How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 6A: the complete guide

Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 6A are not just a means of communication, but also a powerful tool for working with information. Often there is a need to save the image from the screen: whether it is an interesting dialogue in the messenger, payment confirmation or a funny moment from the video. Owners of budget devices sometimes face difficulties when trying to capture what is happening on the display without knowing about hidden features or alternative methods.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available ways to capture screenshots on your device, not only the standard button combinations, but also the advanced features of the MIUI shell that make life much easier, and we will also look at common errors when the device stops responding to commands, and how to quickly return functionality to the system.

It will be useful for beginners who have just bought their first Android smartphone, as well as for experienced users who want to optimize the interaction process with the gadget. Understanding these basic but important mechanics will allow you to manage content more efficiently and share information with others without unnecessary difficulties.

Standard Method Through Physical Buttons

The fastest and most time-tested way to capture a current image on a display is by using hardware keys. On the Redmi 6A, this combination works at the kernel level of the operating system, so it's active almost always, even if the touch screen is temporarily frozen, you need to simultaneously press and briefly hold the volume down and the power button.

It's important to keep the timing right: pressing should be almost instantaneous, like you're clicking. Prolonged retention of those same keys usually causes the device to turn off or reboot menus, which can confuse the inexperienced user. If you hear the characteristic sound of the camera shutter and see the screen flash, then the picture is successfully saved in the gallery.

⚠️ Warning: Do not hold the buttons tighter than one second, otherwise instead of a screenshot, you risk getting into the emergency call or phone switch-off menu, interrupting your current tasks.

This method is versatile and does not require customization, making it an ideal option for emergencies. However, if the buttons are physically damaged or have a large backlash, it is worth considering software alternatives, which we will discuss below.

Use of the "Three Fingers" function

The MIUI shell installed on the Xiaomi Redmi 6A offers a handy alternative to physical buttons. You can create a screenshot by simply swiping three fingers from top to bottom across the display. This feature is especially useful when one hand is busy, or if the hardware buttons are not working correctly.

The way to turn on the feature is to go to Settings, select Additional, then Buttons and gestures, and finally a screenshot with three fingers. Make sure the switch is activated. After that, the system will respond to the appropriate gesture in any interface, except for some secure applications of the banking sector.

It's worth noting that to be able to recognize a gesture successfully, your fingers have to touch the screen at the same time and travel a certain distance. If the system doesn't respond the first time, try changing your speed or your pressing force, which makes it much faster to use social media content.

Control panel and voice commands

Another way that not all Redmi 6A owners know about is in the control center: swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification curtain. The quick action list often features a "Scissors" or "Screenshot" icon, and tapping it instantly takes a snapshot of the current area, after which you can edit the image or send it to the person you're talking to.

And voice assistants come to the rescue, and if you have Google Assistant activated or voice search enabled, you can just say a command. Say clearly, "OK, Google, take a screenshot," or "Take a screenshot." The system recognizes the request and performs the action without touching the phone body.

Voice control is especially important in situations where the user's hands are busy or dirty, such as during cooking or repairs. However, it requires an active Internet connection and a tuned microphone to work. In poor communication, this method may be less effective than physical buttons.

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Use voice commands when your hands are busy, but remember that speech recognition requires a stable internet connection.

Extended screenshot and scrolling menu

When you take a screenshot, you have a thumbnail in the top right corner, and if you click on it, you'll see an editor where you can get additional tools. One of the most useful features for Xiaomi Redmi 6A owners is the Scrolling Mode, which allows you to create long screenshots by capturing content that doesn't fit on a single screen, like instant messengers or articles in your browser.

To take advantage of this feature, take a regular screenshot, click on the thumbnail that appears, and select the down arrow button or the words "Scroll." The device will automatically start scrolling down the page, stitching the images into one long tape, and you can stop the process at any time by touching the screen.

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Scrolling mode allows you to save entire pages of sites or long dialogues in one file, which saves space in the gallery.

Set up hot keys and buttons

Xiaomi owners often want to personalize their controls. In the device settings, you can change the appointment (long-press) to the power or volume button. While this typically leads to a Google Assistant call or a shutdown menu, some versions of MIUI allow you to reassign actions for convenience.

Go to Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures. Here you can adjust the behavior of the power button. For example, you can set the action to double-press the back panel (if supported by sensors) or change the response to swipes on the off screen to quickly start the camera or flashlight, which is indirectly related to the management of media content.

This section also includes keystroke vibration control, so if you take a lot of screenshots with buttons, the tactile response will help you feel the command's timing better without having to look at the screen, which improves accuracy and speed in blind mode.

Where are screenshots stored and how to share them

All images you create are automatically saved in the gallery. Redmi 6A uses the standard Gallery app, and inside it, there's a separate album called Screenshots, which allows you to separate the photos you take from the screenshots, keeping the media library in order.

For quick access to files through the file manager, the path usually looks like this: Internal Drive → MIUI → screenshot. Knowing this path, you can easily find the right image to transfer over Bluetooth or connect to a computer over USB. The files are PNG format, which ensures high quality lossless.

The system allows you to instantly share a picture after you've created it, and right after you've taken a screenshot and clicked on the thumbnail, you'll see a bar at the bottom of the screen that shows icons of popular apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, and others, eliminating the need to open the gallery and search for the file manually.

⚠️ Note: When transmitting screenshots containing sensitive information (passwords, SMS codes, personal correspondence), always check the contents of the image before sending it.

The solution: why the screenshot doesn't work

Sometimes users of Xiaomi Redmi 6A are faced with a situation where the usual methods stop working, most often the problem lies in overflowing RAM. When the system lacks resources, it can ignore the commands to create a screenshot, in which case it will help to close the background applications or simply restart the device.

Another reason is Do Not Disturb or Game Turbo, which in some configurations block screenshots from being taken to prevent accidental taps while playing or sleeping, and check the settings of these modes and allow screenshots.

Also, make sure that the phone has enough free memory, if the internal drive is full, the system will not be able to save the new file, and the command will be ignored, free up at least 100-200 MB of space to restore functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)