How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 8: all the ways from standard to secret

The screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 8 is one of those basic features that seems simple until you encounter unexpected challenges. Did you try to pinch buttons but nothing happened? Or do you want to take a screenshot with one hand without breaking your fingers? This article covers all possible methods, from classic keyboard shortcuts to little-known MIUI chips that work even on older versions of the firmware.

The Redmi 8 is a model that was released in 2019, but is still in active use โ€“ which means it can be both the latest versions of MIUI 14 and outdated builds based on Android 9/10. We took this into account and collected instructions that are guaranteed to work regardless of the software version and regional firmware (Global/China/Russia).

1. Standard method: button combination

Itโ€™s a versatile method that works on all Android devices, including Redmi 8.

  1. Open the screen you want to capture (for example, WhatsApp correspondence or a page in your browser).
  2. Press two buttons at once: ๐Ÿ”˜ Power button (right) ๐Ÿ”ฝ Volume reduction button (left)

1-2 seconds

โš ๏ธ Warning: If you press the buttons too long (more than 3 seconds), you will be forced to restart or Fastboot mode. In this case, just restart the phone - the data will not be affected.

The screen is unlocked and active|Finger doesn't close the buttons|The sound is on (to hear confirmation)|No active calls (they block screenshots)-->

Where to look for the finished shot? All screenshots are automatically saved in the folder:

Gallery โ†’ Albums โ†’ Screenshots

Or through the file manager along the way:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

2. Screenshot by gesture (three fingers)

Xiaomi's signature feature is the ability to take screenshots with a simple swipe, which is convenient when the power or volume buttons are broken, or when you hold the phone with one hand.

How to turn on:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ Special features โ†’ Screenshot gesture.
  2. Activate the swipe switch with three fingers down.
  3. (Optional) Set the gesture direction down or up.

How to use:

  • ๐Ÿ‘† Place three fingers on the screen (for example, index, middle and ring fingers).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Quickly swipe them from top to bottom (or from bottom to top if you change the settings).
  • ๐ŸŽฏ Screenshot taken without pressing buttons.

๐Ÿ’ก

If the gesture doesn't work, check if the cover or the protective glass is disturbing, and also clear the screen of moisture - the sensor may not recognize the touch.

โš ๏ธ Note: On some versions MIUI For Redmi 8, this gesture conflicts with the Split Screen function. If screenshots are not taken, turn off split screen in the multitasking settings.

3. Screenshot via notification panel

Few people know, but MIUI has a built-in screenshot button hidden in the Quick Settings panel, which is useful if the physical buttons don't work or you prefer front-end solutions.

Step-by-step:

  1. Flick the notification bar down twice to open the full panel.
  2. Find the screenshot icon (usually scissors) ๐Ÿ–‡๏ธ If you don't have one, click Edit (pencil). โš™๏ธ) Add a button to the active button.
  3. Slap the icon - the picture will be taken instantly.
Advantages of the methodDeficiencies
โœ… It works with faulty buttons.โŒ Requires two swipes to access
โœ… You can assign any place in the panel.โŒ Some of the firmware buttons are missing.
โœ… Supports delayed screenshot (timer)โŒ It does not work in games with a lock panel
๐Ÿ“Š What kind of screenshots do you use more often?
Power buttons + volumes
Three-finger gesture
Notification panel
Voice assistant
Other

4. Voice command (Google Assistant or Alice)

If you are too lazy to press buttons or make gestures, you can take a screenshot with your voice, either Google Assistant or Alice from Yandex (if installed).

Method 1: Google Assistant

  1. Activate the assistant: ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Say, OK, Googleยป ๐Ÿ”˜ Press the home button (if it is physical).

Take a screenshot.

Screenshot.

Confirm the action (if required).

Method 2: Alice from Yandex

Open the Yandex app with Alice and say, Alice, take a screenshot. The feature only works if Alice has the rights to control the screen (permission is issued on the first run).

Why canโ€™t the voice screenshot work?
If the command is not executed, check: 1. Assistant language - must be Russian (in the settings of Google/Alice). 2. Access rights - in Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ Google/Alice โ†’ Permissions should be a tick opposite Screen Control. 3. Internet connection - voice commands require a connection to the network. 4. Updates - an outdated version of the assistant may not support the function.

5. Screenshot with delay (timer)

Sometimes you have to take a late screenshot, for example, to open a menu or show a pop-up notification, and MIUI has a built-in timer for this.

