How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 6A: all ways + error solving

Taking screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that everyone faces, but on the low-end Redmi 6A (released in 2018), this process has its own peculiarities due to the specific firmware of MIUI and limited hardware, and if you are used to modern flagships with gesture control, then here you will have to remember the “classic” methods.

In this article, we will look at all the available ways to create screenshots on Redmi 6A, from standard button combinations to little-known MIUI features. We will focus on the typical problems: why the images are not saved, how to change the file format or find screenshots in the gallery.

If your Redmi 6A runs MIUI 9-12, the instructions below will be unchanged. For newer firmware versions (e.g. MIUI 13+ if you upgraded informally), some of the features may differ, as we will also mention in the relevant sections.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most reliable and versatile method is to use physical buttons. On Redmi 6A, you need to simultaneously press the Power button (right) and the Volume Down button (left) to create a screenshot, hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the characteristic sound of the camera shutter and see the save animation.

✅ Pros of the method:

• 🔹 It works on any version. MIUI Android
• 🔹 No additional settings are required.
• 🔹 Keeps the screenshot in maximum resolution (720×1440 for Redmi 6A)

❌ Cons:

• ⚠️ It is difficult to press buttons with one hand (especially on a large case)
• ⚠️ When non-synchronous pressing, volume control or screen locking can work

If the screenshot is not created:

1. Check if the buttons are locked (e.g. in your pocket or cover).
2. Make sure there are no low battery system notifications on the screen – they can block the feature.
3. Reboot the phone: Sometimes MIUI failures interfere with the correct operation of the combination.

2. Three-finger gesture (only for MIUI 10 and newer)

MIUI 10+ has a feature for creating a screenshot with a gesture, which is to swipe three fingers across the screen from top to bottom, and it's disabled by default, so you need to activate it first:

How to turn on:

1. Open Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
2. Activate the screenshot switch with three fingers.
3. (Optional) Enable the screenshot Preview option to edit the picture immediately.

⚠️

Note: On the Redmi 6A with MIUI 9 (Android 8.1 Oreo), this gesture doesn't work - it only appeared in later firmware versions. If you have an old MIUI, update it through Settings → About Phone → System Update.

💡 Use advice:

• 👆 The gesture works only when moving vertically (not diagonally!).
• 🖐️ Don’t take your fingers off the screen too quickly – the system may not recognize the command.
• 📱 On some cases with high sides, the gesture may not work due to interference.

💡

If the gesture conflicts with other functions (for example, with a gesture for a split screen), turn off unnecessary options in Settings → Gestures.

3. Screenshot via notification panel (MIUI 11 and later)

In MIUI 11+ firmware, a quick button to create screenshots appeared in the notification bar.

Instructions:

1. Flick the notification bar down twice (to open the full panel).
2. Find the Screenshot icon (usually it looks like a scissor or rectangle with an arrow).
3. Click on it – the picture will be taken instantly.

If no button:

• 🔧 Open the Settings. → Notification panel → Change the order.
• 🔍 Find a screenshot in the list and drag it to the active area.
• 📌 Record the changes by pressing the pin icon.

⚠️

Note: On Redmi 6A with MIUI 9-10, this button is not the default button in the notification bar, and can only be added via third-party launchers (such as Nova Launcher) or rooting.

4. Screenshot with Google's voice assistant

If the physical buttons on your Redmi 6A are faulty or you're too lazy to press them, you can use Google Assistant, which works on any version of MIUI, but requires an internet connection.

How to take a screenshot with your voice:

1. Activate Google Assistant by saying OK, Google, or holding the Home button (if physical).
2. Tell the command: Take a screenshot or take a screenshot.
3. Confirm the action (if required).

🔹 Advantages of the method:

• 🎤 It works without manual intervention.
• 🌐 Supports several languages (including Russian).
• 🔄 You can use it for serial screenshots (e.g., “take a screenshot every 5 seconds»).

❌ Limitations:

• 📶 Requires a stable Internet connection (to process voice commands).
• 🔒 Does not work on a locked screen.
• ⚙️ In some regions, Google Assistant may be restricted (e.g. China).

5. Saving and editing screenshots

By default, all screenshots on Redmi 6A are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

or (in some versions of MIUI):

/storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Screenshots/

📂 How to find screenshots:

• 🖼️ Open the Gallery app → screenshot.
• 📁 Use any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Total Commander).
• 🔍 Enter the search for gallery type:screenshot.

✏️ Editing:

And right after you take the screenshot, you get a thumbnail in the bottom right corner, and you click on it to:

• 🎨 Cut or rotate the image.
• 🖌️ Add text or drawing (Tools Marker, Blurring, Mosaic).
• 📤 Share a screenshot in messengers or social networks.

⚠️

Note: If screenshots are not saved, check: Free space on the device (minimum 100MB is required on the system partition). permissions for the Gallery application (Settings → Applications → Gallery → Permissions). No errors in the file system (reboot the phone or reset the cache through Settings → Memory → Clear cache).

📊 Comparison of screenshot formats:

💡

To save space on Redmi 6A (where memory is only 16/32 GB), it is recommended to convert screenshots from PNG to JPG using applications like Photo & Picture Resizer.

Part of the screenshot annex

If you don't like standard methods, you can install specialized tools that offer advanced features like screen recording, screenshots of the pages you're scrolling, automation.

📌 Top.-3 supplant 6A:

⚠️ It's important:

• 📱 On the Redmi. 6A Low RAM (2GB) heavy applications can cause lags.

💡 Tip: If you want long screenshots (like correspondence or web pages), use the LongShot app. It automatically glues multiple images into a single file.

7. Solving screenshot problems

On Redmi 6A, users often encounter common screenshot errors, and we'll look at some of the most common ones and how to fix them.

🔧 Problem 1: Screenshots are not saved

• 📁 Check the folder. Pictures/Screenshots — Sometimes files are saved but not displayed in the gallery.
• 🗑️ Clear the gallery cache: Settings → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone – it will reset temporary crashes MIUI.

🔧 Problem 2: The button combination doesn’t work

• 🔋 Check battery power – at levels below 5%, some features are turned off.
• 🛠️ Make sure the buttons don't stick (clean them with alcohol or compressed air).
• 📱 If the phone fell, perhaps damaged the plume of the buttons – need repair.

🔧 Problem 3: Screenshots are made with artifacts

• 🖥️ This could be caused by a graphics driver crash. Try updating the firmware.
• 📉 Reduce screen resolution in Settings → Screen. → Screen resolution (if available).
• 🔄 Reset the screen settings to standard.

⚠️

Note: If your gestures or screenshot buttons stop working after the MIUI update, reset your settings through Settings → System → Reset → Reset all settings. This will not delete your data, but will return the standard control settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi 6A