How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi 8 Pro: all ways + error solving

Xiaomi 8 Pro is the flagship of 2018, which still remains relevant thanks to powerful hardware and regular updates to MIUI. But even experienced users sometimes forget how to quickly take a screenshot on this smartphone, especially if you are used to other brands. In this article, 5 proven ways (including hidden chips), detailed instructions for different versions of firmware and solving typical problems from the lack of sound of the picture to save errors.

We tested all of these methods on the Xiaomi 8 Pro with MIUI 12.5, 13 and 14, so we can make sure that at least one of them works on your device. And if you like automation, look at gestures and voice commands that speed things up 3 times, and let's start with the most reliable way, the classic button combination.

1. Classic method: power buttons + volume

This is a universal method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones, including the 8 Pro. The main advantage is that it does not depend on the version of MIUI and does not require additional settings.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the screen you want to capture (for example, a dialog in the messenger or a page in the browser).
• 🔘 At the same time, press the power button (right) and the volume reduction button (left).
• 🎵 Hold for 1-2 seconds until you hear the shutter sound (or see an animation of the screenshot).
• 📁 The finished shot will appear in the gallery in the Screenshots folder or in the notification (tap on it for quick editing).

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

• ⚡ Do you press buttons at the same time (not alternately).
• 🔋 Is the battery enough (at a level below 5%, some functions are blocked).
• 🛠️ Are the buttons in the settings disabled (Settings) → Special facilities → Physical buttons).

⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi 8 Pro with MIUI 14 after the update, protection against random screenshots may work. If you see the message "Can't take screenshots", then the application (for example, a banking one) blocks this function.

Three-finger gesture: faster than buttons

The Three-Finger Gesture feature was introduced in MIUI 9 and has since become a favorite way for many users to take a screenshot in one motion, keeping their hands off the screen, especially for games or scrolling long pages.

How to set up and use:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Button Gestures (in some versions, the path: Settings → System → Gestures).
2. Activate the switch opposite the "Three Fingers Screenshot".
3. Test: swipe down the screen with three fingers (no pause!).

If the gesture doesn't work:

• 🧹 Make sure there are no greasy spots or protective film on the screen (the sensor may not recognize touch).
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the touch driver will freeze».
• 📏 Try to make a gesture from the other end of the screen (for example, not strictly on top, but slightly diagonally).

Check if the gesture is enabled in the settings | Make sure your fingers are clean and dry | Turn off the protective film (if any) |Reboot your phone when crashes-->

This method does not work in some games (for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact), where gestures are intercepted by the game engine. In such cases, use buttons or Quick Ball (about it in the next section).

3. Quick Ball: floating panel for screenshots

Quick Ball is a semi-transparent, circular widget that appears on top of any screen, allowing you to take screenshots, go back, lock the screen, and do other things with one tap, especially for users with large screens or limited hand mobility.

How to turn on and use:

1. Open the Settings. → Additionally. → Quick Ball.
2. Activate the slider at the top of the screen.
3. Set the widget (left or right edge) and transparency.
4. Slip on Quick Ball → select “Screenshot” (scissors icon).

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ It works in any application, even where gestures are blocked.
• 🎯 You can take a screenshot with one hand (comfortable for large smartphones).
• 🔧 Additionally, it allows you to record the screen or quickly open the multitasking menu.

⚠️ Note: In some Xiaomi 8 Pro firmware (such as custom Android 10-based ones), Quick Ball may conflict with navigation gestures. If the widget disappears after a reboot, update MIUI last-minute.

4. Voice assistant: "OK, Google, take a screenshot."

If you're too lazy to push buttons or make gestures, use a voice assistant, which is suitable for situations when your hands are busy (for example, you cook with a prescription on your phone). On Xiaomi 8 Pro works with both Google Assistant and branded XiaoAI (in Chinese firmware).

Instructions for Google Assistant:

1. Activate the assistant with your voice: say “OK Google”** or hold the Home button (if you use navigation buttons).

For XiaoAI (if installed):

• 🎤 Hold the Home button or say “Xiao Ai».
• 📸 Say “**” (in Chinese “screenshot”) or “take a screenshot” in Russian.

Limitations of the method:

• 🔇 It does not work in silent mode (you need to turn on the microphone).
• 🌐 Requires Internet connection (to process voice).
• 🛡️ In some banking applications, voice commands are blocked for security reasons.

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If the voice assistant doesn’t recognize the command, try to pronounce it more clearly or switch the language in the settings to English (sometimes it works more stable).

5. Screenshot via the notification menu (for MIUI 12+)

A little-known method that works on MIUI 12 and later, which is useful if you don't have buttons or a sensor working, but the screen responds to touch, and the idea is to use the notification panel to call the screenshot function.

Step-by-step:

1. Swipe your finger down to open the notification panel.
2. Find the screenshot icon (scissors) – it can be hidden under the “More” button (three dots).

If the badge is not:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Notification panel → Order of badges.
• 🔍 Find the screenshot list and drag it to the active area.

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (like LineageOS) may not have this method, and it doesn’t work in full-screen games where the notification bar is hidden.

Problem Solving: Screenshot is not saved or working

Even on trusted devices like Xiaomi 8 Pro sometimes crashes with screenshots.-5 problems and solutions:

1. Screenshot taken but not saved in gallery

• 📂 Check the folder. DCIM/Screenshots File Manager (sometimes the gallery is not automatically updated).
• 🔄 Reboot your phone – it will reset the media scanner cache.
• 🛠️ Install an alternative gallery (e.g. Google Photos).

No shutter sound.

• 🔊 Check if the phone is in silent mode.
• 🎵 Go to Settings. → Sounds and vibrations → System sounds and turn on "Screenshot Sound».

3.The screen is flashing, but no screenshot is being created.

• 📱 Make sure your phone has enough free memory (at least 50MB).
• 🛡️ Turn off the developer mode (sometimes it conflicts with system functions).

4. In games, the screenshot is black.

• 🎮 This is a limitation of the game engine (like Unity or Unreal Engine). Use Quick Ball or third-party apps like Screen Master.

5.After the MIUI update, screenshots stopped working

• 🔄 Reset the settings to factory (Settings) → The phone. → Reset settings, but do not delete data!).
• 📥 Install the latest firmware version through Settings → Updating the system.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

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On the Xiaomi 8 Pro, the most reliable way is to combine the power + volume buttons. If it doesn't work, check the physical state of the buttons or reset the sensor settings to Settings → System → Settings Reset → Sensor Settings Reset.