How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 8A: all ways + hidden MIUI features

Xiaomi Redmi 8A is still a popular choice due to its balance of price and functionality, but many users have difficulty creating screenshots. Unlike flagship models, there is no separate physical button for screenshots, and the MIUI interface offers several alternative methods at once, from classic keyboard shortcuts to voice commands and hidden gestures.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can take a screenshot of Redmi 8A, including little-known features like Quick Ball and Three-toed Swipe. You’ll also learn how to edit screenshots immediately after you’ve created, where they’re stored, and why screenshots sometimes don’t work out — with specific solutions for each problem. The instructions are relevant to all versions of MIUI 10–14 and don’t require root rights.

1. Classic method: power and volume buttons

The most reliable and versatile method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones – including the Redmi 8A. There is no separate button for screenshots, so a combination of:

• 🔘 At the same time, press the power button (right) and the volume reduction button (left).
• 📸 Hold them for 1-2 seconds until the screen blinks and save animations appear.
• 🔊 You will hear the characteristic shutter sound (unless the sound is switched off).

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 8A The buttons are located close together, so many users accidentally click Power. + Turning up the volume will trigger the reboot menu! If you do that, just press Cancel and try again.

Screen unlocked and active |Finger not closing buttons |Sound on (for confirmation) |No active calls or games-->

This method works even if the touch screen does not respond to touch (for example, when the interface freezes), because physical buttons are used. However, it has a disadvantage: if you press too long (more than 3 seconds), the smartphone can begin the procedure of forced reboot.

2. Screenshot by gesture: three-toed swipe down

A proprietary MIUI feature that eliminates the need to press buttons to activate this method:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Special features → Gestures.
2. Find the item "Scream with three-toed swipe"** and turn on the switch.
3. Check the work: swipe your fingers across the screen from top to bottom (as if you are “shaking off” the water).

🔹 Important: The gesture should be smooth and continuous – if the finger comes off the screen or the movement is too slow, the screenshot will not be taken. Also make sure that you do not have one-hand mode on (it blocks multi-touch gestures).

Power and volume buttons|Three-toed swipe|Quick Ball|Voice assistant|Other-->

3. Quick Ball: A virtual button for screenshots

Quick Ball is a fast-acting floating panel that you can customize to your needs, and to add a screenshot button:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Quick Ball.
• 🔄 Turn on the switch and select “Screenshot”** in the action list.
• 🎯 Set the ball position on the screen (default - right).

Now just click on Quick Ball and select the scissors icon (📷) — The advantage of this method is that it works in any application, even if the buttons are locked (for example, in games).

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If Quick Ball gets in the way, reduce its transparency in settings or move it to the corner of the screen where it won’t block the content.

⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI (For example, 12.5) Quick Ball may conflict with navigation gestures. If the back swipes stopped working after the ball is turned on, try it:

1. Turn off full-screen gestures in the display settings.
2. Or reassign the action in Quick Ball to another gesture (like a double touch).

4.Voice assistant: screenshot on command

If you are too lazy to press buttons or make gestures, you can use the voice assistant Xiaomi (works without the Internet!).

1. Activate the assistant by saying “Hi Mi!” or by pressing the home button (if you use navigation buttons).
2. Tell the command, “Take a screenshot” or “Screenshot.”
3. Confirm the action if necessary.

🔊 Voice method is convenient when hands are busy (for example, while watching a video or playing a game), but has limitations:

• ❌ It does not work in the "Do not disturb" mode»**.
• ❌ May not work in microphone-locked applications (e.g. banking programs).
• ❌ Requires pre-setting voice in Settings → Voice assistant.

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

In new versions of MIUI (starting with 12), a quick screenshot button has been added to the notification bar to use:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the screenshot icon** (scissors) 📷) fast-switch.
3. If it is not, click "Edit"** (pencil) and add to the active elements.

This is convenient because it does not require memorizing gestures or button combinations, but it does not work in full-screen applications (such as games or videos) where the notification bar is hidden.

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If the screenshot button disappeared from the notification panel after the MIUI update, reset the settings of the quick switches: Settings → Notifications Panel → Reset the order.

6 Where screenshots are saved and how to edit them

By default, all screenshots on Redmi 8A are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

To find them quickly:

• 📁 Open the Gallery app and go to the Screenshots album».
• 🔍 Or use a conductor (e.g. Mi File Manager) and a higher path following.
• 🖼️ After creating a screenshot in the lower right corner appears thumbnail – click on it for quick editing.

🎨 Built-in editor MIUI permitting:

• 🖌️ Cut the screenshot (tool "Cadration»**).
• 📝 Add text or drawings (brush, marker, eraser).
• 🔤 Blurring parts of the image (for example, to hide personal data).
• 📤 Quickly share via messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).

⚠️ Note: If screenshots are not saved, check:

1. Free space on the device (needs a minimum of 100 MB on the system partition).
2. Permissions for the Gallery application** (Settings → Applications → Gallery → Permissions).
3. Sync settings: Sometimes screenshots are automatically uploaded to Mi Cloud and deleted from the phone.

7 Why you can’t take a screenshot: 5 reasons and solutions

If none of these methods work, the problem may be as follows:

🛠️ Tough case: If screenshots are not taken in just one application (e.g., a game or a banking service), the problem is most likely screen protection:

• 📱 Use the second phone and take a picture of the main screen.
• 🖥️ Get Redmi on board. 8A PC-only ADB Take a screenshot of the screencap command: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png
• 🔄 Update the application to the latest version (sometimes the protection is removed after the update).

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi 8A