How to turn on:

  1. Open the notification bar and find the screenshot button (as in method 3).
  2. Hold it for longer than 1 second โ€“ a menu with options will appear.
  3. Select a screenshot with a delay and set the time: 3 seconds. or 10 seconds.
  4. Press Start and the countdown will begin and the picture will be taken automatically.

This method is indispensable for:

  • ๐Ÿ“Š Fixing bugs (when you need to show the process of error occurrence).
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Gaming achievements (to have time to deploy inventory).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Interface demonstrations (e.g. for training videos).

๐Ÿ’ก

The screenshot timer works even in games and apps with button locks (such as banking programs) if the notification bar is available.

6. Advanced Methods: ADB and Third Party Applications

If standard methods do not work (for example, because of broken buttons or custom firmware), alternative tools can be used.

Method 1: Through ADB (for power users)

You will need a computer with installed ADB-Drivers and Included Debugging USB I'm going to take a screenshot:

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png


adb pull /sdcard/screen.png C:\screenshots\

Where C:\screenshots\ is a folder on the PC to save.

Method 2: Third-party applications

Google Play has utilities like Screenshot Easy or Super Screenshot that offer advanced features:

  • ๐Ÿ“ Screenshots immediately after creation.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Scrolling Page (Long Screenshots).
  • ๐Ÿ–Œ๏ธ Drawing and blurring sensitive data.

๐Ÿ’ก

Before installing third-party apps, check reviews โ€“ some contain ads or require unnecessary permissions (such as SMS access).

Problem Solving: Why Screenshots Are Not Taken

If none of these methods worked, the reasons may be as follows:

Problem.Decision
๐Ÿ”‡ No sound or animation when screenshotCheck to see if the system's sound settings are disabled, and also make sure that the silent mode is not activated.
๐Ÿ“ฑ Screenshots are not savedClear the Gallery cache or check the memory space, sometimes rebooting the phone helps.
๐Ÿ”’ In games, screenshots are black.Games often block screenshots. Try using the screen recording (in the notification panel) and then take a screenshot of the video.
โš™๏ธ Three finger gestures don't work.Make sure the feature is enabled in Settings โ†’ Special Features. If not, update the firmware.

โš ๏ธ Note: On Redmi 8 with custom firmware (like LineageOS), standard screenshot methods may not work. ADB Available tools like Screenshot Ultimate.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi 8

๐Ÿ” How to take a long screenshot (scrolling)?
MIUI for Redmi 8 has a built-in scrolling feature: Take a regular screenshot (by any means). Immediately after the thumbnail appears, tap it. Select the Scroll option (or Long Snapshot). Wait for the page to scroll down and save the result. Limit: It doesn't work in all apps (for example, it's not supported in Instagram or banking programs).
๐Ÿ“ Where are screenshots saved and how to transfer them to the PC?
The default files are in the: /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/ To transfer them to the computer: ๐Ÿ”Œ Put the phone on. USB (Select the File Transfer Mode). ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ On PC, open the folder This computer โ†’ [Name of the telephone] โ†’ Internal storage โ†’ Pictures โ†’ Screenshots. ๐Ÿ“‚ Alternative: Use Google Photos or Mi Cloud to automatically sync.
๐Ÿ”’ Can I take a screenshot in a bank app or Netflix?
No. Secure content apps (banks, streaming services, some messengers) block screenshots from being taken at the Android level. If you try, you will see: Black screen instead of screenshot. Notice: You can't take screenshots. A workaround: use a second phone to take a screen picture or turn on a screen recording (but it can be blocked).
๐ŸŽจ How to edit a screenshot immediately after creation?
Immediately after you take the picture: Slip the thumbnail in the bottom right corner. Select the tools: โœ‚๏ธ Pruning - change the boundaries. ๐Ÿ–Š๏ธ Drawing โ€“ Add arrows or text. ๐Ÿ”ฒ Blurring โ€” hide personal data. Save the changes. If the thumbnail doesn't appear, check the settings: Settings โ†’ Additionally. โ†’ Screenshot editor.
๐Ÿ”„ How to cancel a screenshot if you accidentally press the buttons?
If you took a picture wrong, it can be deleted within 5 seconds: Immediately after the shutter sound, tap the screenshot thumbnail at the bottom of the screen (๐Ÿ—‘๏ธ) If the time is up, delete the file manually through the Gallery or file manager.