Creating screenshots on smartphones Android 8.0 Oreo seems like a simple task - until you come across the nuances. This version of the operating system, released in 2017, is still used on millions of devices, from budget Samsung Galaxy J to flagships Huawei P10. But standard button combinations do not always work: manufacturers often redefine them to suit their shells (EMUI, MIUI, One UI), and on some models the screenshot gesture is completely disabled by default.

In this article you will find 5 proven methods take a screenshot on Android 8 - from the classic ones keyboard shortcuts to hidden functions and third-party applications. We'll also look at common mistakes (for example, why a screenshot isn't saved in the gallery) and give recommendations for specific brands. If your device “does not listen”, there is a solution.

1. Standard method: combination of buttons

The basic method that works on 90% of devices with Android 8.0 Oreo without additional settings is pressing physical buttons simultaneously. However, even here there are pitfalls: on some models Xiaomi or Meizu this combination may conflict with calling the voice assistant or the power menu.

Instructions:

  • 📱 Find the power button on the smartphone body (usually on the right) and the volume down button (left or right).
  • 🔘 At the same time hold down both buttons for 1-2 seconds.
  • 📸 You will hear the characteristic shutter sound (if the sound is not turned off) and see the animation of saving the screenshot.

The buttons do not stick and are pressed clearly|

The screen is not locked (unlock if necessary)|

The device has enough free memory (minimum 50 MB)|

The sound is not muted (to hear confirmation)

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If the screenshot does not work:

  • ⏱️ Try pressing the buttons with a delay of 0.5 seconds (first power, then volume).
  • 🔄 Reboot the device - sometimes system processes block the creation of screenshots.
  • 🛠️ Check whether applications are installed to block screenshots (for example, App Lock or corporate MDM solutions).
⚠️ Attention: On devices with non-standard button layout (for example, Google Pixel 2 or Sony Xperia XZ1) combination may vary. If you have a button Bixby (on Samsung), pressing it together with the power will call up the voice assistant, not a screenshot.

2. Alternative method: finger gesture (for EMUI, MIUI, Flyme shells)

Manufacturers like Huawei, Xiaomi and Meizu add unique gestures for screenshots to their shells. These methods are often more convenient than standard ones, especially if the physical buttons are worn out or faulty. For example, in EMUI 8.0 (installed on Huawei Mate 10 or P20) you can take a screenshot by simply tapping the screen with your knuckle.

Gesture activation (using example EMUI):

  1. Open Settings → Smart controls → Motion control.
  2. Find the option Screenshot with a knuckle and turn it on.
  3. Tap with two knuckles on the screen at the same time (as if on a table).
Brand/Shell Gesture for screenshot Where enable
Huawei (EMUI 8.0) Double tap with knuckle Settings → Smart controls → Motion controls
Xiaomi (MIUI 9/10) Three-finger swipe down Settings → Advanced → Buttons and gestures
Meizu (Flyme 7) Double press the button Home Settings → Convenience → Gestures
Samsung (One UI based on Android 8) Swipe the screen with your palm Settings → Additional features → Movements and gestures

If the gesture does not work:

  • 🧹 Make sure there are no greasy spots or protection on the screen (they interfere with touch recognition).
  • 🔧 Restart the system application Launche (via Settings → Applications finger Settings → Applications).
  • 📱 On some Xiaomi required three fingers, not two - check in the gesture settings.

Standard buttons|

Gestures (knuckle/swipe)|

Application side|

Voice assistant (OK Google, Bixby)

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3. Screenshot through the notification panel (for pure Android and some shells)

Few people know, but Android 8.0 Oreo there is an opportunity to take screenshots through quick settings panelThis method is especially useful if the physical buttons are broken or difficult to press at the same time. However, not all manufacturers leave this function in their shells - for example, on Samsung it is not there by default.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Open the screen you want to screenshot.
  2. Swipe your finger top to bottomto open the notification panel.
  3. Swipe down again to expand quick settings full.
  4. Find the button Screenshot (usually next to Mode in airplane or Flashlight). If it is not there, click on the icon ⚙️ Edit and add it manually.
  5. Press the button Screenshot —the screen will blink and the image will be saved.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with shells MIUI or ColorOS the screenshot button in the notification panel may be missing. In this case, use gestures (section 2) or third-party applications (section 5).

If the button the screenshot is not displayed:

  • 🔄 Reboot the device - sometimes system icons are reset.
  • 📲 Update the firmware: in some builds of Android 8.0 this function is disabled by default.
  • 🛠️ Install an alternative notification panel (for example, Power Shade from Google Play).
💡

If you often need screenshots, pin the button Screenshot in the first line of the quick settings panel. So it will always be at hand without unnecessary swipes.

4. Voice commands: OK Google and Bixby

You can take a screenshot on Android 8.0 with the help of voice assistants. This method is suitable for situations when your hands are busy or the buttons do not work: Google Assistant requires an Internet connection. and Bixby available only on devices Samsung.

Instructions for Google Assistant:

  1. Activate the assistant with command Okay, Google or holding down the button Home.
  2. Say: Take a screenshot or Take a photo of the screen.
  3. Confirm the action (if required).

Instructions for Bixby (on Samsung Galaxy S8, Note 8 etc.):

  1. Press and hold the button Bixby (to the left of volume buttons).
  2. Say: Take a screenshot or Save screenshot (in English).
  3. Wait for sound confirmation.

Method limitations:

  • 🌐 Google Assistant requires an active Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
  • 🔇 Voice commands do not work in Do not disturb or when disabled microphone.
  • 📵 On some firmware (for example, custom), the voice screenshot may be blocked.
Why doesn't the voice assistant take a screenshot?

If Google Assistant refuses to execute the command, check:

1. Assistant language —it must match the system language (for example, Russian for the command “Okay, Google”)

2. Permissions — Settings → Applications → Google → Permissions must have access to microphone and storage.

3. Updates — An outdated version of the application Google may not support this feature. Update it in the Play Market.

5. Third-party applications: when standard methods do not work

If none of the above methods worked, third-party utilities will come to the rescue. They are especially relevant for:

  • 📱 Devices with faulty buttons (for example, the power button is stuck).
  • 🔒 Smartphones with corporate policiesblocking screenshots.
  • 🎮 Gamers who need long screenshots (scrolling pages).

Top 3 applications for screenshots on Android 8.0:

Application Features Link (Play Market)
Screenshot Easy Gestures, timer, screenshot editor com.icecoldapps.screenshot
Super Screenshot Long screenshots, screen recording com.tylerjroach.superscreenshot
Screen Master No root access, support Android 8.0 com.appstar.screenmaster

How to install and configure (for example Screenshot Easy):

  1. Download the application from Play Market.
  2. Open it and grant permissions to Overlay on top of other applications and Storage.
  3. Select activation method:
    • 🔘 Floating button (appears on top of all windows).
    • 🖐️ Gesture (shaking the device or swiping the screen).
    • ⏱️ Timer (delay 3-10 seconds).
  • Take a test screenshot to check the settings.
    • ⚠️ Attention: Some applications (for example Super Screenshot) require disabling battery optimization for stable operation. Do this by Settings → Battery → Battery optimization → All applications.
    💡

    The application side is the only way to make long screenshot (scrollable page) on Android 8.0 without root access. Standard system tools cannot do this.

    6. Solving problems: the screenshot is not saved, black screen, errors

    Even if you did everything correctly, the screenshot may not be saved or turn out black. Here are the most common problems and their solutions:

    Problem Possible cause Solution
    The screenshot is not saved in the gallery There is not enough space on the device or the folder is damaged Pictures/Screenshots.
    1. Clear 100-200 MB memory.
    2. Reboot your device.
    3. Use a file manager (for example, FX File Explorer) to manually create a folder Screenshots to Pictures.
    Black screenshot Conflict with an application that blocks screen recording (for example, banking applications or DRM protection in Netflix).
    1. Close all applications with protection (for example, Sberbank Online).
    2. Disable Protection against screenshots in the application settings (if any).
    3. Use third-party software (section 5).
    Buttons do not respond Hardware malfunction of the buttons or a conflict with the case.
    1. Remove case and try again.
    2. Check the buttons for functionality in Settings → System → Gestures (button test).
    3. Use gestures or voice commands.
    The screenshot is saved in low quality Image compression by the system or shell.
    1. Open the screenshot in Google Photos and export in original quality.
    2. Use applications like Screenshot Easy with quality settings.

    If none of the methods helped:

    • 🔧 Reset the system to factory settings (back up your data first!).
    • 📲 Update firmware via Settings → System → Software update.
    • 🛠️ Contact the service center - the problem may be hardware (for example, the screen cable is damaged).
    ⚠️ On some devices (for example, Huawei c EMUI 8.0) screenshots are blocked in applications with DRM protection (for example, Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video). This is a system limitation, and it is impossible to bypass it without root access.

    7. screenshots and how to manage them

    By default, screenshots on Android 8.0 are saved in the folder Pictures/Screenshots or DCIM/Screenshots. However, manufacturers sometimes change the path - for example, on Xiaomi they can be located. in MIUI/ScreenCapture. To quickly find screenshots:

    Search methods:

    • 🔍 Open Gallery and select an album Screenshots (usually created automatically).
    • 📁 Use a file manager (for example, Total Commander) and follow the path /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots.
    • 🌐 If screenshots are synchronized with Google Photos, find them in the web version by request type:screenshot.

    How to manage screenshots:

    • 🗑️ Delete: hold your finger on the screenshot in the gallery and select Delete.
    • ✏️ Editing: use the built-in editor (in the gallery) or third-party applications like Snapseed.
    • 📤 Share: click Share and select messenger or cloud (Google Drive, Telegram).
    • 🔄 Automatic sorting: to Google Photos Enable the creation of albums by dates (Settings → Grouping).

    If screenshots take up too much space:

    • 🗃️ Archive old screenshots in ZIP (use RAR for Android).
    • ☁️ Upload them to the cloud (Yandex.Disk or Google Photos) and delete local copies.
    • 🔍 Regularly clean the folder Screenshots using Files by Google (automatic cleaning).
      • 💡

      To ensure that screenshots are not lost when you reset your phone, enable their automatic uploading to Google Photos. To do this, open the application, go to Settings → Backup and synchronization and activate the option.

      FAQ: Frequently asked questions about screenshots on Android 8.0

      Is it possible to take a screenshot on a locked screen?

      No, on Android 8.0 screenshots of a locked screen are not possible without root access. This is a security limitation - the system blocks access to the lock screen to prevent data leakage (for example, notifications).

      Workaround: Unlock your device, then take a screenshot in the standard way. If you need to screenshot the lock screen (for example, with wallpaper), use another device to take a photo.

      How to take a screenshot of a scrolling page (long screenshot)?

      Standard Android 8.0 tools do not support long ones screenshots. You will need a third-party application:

      1. Install LongShot or Super Screenshot from the Play Market.
      2. Open the page you want to screenshot.
      3. Launch the application and select mode Scroll Capture.
      4. Scroll the page manually - the application will automatically merge the parts into one image.

      Limitation: on some sites (for example, with endless scrolling) this method is unstable.

      Why are screenshots saved in .png format and not .jpg?

      Android by default saves screenshots in PNGformat because:

      • 🖼️ PNG supports transparency (useful for editing).
      • 📊 Image quality is higher than JPG, especially for text and graphics.
      • 📱 The file size is smaller when saving screenshots with solid-color areas (for example, white background).

      If you need JPG, convert screenshots using Google Photos (when exporting) or applications like Image Converter.

      Is it possible to change the folder where screenshots are saved?

      In pure Android 8.0 the saving path is hardcoded (Pictures/Screenshots), and you cannot change it without root access. However, there are workarounds:

      • 📁 Use applications like Screenshot Easy, where you can select your folder.
      • ☁️ Set up automatic uploading of screenshots to the cloud (for example, Google Photos), and then delete local copies.
      • 🔧 Create a symbolic link (requires root or ADB).

      On devices with skins (for example EMUI) sometimes there is an option to select a folder in the settings screenshots.

      How to take a screenshot on Android 8.0 without buttons (if they are broken)?

      If physical buttons do not work, use one of these methods:

      1. Gestures: enable it in the shell settings (section 2).
      2. Voice commands: Okay, Google, take a screenshot (section 4).
      3. Application side: Screenshot Easy or Screen Master with a floating button (section 5).
      4. ADB: Connect the phone to the PC and run the command: 
        adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png

        (requires USB debugging enabled).

      If the screen also does not work, connect the device to the PC and use apps like Vysor or Scrcpy to control and create screenshots.