. a feature called Scrolling Screenshot and works in most applications, except for games and some system menus.

How to do this:

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the miniature appears at the bottom of the screen, tap it.
3. In the editor that opens, click on the Scrolling icon (two arrows down).
4. Wait until the system automatically scrolls the page and stitches the parts into one file.

🔹 Tips for Better Results:

• 📱 Before the screenshot, scroll to the very beginning – so the algorithm will capture all the content.
• ⏳ Take your time: If the page loads slowly, wait for the full load before scrolling.
• 🖼️ In Chrome or Mi Browser, turn off Read Mode – it interferes with correct capture.

⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI 11 long screenshots are saved in.png format with artifacts. To fix this, convert the file to.jpg through the Gallery app:

1. Open the screenshot in the gallery.
2. Tapnite Edit → Save how → JPEG.

Problem Solving: Screenshot is not saved or working

If the screenshot is not created or disappears, check out these points:

🔧 Advanced diagnostics:

1. Check permissions for Screenshots: Settings → Apps → Application Management → Screenshots → Permissions → Turn on Storage.
2. Update MIUI to the latest version: Outdated firmware can block screenshots in some applications (e.g. SberBank Online).
3. Reset gesture settings: Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset gestures.

If the problem persists, try alternative apps from Google Play, such as:

• Screenshot Easy – Supports timer and editing.
• LongShot – for scrolling screenshots in incompatible applications.

💡

Before installing third-party apps for screenshots, check their permissions – some request access to SMS or Geolocation, which is unsafe.

Additional chips: editing and automatic sending

After taking a screenshot, MIUI offers tools for quick processing:

• ✏️ Editor: cropping, blurring, adding text or arrows. To open, tap the thumbnail of the screen at the bottom of the screen.
• 📤 Quick sending: swipe the thumbnail left or right to share via Telegram, Bluetooth, etc.
• 🔍 Search for text: in the gallery open a screenshot → More. → Extract text (works with) MIUI 12.5+).

🔹 Hidden function: if you hold the screenshot thumbnail for 2 seconds, you will open a menu with the option to Delete or Copy to buffer.

To automate the process:

1. Install the Tasker or MacroDroid app.
2. Create a macro: When you press the Power + Volume Down button → Send a screenshot to the Telegram bot.
3. Set up exceptions for confidential applications (e.g. Bank).

📌 Useful Lifehack: If you often need screenshots of the same screen (like Mi Fit step statistics), create a shortcut on the home screen:

Long press on the desktop → Widgets → Shortcuts → Screenshot

Now one tap on the label = finished shot.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi Redmi 8