Smartphones have become an integral part of our digital lives, and Xiaomi Redmi 8 is no exception to this rule. Often, when using a device, there is an urgent need to save visual information displayed on the display. This can be correspondence in the messenger, an application error, a screenshot of a bank transaction or just a funny meme that you want to share with friends. Understanding how to correctly and quickly capture an image from the screen is a basic skill for any gadget owner.
With MIUI, which is installed on Redmi 8, developers have come up with many different ways to do this. You can use physical buttons, handy gestures on the screen, or even voice commands. Each method has its own advantages and is suitable for different use cases. For example, if the buttons on the body are damaged, you can always resort to alternative options, which we will discuss in detail in this article.
This guide is designed to cover all the possible nuances of screenshots. We will discuss standard algorithms for actions, cut-off menu settings and how to edit the images received. Also, we will focus on solving common problems when the device does not respond to commands. Redmi 8 uses the standard Android 9.0 shell MIUI 11, where screen capture mechanisms work through the system service Screenshot. This knowledge will help you better navigate the processes that take place inside the smartphone.
Using a combination of physical buttons
The most common and time-tested method that Android users have known for many years is to press control buttons simultaneously. On Xiaomi Redmi 8, this feature is built into the kernel level and works even when the touch screen temporarily does not respond or freezes.
The power button is on the right side of the device, and the volume rocker is on the left. To take a picture, you have to press them almost simultaneously. It's not just about pressing them, it's about pressing them for a short time. If you hold the buttons too long, the phone can perceive this as a command to call the emergency call menu or turn off the device.
- 📱 Place your right thumb on the switch button and your left hand finger on the volume button.
- ⚡ Make a quick and clear click with both buttons at the same time.
- 🔊 You will hear the characteristic sound of the camera shutter and the screen will blink.
- ✅ In the upper corner will appear a notification about the creation of a screenshot.
Once you've successfully manipulated it, you'll see a thumbnail at the top of the screen, and if you don't do anything within a few seconds, it'll disappear, and the image will be saved in the gallery, but if you click on the thumbnail right away, you'll see an editing menu where you can take a long screenshot or apply filters, which is considered the most reliable way to go in an emergency.
⚠️ Warning: Do not exert excessive physical force when pressing buttons. The swing mechanism on the Redmi 8 is sensitive enough that strong pressure can lead to sticking or damage to the contacts.
Setup and use of the cut-off menu
The MIUI shell offers a unique tool called Cut-off Menu (or Screenshot Curtain) that appears immediately after you take a screenshot by any means, and allows you to instantly perform additional actions without having to open a gallery. For many Xiaomi Redmi 8 users, this method becomes the main one because of its high efficiency.
To activate this feature, you need to go to the system settings. Find the Advanced Settings section, then select Screenshot. Here you will see the cut-off menu switch. Make sure it's on. If the slider is on blue, it means that the function is active and ready to go. In the same menu, you can set the format for saving images.
☑️ Checking the screenshot settings
Once you have a screenshot and a floating window, you have access to a few important options: You can immediately send a file to the messenger, edit it, or scroll down to create a panoramic image. A long screenshot is especially useful when saving correspondence or web pages that do not fit on a single screen.
Using the cut-off menu makes the workflow much faster, so you don't have to look for the Gallery app every time to trim the edges or draw an arrow on an image. All the basic editing tools are available in a single click, making Redmi 8 a handy tool not only for communication, but also for creating instructions or reports.
Screenshots with three finger gestures
For those who are uncomfortable reaching for buttons on the edges or who prefer one-handed control, the Xiaomi Redmi 8 features a gesture screenshot feature. This method requires pre-activation in the settings, since it can be disabled by default to save sensor resources. The mechanics are simple: you swipe three fingers from top to bottom on the screen.
To enable this option, go to Settings → Settings → Screenshot. Find “Three-fingered shot” and activate it. The system will then track three-fingered touches. It’s worth noting that the sensor sensitivity on the Redmi 8 is quite high, so the gesture works quickly and clearly.
- 🖐️ Place three fingers (such as thumb, index and middle) at the top of the screen.
- 👇 Smoothly swipe them down to the middle of the display.
- 📸 The screen blinks, confirming the successful creation of the image.
- 🛠️ There will be a standard cut-off menu for further action.
Gestures are especially useful when the phone is lying on the table or you hold it in one hand and the other hand is busy, but be careful: accidentally swiping three fingers while playing or watching a video can lead to an inadvertent screenshot. If you are annoyed, you can temporarily turn off the feature in the same settings menu.
⚠️ Note: A three-finger gesture may conflict with the functions of some applications that also use multi-touch gestures. If a specific program does not create a screenshot, try using a button combination.
Voice Control and Google Assistant
Modern technology allows you to control your smartphone without touching using voice commands. The Xiaomi Redmi 8 has a Google Assistant preinstalled, which is perfectly integrated with the system. This is ideal in situations where your hands are busy or dirty, and you can't touch the screen or buttons.
To activate the assistant, just say the phrase “OK, Google” (if the function is activated in the settings), or simply press the home button (if the navigation is done with buttons) or swipe from the lower corner (when navigating with gestures). After activation, clearly say the command “Take a screenshot” or “Screenshot of the screen.” The system will instantly execute the request.
Why can't the assistant hear the command?
The advantage of voice is that it's versatile, so you don't have to memorize button combinations or train gesture accuracy, you just have to know the right voice command, and that makes the process of taking screenshots accessible even to people with limited hand motor skills, which is important for the accessibility of the interface.
And you can also send the screenshot to the contact right away, through the Assistant, and say, "Take a screenshot and send Petra to WhatsApp," and the system will create an image and open a dialogue with the contact, where you just press the send button, and this is an example of how Redmi 8 can act as a smart assistant, not just a display device.
Long screenshot and panoramic scrolling
One of the most popular features in MIUI is the ability to create long screenshots, which allows you to capture the content of a web page, document or correspondence that does not fit on a single screen. On Xiaomi Redmi 8, this process is very convenient and does not require the installation of third-party applications.
First, take a regular screenshot in any convenient way (buttons or gestures). When the cut-off menu appears, find an icon that resembles a scroll or a piece of paper with a down arrow, and click on it. The screen automatically scrolls down, capturing a new portion of the image, you can stop the process at any time by touching the screen, or wait for the end of the page.
| Parameter | Description | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum height | Depends on screen resolution. | No more than 5-6 screens in a row |
| File format | JPG or PNG | PNG takes more space |
| Editing | Available after creation | You can't cut in the process. |
| Annexes | Works in browsers and notes | Doesn't work in some games |
It's important to understand that the long screenshot function doesn't work in all applications, for example, in secure applications in banks or in some games with a vertical orientation, the scrolling can be blocked by the security system, in which case you won't be able to take a panoramic shot, and you'll have to settle for a standard frame.
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If a long screenshot is blurred or with artifacts, try zooming in the screen settings ("Element Size") to fit more information per frame.
Where to store and how to edit screenshots
Once you have taken a picture, the system automatically stores it in the device's internal memory. By default, all images are sent to a special folder that syncs with the cloud if the corresponding function is enabled. You can find the file through the standard Gallery application or through the file manager.
The path to the folder is usually as follows: Internal memory → DCIM → Screenshots. In some versions of the firmware, the folder may simply be called "Screenshots" at the root of the internal memory. USB-cable, you can quickly copy files to your hard drive for archiving.
- 📂 Open the Gallery app on the home screen.
- 🖼️ Go to the tab "Albums».
- 📸 Find a folder called “Screenshots».
- ✂️ Click on the image to edit or delete.
The built-in image editor on Redmi 8 has a wide range of features: you can cut edges, overlay text, draw arrows and shapes, blur sensitive data (such as card numbers) and apply filters. All changes are saved as a copy, the original remains unchanged, which is an important data security feature.
Solution and troubleshooting
Despite the stability of the Xiaomi Redmi 8, users may encounter situations where a screenshot is not created.This can be caused by a software failure, lack of free memory or application conflict. If the screen flashes but the file is not saved, first check the free space in the storage.
Sometimes the problem lies in the app you're trying to take a picture in, banking apps, browser incognito modes, and some streaming services block screenshots from being taken at the Android level for security reasons, in which case you'll see a black screen instead of an image or receive a ban notice.
⚠️ Note: If screenshots are no longer created in all applications at once, try restarting the device. In rare cases, cleaning the cache of the system application Screenshot through the Apps menu in the settings helps.
Also worth checking is the application resolution settings. Make sure the system has memory rights. If you use third-party launchers or themes, they can also interfere with standard processes. Going back to a standard theme often solves the problem of incorrect gestures.
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In most cases, screenshot problems on Redmi 8 are solved by simply restarting or checking the free space in the device’s memory.