How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: the complete guide

Modern smartphones have become an integral part of our digital life, and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is no exception to this rule. Users often face the need to quickly save an image from the screen, whether it is a correspondence in the messenger, an interesting article or an error in the application. However, not all owners of devices based on the MIUI shell know the full range of features that the Android operating system offers.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available screenshot techniques for your model, and you will learn about classic keyboard combinations, handy gestures, hidden menu features, and even process automation, which will allow you to manage the content on your gadget as efficiently and quickly as possible.

We will also discuss editing and the typical problems you may encounter when trying to capture what is happening on the display, and a deep understanding of these processes will transform you from a regular user into a confident owner of a Xiaomi smartphone.

Classical method using physical buttons

The most common and time-tested method that works on the vast majority of Android devices, the Redmi Note 8 is standard and requires no pre-tuning, and you have to press two buttons at the same time: turn down the volume and turn on the lock screen.

It is important to keep the sequence and duration of the pressing correct. You need to press the buttons simultaneously and hold them for about one second until you hear the characteristic click of the camera shutter or see visual animations of the screen curling up. If you pinch them too long, you can activate the off menu or the Google Assistant voice assistant.

This method is especially useful when the smartphone screen is dirty or wet hands, because the touchscreen at this point is not involved in the process. Physical response of the buttons gives a clear understanding that the command was received by the system. After successful execution of the action, a thumbnail will appear in the upper corner, allowing you to quickly move to editing.

โš ๏ธ Warning: Do not push the buttons with excessive force, especially the volume key, as mechanical components can be damaged by heavy physical exposure.

For some users, this may seem inconvenient because of the keys on the right side of the body, but it is an industry standard that is easy to get used to after a few dozen repetitions, and a mechanical way of ensuring results even when the software part of the system is temporarily delayed.

Using three finger gestures in MIUI

The MIUI shell installed on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 offers one of the most convenient features for taking screenshots โ€“ three-fingered. This option allows you to take a picture in one quick move, which is especially valuable when you need to act instantly. By default, the function can be disabled, so it is worth checking the settings.

To activate this feature, go to the settings menu and find the section for additional functions. Here you need to turn on a switch that allows the system to respond to touches with three fingers. Once activated, just swipe them from top to bottom in the center of the screen, and the system instantly saves the image.

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Open the settings of your device.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Go to the Advanced Settings section or additionally.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Select the screenshot item in the list of available options.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Activate the Screenshot Tumbler with three fingers.

The convenience of the method is that it does not require searching for buttons on the body, which reduces the risk of wear and tear, and the gesture is performed by the same hand that holds the phone, freeing the second hand for other tasks, which makes the process of creating screenshots on the Redmi Note 8 as ergonomic as possible.

๐Ÿ“Š What kind of screenshot do you use more often?
Volume and power buttons
Three-finger gesture
Curtain menu
Voice commands

It's worth noting that touchscreen sensitivity plays a major role in this gesture, and if you have a thick protective glass on or the screen is damaged, the system may not recognize the touch of three fingers the first time, so you might want to try to hold your fingers a little slower or tighter to the surface of the display.

Creating screenshots through the control panel

A third way that is often overlooked is to use the Quick Settings Panel, also known as the "curtain" -- a method that is ideal when physical buttons are busy or damaged and gestures are not possible for some reason. On the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, this tool is built-in and available at all times.

To access the desired function, you need to swipe from top to bottom to open the control center. In the icon grid, find a symbol depicting scissors or a rectangle signed as "Screenshot." If you don't see this icon in the first row, try expanding the full list of available switches or editing a set of quick buttons.

โ˜‘๏ธ Checking the screenshot settings

Done: 0 / 4

The software method has its advantages, for example, it eliminates the risk of accidentally pressing the volume button while watching a video or playing a game, which could change the sound level, and it is often used in creating instructions or video tutorials, where silence and the absence of unnecessary interface sounds are important.

Some users prefer to take this button to the top of the notification bar for quick access, through the Quick Settings Editing menu, where you can drag and drop items and swap them, and customization allows you to tailor the MIUI interface to your personal usage habits.

Long screenshot and extended functions

One of the most useful features in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 arsenal is the ability to create long or scrolling screenshots, an indispensable tool for saving long correspondence in messengers, web pages with a lot of text or contact lists. A regular shot will not work here, because it will crop up important information.

Once you've taken a normal screenshot of any of the above methods, a thumbnail will appear in the top corner. Press the "Scroll" button on it (usually indicated by the down arrow), and the screen will automatically scroll down, adding new content to the image, the process continues until you stop it or reach the end of the page.

โš ๏ธ Note: When creating long screenshots on dynamic content (such as a news feed), artifacts or blur may occur as the image is formed gradually.

It also allows you to add annotations, text and draw over a picture immediately after it's created. The built-in image editor in MIUI is functional enough to hide sensitive data or highlight an important part of the screen with a marker, eliminating the need to install third-party applications for basic editing.

The scroll function doesnโ€™t work in all apps. Androidโ€™s system limitations donโ€™t allow you to take long screenshots in some banking apps or DRM-protected video services, in which case youโ€™ll see a message that you canโ€™t continue scrolling or you just canโ€™t activate the mode.

Third-party applications and voice control

If standard tools aren't enough, Google Play offers a variety of alternatives, such as Screen Master or Screenshot Easy, which offer enhanced features such as shaking your phone, scheduling your phone, or even clap your hands, but they do require additional permissions.

Google Assistant can also take screenshots on command. Just say, "OK, Google, take a screenshot," and the system will execute the request. This is especially convenient when hands are busy or gloved, which is true in winter. Voice control on the Redmi Note 8 is fairly stable.

Using third-party software can be justified if you need to automate the process, such as taking screenshots every 5 minutes for monitoring. However, for everyday tasks, the built-in MIUI capabilities are more than enough, and they are optimized better, since they are part of the system.

The effect of third-party applications on the battery
Screenshot applications that are in the background and constantly monitor on-screen activities or motion sensors can increase battery consumption by up to 5-10% per day, and it is recommended to use built-in system functions where possible.

When installing any applications that request permission to โ€œdisplay over other windowsโ€ or โ€œrecord screens,โ€ be careful. These are powerful permissions that could theoretically be used by malware to steal data. Always check developer ratings and reviews before installing such utilities.

Where screenshots are stored and how to manage them

Once an image is created, it is automatically stored in the device's internal memory. By default, all screenshots are placed in a separate folder inside the gallery, making it easier to find and sort them. In the file system, the path usually looks like /Internal Storage/DCIM/Screenshots.

You can manage these files through the standard Gallery app or through the file manager, and you can rename them, create albums, send them via instant messengers, or upload them to Google Photos cloud storage for automatic backup, which ensures that your data is safe even if your smartphone is lost or broken.

ParameterDefault valuePossible changes
File formatPNGJPG (via editor)
Conservation folderScreenshotsYou can't change it systemically.
Quality.Original (1080p)Compression upon shipment
Shutter soundIncludedShuts down silently.

๐Ÿ’ก

Use Google Photos or Mi Cloud cloud sync to automatically save your screenshots online and not take up space on your phone.

It is important to clean the folder with screenshots periodically, as they can take up a significant amount of memory, especially if you often take long shots or high-resolution pictures.The built-in cleaning tool in the Security app will help you find and delete duplicates or old files.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why canโ€™t a screenshot be made with buttons?
This can happen for several reasons: either you press the buttons at the same time, or the application prohibits the creation of screenshots (for example, in incognito browser mode), and check whether the lock screen is blocked, which often has screenshots banned by security.
Can I take screenshots in hidden mode or banking applications?
In most banking and incognito applications, screenshots are blocked at the Android level for security reasons, and if you try, you will get a black screen or a ban notice, and you cannot get around this with standard means.
How to change the format of saving a screenshot?
Systemically, MIUI saves screenshots in PNG format for maximum quality. You can only change the format to JPG after you create it by using the built-in editor in the gallery and selecting "Save as" or simply sending a file where it converts automatically.
Where can I find a deleted screenshot?
If you have recently deleted a screenshot, check the Recycle Bin folder in the Gallery app, where files are stored for 30 days before being deleted, and if they are empty, it will be extremely difficult or impossible to recover data without special software and backups.

๐Ÿ’ก

Knowing all the ways to create screenshots on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 allows you to choose the most convenient option for any situation, increasing the efficiency of working with a smartphone.