How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro: all the ways (including hidden)

Creating a screenshot on a smartphone is a basic feature that will be useful to every user. Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro, despite its age (the model was released in 2018), is still a topical device thanks to its powerful hardware and support for fresh firmware. However, the MIUI interface is regularly updated, and the ways to create screenshots may differ from the standard solutions on the “naked” Android.

In this article, you'll find 5 proven techniques, including classic button combinations, gestures, and little-known firmware chips. We'll also break down typical problems (like why screenshots don't save) and show you how to edit images right after you've created them. If you have custom firmware installed or an older version of MIUI, there's a separate section at the end of this article that provides solutions for these cases.

Most users are used to taking screenshots with a combination of buttons, but the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro offers many more options, for example, this model supports a three-finger gesture (which is not found in most budget smartphones), as well as integration with the quick settings menu. In addition, MIUI allows you to customize the format of saved screenshots (PNG or JPEG) and even automatically recognize text on them – useful for saving information from the screen.

It is important to note that the Mi 8 Pro can be installed in different versions of firmware, from factory MIUI 9/10 to custom builds based on Android 12/13. This depends not only on the appearance of the interface, but also the availability of certain features. For example, in older versions of MIUI there is no built-in editor for screenshots, and in newer versions it appears immediately after the creation of the picture.

1. Classic method: power and volume buttons

The most versatile method that works on any Xiaomi smartphone — including the Mi 8 Pro. It does not depend on the firmware version and does not require additional settings.

1. Open on the screen what you want to capture (application, web page, message).
2. At the same time, press the power button (right) and the volume reduction button (left).
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the sound of the camera shutter and see the animation of the screenshot.

The photo will be saved in the gallery in the Screenshots folder (or Screenshots in Russian localization).If the combination did not work the first time, try pressing the buttons a little longer - on some firmware, the delay may vary.

⚠️ Warning: If you hold the buttons for too long (more than 3 seconds), the smartphone may perceive this as an attempt to turn off or reboot, in which case a menu with options to turn off, reboot or Flight Mode will appear on the screen.

This is a good way to do things in all kinds of situations, including games, videos and system menus, but it has a downside: if the power or volume buttons on your Mi 8 Pro are worn out or not working well, it's hard to take a screenshot, so move on to the following methods.

2. Three finger gesture (the fastest way)

The Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro supports a unique feature, a screenshot of three fingers swiped across the screen, which only works if the feature is activated in settings (it can be disabled by default).

Step 1: Activate the gesture:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Special features → Gestures and movements.
2. Find the Screenshot swipe down with three fingers and switch on the switch.
3. (Optional) You can also tune the sensitivity of the gesture or turn off the shutter sound.

Step 2. Create a screenshot:

Just swipe three fingers (for example, index, middle and ring finger) across the screen from top to bottom in one quick movement.

Advantages of this method:

• 👆 No need to remember button combinations – the gesture is intuitive.
• 🎯 Works in any application, even if the buttons are locked (for example, in the game).
• ⚡ The fastest way is to create a screenshot in a split second.

⚠️ WARNING: If you have a protective case with a neckline for your fingers or glass with an oleophobic coating, the gesture may not work the first time.

Function enabled in settings|Screen clean (no greasy spots)|The fingers touch the screen at the same time.|The gesture is performed quickly (not slowly)-->

3. Screenshot via notification panel

If you don't feel comfortable remembering button combinations or gestures, you can take a screenshot through the Quick Settings menu, which works on all versions of MIUI (9 to 14) and requires no additional settings.

Instructions:

1. Deploy the notification panel by swiping your finger from top to bottom from the top edge of the screen.
2. Find a screenshot icon (usually it looks like a scissor or a rectangle with lightning). If it is not, click on the icon. ⚙️ Edit and add it to the panel.
3. Slap the icon - the picture will be taken instantly.

This method is convenient because:

• 📱 No need to press physical buttons – everything is done with one touch.
• 🔄 You can quickly take a series of screenshots (for example, to save a long chat).
• 🔧 Works even if the screen is locked (if the settings allow access to the notification panel on the locked screen).

However, the method has disadvantages:

• ❌ Does not work in full-screen applications (such as games or videos) where the notification bar is hidden.
• ⏳ It requires extra action - deploying the panel, which takes time.

Power buttons + volume | Three finger gesture | Notification panel | Voice assistant | Another way-->

4. Voice command (via Google Assistant)

If you have Google Assistant enabled, you can take voice screenshots -- handy when hands are busy or buttons are not available -- and this works on the Mi 8 Pro, provided that:

• Google Play Services are installed (they are by default if not deleted).
• Google Assistant is activated (set up when you first start your smartphone).
• The voice language in the settings corresponds to yours (for example, Russian or English).

How to take a screenshot with your voice:

1. Say OK, Google or hold the Home button (if it’s touch-sensitive) to activate the assistant.
2. Say the command: Take a screenshot or Make a screenshot.
3. Wait for confirmation – the picture will be saved in the gallery.

This method is useful in situations where:

• 🎮 Playing a mobile game and don’t want to interrupt the process.
• 🚗 You can control your smartphone with one hand (for example, in transport).
• 🔊 You need to take a screenshot quickly, without distracting from the current action.

⚠️ Note: On some custom Google firmware, the Assistant may be disabled or replaced with the Xiaomi Assistant, in which case the voice commands will not work. → Annexes.

5. Screenshot of a long page (scroll)

Standard methods only capture what's on the screen. But what if you want to save an entire chat on Telegram, a long web page, or a comment list? The Mi 8 Pro has a scrolling screenshot feature (also known as a "long screenshot").

How it works:

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the thumbnail of the picture appears at the bottom of the screen, click on it.
3. In the editor that opens, tap the Scrolling icon (it looks like two arrows down or the word Long).
4. Wait until the smartphone automatically scrolls through the page and connects all the parts into one shot.

The function is supported by:

• 🌐 Mi Browser and Google Chrome.
• 💬 Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber).
• 📄 Some social media sites (VK, Facebook).

Limitations:

• ❌ It doesn’t work in games and most apps (only where there’s scrollable content).
• ⏱️ Can I borrow it? 5-10 Seconds to Process Long Pages.
• 📏 Maximum screenshot length – about 10 screens (depending on the application).

Where are screenshots stored and how to edit them

By default, all screenshots on Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro are saved in the folder: /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

or

Internal storage → DCIM → Screenshots

How to quickly find screenshots:

• 📂 Open the Gallery app → screenshot.
• 🔍 Enter a search for a gallery request screenshot or screenshot.
• 📁 Use any file manager (such as Mi File Manager) and follow the path above.

Editing screenshots:

Once you've created the image, you have a thumbnail at the bottom of the screen, and you can tap it to open the built-in MIUI editor, where you can:

• ✂️ Cut the edges of the screenshot.
• 🎨 Add text, drawings or stickers.
• 🔍 Recognition of text (function) OCR — It only works on Chinese and global firmware. MIUI 12+).
• 📤 Share the image in messengers or the cloud.

If the thumbnail does not appear, check the settings: Settings → Additional → Screenshots → Show the thumbnail after creation.

💡

If screenshots are not saved, check the permissions for the Gallery or Storage app in Settings → Apps → Permissions. Sometimes, after a MIUI update, folder access is reset.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even on a reliable device like the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro, screenshots can be difficult to get, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

1. Screenshots are not saved

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes helps with temporary crashes.
• 📁 Check the space in the internal memory (at least 100 MB is required).
• 🛠️ Reset the settings of the Gallery app in Settings → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Drop it.

2.The three-finger gesture is not working.

• ⚙️ Check if the function is included in the Settings → Special facilities → Gestures.
• 🧹 Clear the screen – greasy spots or protective film may interfere with gesture recognition.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI — in older versions (below) MIUI (10) this function may not be.

3. Screenshots are taken with a delay

• 🎮 In games, the delay is normal - this is a feature of protection against cheating.
• 📱 Turn off animations in Settings → For developers → Window animation (off.).
• 🔋 Check the battery power – at a level below 15%, the system can brake.

4.Long screenshots are cropped

• 📄 Try another app – for example, in Chrome, long screenshots work more stable than in Mi Browser.
• 🔄 Update the app you’re trying to take a picture of.
• 🛠️ Use third-party utilities (e.g., LongShot from Google Play).

💡

If none of these methods work, try resetting your system to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset). Make sure to back up your data before doing so!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions