Creating a screenshot on a smartphone is a basic but critical feature that is often required to save correspondence, screenshots from games or setup instructions. Owners of budget models like the Xiaomi Redmi 6A may encounter nuances of the MIUI interface that are different from pure Android. Understanding all available methods will allow you to quickly capture information on the display without installing third-party software.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at how to take a screenshot of the Xiaomi Redmi 6A using standard system tools and additional shell features. You will learn about physical buttons, gesture controls and even voice commands, which is especially important if one of the buttons on the body has already started to start to play or work unstable.
Modern smartphones offer many options for image capture, and Redmi 6A is no exception. We will look not only at standard methods, but also at specific settings that can be hidden in the depth of the menu, as well as answer questions that arise from users when working with the screenshot function.
Classical Method Through Physical Buttons
The fastest and most reliable way to capture the current image on the screen is using a combination of hardware keys. This method works even when the touch layer temporarily stops responding or freezes. On Xiaomi Redmi 6A, like most Android devices, you need to simultaneously press the on and off button.
It is important to press both buttons strictly at the same time with minimal delay, no more than 0.5 seconds. If you press them too long, the phone may perceive this as a command to call the off menu or reboot. Short pressing will cause the characteristic sound of the camera shutter and visual flash of the screen, which will confirm the successful creation of the picture.
Once you've done the action successfully, you'll see a thumbnail of the image you've taken at the top of the screen, and by clicking on it, you can immediately edit the file, overlay the text, or send it to the other person via messenger. If the thumbnail doesn't show up, check the notification settings, as they can be hidden to save battery life.
It's worth noting that physical wear on budget models is common. If the volume button is tight, try to press it closer to the center or edge, where the key stroke can be freer. Regular use of this method requires care so as not to damage the mechanism.
Using three-finger gestures
The MIUI shell installed on the Redmi 6A provides a handy alternative to physical buttons, which is to take a screenshot by swiping three fingers across the screen. This feature is especially useful when the phone is lying on the table or when one of the side buttons is faulty. However, by default, it is often disabled and requires manual activation in the settings menu.
To enable this option, you need to go to Settings, then select Additional and find the buttons and gestures subsection. Inside this menu, you should find the screenshot bar with three fingers and move the switch to the active position, and then the system will respond to the corresponding movement on the display.
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To successfully activate the gesture, hold your fingers quickly and with little effort, covering the middle part of the screen so that the sensor has time to register three touch points.
The multi-touch technology used in Xiaomi displays allows you to accurately determine the number of contacts. However, it is worth considering that poor quality protective glass or contamination of the screen can worsen sensitivity, in such cases, the gesture may not work the first time, and the procedure will have to be repeated.
The advantage of this method is that it's ergonomic: you don't have to reach for the side of the device, which is especially useful when using a smartphone with one hand in a horizontal mode, for example, while watching a video or playing a game, and it works in almost all applications, except for some banking programs with increased security.
Screenshot through the notification curtain
The third popular way to capture a screenshot on the Xiaomi Redmi 6A is to use a quick access panel, often referred to as a “curtain,” which is ideal for those who prefer software management and are afraid of damaging physical buttons.
First, you need to swipe from top to bottom to open the control center. Depending on the version of MIUI, the screenshot icon can be on the first page or hidden in the second tab. If you can't see the icon with the image of scissors or a square, click on the edit button (usually a pencil or a gear) and drag the desired widget to the active panel.
☑️ Quick access settings
Once you add a widget, it becomes a very basic process to create a picture, so you just unlock the phone, lower the curtain, and click on the icon, and the system instantly captures the current contents of the screen, ignoring the notification curtain itself, because it captures an image of what was visible before the menu was opened.
Using this method also allows you to take screenshots in situations where buttons are locked or the screen is partially unresponsive to multi-touch gestures.This is a software layer of control that takes precedence over many system limitations, making it a reliable tool in the user's arsenal.
Voice control and additional methods
Modern technology allows you to control your smartphone without touching using voice commands. On Redmi 6A, this function is performed by the voice assistant Google Assistant or built-in Mi AI (depending on the region and version of the firmware).
Once activated, the assistant needs to clearly say "Take a screenshot" or "Creeenshot," and the system recognizes the request and performs an action by saving the image in the gallery, a technique that is especially relevant for people with disabilities or in situations where hands are busy.
| Method | Difficulty | Speed. | Iron dependence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttons (Loudness + Power) | Low. | Tall. | Tall. |
| Three-finger gesture | Medium | Medium | Medium (screen) |
| Notification curtain | Low. | Medium | Low. |
| Voice command | Tall. | Low. | Low. |
In addition, you can also use the option of creating screenshots through the menu of running applications. If you swipe up from the Menu button (or make a gesture), some versions of MIUI will have a snapshot button right under the application window, which is convenient when you need to quickly save information from a particular window without returning to the desktop.
Set up and edit screenshots
Once you know how to take a screenshot on the Xiaomi Redmi 6A, it’s helpful to get to grips with the images. The system automatically offers basic editing tools as soon as you’ve created the shot, you can cut the extra edges, add text, draw arrows, or blur sensitive information.
To access the full functionality, you need to open the Gallery app and go to the Screenshots album, which stores all the screenshots you've taken, and by clicking on the image and selecting Change, you'll have access to an expanded set of tools, including filters and stickers.
Where are the screenshots stored in the file system?
An important feature is the ability to create long screenshots (scrolling). After a normal shot, a "scroll" button appears in the editing menu. By clicking on it, you can capture the content of a web page or correspondence that does not fit on a single screen. The system automatically glues several frames into one long image.
Remember to clean the folder with screenshots regularly as they take up space in internal memory.Redmi 6A often has a limited amount of built-in storage, and the accumulation of graphical debris can slow down the device.Use the built-in Cleanup tool to remove duplicates.
Solution and troubleshooting
Users may find that screenshots are not created by any method, most often the problem is a software failure of a particular application or overflow of memory. If the display goes out but the file is not saved, try restarting the device.
⚠️ Note: Some apps, especially banking (Sberbank, Tinkoff) and streaming services (Netflix), block screenshots for security reasons.
If the button combination doesn’t work, check if In-pocket mode or special features are enabled for people with disabilities who can reassign key functions.
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If none of these methods work, try running your phone in Safe Mode, and if you're taking screenshots, it's a third-party app that's causing the problem.
In rare cases, it may be necessary to reset the interface settings.This will not delete your personal data, but will return the system settings, such as font size, themes and button assignments, to factory values.The path to reset is in the Settings menu → Advanced Settings → Reset.