How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi 8 Pro and Redmi Note

Xiaomi’s modern smartphones have become an integral part of the digital lives of millions of users, providing access to a huge array of information in a single touch. Often there is a need to capture an important moment of correspondence, save an interesting article or share a screenshot from the game with friends. Owners of popular models such as the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro or the Redmi Note line may encounter different methods of achieving this task, depending on the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS.

Unlike many other manufacturers, the Chinese giant has introduced many convenient ways to create screenshots that go far beyond the standard combination of buttons. Understanding all the options available allows you not only to save time, but also to make the process of interaction with the device much more comfortable and productive. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the existing ways to create screenshots on these models.

Special attention should be paid to gesture settings, as they are the most ergonomic control method in smartphones with large displays. Properly configuring these features eliminates the need to reach for buttons or twist your fingers to press simultaneously. Let's look at the basic methods available to users.

Standard Method Through Physical Buttons

The most common and familiar way that works on the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro and most Redmi Note models is to use a physical button combination. This method does not require pre-tuning and is available immediately after the device is turned on. To create a screenshot, you need to simultaneously press the volume down and the lock button. It is important to press the buttons briefly and simultaneously so as not to cause the switch off menu or adjust the sound.

The system responds instantly: the screen flashes, the characteristic sound of the camera shutter (if the sound is not turned off), and a notification of the image created appears at the top of the display. In some cases, if you press the buttons longer, you can start creating a screenshot with a scrolling, which is a useful feature for saving long pages.

This is considered a universal method, but on large screens flagships like the Mi 8 Pro, holding the phone with one hand and hitting the buttons can be inconvenient.

For users who prefer tactile feedback, this option remains basic, and visual and audio responses confirm the success of the operation, allowing you to avoid distractions to check the result.

Using three-finger gestures

One of the most convenient features of the MIUI shell is the ability to create a screenshot using a three-finger gesture, which is especially relevant for owners of large smartphones, where reaching the top buttons with one hand is physically difficult. To activate this feature, you need to go to the settings menu, select the Additional section, then Screenshots and enable the screenshot option with three fingers.

Once activated, it is easy to swipe three fingers down the screen at any given time, instantly recognizes the gesture and saves an image of the current contents of the display, which can be performed on any application, browser or menu, making the method extremely flexible.

⚠️ Attention: Sensitivity may vary depending on the protective film or glass installed. If the gesture does not work the first time, try to hold your fingers a little faster or tighter to the screen.

You can also customize the action for long-term retention of three fingers, so you can choose from the gesture settings menu whether you will create a screenshot, open a screenshot menu, or run another function, which allows you to adapt the interface to your individual usage habits.

Using gestures makes content much faster, especially when you need to quickly save multiple images in a row, and the lack of need to search for physical buttons makes this method a preferred method for many users.

Control through the Control Center and the notification curtain

In the newer versions of the MIUI shell and HyperOS, the interface has been redesigned, and the controls are spread out across different curtains. To create a screenshot through the interface, you swipe down to the Control Center (usually a swipe from the top right corner), and there's a screenshot icon that looks like scissors or a screen image.

Clicking on this icon immediately captures the current screen, a technique that is convenient because it doesn't require memorizing combinations or gestures, and is visually understandable for new users, but requires two hands or sleight of hand if the phone is held with one hand.

In some system configurations, the screenshot icon may be hidden, so to add it, you need to click on the edit button in the notification curtain (usually the icon of a pencil or gear) and drag the screenshot icon into the active area, after which it will always be at hand.

It also allows you to quickly move to editing or sending an image, because after you click on the icon at the bottom of the screen, the corresponding action menu appears, which makes the process not just copying the picture, but the beginning of work with the content.

Voice control and Mi AI assistant

Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with advanced voice control systems that allow you to perform actions without touching the screen. To use this feature, you need to activate Google Assistant or the built-in voice assistant Mi AI (depending on the region and version of the firmware), just say the phrase “OK, Google, take a screenshot” or activate the assistant with a button and say “Screenshot”.

This method is particularly useful in situations where the user’s hands are busy or dirty, and it is undesirable to touch the screen, and it also demonstrates the capabilities of a smart home and the integration of Google services with the manufacturer’s shell.

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For stable voice control, make sure that the microphone is not covered with a cover and the assistant is allowed access to system functions in the settings.

It is worth noting that voice control may require an internet connection to process a request, especially if a cloud assistant is used, and in poor signal conditions, the method may work with a delay or may not work at all.

However, for people with disabilities or in specific use cases, voice input remains a powerful tool for controlling the device.

Planning screenshots and timer

A unique feature that is rarely seen in other manufacturers is the ability to set a timer for a screenshot. From the Settings menu → Additional → Screenshots, you can find the option Deferred Screenshot. Here the user is asked to choose the delay: 3 seconds, 5 seconds or 10 seconds.

Once you have time and confirmation, you'll see a countdown on the screen, which gives the user time to prepare the screen, open the menu, roll up the windows, or move the game to the right position, and then the system automatically takes a picture.

This feature is indispensable when you want to capture a context menu that disappears when you touch, or a moment in the game that cannot be captured manually.

⚠️ Note: When using a timer, make sure that the screen does not go out before shooting. Check the time settings before turning off the display in the Screen and Brightness section.

Using a timer turns a smartphone into a full-fledged tool for creating instructions and training materials, allowing you to take clean and accurate pictures of the interface.

Editing and working with long screenshots

So right after you take a screenshot, you get a thumbnail at the bottom of the screen, and if you click on it, you get a built-in editor that has a lot of functionality, so you can crop the image, add text, draw arrows, or put a marker on sensitive information.

The Long Screenshot (or Scrolling Scrolling Screenshot) feature allows you to capture the entire page of a website, a long text message, or a full document. Once you have a regular screenshot, the Scrolling button appears at the bottom of the preview.

You can stop scrolling at any time by touching the screen, which gives you complete control over how much content ends up in the final file, and the quality of the final image remains high, and the text remains readable.

The editor also allows you to quickly share an image through social networks or messengers without leaving the gallery app, which creates a single ecosystem of working with visual information.

Where are the screenshots stored and how to find them

All images created are automatically stored in the device's internal memory, and can be found through the standard Gallery app, where a separate album of the same name is allocated for screenshots, making it easier to sort and search the desired files among the photos taken by the camera.

For those who prefer a file system, screenshots are on the way: Internal Memory → MIUI → gallery_cloud → screenshot or just DCIM → Screenshots, depending on the Android version and storage settings. Knowing this path, files can be easily transferred to a computer or cleared by deleting old shots.

The system also allows screenshots to be sorted by date of creation, which is convenient for searching for information saved weeks or months ago. Built-in image search (text and object recognition) also works with the content of screenshots.

Table of comparison of methods of creating screenshots

For ease of choosing the most suitable method, consider the comparative table of the main methods available on Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro and Redmi Note devices.

As you can see from the table, a three-finger gesture is the most balanced option for everyday use, while buttons remain a reliable backup option.

The choice of method depends on the personal preferences of the user and the specific situation in which you want to take a screenshot.

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The best solution for most users is to combine a three-finger gesture for quick access and volume buttons as a backup method in case of sensor failures.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)