How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 8: all ways + secret MIUI chips

Why Standard Methods May Not Work and What to Do About It

Xiaomi Redmi 8 smartphone based on MIUI offers several ways to create a screenshot of the screen, but many users face typical problems: buttons do not respond, gestures do not work, and the status panel does not have a Scissor icon, the reason often lies in gesture settings, shell conflicts or even damaged system files after updates.

In this article, we will analyze not only the classical methods (Power buttons). + Volume reduction, but also little-known chips: scrolling screenshots, saving to the Mi Cloud cloud, and solving errors like "Can't take a screenshot." MIUI — Create screenshots through the voice assistant XiaoAI, which works even on a locked screen.

If you tried to take a screenshot on Redmi 8 and received a notification “Application does not respond” or simply nothing happened, do not rush to reset the settings. 90% of the time, the problem is solved by including one tick in the menu Additional settings → Special features.

Method 1: Classic button combination (always working)

The most reliable method that is guaranteed to work even if the touch screen is jammed or the gestures are turned off.

1. Open on the screen what you want to capture (for example, correspondence on WhatsApp or a page in Chrome).
2. Press the Power button (right) and the Volume Down button (left) for 1-2 seconds at the same time.
3. Wait for the characteristic sound of the camera shutter and flashing animations on the edges of the screen.

⚠️ Note: Redmi 8 with non-original firmware or custom recaveri (for example, TWRP) This combination can cause you to reboot to Fastboot mode. If it does, check the version. MIUI In Settings → The phone.

Check if the volume button is stuck (wiggle your finger)

Make sure the phone does not turn on “Do Not Disturb” mode.

Restart the device (hold the power button for 10 seconds)

Update. MIUI until the last stable version-->

Where to look for the screenshot taken? By default, the files are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

Or through the gallery: open the Photos app, go to the Screenshots album.

Method 2: Three fingers down (fastest)

The MIUI signature feature, which saves time, is just swipe three fingers across the screen from top to bottom, and the screenshot is ready, but by default, this gesture is disabled, so you can activate it.

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot.
2. Turn on the switch opposite the screenshot gesture.
3. Select the option of Swipe three fingers down (alternatively, touch three fingers, but it is less convenient).

🔹 Challenges and solutions:

• 🤖 Check if it conflicts with other apps’ gestures (like Nova Launcher or Fluid). NG). Turn them off in the launcher settings.
• 📱 Is the screen reacting with a delay? MIUI. Update the firmware or reset the gesture settings in Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset your gesture settings.
• 🔒 Does it not work in games? Some games, for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact block screenshots. Use buttons or voice assistant.

Method 3: Notification panel (if buttons don't work)

If the physical buttons on Redmi 8 are damaged or contaminated, you can take a screenshot through the notification curtain.

1. Swipe your finger down to open the notification panel.
2. Swipe down again to open the full panel.
3. Find the screenshot icon (scissors) and tap it.

⚠️ Warning: If there's no icon, you need to add it manually:

1. Slip on Edit (pencil in the upper right corner of the panel).
2. Find a screenshot in the list and drag it to the active area.

💡 Secret Life Hack: In MIUI 12+ You can take a scrolling screenshot (a long screenshot of the page). After a normal snapshot, tap on the thumbnail at the bottom of the screen and select Scrolling. This works on Chrome, Telegram and most social networks.

Method 4: Voice assistant XiaoAI (works even on a locked screen)

A unique feature Xiaomi few people know about: XiaoAI voice assistant can take a screenshot of a voice command, which is especially useful if:

• 🔧 The touch screen is not working.
• 🔒 Phone locked (but the assistant on the lock screen is enabled).
• 🎮 You are in the game and don’t want to interrupt the process.

How to set up:

1. Activate XiaoAI in Settings → Applications → Installed Applications → XiaoAI (enable autorun and permissions).
2. Say the phrase: “Hao, Xiao-Ai” (or click on the assistant icon in the dock bar).
3. Say the command: “Take a screenshot” or “Screenshot”.

⚠️ Note: The function only works on Chinese or global firmware MIUI If XiaoAI does not understand the command in Russian, switch the assistant language to English in its settings.

💡

If XiaoAI is not responding to your voice, check the microphone: open the recorder and record the test file. If there is no sound, clear the microphone connector (it is located at the bottom next to the USB-C connector).

Method 5: Screenshot via ADB (for advanced users)

If all of the above methods fail (for example, due to a serious system failure), you can take a screenshot via USB debugging using the ADB tool. This will require a computer, but it will work even if the screen is completely black.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Google’s Platform Tools.
2. Turn on Redmi 8 Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times to activate developer mode).
3. Return to Settings → Additional settings → For developers and enable USB debugging.
4. Connect your phone to your PC, open the command line in the ADB folder and type:

adb devices


adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png




adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

Screen.png will appear in the folder with ADB. This method also allows you to take a screenshot without notice (useful for hidden monitoring).

💡

ADB-Screenshots keep the actual screen resolution (720×1560 for Redmi 8), Unlike standard methods, which sometimes cut the status bar.

Table: Comparison of all screenshots on Redmi 8

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even after you set up the screenshots correctly, Redmi 8 may not save or crash.

1. "Failed to take a screenshot"

• 🛠 Reason: Lack of memory space or Screenshots folder damaged.
• 🔧 Solution: Clear the gallery cache (Settings) → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear cache) or create Screenshots folder manually through file manager.

2. Screenshots are saved in black

• 🛠 Reason: Conflict with the theme of design or energy saving mode.
• 🔧 Solution: Turn off Settings → Battery → Energy saving mode and change the topic to standard.

3.There is no shutter sound in the screenshot

• 🛠 Reason: System sound is turned off or No Sound mode is activated».
• 🔧 Solution: Check the volume in Settings → Sound. → Systemic sounds.

💡 Advice for gamers: If screenshots in games are blurred - disable the option Optimization of performance in the game settings (it reduces the render resolution).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions