Modern smartphone users constantly need to quickly save information from the device screen. Whether it is an important dialogue in the messenger, a ticket to a concert or an error in the application, the ability to quickly capture the current image on the display is one of the basic features of Android. For owners of the popular Redmi Note 7 model, this process can be implemented in several ways, each of which has its advantages depending on the situation.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available screenshot techniques, from the classic physical button combination to advanced gestures in the MIUI shell. You will learn how to set up automatic scrolling to save long pages of sites, where to look for saved files and what to do if standard methods stop working. Understanding these nuances will allow you to maximize the potential of your smartphone.
Many users are unaware that screenshots are not just static images, but often the first step to editing or data transfer. The MIUI shell installed on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 offers a wide range of tools to work with the captured image immediately after it is created.
Classical method using physical buttons
The most common and reliable way to capture a screenshot on any Android device is to use a hardware keyboard combination. On the Redmi Note 7, this combination is perfect and works almost instantly. You need to press the volume button and the power button at the same time.
It's important to follow the right algorithm: pressing should be simultaneous, but not too long. If you hold the buttons for more than two seconds, the phone may perceive this as a command to call the off menu or voice assistant, depending on the system settings. Short and clear pressing is the key to success.
The mechanics of the process are that the power controller reads the signal from both buttons and tells the system to capture the current frame buffer. Then the characteristic sound of the camera shutter (if the sound is on), and the screen flashes. At the top of the display, a notification appears with a thumbnail of the image taken.
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If you have In-pocket mode enabled, make sure the proximity sensor is not closed when you press the buttons, otherwise the screenshot may not be saved due to the screen lock.
This method is universal and works even when the touch screen is temporarily unresponsive to touch, but the phone itself functions normally, and remains the main way for most Xiaomi owners around the world due to its simplicity and reliability.
Use the “More” menu in the control panel
If you find physical buttons inconvenient or damaged, MIUI offers an alternative software method, implemented through a control panel that is called from top to bottom by swipe, and in the upper right corner of this panel is the "More" icon (three dots or gears, depending on the firmware version).
You click on this icon and you open up an extended menu of quick settings, and you have to find a screenshot button among the many icons, which is usually a scissor, and you can click on it to instantly capture the current contents of the screen, which is especially convenient when the phone is on the table and you can't pick it up to press the buttons on the side.
The user can configure the display of this button in the main menu of quick settings, so as not to open additional tabs.
- 📱 Swipe down to open the “curtain” notifications.
- ✏️ Click on the edit icon (square with pencil) in the menu corner.
- 🖼️ Find the screenshot icon in the list of available widgets.
- 👆 Drag it to the top of the active button list.
This customization allows you to access the screenshot-making function in one tap, which greatly speeds up the process, but it is worth remembering that this method requires an unlocked screen and a working touchscreen.
Guests and three-finger control
The MIUI is famous for its handy gestures, and making a screenshot with a three-finger swipe is one of the most popular features. It allows you to take a screenshot with just one hand movement without taking your other hand away from other activities, especially in games or when watching videos, when the phone is held horizontally.
To activate this function, you need to go to the system settings. The path usually looks like: Settings → Additional functions → Screenshot. Here you need to activate the "Three-finger Screenshot" switch. After activation, just swipe three fingers from top to bottom of the screen to take a picture.
However, this method has its limitations and features, which should be known to the owner of the Redmi Note 7:
- 🚫 The gesture may not work in some applications where it is reserved for other features (e.g., in some readers or browsers).
- 👐 It requires a certain skill: touch the screen with three fingers at the same time, otherwise the system will not recognize the gesture.
- ⚙️ In some versions MIUI You can set the action by holding three fingers, not just a swipe.
⚠️ Warning: If you have a “Gloves Work” mode on or a thick protective film installed, the sensitivity of the touchscreen can be reduced, and the gesture with three fingers will not work the first time.
Despite the possible nuances, for many users this method becomes the main one due to its ergonomics and speed of the system reaction.
Voice control and Google Assistant
In the age of artificial intelligence, voice control is becoming increasingly important. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 has a Google Assistant that can take voice-command screenshots, ideal when hands are busy or dirty and you can't touch the screen.
