Screenshots are a basic feature that millions of smartphone users require every day. The popular Redmi Note 8 often looks for quick ways to save important information, correspondence, or gameplay. The MIUI operating system on the device offers many options for doing this, far beyond the standard button combination.
Understanding all the methods available will allow you to work with the gadget more efficiently, you can choose the most convenient way depending on the situation, whether it is playing horizontally or having to take a long screenshot of a web page. In this article, we will discuss each method in detail, and also consider the settings that will make the process even easier.
Many users are unaware that their phone can take screenshots by tapping a knuckle or voice command. We have prepared a detailed guide that will help unlock the full potential of the camera of your Xiaomi Redmi Note 8.
Classical method using physical buttons
The most common and reliable way to capture a screenshot on any Android device, including the Redmi Note 8, is to use a combination of mechanical keys, which works even if the touch screen temporarily stops responding or freezes.
It's important to press the keys quickly and simultaneously. If you press them too long, the phone may perceive this as a command to call the shutdown menu or start the voice assistant. A short press (a fraction of a second) is the key to success. Once successfully executed, you will hear the characteristic click of the camera shutter, and in the upper right corner a thumbnail of the shot will appear.
⚠️ Warning: Do not hold the buttons tighter than one second, otherwise the emergency call menu or Google voice assistant will open instead of a screenshot, which will interrupt your current activities.
This method is universal and works in all applications, including games and video players. However, in some scenarios, such as watching videos in full screen mode, using physical buttons can be uncomfortable, as it requires changing the grip of the device, which is why Xiaomi developers have implemented alternative options.
Using three-finger gestures
One of the most convenient features of the MIUI shell is that you can swipe screenshots, so you don't have to reach for the buttons on the case if you're holding the phone with one hand or it's lying on the table, and you need to swipe three fingers down the screen to activate this feature.
By default, this option can be disabled, so the first step is to activate it in the settings. Go to Settings → Additional Features → Screenshot. Here you need to make sure that the screenshot with three fingers switch is in the active position. Once turned on, you can take pictures in any applications where you do not block input.
- 📱 Swipe three fingers from top to bottom for an instant snapshot.
- ⚙️ Set up sensitivity or turn off the feature in the settings menu.
- 🖼️ The screenshot taken in this way is saved to the same gallery as the usual one.
- 🚫 The method may not work in some secure banking applications.
The use of gesture is especially important for people with large smartphones, where reaching the top buttons is physically difficult, and it is also a spectacular way that bloggers often use when demonstrating the interface. If the gesture doesn't work the first time, try increasing the speed of your fingers or changing the angle of tilt.
Control Panel and Quick Settings
Android and MIUI have a toolkit for quick access to frequently used features, and if you don't feel comfortable using buttons or gestures, you can use the control panel, swipe down once or twice, depending on your settings, to open the notification curtain.
In the quick-setting icon list, look for a screenshot icon that usually looks like a scissor or a camera, and clicking on that icon compels you to take a snapshot of the current contents of the screen, and if you don't see the icon you want, it may be hidden in the second page of the menu or removed from the quick access.
To add a button, click on the edit icon (usually a pencil or three dots in the corner of the panel) and drag the Screenshot icon into the active zone. It only takes a couple of seconds, but it will make life much easier in the future. You can now take pictures just by tapping on the screen, which is especially convenient when working with documents.
⚠️ Note: In some firmware versions, the screenshot in the curtain can take a full screen shot along with the notification curtain open. Make sure you close the panel before pressing if you want to get a clean image of the app interface.
This method is also useful if one of the physical buttons on your Redmi Note 8 body is faulty or fails.Using software interfaces allows you to bypass hardware problems and continue to fully operate the device without the need for urgent repair.
Voice control and Google Assistant
Modern smartphones, including the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, have powerful voice control systems. You can take a screenshot just by saying a command, which is especially handy when hands are busy or dirty. The main tool here is the Google Assistant voice assistant.
To activate, say "OK, Google," or press the home button for a long time (if configured), and then say "Take a screenshot" or "Take a picture of the screen." The system will instantly execute the request and save the image, which works in almost any application except those that do not allow recording content.
An alternative is the built-in voice assistant Xiao AI (if activated in China or installed a package), which also understands commands to take pictures, but for Russian-speaking users, Google Assistant remains the most stable and understandable solution.
- 🗣️ Activate the assistant with the phrase "OK, Google".
- 📸 Say a clear command, Take a screenshot".
- 📂 The image will automatically be saved in the gallery.
- 🌐 An active internet connection is required to process voice.
The use of voice control opens up new possibilities for people with disabilities who find it difficult to use a touch screen or physical buttons, making the smartphone more accessible and versatile for any user.
The function of a long screenshot (scroll)
One of the most popular features in MIUI is the ability to create long screenshots, which is ideal for saving web pages, long correspondence in messengers or contact lists. After you create a regular screenshot (in any of the ways described above), a preview appears in the upper right corner.
Click on the icon that represents the scroll or the down arrow that is located below the thumbnail. The screen will automatically scroll down, capturing content that does not fit on one screen. You can stop the process at any time by touching the screen or waiting for the end of the page.
☑️ Algorithm for creating a long screenshot
It's important to understand that the quality of the final image depends on the resolution of the original content. With a large increase in the long screenshot, the text may become less readable, but for the general review of information, this method is indispensable. The file is stored as a single image with a higher vertical resolution.
| Method | Speed. | Convenience | Dependence on settings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttons | Tall. | Average. | No. |
| Three fingers. | Very high. | High. | Yes (must be included) |
| Curtain. | Medium | Low. | No. |
| Voice. | Tall. | High. | We need the Internet. |
Editing and tools after the photo
Once you've taken a screenshot of the Redmi Note 8, you get a thumbnail pop-up, and if you click on it, you get a built-in image editor, and you can cut the edges, add text, draw arrows, or put a marker on sensitive information.
MIUI offers a variety of tools that make a separate photo editing app redundant. You can add time stamps, change the file format, or even recognize text from an image (OCR).