How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: all methods

Modern smartphones, including the popular Redmi Note 8 Pro, provide users with a variety of tools for interacting with the interface, and one of the most popular is screenshots, a feature that is necessary to save important correspondence, fix bugs in applications or simply to share an interesting moment from the game with friends. Owners of devices based on the MIUI shell often face the need for quick access to this tool, but not everyone is aware of the full range of features that the system offers.

Unlike some other manufacturers, Xiaomi has implemented several alternative methods for creating screenshots in its operating system that go beyond the standard key combination. Understanding all the options available allows you to significantly speed up the work with the gadget and makes the process of saving information from the display as comfortable as possible. In this article, we will discuss each of the methods, including hidden gestures and voice control, so you can choose the most convenient use case of the Redmi Note 8 Pro.

It’s worth noting that screenshots are constantly being improved on Xiaomi, and even previous-generation devices like the Redmi Note 8 Pro have advanced editing and long-scrolling features available. Properly configuring these settings will save you from having to install third-party apps and allow you to use the full potential of the smartphone. Below are detailed instructions to help you master all the nuances of working with screenshots.

Standard Method Through Physical Buttons

The most common and common way for most Android users to create a screenshot is to press two physical buttons simultaneously. On the case of the Redmi Note 8 Pro, these keys are located on the right side of the device. To get a picture, you need to briefly press the volume down and lock the screen button. It is important to do this simultaneously, but without undue effort, so as not to damage the mechanical elements of the case.

If the procedure is done correctly, you will hear the characteristic sound of the camera shutter (unless the sound is turned off in the system), and the screen will blink for a split second. In the upper right corner of the display, a thumbnail of the image will appear, which will disappear after a few seconds or remain hanging if you choose to interact with it. This method works even in cases where the touch screen is temporarily unresponsive or dusted, making it a reliable backup option.

There's a nuance about press timing: If you press buttons too long, instead of a screenshot, you can activate the device's turn off menu or start Google Assistant mode. So the movements must be clear and short. In some cases, when you have a high CPU load, the system can work with a slight delay, so you shouldn't panic if the image doesn't appear instantly.

☑️ Checking readiness for screenshot

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For users who often take screenshots with one hand, this method may not seem like the most convenient, as it requires both hands or a complex interception of the device. However, it remains the universal standard that works in all applications and games without exception. In the MIUI system settings, you can also change the behavior of these buttons, but the basic function remains unchanged.

Use of control centre and notification curtain

The second popular method that new Xiaomi owners often overlook is using a quick access panel, which is especially convenient when you hold your phone with one hand and you need to take a picture with the other, or if the physical buttons are tight.

In the menu that opens, where the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and flashlight switches are located, you need to find an icon with a picture of scissors. It usually sits on the first or second page of the quick access panel. If you don't see this icon right away, try swiping left or pressing the edit button (often looks like a pencil or three dots) to add a "Screenshot" shortcut to a prominent place. Once you click on the icon, the system instantly creates a copy of the current image on the screen.

The advantage of this method is that it is completely software-based and does not depend on the physical state of the device buttons. In addition, some versions of the MIUI shell can open an additional menu when you click on this icon, suggesting you choose the area for a screenshot or the long shot mode, which makes the tool more flexible than standard buttons.

⚠️ Note: If the screenshot icon in the notification curtain is inactive (gray) or not, check if an application with enhanced security rights, such as a banking one, is running.

Using the control center also allows you to quickly edit immediately after you've created a picture. Unlike volume buttons, where you have to press a pop-up thumbnail, you get into the editor interface right here, which saves time if you need to cut or mark an image before you send it to the person you're talking to.

Three fingers function and other gestures

MIUI is famous for its clever gestures, and one of the most useful is to take a three-finger screenshot. This feature is not activated by default on all devices, so you need to turn it on in the settings. To activate the option, go to the Settings menu, then select the Additional section and find the buttons and gestures option. Here you are interested in the three-finger screenshot option.

Once this feature is enabled, the process of creating a picture becomes as intuitive as possible, you just swipe three fingers down the screen in any area of the interface, the system instantly responds with an audible signal and saves the image, a method that is especially popular among users who appreciate speed and ergonomics, since it does not require searching for buttons on the case or on the menu.

📊 What kind of screenshot do you use more often?
Volume buttons + power
Notification curtain
Three fingers.
Voice assistant

It is worth considering that a three-finger gesture can conflict with other actions, such as scrolling through social media or games that use multi-touch gestures. If you notice that screenshots are created randomly while playing or reading, the feature can be temporarily disabled or sensitive. Also in some applications, such as Instagram or Snapchat, this gesture may be reserved for other actions by the app developer.

You can also customize the gesture menu to “Two-Finger Screenshot” (if supported by the MIUI version) or other variations, but the three-finger version is the most stable on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, a great example of how software optimization can replace physical manipulation, making interaction with a smartphone more smooth and modern.

Voice control and assistants

For those situations where hands are busy or the device is at a distance but connected to the headset, voice control is ideal. On the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, you can use the built-in Google Assistant. To activate the assistant, just say the phrase “Ok Google” or press the home button for a long time (if the navigation is set up with buttons), and then clearly say “Take a screenshot” or “Make a screenshot”.

