How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: all ways + life hacks for MIUI

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 remains one of the brand’s most popular smartphones years after its release — no wonder! Its powerful processor, 48MP camera, and MIUI firmware make it relevant to this day. But many users still don’t know all the ways to create screenshots on this device, and there are as many as five of them here, from classic to hidden features that are not even written in official manuals.

In this article, you will find not only standard button combinations, but also unique MIUI 12/13/14 chips that will make it easier to work with screenshots, from editing on the fly to automatically saving to the cloud. And we will also analyze common errors (for example, why screenshots are not saved) and give tips on how to optimize the process. Ready?

1. Classic method: power and volume buttons

The most versatile method that works on all Android devices, including the Redmi Note 8. It’s not complicated, but there are nuances that few people know about.

To take a screenshot:

1. Open the screen you want to capture (this can be a game, WhatsApp chat, or system settings).
2. At the same time, press the Power button (right) and the Volume Down button (left).
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the characteristic shutter sound of the camera and see the save animation.

⚠️ Note: If you press buttons longer than 3 seconds, your smartphone may interpret this as an attempt to turn off or reboot. Especially for users with cases - they sometimes interfere with the exact pressing.

The screen is unlocked and active|The finger does not close important elements.|The sound is not turned off (otherwise you will not hear confirmation)|No active gestures (such as swipe to return)-->

Where to look for a screenshot? By default, files are saved to the Pictures/Screenshots or DCIM/Screenshots folder (depending on the MIUI version) to quickly find them:

• 📁 Open the Files app (yellow folder icon).
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter a screenshot or screenshot.
• 🖼️ Use the filter by date if you have taken many pictures.

2. Three-finger gesture: quick screenshot without buttons

One of the most convenient features of MIUI is the ability to take screenshots with a simple swipe across the screen, which is especially useful if you have a broken power button or you often take pictures in games (where pressing physical keys can interfere with gameplay).

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
2. Activate the swipe switch with three fingers down.
3. (Optional) Set the gesture direction down or up.

Now to take a screenshot:

1. Place three fingers on the screen (usually index, middle and ring fingers).
2. Then, move them down (or up if you change the setting).
3. The screenshot is saved, and a quick edit panel will appear at the top of the screen.

💡 Lifehack: If the gesture doesn't work, check it out:

• 🧹 Screen cleanliness – greasy spots or glass protection can interfere with touch recognition.
• 👆 Speed of movement: Swipe should be sharp, but not too slow.
• 📱 Screen sensitivity: In the display settings, you can increase it if the sensor does not respond well.

⚠️ Note: On some custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS), the three-finger gesture may conflict with other features. MIUI Screenshots stopped working – reset your gesture settings in Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting gesture settings.

3. Screenshot via notification panel

Few people know, but Redmi Note 8 can take a screenshot in two taps — without pinching buttons or gestures — an ideal method for those who often take screenshots and want to speed up the process.

Instructions:

1. Turn the notification bar swipe from top to bottom.
2. Find the Screenshot button (usually located in the bottom row of fast settings next to the flashlight and flight mode).
3. Slip on it – the smartphone will immediately take a picture of the current screen.

If no button:

• 🔧 Click on the icon. ⚙️ Edit in the notification panel.
• 📱 Drag the screenshot button into the active area.
• 💾 Save the changes.

Advantages of this method:

• ⚡ Instant execution – no need to remember combinations.
• 🎯 Accuracy: Do not accidentally turn off your phone or start another action.
• 🔄 It works even if the screen is locked (but you need to unlock the device first).

💡

Add the screenshot button to the notification bar next to frequently used features (like near Wi-Fi or Bluetooth) to save time when you’re actively using it.

4.Voice assistant: screenshot on command

If you're too lazy to push buttons or make gestures, Xiaomi offers an even lazier way to do this: voice commands, which are especially useful for people with disabilities or when hands are busy.

How to set up:

1. Activate Xiaomi Voice Assistant in Settings → Apps → Voice Assistant.
2. Allow access to the microphone and enable offline Recognition (to make teams work without the internet).
3. Remember the key phrase: “OK Google” or “Hi Mi” (depending on the settings).

To take a screenshot of the voice:

1. Say, "Hi, Mi, take a screenshot" or "OK, Google, take a screenshot."
2. Wait 1-2 seconds – the smartphone will execute the command.

Limitations of the method:

🔊 Tip: If the voice assistant is often wrong, try retraining it to your voice in the settings:

1. Open Settings → Voice input → Voice learning.
2. Read the sentences 3-5 times.
3. Save the voice model.

5. Scrolling screenshot (long screenshot)

Did you know that Redmi Note 8 can take screenshots of entire web pages, chats or documents, a feature called Scrolling Screenshot and is available in standard MIUI tools.

How to take a long screenshot:

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the thumbnail appears in the lower right corner of the screen, tap it.
3. In the editor that opens, select the Scroll option (an icon with up and down arrows).
4. Wait until the smartphone automatically scrolls the page and connects the frames.
5. Press Ready to save the result.

Where it comes in handy:

• 📄 Keeping long articles or recipes online.
• 💬 Archiving correspondence in messengers (for example, Telegram or Viber).
• 📊 Fixing tables with data (for example, transaction history in a banking application).
• 🗺️ Preserve routes in maps (if you want to show the whole path).

⚠️ Note: Scrolling screenshots may not work in some applications with dynamic content (such as Instagram or TikTok.

6.Editing and managing screenshots

Taking a screenshot is only half the battle, and MIUI offers powerful tools for instant editing and organizing screenshots, and this is what you can do right after you create a screenshot.

Quick editing:

• ✏️ Pruning – remove excess items at the edges.
• 🎨 Drawing – Add arrows, text or drawings by hand.
• 🔍 Blurring – hide confidential information (phone numbers, passwords).
• 📌 Adding stickers — MIUI Offers a set of memes and emojis.

File management:

• 📂 Rename - a long tap on the file → Rename.
• 🗑️ Removing duplicates – there is a Cleanup tool in the Gallery app.
• ☁️ Upload to the Cloud – Enable in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization of photos.

🔄 Automation: To automatically save screenshots to the cloud or send them to the messenger:

1. Install the MacroDroid or Tasker app.
2. Create a rule: If → Screenshot taken. → Then → Send in Telegram/Download to Google Drive.
3. Set up exceptions (for example, do not send pictures from banking applications).

💡

Use the built-in MIUI editor to quickly edit screenshots – it opens immediately after the shot is created and allows you to crop, blur or add text without installing third-party apps.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even on a reliable device like the Redmi Note 8, screenshots can be difficult to get, and here are the most common bugs and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: Screenshots are not saved

• 📁 Check the free space on the device (you need at least 100 MB on the system partition).
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes helps reset the system cache.
• 🛠️ Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (save bugs were patched in 12.5.3 patches)+).

Problem 2: Three fingers are not working.

• ⚙️ Recheck the settings in Settings → Additional settings → Gestures.
• 🧹 Clear the Launcher app cache (settings) → applications → systemic).
• 📱 Check if the gesture is in conflict with other functions (e.g., double tapping to wake up).

Problem 3: Low quality screenshots

• 📸 In the camera settings, disable Social Media Optimization (may lower resolution).
• 🖥️ Check the screen resolution: Settings → Display. → Permission (should be) FHD+).
• 🔍 If the images are blurred, the power saving mode may be turned on (turn it off).

Problem 4: You can’t take a screenshot in the app

Some apps (e.g. Netflix, Banking) block screenshots for security reasons.

• 📱 Use screen recording (built-in function in Settings) → Screen. → Screen recording).
• 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC and take a picture via scrcpy or Vysor.
• 📸 Take a picture of the screen with another device (extreme case).

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi Note 8