Creating a screenshot on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the basic functions that users need daily to save important correspondence, errors in applications or interesting moments from games. Owners of the Redmi 8 Pro model may encounter nuances of the MIUI interface that differ from standard Android. Understanding all available methods will significantly speed up the work with the device and make interaction with the operating system more comfortable.
There are many ways to capture an image displayed on a display, ranging from the classic combination of physical keys to smart gestures. Some users prefer to use only buttons, while others can not imagine life without swipes on the screen. In this article, we will discuss in detail each method available on Redmi 8 Pro, and also consider settings that will help to avoid losing important data.
It’s important to note that MIUI software is constantly updated, adding new features or relocating old menus. However, the basics of how to work have remained the same for many years. Regardless of the firmware version installed on your Redmi 8 Pro, you will find a convenient way to create screenshots.
Classical method using physical buttons
The most common and reliable way to take a screenshot of a screen on any smartphone, including the Redmi 8 Pro, is to press two physical keys simultaneously. This method works even when the touch screen temporarily does not respond to touch or freezes.
To get the result, you need to press the volume button and the power button at the same time. You don't need to hold them for long, just a short press lasting less than a second. If you hold the buttons for too long, the phone may perceive this as a command to call the off menu or voice assistant.
Once you've done the action, you'll hear the characteristic shutter sound of the camera, and a thumbnail of the image will appear in the top corner of the screen, and the system will automatically save the file to the gallery in the Screenshots folder, which is universal and works in all applications, including games and video players.
The Redmi 8 Pro features a side-fingerprint scanner that is combined with a power button, but this does not interfere with the key combination. The mechanism works at the system level, so the physical location of the scanner does not affect the process.
⚠️ Warning: Do not press the buttons too hard, especially on the fingerprint scanner area, so as not to damage the mechanism or protective glass of the case.
Use of the control menu (Notification curtains)
The second popular method is to use a quick setup panel, often referred to as a "curtain," which is convenient because it does not require finger coordination on the body buttons and is completely executed through the MIUI software interface. First, unlock the phone and lower the top curtain down.
In the menu that opens, you need to find an icon called "Screenshot" or a picture of scissors. If you don't see it on the first screen, swipe right to open additional pages with widgets. Clicking on this icon instantly creates a snapshot of the current content of the screen.
The advantage of this method is the ability to take a screenshot with one hand, which is especially true in situations where the second hand is occupied, and it also eliminates the possibility of random volume changes, which sometimes occurs when using physical buttons, the system immediately prompts you to edit or share the image.
In some firmware versions, the icon may be called a Screenshot or have a slightly different design, but functionally it's the same tool. Redmi 8 Pro users often use this method when watching videos horizontally when accessing side buttons is difficult.
Setting and using gestures with three fingers
One of the most convenient features in the MIUI shell is to create screenshots using a gesture. By default, this option can be disabled, so you need to go to the system settings to activate it. Find the Additional Settings section and select Screenshot.
In the menu that opens, check the box against the option “Three-finger Screenshot.” Once activated, you can swipe three fingers from top to bottom across the screen at any time to take a picture, a gesture that works in almost all interfaces except for some secure banking applications.
The three-finger gesture is particularly useful for people with large smartphones, where it is difficult to reach the upper corners of the screen or reach the buttons on the body. It provides high speed and reduces wear of physical keys. The accuracy of gesture recognition on the Redmi 8 Pro is quite high thanks to the quality touchscreen.
If the gesture doesn't work the first time, try changing your speed or finger density, and check if the screen is too thick, which can reduce the sensitivity of the sensor to multi-touch gestures, and you can increase the response in the screen sensitivity settings.
☑️ Checking gesture settings
The function of a long screenshot and autoscroll
The Redmi 8 Pro supports long screenshots, which are indispensable for saving web pages, correspondence in messengers or lists of goods in online stores. After creating a regular screenshot (any of the above methods), a thumbnail will appear in the upper right corner.
Click on this thumbnail to open the edit menu. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see some icons, including a down arrow button or a Scrolling icon, and clicking on it will trigger the process of automatically scanning the page.
The screen will start to scroll down, grabbing new content. You can stop the process at any time by touching the screen or pressing the stop button. The system will automatically glue all the pieces together into one long, high-quality image, which saves you a lot of time compared to manual gluing.
It should be noted that the autoscroll function may not work on sites with “infinite tape”, where content is loaded dynamically, or in applications that block screen recording.
| Method | Speed. | Convenience | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttons | Tall. | Average. | Always. |
| Curtain. | Medium | High. | Requires unlocking. |
| 3 finger gesture | Very high. | Very high. | I need a setup. |
| Voice. | Low. | Low. | We need the Internet. |
Alternative methods and voice control
For those who prefer voice control, Xiaomi offers integration with Google Assistant and its own Mi AI assistant. To take a screenshot with a voice, just say the command “OK, Google, take a screenshot” or activate the assistant with a button and say “Take a screenshot”.
This method can be useful in situations where the user's hands are busy or dirty, but it requires a stable Internet connection to handle voice requests, which is not always convenient in conditions of poor network coverage, and the voice assistant may not work properly in some third-party launchers.
Another way is to use a special Screenshot app in the Tools folder, which is often preinstalled on the Redmi 8 Pro. It allows you to take timer latency shots, which is useful for creating screenshots of context menus or pop-ups that disappear when touched.
Some users install third-party apps from Google Play that offer advanced functionality, such as taking screenshots of shaking your phone or scheduling. However, built-in MIUI tools usually provide better optimization and stability without unnecessary battery consumption.
Where are the screenshots stored?
Editing and managing saved images
Immediately after you create a screenshot on Redmi 8 Pro, a notification pops up asking you to edit the image, and clicking on it, you will be taken to the built-in editor that allows you to crop extra edges, draw on the image, add text or blur sensitive data.
The editing tools in MIUI are powerful enough to avoid installing third-party apps, you can add arrows, resize an image, or apply filters, which is especially useful when preparing instructions or reports for colleagues.
Managing a screenshot gallery is also important for keeping order in your phone’s memory. Regularly delete unnecessary shots as they can take up a significant amount of space, especially if you often use the long screenshot feature. Files take up less space than camera photos, but their number is growing rapidly.
You can use Mi Share or standard Bluetooth to quickly transfer screenshots. Just open the image, click Share, and select the recipient device. The speed of transfer over Wi-Fi Direct is much higher than through classic Bluetooth.
⚠️ Note: When editing screenshots with sensitive information (passwords, card numbers), always use a blur tool, not just color paint, as the original layer can be restored.
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Use the PNG format for screenshots with text or graphs – it provides better font clarity compared to JPG, although it takes up a little more space.
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The built-in MIUI editor allows you to perform 90% of screenshot processing tasks without installing additional applications.
Solving the Problems of Creating Screenshots
Sometimes Redmi 8 Pro users are faced with a situation where the screenshot is not created or the image is black, most often due to security restrictions of specific applications, such as banking clients or applications with protected content (Netflix, Kinopoisk), in which case the system blocks the screen capture to protect data.
Another reason could be a lack of free storage in the phone's storage: If the internal memory is crowded, the system will not be able to save the new file. Check the available space in the Settings → About Phone → Memory section and free up space if necessary.
The problem may also be a software failure of the MIUI shell itself, in which case a normal device reboot helps, and if screenshots stop working after the system update, try resetting the application settings or checking for new firmware updates.
In rare cases, it may be necessary to clear the cache of the system application Screenshot. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Screenshot → Memory → Clear the cache. This action is safe and will not delete your personal data.