How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro: all working ways

Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro is the flagship of 2018, which is still relevant thanks to the powerful hardware and flexible firmware MIUI. But even experienced users sometimes forget how to quickly take a screenshot on this device, especially if you are used to new models with gesture control. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways, from the classic combination of buttons to hidden features, which are not known.

It's important to understand that there are multiple ways to capture screenshots on the Mi 8 Pro, some of which work in all environments (even if the sensor doesn't respond), others are suitable for simultaneous scrolling, and some of which allow you to take a picture without the camera sound or notification, and we tested each method on the current version of MIUI 14 (Android 12) and put together step-by-step instructions with the nuances of this particular model.

1. Classic method: power and volume buttons

The most reliable method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones is a combination of physical buttons. On the Mi 8 Pro, the algorithm is the same as on most Android devices, but there are a couple of features:

• 🔘 At the same time, press the power button (right) and the volume reduction button (left).
• 📸 Hold them for 1–1.5 seconds until the characteristic shutter sound (if the sound is on) and flashing animations.
• 📁 Screenshot will be saved in the folder DCIM → Screenshots or Pictures → Screenshots.

This works 99 percent of the time, even if the touch screen doesn't respond or the system is hanging, but it has some downsides.

⚠️ Note: The Mi 8 Pro with worn buttons may have a false Google Assistant (if you hold power for longer than 2 seconds).To avoid this, press the buttons sharply and synchronously, without delaying.

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

• 🔋 Is the battery not discharged (at the charge level) < 5% of the system can ignore button combinations).
• 🛠️ Are the buttons in the settings disabled (Settings) → Special opportunities → Physical buttons).
• 🔊 Is the sound of the screenshot turned off in Settings? → Sounds and vibrations → Systemic sounds.

Check the battery level.

Make sure the buttons are not locked.

Turn off the cover if it interferes with the pressing

Synchronize the pressing of both buttons-->

2.The three-finger gesture is a quick way without buttons

MIUI has a hidden feature for swiping screenshots across the screen, which is stable on the Mi 8 Pro, but is disabled by default, to activate:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
2. Turn on the swipe switch with three fingers.
3. Choose the direction of the swipe: down (recommended) or up.

Now to create a screenshot:

1. Touch the screen with three fingers (usually index, middle and ring).
2. Swipe down the display in a smooth but fast movement (as when scrolling a page).
3. Release your fingers after vibration or sound.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Instant Access – No need to search for buttons.
• 🎯 Works in games and applications where physical buttons are occupied (e.g., in the PUBG Mobile).
• 🔇 You can turn off the sound of the screenshot in the gesture settings.

⚠️ Warning: If the gesture doesn’t work, check if it conflicts with other functions (such as split screen or navigation gestures) and then you’ll have to choose a different swipe direction.

Power and volume buttons

Three-finger gesture

Quick Ball (floating button)

Voice assistant

Another option-->

3. Quick Ball floating button - one-click convenience

Quick Ball is a virtual button that appears on top of any screen. On the Mi 8 Pro, it lets you take screenshots with one touch, without remembering the combinations.

1. Open Settings → Additional settings → Quick Ball
2. Activate the Quick Ball slider.
3. In the Features section, find a Screenshot and add it to the quick action list.
4. Set the button position (left or right) and its transparency.

Now to create a screenshot:

1. Touch Quick Ball (a semi-transparent circle on the edge of the screen).
2. In the menu that appears, select the Screenshot icon (usually a scissor or camera).

Pros of the method:

• 🎯 Maximum accuracy – no need to remember gestures or combinations.
• 🔧 You can add other features (such as Screen Recording or Back Up).
• 🖼️ It works with one hand (comfortable for large screens).

💡

If Quick Ball interferes with games, set up its automatic hiding in Quick Ball Settings → Hide in full-screen applications.

4.Voice assistant - screenshot on command

On the Mi 8 Pro, you can take voice screenshots using the built-in Xiao AI assistant (if installed) or Google Assistant, which is convenient when your hands are busy or buttons are not working.

For Google Assistant:

1. Activate the assistant with your voice (OK, Google) or hold the Home button.
2. Tell the command: Take a screenshot or a screenshot.
3. Confirm the action (if required).

For Xiao AI (if installed):

1. Hold the Home button or say Little Love.
2. Say: (in Chinese, “screenshot”) or Make a screenshot.

Limitations of the method:

• 🗣️ Requires a stable Internet connection for voice recognition.
• 🔇 Does not work in Do Not Disturb or with the microphone turned off.
• 🌐 Xiao AI You may not understand commands in Russian (Chinese or English firmware required).

5. Scrolling screenshot (long screenshot)

If you want to capture an entire web page, chat or list (such as call history), use the Scrolling Screenshot feature. On the Mi 8 Pro, it works like this:

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the thumbnail appears in the lower right corner, click on it.
3. In the editor that opens, tap the Scrolling icon (two arrows down).
4. Wait for the screen to automatically scrolle and save a long shot.

Nuances:

• 📜 Not all apps (for example, Instagram or TikTok may not work).
• 📏 Maximum screenshot length – up to 10 screens (depending on the application).
• 🔄 If the scroll is “hung”, press Cancel and try again.

Wherever you need it:

• 📊 Keeping complete statistics from apps (e.g. steps in Mi Fit).
• 💬 Archiving long dialogues in messengers.
• 📰 Saving articles or recipes without advertising.

💡

A long screenshot is saved as a separate.png file and can weigh up to 5–10 MB (depending on length).

6.Editing and managing screenshots

After you take a screenshot of the Mi 8 Pro, you can:

• ✏️ Edit it immediately after creation (cutting, drawing, adding text).
• 📤 Share via the Quick Access menu (Telegram, WhatsApp, mail, etc.).
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary photos directly from the notification.
• 🔍 Find all screenshots in the gallery by tag #Screenshots.

To disable the screenshot notification (which appears in the top bar):

1. Open Settings → Notifications → Notifications Management.
2. Find the Screenshots app (or MIUI System).
3. Turn off the display notification slider.

If screenshots are not saved:

• 📁 Check the space in the memory (minimum 50-100 MB is required).
• 🛠️ Update the Gallery app in Play Market.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone (sometimes helps when crashes) MIUI).

7. Alternative methods (for experienced users)

If standard methods do not work (for example, due to a break in buttons or a firmware failure), you can use:

• 🖥️ ADB-Team (requires PC and debugging on the USB):

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png

• 🤖 Apps from the Play Market (such as Screenshot Easy or Screen Master).
• 🔌 Connecting to PC via Mi PC Suite (there is a remote screenshot function).

⚠️ Attention: When in use ADB screenshot is saved in the root folder of the device (/sdcard/) It may not be available without a root file manager.

💡

If you often take screenshots for work, install the Lightshot app – it lets you quickly crop your pictures and upload them to the cloud.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro