How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 7: all ways + secret MIUI chips

Xiaomi Redmi 7 is still a popular budget smartphone, despite the release of new models. One of the basic features that every user may need is to create a screenshot. But not everyone knows that there are several ways to take a screenshot on this device, from the standard to the hidden capabilities of the MIUI shell.

In this article, we'll look at not only the classic button-based techniques, but also the alternatives for those who don't have physical keys or want to speed up the process, and you'll also learn how to edit screenshots immediately after you've created them, where they're stored, and how to change the file format, and if you've ever seen a screenshot turn black or not saved, you'll find a solution here, too.

All instructions are tested on Redmi 7 with different MIUI versions (10 to 14) and are relevant for Redmi 7A, Redmi Note 7 and other Snapdragon 632-based devices. Even if you have different firmware or custom build, most of the ways will work.

Method 1: Standard button combination (Power + Volume Down)

This is the most versatile method that works on all Android smartphones, including the Xiaomi Redmi 7. It does not require any additional settings and works even on a locked screen (if the appropriate option is enabled in the security settings).

To take a screenshot:

• 📱 Press the Power button (right) and the Volume Down button (left) at the same time).
• 🎯 Keep them close. 1-2 seconds until you hear the sound of the camera shutter or see an animation screenshot.
• 📁 The finished shot will appear in the notification bar – tap it to open the edit menu.

If you can’t press both buttons at the same time, try to pinch Power first and then add Volume Down. The main thing is not to hold the keys too long, otherwise the smartphone may reboot or cause the switch-off menu.

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware long-term retention of Power + Volume Down can trigger Fastboot Mode. If it happens, just reboot your phone.

Method 2: Screenshot by gesture (three-finger slip)

The MIUI shell offers a handy alternative to buttons, a gesture screenshot, which is especially useful if you don't have physical keys working or you often take screenshots with one hand, and is available starting with MIUI 9, so Redmi 7 definitely has one.

How to turn on and use:

1. Open Settings → Additional functions → Screenshot.
2. Activate the switch Screenshot with a gesture.
3. Select the direction of the slide (by default - from top to bottom with three fingers).
4. Now swipe the screen with three fingers in the given direction - the screenshot will be taken instantly.

Advantages of this method:

• ⚡ Faster than pressing buttons (especially in games or apps where buttons are busy).
• 🎮 It works even with the hardware keys off.
• 🔄 You can adjust the direction of the gesture (left/right/down).

If the gesture doesn't work, check:

• 🧹 Screen cleanliness (dirty or film may interfere with the sensor).
• 👆 Proper movement (should be smooth, without jerks).
• 🔧 Sensor Sensitivity Settings in Settings → Display. → As regards sensitivity.

Method 3: Screenshot via notification panel (quick button)

Few people know, but MIUI has a built-in button for screenshots right in the notification bar, a method that is handy if you need to take a screenshot quickly without remembering keyboard or gesture combinations.

Instructions:

1. Swipe your finger down to open the notification panel.
2. Find the screenshot icon (usually hidden under the swipe to the right or in the More section).
3. Slip on it – the smartphone will immediately take a screenshot of the current screen.

If the button is not in the panel:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Notification panel → Change the order.
• 🔍 Find a screenshot in the list and drag it to the active area.
• 📌 Secure the button so it doesn’t disappear when swiping.

This is especially useful for scrolling screenshots (which we will discuss later), as it allows you to quickly take a picture without unnecessary movements. However, note that some versions of MIUI may not have a button - then use alternative methods.

Method 4: Scrolling Screenshot (Long Page)

If you need to save not only the visible part of the screen, but also all the content of the page being scrolled (for example, a chat in Telegram, a news feed or a web page), MIUI has a Scrolling Screenshot feature.

How it works:

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the miniature appears in the lower right corner, tap it.
3. In the editor that opens, select the Scroll option (the icon with two arrows down).
4. Wait until the smartphone automatically scrolls through the page and connects all the pieces into one long shot.

Limitations of function:

If the screenshot does not work:

• 🔄 Try taking a picture in another app (e.g. Chrome instead of Mi Browser).
• 📶 Check your internet connection – some pages require additional content to be downloaded.
• 🔧 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (in older builds, the function can glitch).

Where screenshots are saved and how to find them

By default, all screenshots on Xiaomi Redmi 7 are saved in the Pictures/Screenshots folder (or DCIM/Screenshots in some versions of MIUI).

• 📱 Firmware versions (MIUI 10-14 folder-structure).
• 🔧 Gallery app settings (you can change the save path).
• 📁 Use of third-party file managers (e.g. Total Commander).

How to quickly find screenshots:

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Go to the screenshots album (usually it is displayed separately from the rest of the photos).
3. Or use a built-in search for the Screenshot keyword.

If the screenshots are not displayed:

• 🔍 Check the folder. /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots through any file manager.
• 📂 Make sure that files are not hidden (in Settings) → Display. → Show hidden files).
• 🗑️ Maybe the files were accidentally deleted – check the Recycle Bin in the Gallery.

On Redmi 7 with MIUI 12+, screenshots are saved in PNG format by default, but it can be changed to JPG via the engineering menu (code ##4636##).

What to do if the screenshots don’t work

Sometimes Redmi 7 users find that screenshots are not created or saved in black, and the causes range from firmware bugs to hardware problems.

Problem 1: Screenshots are not saved

• 📲 Check the free space on the device (need a minimum of 100 MB on the system partition).
• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes helps to reset temporary errors.
• 🛠️ Update. MIUI through settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

Problem 2: Black screenshot

• 🔒 Perhaps the application blocks the creation of pictures (banks, messengers with protection).
• 🎮 In games, try turning off Screen Recording in graphics settings.
• 🔧 Reset the Gallery settings in Settings → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Drop it.

Problem 3: The buttons are not working

• 🔋 Check if the Volume Down button is stuck (wiggle your finger).
• 🛠️ If the Power button doesn’t respond, try using a gesture or notification bar.
• 🔨 In the extreme, you can take a screenshot through ADB (need a computer).

⚠️ Note: If none of the methods work and the smartphone has recently fallen or got wet, the problem may be damage to the button plume.

💡

If you need screenshots often (for example, for work), install a third-party app like Screenshot Easy or Screen Master. They offer advanced features: delay shooting, annotations and cloud storage.

Additional chips: editing and sharing screenshots

The screenshot is only half the story, and MIUI has built-in tools for editing and sending it quickly that many users don't use, and here's what you can do right after you take the picture.

Editing:

• ✏️ Cutting – Remove the extra parts of the screen.
• 🎨 Drawing – Add arrows, text or marker highlighting.
• 🔤 Text recognition – copy the text from the screenshot (works on the screenshot) MIUI 12+).
• 🖼️ Mosaic – Blurring Confidential Information.

Quick shipment:

• 📤 Click on the icon Share in the screenshot editor.
• 🤖 Choose a messenger or social network (Telegram, WhatsApp, Vkontakte).
• 🌐 Or upload to Mi Cloud for backup.

If the standard editor is not enough, you can use third-party applications:

For professional use (e.g., to create instructions), you can save screenshots in PDF format via the Images to PDF app or directly in Google Drive (select a few pictures → Create PDF).

💡

On Redmi 7, you can take a screenshot even from the screen off if you turn on the option of Double-click on the screen to wake up in the lock settings. Then tap the display twice, and then use the three-finger gesture.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi 7