Xiaomi Redmi 7 is still a popular budget smartphone, but many users have difficulty taking a screenshot. Unlike modern models with intuitive gestures, here are preserved classic methods – and that’s a plus! In this article you will find all the current ways to take screenshots, including little-known MIUI features that work even on older versions of the firmware.
We tested each method on Redmi 7 with MIUI 10-12 firmware and found nuances that are not covered in the official instructions, such as why sometimes a screenshot is not saved in the gallery or how to take a picture if the power button is not working. Also at the end of the article is a speed and convenience chart so you can choose the best option for your tasks.
1. Classic method: power buttons + volume
It's a universal method that works on all Android phones, including the Redmi 7, and it's the most reliable, because it doesn't depend on the version of MIUI or the apps installed. Here's how to do it right:
1. Open the screen you want to capture (for example, a dialog in the messenger or a page in the browser).
2. simultaneously press the power button (right) and the volume reduction button (left).
3. Hold them for at least 1 second, but no longer than 3 seconds - otherwise turning off the screen or the power menu will work.
- ✅ It works even on a discharged battery (at a charge level of 5%).
- ✅ Keeps the screenshot in format PNG redmi-screen resolution 7 (720×1520).
- ⚠️ Not working if the buttons are dirty or worn out (relevant for devices older than 3 years).
⚠️ Note: If the screen blinked after clicking the buttons, but the screenshot did not appear in the gallery, check the folder DCIM/Screenshots through the file manager. MIUI creates duplicate folders.
☑️ Checking the success of the screenshot
2.The three-finger gesture is a hidden MIUI function
Few people know, but Redmi 7 has a built-in screenshot gesture that doesn’t require pressing buttons, which is especially handy if you have a broken mechanical power button or you often take screenshots with one hand.
The function is activated as follows:
1. Go to Settings → Additional → Special Features → Three-finger gesture.
2. Turn on the switch opposite the "Screenshot".
3. Swipe your finger across the screen from top to bottom (as with a notification swipe), but with three fingers at the same time.
The screenshot will be saved automatically, and a thumbnail with editing options will appear at the top of the screen, which works even in games and full-screen applications where standard button combinations can conflict.
Why doesn't the gesture work?
| Method | Speed. | Works in games. | It requires two hands. | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power buttons + volumes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Three-finger gesture | ⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Voice assistant | ⭐⭐ | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐ |
| Notification panel | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
3. Screenshot via notification panel
If you don't like remembering button combinations or gestures, MIUI has an alternative, a quick bar, which is suitable for those who often take screenshots of web pages or long chats.
Instructions:
1. Turn the notification bar swipe from top to bottom.
2. Find the screenshot icon (usually hidden under the “More” or “Edit” button).
3.Slip it - the screenshot will be taken instantly.
If the badge is not:
1. Click on "Edit" in the notification panel.
2. Drag the screenshot icon into the active area.
3. Save the changes.
⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI 10 notification panel can "hang" after a screenshot. If this happens, restart your smartphone or clear the cache of the System app UI via settings.
💡
Add a screenshot shortcut to the home screen: pinch the empty space on your desktop → “Widgets” → find “Screenshot” and drag it. Now the screenshot is in one tap!
4. Voice command "OK Google" or Alice
The most unusual way is to use voice assistants, which can be useful if you have busy hands or want to take a screenshot remotely (for example, through Google Assistant on a smartwatch).
For Google Assistant:
1 Say, "OK Google, take a screenshot."
2. Confirm the action in the window that appears.
3. The picture will be saved in the Pictures/Screenshots folder.
For Alice from Yandex:
1. Activate Alice with a voice or button.
2 Say, "Alice, take a screenshot."
3. wait for the notification of preservation.
- 🎤 It only works when connected to the Internet (cloud processing of the team is required).
- 🔒 Does not work in banking apps and some games due to security restrictions.
- ⚡ Faster than searching for buttons, but requires setting up a voice assistant.
5. Screenshot of a long page (scroll screen)
If you need to save an entire Telegram chat, a long web page or a contact list, a standard screenshot won't help.Redmi 7 has a hidden Scrolling Screenshot feature, but it doesn't work in all apps.
How to do this:
1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the described methods.
2 Immediately after the miniature appears in the upper right corner, tap it.
3. In the editor that opens, click "Scroll" (an icon with two arrows down).
4. Wait until the system automatically scrolls the screen and connects the parts into a single file.
Limitations:
It does not work on Chrome and some social networks (for example, VKontakte).
The maximum length of the screenshot is 5 screens (about 7000 pixels in height).
MIUI 10 may not have a feature, but you need to upgrade to MIUI 11+.
💡
The scrolling screenshot is saved in JPEG format (not PNG), so it weighs less, but loses quality when zooming.
6.Alternative methods: ADB and third-party applications
If none of the standard methods work (for example, because of a button break or a firmware failure), you can use the ADB debugging bridge or third-party utilities.
Method 1: Through ADB (without root)
1. Install ADB on your computer (download Platform Tools from Google).
2. Connect Redmi 7 to USB and enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to unlock the developer menu).
3. Enter in the command line:
adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png4.The screenshot will be saved in the root folder of the phone's memory.
Method 2: Apps from Play Market
Popular utilities:
Screenshot Easy (there is a timer and editing function).
Super Screenshot (supports scrolling screens in incompatible applications)
Screen Master (additionally records video from the screen).
⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, disable battery optimization for them in settings MIUI, Otherwise, they will not work in the background.
Frequent problems and solutions
Problem 1: Screenshots are not saved in the gallery.
Solution: Check the permissions for the Gallery app in Settings → Apps → Permissions. Also clear the gallery cache.
Problem 2: After a screenshot, the phone vibrates, but the file is not created.
Solution: This indicates a failure in System UI. Reboot the device or reset the interface settings in Settings → System → Reset the settings → Reset the interface settings.
Problem 3: The three-finger gesture is in conflict with other functions.
Solution: Turn off conflicting gestures in Settings → Additional → Special features → Gestures.
Problem 4: Screenshots are black in some applications.
Solution: This is a security limitation of MIUI for banking applications and DRM-protected content (e.g. Netflix) using a different phone or taking a screen photo.