The modern smartphone Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro is a powerful multimedia device that users often use for work, communication and entertainment. In the process of operation there are many situations when you need to instantly save an image from the screen: whether it is a correspondence in the messenger, a screenshot of an error, a ticket for transport or an interesting moment from the game. For owners of the flagship of 2018, it is important to know all the available methods of capturing the image, since the MIUI shell offers a wide toolkit for this.
Unlike standard Android versions, MIUI has its own unique management features. Users who have switched from other brands may initially have difficulty finding the right features or familiar keyboard combinations. However, once you understand the nuances, you will find that creating screenshots here is even more convenient than in pure Android, thanks to the advanced functionality of editing and sharing.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to take screenshots in Xiaomi 8 Pro. We will consider both classic methods using physical buttons, and advanced features like long screenshots and gesture control, which significantly speed up the work with the device.
Use of physical buttons
The most common and reliable way to work on any Android device is a mechanical key combination. The Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro, like most modern smartphones, uses a standard bundle of buttons located on the side of the case, which is universal and works even in cases where the touch screen temporarily does not respond to touch.
To create a picture, you need to simultaneously press and briefly hold the power button and the volume down button. It is important not to pinch them too long, otherwise the switch-off menu or voice assistant may activate. It is enough to quickly and clearly press, after which you hear the characteristic click of the camera shutter (if the sound is on), and the screen will blink.
And as soon as you create an image, you'll have a thumbnail at the top of the display, and if you click on it, you'll have a built-in editor where you can cut it, draw an arrow, or add text, and if you don't do anything, the screenshot will automatically be saved in the gallery, which is a basic technique that should be automated by every smartphone owner.
⚠️ Attention: If you press the buttons too hard or hold them for longer than 2 seconds, the system may consider this as a command to call the emergency call menu or turn off the device.
It's worth noting that on Xiaomi 8 Pro, the buttons have a clear tactile response, which helps you navigate blindly. The location of the volume key is below the on button, so the fingers fall naturally. In some cases, such as horizontal play, it can be inconvenient to reach them, and then alternative methods come to the rescue.
Three-finger gesture control
MIUI is famous for its convenience, and one of the most useful features is to create screenshots with a swipe, which allows you to capture the screen with one smooth movement of your hand, which is especially true when the phone is lying on the table or when the second hand is busy.
To activate this mode, you need to go to the system settings. Find the Additional section, then select the buttons and gestures. The menu that opens will have a screenshot option with three fingers. Move the slider to the active position. After that, swiping three fingers from top to bottom in the center of the screen will instantly create a picture.
- 🖐️ Swipe three fingers from top to bottom in the center of the screen for an instant snapshot.
- ⚙️ Customize the sensitivity of the gesture in the special features menu if it rarely works.
- 📱 The method is ideal for using a smartphone with one hand when it lies on the surface.
Using a gesture requires some skill. The fingers must touch the screen at the same time, and the movement must be fast enough, but not sharp. If the system does not respond, try changing the angle of inclination of the fingers or the speed of the swipe. Also make sure that the screen does not have a protective film with thick edges that can interfere with multi-touch recognition of the three touch points.
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If a three-finger gesture conflicts with other actions in games, temporarily turn it off in settings to avoid accidental screenshots during the fight.
Control panel and notification curtain
The third way that is often overlooked is by using the quick access panel, which is convenient because it doesn't require memorizing combinations or training your fingers, and just swipe from top to bottom (or twice, depending on the settings) to open the control center and click the appropriate icon.
In the control panel, look for a screenshot shortcut that looks like a scissors icon or a camera, and clicking on it instantly captures the current content of the screen. If you don't find that button in the top row, try swiping left or pressing the edit button (usually a pencil or three dots) to add a shortcut to the active zone.
This is especially useful for people with disabilities or in situations where mechanical smartphone buttons are faulty, and it also allows you to take screenshots in those rare applications where software methods can be blocked by security, although such locks are rare at the Xiaomi system level.
Creating long screenshots (scrolling)
One of the most popular features in MIUI is the ability to create long screenshots (Long Screenshot), which is indispensable when you need to save correspondence in the messenger, web page, document or news feed as a whole, without cutting the image into many small parts. Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro is great at “crosslinking” images.
The process starts as usual: you take a screenshot in any convenient way (buttons or gestures), immediately after that, a thumbnail appears in the upper right corner, and it will have a button that says Scrolling or an icon that resembles a scroll, click on it, and the screen will automatically scroll down, grabbing new content and adding it to the overall image.
☑️ Algorithm for creating a long screenshot
The process stops automatically when the content of the page ends, or manually if you touch the screen or press the stop button. It is important to understand that the maximum length of this image is limited by the screen resolution and the capabilities of the application. In some cases, for example in a browser, scrolling can go on indefinitely until you stop the process yourself.
| Method | Convenience | Speed. | Applicability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttons | High. | Instantly. | Everywhere. |
| 3 finger gesture | Very high. | Instantly. | Everywhere (after setting up) |
| Curtain. | Average. | 2-3 seconds | Everywhere. |
| Voice. | Low. | Depends on the network. | Demands the Internet. |
⚠️ Note: When you create long screenshots in dynamically loaded content applications (such as social media feeds), the image may twitch. Try not to touch the screen during the stitching process so as not to disturb the geometry of the final file.
Voice control and assistant
For those who prefer voice control, the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro offers the use of Google Assistant or the built-in Xiao AI assistant (although the latter is often limited in global versions).
Activate the assistant with the phrase "Ok Google" or pressing the home button long enough (if configured). Then clearly say "Take a screenshot or Make a screenshot." The system recognizes the request and performs an action. This method can be useful when your hands are full or dirty, and you can't touch the screen.
But it has its nuances: It requires an active Internet connection because voice processing is done on servers, and in noisy environments, recognition can be incorrect, but it's a great alternative that shows the flexibility of the Android operanic system in conjunction with MIUI.
What to do if the screenshot is not saved?
Editing and searching for screenshots
Once you've screened Xiaomi 8 Pro, the question is, where do you find it and how do you process it? All images are automatically saved in the standard Gallery app. For quick access, just click on the thumbnail immediately after you've taken the picture or find the Screenshots album in the album list.
The built-in MIUI editor offers a wide range of features, not only can you crop an image, but you can also blur sensitive data (such as card numbers or addresses) with the Blurr tool, and stickers, text of various colors and formats, and even text recognition (OCR) right from the screenshot are available.
- 📂 The Path to Files: Internal Memory → DCIM → Screenshots.
- ✏️ Use the Magic Erase tool to remove excess objects in the screenshot.
- 📤 Share images directly from the gallery via instant messengers or cloud storage.
If you plan to take a lot of screenshots for work, it is recommended to set them up automatically sorting or synchronizing with the Mi Cloud or Google Photos cloud.This will save you from losing important information in the event of a device breakage or accidental deletion of files.
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Automatic backup of the screenshot folder to the cloud is the best protection against losing important data, such as confirmation codes or document scans.