Xiaomi Redmi 8 is one of the most popular budget smartphones with a branded MIUI shell, but even experienced users sometimes have difficulty creating screenshots. Unlike flagship models, there is no separate hardware button for screenshots, and standard keyboard combinations may not work due to the features of the firmware or installed applications.
In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to take a screenshot of Redmi 8, from the classic button combination to the hidden MIUI features that few people know about, and focus on common errors (such as when the screen blinks but the picture doesn’t save) and alternative methods for cases where the basic combinations don’t work, if you’ve seen screenshots being kept in low resolution or missing from the gallery, you’ll find a solution here too.
1. Standard method: button combination
The most reliable and versatile method that works on all versions of MIUI is the simultaneous pressing of physical buttons. On Redmi 8, this is:
- 🔘 Power button (right) + volume-down button (left).
- 🕒 Hold both buttons for 1-2 seconds until the screen blinks and screenshot animations appear.
- 📁 The finished image is automatically saved to the folder Pictures/Screenshots or DCIM/Screenshots.
If the combination does not work:
- ⚡ Check if the buttons are locked (for example, due to cover or dirt).
- 🔄 Try pressing the buttons in a different order: first volume, then power.
- 📱 Make sure there are no system notifications on the screen for low battery charge (less than 5%) – in which case screenshots can be blocked.
⚠️ Note: On some custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience), this combination may trigger a reboot menu.
2 Screenshot by three finger gesture
A proprietary MIUI feature that allows you to take screenshots without buttons -- swipe three fingers down from top to bottom -- to activate this way:
- Open Settings → Additional → Special features → Gestures.
- Find the option "Screenshot with three fingers" and turn on the slider.
- Test the gesture on any screen (except for the keyboard or full-screen games).
The nuances of the gesture:
- 👆 The gesture should be smooth and vertical – diagonal movement may not work.
- 🎮 In games, for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact - The gesture may conflict with the control, in which case temporarily turn it off or use buttons.
- 🔧 If the gesture doesn’t work, restart your phone – sometimes the feature resets after updates.
Slider is enabled in the settings|The screen is not locked.|The gesture is performed strictly from top to bottom.|No active full-screen applications-->
On Redmi 8 with MIUI 12.5 and later, the three-finger gesture can conflict with the "Partial Screenshot" function. If you only want full-screen shots, turn off partial mode in the same gesture settings.
3. Screenshot via notification panel
A lesser known, but convenient, way is to use a quick bar.
- Open the notification panel by swiping your finger from top to bottom.
- Find the screenshot icon (usually hidden under the button) ⋯ or ⚙️).
- Slap it on it, the screen will blink, and the picture will be saved.
If the badge is not:
- 🔧 Open the Settings. → Notification panel → Edit the panel.
- 🔍 Find the screenshot list and drag it to the active area.
- 📌 Put the button on the panel so it doesn’t disappear.
| MIUI version | Location of the badge | Is editing required? |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 10–11 | Hidden beneath ⋯ | Yes. |
| MIUI 12–12.5 | Seen straight or under ⚙️ | No. |
| MIUI 13+ | Separate tab "Tools" | No. |
⚠️ Note: In some firmware (for example, MIUI Global Stable) The screenshot icon may not be available due to regional restrictions, in which case use a voice assistant or third-party apps.
4.The Google Assistant Voice Assistant
If physical buttons don't work (for example, due to damage), you can take a screenshot with a voice command.
- Activate Google Assistant by saying “OK, Google” or holding the Home button (if you have one).
- Say, "Take a screenshot" or "Take a screenshot."
- Confirm the action if the assistant requests permission.
Limitations of the method:
- 🗣️ Active Internet connection required to recognize voice.
- 🔇 In some regions (e.g. China), Google Assistant may be blocked. Use XiaoAI (built-in Xiaomi assistant).
- 🎵 If music or video is enabled, voice input may not work.
💡
If Google Assistant doesn’t recognize a command, try saying it in English or adding the phrase “with Google” at the beginning.
Partial screenshot (sample area)
The partial screenshot function allows you to capture only the desired part of the screen, and it activates as follows:
- Take a regular screenshot of any of the described methods.
- Right after the screen blinks, the toolbar will appear at the bottom, and tap the "Tearn-off" icon.
- Select the desired area and save it.
The following is the case for MIUI 12+:
- 👆 Swipe down with a three-finger gesture and hold your finger on the screen.
- 🖼️ Select an area for a screenshot and release.
Challenges and solutions:
- 🚫 If the toolbar does not appear, check the gesture settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Gestures → Partial screenshot).
- 📏 Minimum size of the allocated area — 100×100 You can't grab less pixels.
- 🔄 After pruning, the original screenshot is saved in the gallery, and the cropped one is saved as a separate file.
How do I return a deleted screenshot?
6. Screenshot via ADB (for advanced users)
If the software methods do not work (for example, due to a firmware failure), you can take a screenshot through the ADB command line.
- 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
Instructions:
- Connect Redmi 8 to your PC and confirm debugging permission.
- Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
- Follow the command: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png
- Download screenshot on PC: adb pull /sdcard/screen.png
⚠️ Note: This method creates a screenshot in Redmi screen resolution 8 (720×1520), If you want a full picture, use the command: adb shell screencap. -p | perl -pe 's/\x0D\x0A/\x0A/g' > screen.png
7. Solving screenshot problems
If screenshots are not saved or are black, check the following points:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The screen flashes, but the picture is not saved. | Insufficient memory or application rights | Clear the cache of the galleries or give permission for storage |
| Low quality screenshots | Power saving mode is on | Turn it off in Settings → Battery |
| Black screenshot. | DRM-protection conflict (Netflix, banking applications) | Take a picture via ADB or turn off protection in the app settings |
| No sound when creating a screenshot | System sound is off. | Include in Settings → Sounds and vibration → System sounds |
Additional advice:
- 🔄 If the screenshots are missing from the gallery, check the folder. DCIM/.thumbnails — Sometimes the miniatures are kept separately.
- 📱 In screenshot-protected games (such as Among Us or banking apps), use screen recording and then take a picture with a video.
- 🔧 After updating MIUI Reset your gesture settings: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting gesture settings.
💡
If none of the methods work, check firmware integrity through Settings → About Phone → System Update. 10% of the time, the problem is solved by reinstalling MIUI.