How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 3: all ways + problem solving

Xiaomi Redmi 3 is the legendary budget 2016, which is still used by many users. But even with this time-tested smartphone can have difficulties with basic functions. One of the most common problems is the inability to take a screenshot in the usual way. Why is this happening? The fact is that the MIUI firmware on Redmi 3 has several hidden nuances that are not written in the official instructions.

In this article, you'll find not only standard screenshot techniques, but also alternative solutions for when the power + volume down button doesn't work. We've tested all of them on Redmi 3 with MIUI 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 -- ensure that at least one of them works on your device. And if you encounter a "Can't take a screenshot" error, there's a solution section at the end of the article.

1. Standard method: button combination

This is the most reliable method, which works on 99% of Xiaomi devices, including Redmi 3.

1. Open the screen you want to capture (social network, game, settings).
2. Press the power button (right) and the volume button (left) at the same time.
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the camera shutter.
4. The screen will blink, and in the upper panel will appear a notification "Screenshot saved".

⚠️ Important: on Redmi 3 with custom firmware (like LineageOS), this combination may not work. Also check if the hardware buttons are disabled in the special features settings.

Press the buttons synchronously, without delay |

Make sure there are no dialog windows on the screen.|

Check the space in memory (needs at least 5 MB) |

Turn off Do Not Disturb (it blocks notifications)-->

If the screenshot didn’t work the first time, try:

• 🔄 Change the order of pressing: first press the volume, then power.
• ⏱️ Hold for longer: Some firmware takes 3 seconds.
• 🔋 Charge your phone: At a battery level below 5%, the system can ignore combinations.

2. "Three fingers down" gesture (hidden MIUI function)

Few people know, but MIUI has a hidden gesture for screenshots that works even without hardware buttons.This method is especially useful if you have a broken power or volume button on Redmi 3.

The function is activated as follows:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures → Button gestures.
2. Find the screenshot (three fingers) and turn on the switch.
3. Select the action: Screenshot or Long Screenshot (for scrollable pages).

Now to take a screenshot:

1. Place three fingers on the screen (anything but the big one).
2. Move them from top to bottom in one quick move.
3. The screen will blink and the picture will be saved in the gallery.

Button combination |

Three fingers gesture |

Voice assistant |

Special annexes-->

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 3s MIUI 7 this gesture may conflict with the Smart Assistant function. If the screenshot doesn't work, turn off the Settings settings. → System and device → Smart assistant.

3. Voice command via Google Assistant

If you have Google Assistant installed (or Alice from Yandex), you can take screenshots with your voice. This is convenient when your hands are busy or the buttons are faulty.

Instructions for Google Assistant:

1. Activate the assistant by saying “OK, Google” or holding the Home button.
2. Tell the command to "take a screenshot" or "screenshot".
3. Confirm permission to access the screen (only when you first use it).

For Alice from Yandex:

• 🎤 Say, "Alice, take a screenshot".
• 📱 Or click on the microphone icon in the Yandex search bar and say the command.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 3s MIUI 7 voice assistants may not be allowed to take screenshots, in which case update the firmware at least to the right level. MIUI 9.

💡

If the voice assistant doesn't recognize the command, try saying it in English, "Take a screenshot." Sometimes it works better.

4. Special applications for screenshots

If the standard methods don't work, third-party utilities will come to the rescue, and we tested 5 apps on Redmi 3, the best of which are:

How to install and use:

1. Download one of the apps from Google Play (links above).
2. Run it and provide all the permissions you have requested (especially Overlay over other apps).
3. Follow the instructions in the app – usually click on a floating icon or shake the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 3s MIUI 7 Some apps may require root rights. If you're not ready to get root, choose Screenshot Easy - it works without additional permissions.

5. Screenshot via ADB (for advanced users)

If all previous methods have failed, the last option is to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is Google’s official tool that lets you control your phone through a computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Download ADB Tools on PC.
2. Turn on Redmi 3 USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
4. Open the command line in the ADB folder and type in: Adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
5. Take a screenshot command: adb exec-out screencap -p > screenshot.png The file will be saved in the folder with ADB.

⚠️ Attention: this method requires minimal knowledge of command line. ADB, Better choose another way.

6. Where do I look for saved screenshots?

By default, all screenshots on Redmi 3 are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

How to get there:

• 📁 Open the Files app (or any file manager).
• 🖼️ Go to the Images section → Screenshots.
• 🔍 If the folder is empty, check the downloads or DCIM/Screenshots.

If screenshots are not saved:

• 📱 Check the space available on your phone (at least 50MB required).
• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes the system forgets the save path.
• 🛠️ Update the Gallery app via Google Play.

7. Solving the problem: "Can't take a screenshot"

If an error occurs when trying to take a screenshot, the reasons may be as follows:

If none of the methods helped, reset the settings:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
2. Select Settings Reset (data will not be deleted, only settings).
3. After rebooting, try to take the screenshot again.

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On Redmi 3 with MIUI 7 and 8, the problem is most often solved by disabling the Smart Assistant function or updating the firmware to MIUI 9+.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi 3