Xiaomi Redmi 3 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2016, and is still used by many users. Despite modest by modern standards, the device supports all basic functions, including creating screenshots. However, due to the features of the MIUI firmware (even in current versions) and hardware limitations, the process can cause questions for beginners.
In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to take a screenshot of Redmi 3, from standard key combinations to alternative methods for faulty buttons. We will also look at common errors (such as when screenshots are not saved or are obtained in black) and give recommendations for optimizing the process. If your device is running on custom firmware or has physical damage, there will also be a solution.
1. Standard method: key combination
The most reliable and versatile method is the use of hardware buttons, which works on all versions of MIUI (including MIUI 7-14) and does not require additional settings.
- Open the screen you want to capture (for example, a dialog in the messenger or a page in the browser).
- Press the Power button (right) and the Volume Down button (left) at the same time.
- Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the camera shutter sound and see the save animation.
⚠️ Note: Redmi 3 with worn buttons can only trigger one tap (e.g., turn off the screen instead of a screenshot:
- 🔧 Press strictly at the same time – first press the volume, then power.
- 🔄 Change the order: first power, then volume (sometimes helps with "sticking" contacts).
- 🧹 Clean the buttons from dust with compressed air or a soft brush.
The screenshot is saved in the DCIM → Screenshots or Pictures → Screenshots folder (depending on the MIUI version). To quickly find it, open the gallery and select the Screenshots album.
The camera shutter sound was heard |Save animation appeared |The file appeared in the Screenshots folder |No artifacts in the image-->
2 Three-finger gesture (only for MIUI 9 and newer)
If your Redmi 3 is running MIUI 9 or higher, you can use gesture control, which is convenient when buttons are not responding well or you often take screenshots.
- Go to Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
- Find the "Three Fingers Screenshot" and switch on the switch.
- Test: Swipe down the screen with three fingers at the same time.
⚠️ Attention: Redmi 3s MIUI 8 and below, this doesn't work -- gesture control only came in later versions of the firmware:
- 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.
- 🔍 Check the availability of updates (last official version for Redmi 3 — MIUI 11).
- ⚠️ If there are no updates, use the alternative methods in this article.
The advantage of gesture is that there is no risk of accidentally turning off the screen (as when pressing buttons), but on Redmi 3 with low RAM (2 GB), the gesture can be triggered with a delay.
Keyboard combination | Three-finger gesture | Third-party applications |Another way-->
3. Screenshot via notification panel (MIUI 10–14)
In MIUI 10 and later, a quick screenshot button has been added to the notification bar, which is convenient if you don't want to remember keyboard combinations.
- Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
- Find the screenshot icon (scissors or camera) and if it's not there, tap Edit (pencil in the upper right corner).
- Drag the screenshot icon to the active area.
- Now, when opening the panel, just click on this icon to take a screenshot.
⚠️ Attention: Redmi 3s MIUI 8-9, this button is not in the notification bar, and it may disappear after resetting or updating the firmware - in this case, repeat steps 2-3.
Advantages of the method:
- 🕒 Faster than a keyboard combination (no need to press physical buttons).
- 🔧 It even works with a faulty power or volume button.
- 📁 Save screenshots in the same Screenshots folder.
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If the screenshot button is missing after the update, try resetting the notification panel settings: Settings → Notifications → Reset settings
4.Using Google's voice assistant
If you have a Google Assistant (or other voice assistant), you can take a screenshot with a voice command, and this is true for users with disabilities or with faulty buttons.
- Activate Google Assistant by saying “OK Google” or holding the Home button.
- Tell the command, “Take a screenshot” or “Make a screenshot” (in English, it works more reliably).
- Confirm the action if necessary.
⚠️ Note: On Redmi 3 with Chinese firmware (without Google services), this method does not work:
- 🌐 Active Internet connection (to process voice commands).
- 🔊 Enabled microphone for Google Assistant (Settings) → Annexes → Google → Permits).
- 📱 Updated Google Assistant (check in the Play Store).
The alternative is to use Yandex’s Alice or Siri (if installed), but on Redmi 3, these assistants may not work as smoothly due to the small amount of RAM.
| Method | Required. | Works on MIUI 8? | Speed. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keyboard combination | Good buttons. | ✅ Yes. | ⚡ Instantly. |
| 3 finger gesture | MIUI 9+ | ❌ No. | 🕒 1-2 seconds |
| Notification panel | MIUI 10+ | ❌ No. | ⚡ Instantly. |
| Voice assistant | Google/Internet | ✅ Yes. | 🐢 3-5 sec. |
5. Third-party screenshot applications
If standard methods don't work (for example, because of broken buttons or outdated firmware), you can use specialized utilities. We tested 3 reliable applications that are compatible with Redmi 3:
- 📱 Screenshot Easy is a simple interface, support MIUI 8+, cloud-keeping.
- 🖼️ Super Screenshot – additional functions (trimming, drawing, text recognition).
- 🔧 Screenshot Touch – works via a floating button (easy for gaming).
⚠️ Note: When installing third-party applications:
- 🛡️ Check the permissions – the utility should only request access to storage and display over other windows.
- 📥 Download only from official sources (Play Market or APKMirror).
- 🔄 Update the app – outdated versions may conflict with MIUI.
Example of Screenshot Touch settings:
- Install the application and open it.
- Turn on the "Floating button" option.
- Adjust the position of the button on the screen (for example, in the lower right corner).
- Slip the button to take a screenshot.
The advantages of third-party utilities:
- ⚡ They even work with faulty buttons.
- 🎨 Additional functions: editing, cropping, adding text.
- 📁 Flexible save settings (format, folder, file name).
How to remove watermarks from screenshots in MIUI?
6. Solving screenshot problems
If screenshots are not saved, are black or with artifacts, check out the following points:
Problem 1: Screenshots are not saved
- 📁 Check the folder. DCIM/Screenshots — The files may be stored elsewhere.
- 🔧 Clear the gallery cache: Settings → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
- 📱 Restart your phone – sometimes helps with system failures.
Problem 2: Black screen in the screenshot
This is a common mistake when trying to take a picture in:
- 🎮 Games with screenshot protection (for example, PUBG Mobile, Free Fire).
- 🏦 Banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff).
- 📺 Streaming services (Netflix, Disney)+).
Solution: Use an external camera or screen recording (MIUI has a built-in tool: Settings → Additional Features → Screen recording).
Problem 3: The key combination is not working
- 🔧 Check the buttons for mechanical damage (sticking, backlash).
- 🔄 Update the firmware - in older versions MIUI There were bugs with the processing of presses.
- 📱 Reset the settings (if the problem has appeared after the update): Settings → Resetting settings → Resetting all settings.
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If screenshots are not saved only in a particular application (e.g. Telegram), the problem is its settings. Try disabling Content Protection in chat settings.