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

Xiaomi Mi 8T is one of the most popular smartphones of the brand, but even its owners sometimes have difficulty creating screenshots. Depending on the version of MIUI and the system settings, the methods may differ, and some methods will stop working after updates. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to take a screenshot on the Mi 8T, including hidden features, and also tell you what to do if the pictures are not saved or a black screen appears.

The Xiaomi Mi 8T features support for both classic methods (button combinations) and MIUI branded chips, such as gestures or voice controls. But not all users know that some features need to be pre-activated in the settings. We will describe each step in detail so that you can choose the most convenient option for yourself, whether it is a quick screenshot with buttons or an advanced snapshot with a scrolling page.

1. Classic method: power and volume buttons

This is the most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones, including the Mi 8T. It does not require additional settings and works even if gestures or voice assistant are disabled.

To take a screenshot:

• 🔘 At the same time, press the power button (right) and the volume reduction button (left).
• 🎯 Hold them down. 1-2 seconds until you hear the characteristic shutter sound or see the save animation.
• 📁 The finished shot will appear in the gallery in the Screenshots folder or Screenshots.

If the screenshot is not created:

• ⚡ Check if the buttons are locked (for example, due to cover or dirt).
• ⚙️ Make sure the shutter sound is not turned off in the settings: Settings → Sounds and vibrations → The sound of the camera shutter.
• 🔄 Try pressing the buttons in another sequence: first volume, then power.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 12+ Long hold of buttons can cause the switch-off menu. If this happens, try pressing faster or use alternative methods.

2. Three-finger gesture: quick screenshot without buttons

The MIUI feature is the ability to take screenshots with three fingers across the screen, which is useful if the buttons of the smartphone are faulty or you often take pictures in games.

To activate the function:

1. Open Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
2. Find the screenshot with three fingers and switch on the switch.
3. Choose the direction of the gesture: down (recommended) or up.

How to take a screenshot:

• 🖐️ Touch the screen with three fingers (usually index, middle and ring fingers).
• 👇 Swipe down the screen with one motion (without tearing your fingers off).
• 🎨 After the shutter sound at the top of the screen will appear editing panel.

⚠️ Warning: If the gesture doesn't work, check if it conflicts with other features (such as gesture navigation). → System system → Gestures.

Is the gesture activated in the settings?

Do your fingers touch the screen at the same time?

No conflicts with other gestures?

The screen is not blocked (for example, in a banking application)-->

3. Notification panel: screenshot in one tap

If you don’t like remembering button combinations or gestures, you can add a screenshot button to the notification bar, which works even in apps where gestures are disabled (for example, on YouTube or Netflix).

How to set up:

1. Deploy the notification bar (swipe down from the top edge of the screen).
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ (Edit) or ⋮ (More).
3. Find a screenshot in the list and drag it to the active area.

How to use:

• 📱 Deploy the notification panel.
• 🖱️ Click on the Screenshot icon (usually looks like scissors or a rectangle with lightning).
• 🖼️ The image will be saved automatically, and at the bottom there will be a panel for quick editing.

The advantage of this method is that you can take a screenshot with one hand without blocking the screen, but in some firmware, the icon may disappear after updating, in which case you need to add it again.

4.Voice assistant: screenshot on command

If you have Xiaomi Voice Assistant (or Google Assistant) enabled, you can take voice screenshots, which is convenient when your hands are busy or you need to capture something quickly.

How to set up:

• 🎤 Activate the voice assistant: Settings → Annexes → Voice assistant.
• 🔊 Allow access to microphone and notifications.
• 🗣️ Say the phrase “OK Google, take a screenshot” or “Take a screenshot” (for Xiaomi assistant).

Limitations of the method:

• 🔇 It only works when connected to the Internet (for voice recognition).
• 🚫 In some applications (e.g. banking) voice input may be blocked.
• 📶 On a noisy street, the assistant may not recognize the team.

💡

If the voice assistant doesn’t respond, try reinstalling it or clearing the cache in Settings → Apps → Voice Assistant → Storage.

5 Screenshot with scrolling: long pages in one shot

The Xiaomi Mi 8T supports a scrolling screenshot feature that allows you to capture an entire web page, chat or document in one long shot, which is especially useful for saving correspondence, articles or lists.

How to do this:

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the edit bar appears, click on the Scrolling icon (usually looks like two down arrows).
3. 📜 Wait until the smartphone automatically scrolls the page and connects the pictures.
4. ✂️ If necessary, cut the extra parts and save the result.

Please note:

• 🌐 The feature doesn’t work in all apps (for example, it might not work in Instagram or TikTok).
• 📱 On weak firmware or with a large number of open tabs, a saving error may occur.
• 📏 Maximum length of screenshot – about 10 screens.

6 Problem Solving: Screenshots are not saved or black screen

Sometimes, after creating a screenshot, Xiaomi Mi 8T users encounter errors: the picture is not saved, a black screen appears or files are corrupted.

Problem 1: Screenshots are not saved in the gallery.

• 📂 Check the folder. DCIM/Screenshots via file manager.
• 🔄 Restart your smartphone – sometimes the system does not have time to update the gallery.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache of the Gallery app in the settings.

Problem 2: Black screen instead of screenshot.

• This error often occurs due to the power saving mode enabled or limitations for applications in the background. Turn off optimization for Gallery and Screenshot Service in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization.
• 🔧 Update the firmware to the latest version MIUI.
• 📱 Check if the storage is full (at least 500MB of free space is required).

Problem 3: The three-finger gesture doesn't work.

• ⚙️ Make sure the function is included in the settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
• 👆 Try changing the direction of the gesture (for example, from down to up).
• 🔄 Reset your gesture settings to standard.

7.Alternative methods: ADB and third-party applications

If the standard methods don’t work, you can use advanced methods, such as ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or third-party utilities, and this is true for users with custom firmware or who have system functions disabled.

Method 1: Screenshot via ADB

This will require a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and USB debugging enabled:

adb devices


adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png




adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

Screen.png will appear in the folder where the command was launched.

Method 2: Third-party applications

Google Play has screenshot utilities, for example:

• 📸 Screenshot Easy – Supports gestures and timer.
• 🖼️ Super Screenshot – allows you to take scroll shots in incompatible applications.
• 🎮 Screen Master – Optimized for Gamers.

⚠️ Warning: When using third-party apps, be careful with permissions. Some utilities require access to Special Features, which may not be secure.

💡

On the Xiaomi Mi 8T, the most reliable way to take a screenshot is by combining the power + volume buttons. Alternative methods (gestures, voice) are convenient, but can conflict with other features of the system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi Mi 8T