It recognizes a command and performs an action just like you would if you press physical buttons. Not only is it convenient, it also demonstrates the ability to integrate artificial intelligence into everyday tasks. Voice is especially useful for people with disabilities or in situations where the phone is mounted in a car holder or on a tripod.

In addition, some global firmware versions may have their own voice assistant, Xi AI, which is also capable of executing system commands. However, the stability and understanding of Russian language in Google Assistant is usually higher in this context.

Commands for activation:


1. "Okay, Google, take a screenshot."




2. "Hey Google, take a screenshot"




3. "Ok Google, capture screen"

Using voice commands also opens up possibilities for script automation, such as setting up a macro that, using the voice command "Save this moment," will take a screenshot and send it to a specific Telegram chat, which makes the Redmi Note 8 Pro not just a phone, but a smart assistant.

Long screenshot mode and editing

One of the most popular features in MIUI is the ability to create long screenshots, or "scrolls." It is an indispensable tool for saving correspondence in messengers, long articles in the browser or contact lists. After you create a regular screenshot (any of the methods described above), in the lower left corner of the thumbnail, a button will appear that says "Scroll" or an arrow icon down.

By clicking this button, you automatically scroll down the screen, the system will stick the frames together into a single long image, the process will stop when you touch the screen, reach the end of the page, or reach the image length limit. Some versions of the firmware also have the option of choosing a format: vertical or horizontal, although for the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the predominantly vertical mode is relevant.

ParameterDescriptionLimitations
Max. Length.Depends on screen resolution.Usually up to 10-15 screens
File formatJPG or PNGPNG heavier in weight
EditingAvailable immediately after creationCannot be changed after preservation
Support for applicationsBrowsers, WhatsApp, TelegramDoesn't work in some games

Once you have completed a long screenshot or a regular shot, MIUI offers a powerful built-in editor that can text comments, draw arrows, blur sensitive information (such as card numbers or passwords) and add stickers, all of which are freely available once the image is created, eliminating the need to search for third-party applications for basic processing.

Secrets of the editor of screenshots MIUI
The built-in editor allows not only to draw, but also automatically recognize text in the image (OCR), and also has the function "Magic erasure" to remove small defects or unnecessary objects from the background.

Where to look for saved screenshots and file management

Once you have successfully created a screenshot on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, the system automatically saves it to a special folder. You can find the images you created through the standard Gallery app, which usually highlights the screenshots in a separate album with the corresponding name, which makes it easier to find the desired file among the thousands of photos taken by the camera.

If you prefer to work with the file system directly or use a third-party file manager, screenshots are located along the following path: Internal Memory → DCIM → Screenshots. In some cases, depending on the version of Android and MIUI, the folder can be called simply Screenshots at the root of internal memory or located inside the MIUI folder. Knowledge of the exact path is necessary if you want to quickly transfer files to your computer via USB or clear space in memory.

To manage the space, it is recommended to periodically check the folder with screenshots, as long and high-resolution images can occupy a significant amount of space. In the Gallery app, you can use the Cleanup function, which automatically finds blurred photos, old screenshots and prompts them to be deleted, which helps to keep the system in good shape and avoid problems with lack of space for updates.

⚠️ Note: When deleting screenshots through the file manager, be careful not to delete system files with similar names.Always use the standard Gallery to safely remove user content.

Also worth mentioning is the sync function. If you use Google Photos or the Mi Cloud, your screenshots can be automatically uploaded to the Internet. This is convenient for backups, but can consume mobile traffic. Check your sync settings under Settings → Account and Sync to monitor this process and choose which folders to download only over Wi-Fi.

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Tip: To quickly find the latest screenshot in the gallery, use the “Recent” widget on your desktop or just swipe down in the Gallery app to search by creation date.

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Screenshots on Redmi Note 8 Pro are saved to the DCIM/Screenshots folder and automatically sorted into a separate album in the Gallery, making it easier to manage media files.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why can’t a screenshot be taken in a particular app?
Some applications, especially banking (Sberbank, Tinkoff) or secure content applications (Netflix, incognito browser mode), block screenshots for security purposes, in which case you will see a black screen or a notification of the ban, this restriction at the level of the Android operating system and it cannot be circumvented by standard methods.
Can I take screenshots in split screen mode?
Yes, you can take screenshots on the Redmi Note 8 Pro with the MIUI shell even if the screen is split into two apps, take a snapshot of all the contents of the display, including both running programs, but the long split-screen screenshot feature may not be available.
How to change the format of saving a screenshot from JPG to PNG?
In standard MIUI settings, the format is usually selected automatically depending on the content, but JPG is often given priority to save space.Forcing PNG to save without loss of quality sometimes requires the use of third-party launchers or editors, since there is no direct format setting on the menu.
Where do screenshots go if I delete the Gallery app?
Delete the Gallery app (if it is a system application and it has been disabled or replaced) does not delete the files themselves. They remain in the phone's memory via the DCIM/Screenshots path. You can see them by installing any other file manager or alternative gallery from Google Play.
Why do screenshots take up so much space?
The Redmi Note 8 Pro screen is high resolution, and each pixel retains color information. Long screenshots are essentially multiple images glued together, so they can weigh up to several megabytes. Regular cleaning or using cloud services will help solve the memory shortage problem.