Screenshots are a basic feature that millions of smartphone users around the world need every day. Owners of budget but popular models like the Xiaomi Redmi 8A often look for the best ways to capture the image on the display. This may be necessary to save correspondence, a check for payment, an interesting moment from the game or an application setup instructions. Despite the apparent simplicity of the process, there are many nuances in the MIUI shell that not everyone knows about.
In this article, we will discuss all available methods for creating screenshots on a Redmi 8A device. You will learn how to combine physical buttons, use the system’s capabilities and even control a smartphone without touching. We will also discuss advanced features such as a long screenshot, and discuss what to do if standard methods stop working due to software failures.
Special attention should be paid to the ergonomics of the device, because the location of controls can affect the ease of performing certain actions. Understanding the logic of the MIUI interface will allow you to capture the screen instantly without being distracted from the main task.
Classical Method Through Physical Buttons
The most common and time-tested way to capture screen content is by using a combination of physical buttons. On the Xiaomi Redmi 8A, like most Android smartphones, volume and power keys are responsible for this, which works even when the touch screen is temporarily unresponsive or the system is in a partial lock state.
To do this, you need to press two buttons at the same time, and the volume button and the turn on button need to be held for a split second, and the main thing is synchronicity: if you press one button before the other, the smartphone will perceive this as a separate action, for example, changing the volume or calling the switch menu.
- 📱 Place your right thumb above the power button (right).
- 🔊 Place your index finger of the same hand above the volume button (left).
- ⚡ Make a quick and simultaneous press of both buttons.
- 📸 Wait for the characteristic sound of the camera shutter and visual flash of the screen.
After the procedure is successful, a thumbnail notification will appear at the top of the screen. On Redmi 8A, the screenshot will automatically be saved to the Screenshot folder inside the gallery. If you didn't succeed the first time, try changing the force of pressing or the angle of capturing buttons, as the keys on new devices may be taut.
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If you have thumbs and you are uncomfortable reaching for the top volume button, try turning your smartphone horizontally so the buttons will be closer to each other.
Use of notification curtain and control menu
It's not always convenient to reach for buttons, especially if you're holding your phone with one hand or it's on the table, and in these cases, a quick access panel known as a curtain comes to the rescue. In the MIUI shell, this tool has advanced functionality compared to standard Android, offering convenient widgets for system operations.
To take a screenshot through the menu, you swipe top-down to open the control center, and depending on the firmware version, you may need to swipe one or two to see the full list of icons, and you'll need to find an icon labeled "Screenshot" or that has a picture of scissors.
Once you click on the icon, the system instantly captures the current content of the display, which is especially useful when the physical buttons of the Xiaomi 8A smartphone are sluggish or unstable, and you can immediately edit the image or send it to the person you are talking to.
☑️ Checking the availability of the function
It's worth noting that the number of visible icons in the curtain is limited. If you don't see the right label, maybe it's hidden. Click on the edit button (usually a pencil icon or three dots in the corner), find the Screenshot in the list of available ones, and drag it to the active zone. Now the function will always be at hand.
Gesture control and triple tapping
MIUI is famous for its customization capabilities, and screenshots are no exception. For those who prefer software solutions to physical buttons, triple tapping is available on the screen, one of the most elegant ways, although it requires pre-tuning.
This option is activated via the settings menu. You need to go to the Additional section, then select the buttons and gestures and find the Screenshot item with three fingers. Once you turn on this function, quickly swipe three fingers across the screen from top to bottom or just tap on the display three times, depending on the gesture option you choose.
⚠️ Note: The triple tapping function may conflict with other gestures or accidentally activate when playing or reading text, creating unnecessary files in the gallery.
The advantage of gesture control is that the mechanical parts of the smartphone are fast and wear-free, but if you use low-quality protective glass or film often, the touchscreen sensitivity may be reduced and the gesture may not always be recognized, so it's better to go back to the classic method.
The function of a long screenshot (scroll)
Often, you need to save not just one frame, but an entire web page, a long correspondence in the messenger or an article in a news app. A standard screenshot will crop up information, but the Xiaomi Redmi 8A provides a “Long screenshot” or “Scroll”.
Once you have taken a normal screenshot of any of the above methods, an additional button will appear in the top corner of the thumbnail (or in the edit menu) with a down arrow or the words "Scroll" on it, clicking on it, the system will automatically start to scroll down the contents of the screen, capturing new areas of the image.
The process continues until you stop it with a second push of a button or until you reach the end of the page, allowing you to create vertical panoramic images that are ideal for storing long contact lists, navigation routes or correspondence.
| Method | Speed. | Convenience | Risk of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttons | Tall. | Average. | Low. |
| Curtain. | Medium | High. | Low. |
| Gestures | Tall. | High. | Medium. |
| Voice. | Low. | Average. | High-pitched |
Voice control and Google Assistant
Modern smartphones, including the Redmi 8A, have powerful voice control systems, and if your hands are busy or you are in a situation where touching the screen is impossible, you can use the voice assistant Google Assistant, which is especially true for people with disabilities.
To activate, you just say "Ok Google" or press the home button (if configured), and then clearly say "Take a screenshot" or "Make a screenshot." The system recognizes the command and captures the current image. The accuracy of recognition depends on the quality of the microphone and the noise level in the room.
In addition, some system applications can support their own voice commands, but the Google ecosystem remains the one-stop solution.
Why can’t the voice assistant work?
Editing and managing saved files
Once a screenshot is created, the user usually wants to edit it: crop it, add text, or highlight an important area with a marker. In MIUI, the built-in image editor opens automatically immediately after the image is created if you click on the notification.
The editing menu has tools for overlaying text, hand-drawing, adding stickers, and resizing. The default save format is JPEG or PNG, which provides good quality with a relatively low file weight. You can also share an image immediately through any messenger you install.
All the screenshots you create are placed in a separate album in the Gallery app, sorted by date of creation, and it is recommended that you review this folder periodically, as the screenshots tend to accumulate and occupy a valuable place in the internal memory of the device.
⚠️ Note: When you delete screenshots through the menu "Recently deleted" they are permanently erased from the device without the possibility of recovery through standard system tools.
Frequent problems and their solution
Despite the system’s fine-tuning, Xiaomi Redmi 8A users may encounter situations where screenshots are not created, most often due to security restrictions in certain applications, such as banking customers or when viewing content with DRM protection (Netflix, online cinemas), in which case you will receive a black screen or a notification of a ban.
Another common problem is a lack of free memory: if internal storage is crowded, the system will not be able to save a new file, in which case you need to clear the cache or delete unnecessary files, and it is also worth checking the permissions for the Gallery or Screenshot application in the privacy settings.
If the volume buttons are physically stuck, it will be impossible to create a screenshot with a combination of keys, in which case the only way out is to use the notification curtain or connect the external keyboard through the keyboard. OTG-adapter where you can assign a macro to create a screenshot.
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If screenshots stopped being created after the system update, try resetting the system's application settings or clearing the Media Server cache.
Conclusion
Creating screenshots on Xiaomi Redmi 8A is a simple but multifaceted process that can be adapted to your habits. Whether it’s a classic combination of buttons, modern gestures or voice control, each user will find a convenient option. Regular use of these features increases the efficiency of interaction with the smartphone.
Remember to periodically clean the gallery of unnecessary pictures, so as not to clog the memory of the device. Possession of all the methods described will allow you to feel confident in any situation, whether it is the need to quickly save information or take a complex panoramic photo of the interface.