Xiaomi Redmi 8, released in 2019, is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliable hardware and flexible MIUI firmware. However, many users face difficulties when trying to take a screenshot – especially if they have previously used devices from other brands. In this article, we will analyze all available methods for taking screenshots on Redmi 8, including hidden features, as well as solve typical problems such as “black screen” or the lack of a sound trigger.
It’s important to consider that the methods may vary depending on the version of MIUI (10, 11, 12 or later).We tested each method on Android 9/10 firmware and described the nuances in detail. If your smartphone runs on custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), some of the features may not be available, as we’ll discuss below.
1. Classical method: button combination
The most versatile method that works on any Android device is to press physical buttons. Redmi 8 uses:
- 🔘 Power button (right) + volume-down button (left).
- 🔹 Hold them simultaneously for 1-2 seconds until you hear the characteristic shutter sound (if the sound is turned off, visual animation will appear).
- 📁 The finished screenshot will be saved in the folder DCIM → Screenshots or Pictures → Screenshots.
⚠️ Note: If you press the buttons too long (more than 3 seconds), the smartphone can interpret this as a command to force a reboot or call Google Assistant.
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If you have a magnetic lock case (such as a book), open it before a screenshot - the magnet can block the sensors and interfere with the operation.
On Redmi 8 with MIUI 12+, a quick action panel will appear at the bottom of the screen:
- ✏️ Edit – crop, add text or a picture.
- 📤 Share – send a screenshot to the messenger or cloud.
- 🗑️ Delete – if the photo is not needed.
2. "Three-Finger Screenshot" gesture
The MIUI feature is the ability to take a screenshot without buttons by simply swiping three fingers across the screen, and by default, the function is disabled, so you need to activate it first:
- Open Settings → Special Opportunities → Gestures.
- Find the item "Triple-touch screenshot" and turn on the slider.
- Choose the gesture direction: Top down or bottom up (we recommend the first one so that it does not conflict with navigation).
Now to take a screenshot:
- Open the screen you want (for example, a WhatsApp chat or a page in your browser).
- Swipe three fingers across the screen in the selected direction (movement should be smooth but fast).
- Wait for the sound or the screen to flash.
Triple touch enabled in settings |Gistress direction does not conflict with other functions (e.g., back-to-back) |Fingers touch screen simultaneously (not sequentially) | Screen is not locked or covered with dirt/film
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🔍 Why doesn't the gesture work? A common cause is conflict with other gestures (like "back" in swipe navigation:
- 🔄 Change the direction of the gesture in the settings.
- 🧹 Turn off other gestures (such as double tapping to wake up).
- 📱 Reboot your smartphone.
3. Screenshot via notification panel
If the physical buttons are broken or you prefer software methods, MIUI has a built-in button for screenshots:
- Deploy the notification panel (swipe from top to bottom).
- Find the screenshot icon (usually scissors) 🖇️). If it is not, click on the pencil ("Edit") and add the button to the active button.
- Slip the icon – the smartphone will take a picture of the current screen.
⚠️ Note: This method does not work on a locked screen, in some games (where the notification bar is hidden), and in screenshot-protected apps (such as banking or Netflix).
| Method | Is it working on a locked screen? | Does it require unlocking? | Supports editing? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power buttons + volumes | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. MIUI 12+) |
| Triple touch. | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| Notification panel | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| Voice assistant | ✅ Yes* | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. |
* Only if you have access to Google Assistant from a locked screen.
4. Voice command via Google Assistant
If you have Google Assistant enabled, you can take a screenshot with your voice:
- Activate the assistant with the phrase “OK, Google” or press the home button (if any).
- Say, “Take a screenshot” or “Make a screenshot.”
- Wait for confirmation – the picture will be saved in the gallery.
🔹 nuance:
- 🌐 It only works when you connect to the Internet (voice checks are done on Google servers).
- 🔒 In some applications (e.g. banking), voice screenshots are blocked for security reasons.
- 🎤 If the voice assistant is not responding, check the settings in Settings → Google → Settings for Google apps → Search, Assistant and Voice.
How to turn on “OK, Google” on Redmi 8?
5. Part of the annex for extended screenshots
If the built-in methods are not suitable (for example, you need screenshots with scrolling or editing), you can use third-party utilities.
- 📱 Screenshot Easy – supports screenshots of long pages (e.g., chats in Telegram or web pages).
- 🎨 Screenshot Touch – adds a quick editing panel (blurring, arrows, text).
- 🔄 Super Screenshot – allows you to take late-action photos (useful for temporary notifications).
⚠️ Note: When installing third-party apps for screenshots MIUI It can show a screen access warning, and that's OK, without that permission, programs can't work:
- After installation, open the application.
- Follow the hint and go to Settings → Special features → Special access apps → Screen recording.
- Turn on the slider opposite the utility name.
On Redmi 8 with MIUI 12.5+, some applications (like Screenshot Easy) may conflict with the system’s Triple Touch feature, in which case turn off the gesture in the settings or use only one method.
6. Solving screenshot problems
If screenshots don’t work, check out these points:
🖼️ Black screen instead of screenshot
The reason is that the privacy protection mode is enabled in the MIUI settings, which blocks the snapshots from some applications (banks, messengers with secret chats) to disable:
- Go to Settings → Privacy → Special Access → Privacy Protection.
- Turn off the slider or add the desired application to exceptions.
🔊 No sound when creating a screenshot
The shutter sound can be turned off in the settings:
- Open Settings → Sounds and vibrations → System sounds.
- Make sure the screenshot slider is on.
📵 Buttons don't respond.
If the combination of power + volume down does not work:
- 🧼 Wipe the buttons away from dirt (especially relevant for Redmi 8 after prolonged use).
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes system processes “hang up».
- 🛠️ Check buttons for physical damage (for example, after a fall).
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If screenshots are not saved in the gallery, check the DCIM/Screenshots folder through the file manager. Sometimes MIUI creates hidden folders that are not displayed in standard browsing.