To use this method, you need your phone to be connected to the Internet and the voice control function is activated in your Google account settings, just say the phrase “Ok Google” or press the home button for a long time (if you have the buttons set up) to activate the assistant. Then say “Take a screenshot”.
The system recognizes the command and performs the action by saving the image to the gallery. This method is also useful for people with disabilities who have difficulty using physical buttons or complex gestures. Voice control in MIUI works stable, although it requires clear pronunciation of commands.
Why Google Assistant can't understand the command?
Using voice commands opens up new horizons of interaction with the device, making the process of creating screenshots completely contactless.
Long screenshot and extended functions
One of the most useful features in Redmi Note 7 is the ability to create long screenshots (scrolling), which is indispensable when you need to save the entire correspondence in the messenger, the article in the browser or a long list of products in the online store. The standard screenshot captures only the visible part of the screen, but the scrolling mode allows you to “stitch” several frames into one long tape.
To take advantage of this feature, first take a regular screenshot in any convenient way. Immediately after that, a thumbnail will appear at the top of the screen. It will have a Scroll button (or an icon with arrows down). By clicking on it, you will automatically scroll the page. The system will scroll down the content itself, capturing the image until you stop the process or reach the end of the page.
Functional capabilities of a long screenshot:
- 📜 Automatically stop when you reach the end of a page or item that cannot be scrolled.
- ⏸️ Ability to manually stop at any time by pressing the screen.
- ✂️ Pruning: After creating a long screenshot, it can be edited by cutting the extra edges.
It's worth noting that the long screenshot feature doesn't work in all applications, for example, in some games or applications with custom layout, it may not be available, in which case the system simply won't show the scroll button after you've created a normal snapshot.
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A long screenshot is not just a picture, but a complex algorithm for stitching frames, which requires stable operation of the processor and a sufficient amount of RAM.
Using this feature significantly improves the productivity of working with documents and web pages on a mobile device.
Where to look and how to edit saved screenshots
Once a screenshot is taken, the system automatically stores it in the device's memory. By default, all screenshots are placed in a separate folder in the gallery, so you don't mix them with the photos taken on the camera. You can find them by opening the Gallery app and selecting the Screenshots album.
The Android file system on Xiaomi also stores these files in a specific way, which is important to know when connecting the phone to the computer. The path is as follows: Internal memory → DCIM → Screenshots. Sometimes, depending on the firmware version, the folder may be called simply Screenshots in the root of internal memory or in the MIUI folder.
Once you've created the screenshot, if you click on the thumbnail in the notification, the built-in editor will open, and it offers a basic but sufficient set of tools:
| Tool. | Description of function | What's useful for? |
|---|---|---|
| Pruning | Removing Excess Edges of Image | Remove unnecessary interface elements |
| Text | Adding captions to the photo | Comment on a screenshot for others |
| Blurring | Hiding confidential information | Shield passwords, card numbers, addresses |
| marker | Color highlights important areas | Focus on the details |
The editor allows you not only to change the image, but also to immediately share it through messengers or social networks, without saving changes in memory if this is not required.
Problem Solving and Lack of Sound
Often, users are faced with a situation where a screenshot seems to be created (the screen flashes), but the file is not saved or the shutter sound is not emitted. Most often the problem lies in the media settings. If the phone is in silent mode or Do not disturb mode, the sound of the screenshot can be turned off by system settings.
To return the sound, check the sound settings in Settings → Sound and Vibration → Additional audio settings. Make sure the media and system volume sliders are not twisted to zero. It is also worth checking if the Vibration Only mode is activated.
⚠️ Note: Some banking and streaming apps (Netflix, Spotify) have security-locked screenshots, in which case you get a black screen instead of an image (DRM).
If screenshots are no longer saved to the gallery, the device memory may be overcrowded or the.nomedia file in the screenshot folder is damaged, in which case it is recommended to clear the Gallery app cache or restart the device.
☑️ Diagnostics of problems with screenshots
In most cases, a simple reboot of the Redmi Note 7 solves all software glitches associated with creating and saving screen images.