How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi 9: all ways + problem solving

Xiaomi 9 (including Mi 9, Mi 9 SE, Mi 9T and Redmi Note 9) are some of the brand’s most popular smartphones, but their MIUI interface is regularly updated, and with it, the combinations for creating screenshots change. If you are used to the standard Power + Volume Down, but on your model it does not work – do not rush to blame the hardware button.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to take a screenshot on Xiaomi. 9 (including hidden chips MIUI 12/13/14), We'll explain why sometimes screenshots don't save, and we'll show you how to set up automatic screenshots for games or long pages. POCO X3 Or another model based on Mi. 9 — The instructions are also suitable for her.

1. Standard method: power and volume buttons

The classic Power combination (on/off) + Volume Down (shrink volume) works on all Xiaomi 9 smartphones, regardless of the MIUI version.

• 🔋 On Mi. 9/9T s AMOLED-The button screen needs to be pressed on 0.5–1 If you press too fast, only the lock will work.
• 🔊 On the Redmi Note 9 (and some firmware) MIUI 12.5+) After the screenshot, a thumbnail will appear in the lower right corner – tap it to edit or share.
• ⚡ If the combination does not work, check if the hardware buttons in Settings are disabled. → Special facilities → Power button completes call.

What do you do if the buttons are broken? Move to the next section, and there are ways without the physical keys.

2. Screenshot by gesture (no buttons)

MIUI supports a hidden gesture for screenshots — swipe down the screen with a three-finger swipe. This method works on all Xiaomi 9 models, but it must be enabled manually:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
2. Activate the swipe switch down with three fingers.
3. (Optional) Enable a Long Screenshot to scroll through the pages.

On the Redmi Note 9 Pro with MIUI 13+, this gesture can conflict with the return gesture – if a screenshot fails, turn off Full-screen gestures in the screen settings.

Swipe must be strictly vertical |Finger should not touch the edges of the screen |Gest only works on the home screen and in applications (not in the recovery menu) |Some firmwares need to pre-unlock the screen

-->

⚠️ Warning: If you have a glass case or protective film with an oleophobic coating, the gesture may fail due to poor touch recognition. Try swiping your fingers with great effort or removing the case.

3. Screenshot via notification panel

The most reliable way if buttons or gestures do not work:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the Screenshot icon (scissors or a rectangle with lightning).
3. Slip it on it - the picture will be saved in the gallery.

If the badge is not:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Notification panel → Order of badges.
• 🔍 Find the screenshot in the list and drag it to the active area.
• 📱 On some firmware MIUI 14 icon hidden - include it in Settings → Additionally. → Quick setups.

💡

If the notification bar does not open with a swipe, try swiping twice from the top edge – this is a forced gesture for troubled firmware.

4. Voice assistant for screenshots

On Xiaomi 9 with MIUI 12+, you can take voice screenshots via Google Assistant or XiaoAI (XiaoAI built-in assistant).

Method 1: Google Assistant

Say it:

Okay, Google, take a screenshot.

Or (in English):

Hey Google, take a screenshot

Method 2: XiaoAI (China/Global Firmware only)

Activate the assistant with a long hold of the Home button (or swipe from the bottom edge on MIUI 13+) and say:

(Pronounced "Xiao Ai Tungsue, Tsetu").

⚠️ Note: Voice commands only work when connected to the Internet. On the Redmi Note 9 with custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience), this method may not work due to the lack of Google services.

5. Screenshots in games and applications

If you need to take a screenshot in a game (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile) or a screenshot-blocking app (Banking apps, Netflix), standard methods won't work. Here are workarounds:

For advanced users: if you need to take a screenshot without root rights, connect your smartphone to your PC and follow the command:

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png

The file will be saved in the root folder of the device.

6. Screenshot applications: when standard methods don't work

If none of the above methods worked, install a third-party app.The best options for Xiaomi 9:

• 📸 Screenshot Easy – Supports scroll, edit and cloud storage.
• 🎮 Screen Master – specializes in video and gaming.
• 🔄 LongShot – for long screenshots (e.g. chats in Telegram).
• 🛠️ ADB AppControl – for screenshots through ADB PCless.

⚠️ Note: Screenshot applications require permissions to Overlay over other windows and access storage. MIUI 14 Some Features May Be Restricted Due to Xiaomi's Security Policy.

💡

The app side is the only way to take a screenshot in Snapchat, Tinder and other screenshot-protected apps.

7 Where screenshots are stored and how to find them

By default, screenshots on Xiaomi 9 are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

But there are nuances:

• 📁 Nana MIUI 12.5+ Screenshots are also duplicated in the gallery → Albums. → Screenshots.
• 🔍 If the folder is empty, check the settings. → Warehouse → Files. → Categories → Images.
• ☁️ When synchronized with Mi Cloud, screenshots are automatically uploaded to the cloud (you can turn off Settings). → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization).

If screenshots are not saved:

1. Check the available space on the device (needs a minimum of 500 MB).
2. Turn off battery optimization for the Gallery app.
3. Reset Media Storage Permits to Settings → Apps → Permissions Management.

8 Problem Solving: Screenshot not taken

If neither method works, the reasons may be as follows:

🔧 Extreme method: If screenshots stop working after update MIUI, perform resetting (without data loss):

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset all settings (not Reset to factory!).
3. After rebooting, check the screenshots.

💡

If the reset didn’t work, try to retrace the previous version of MIUI via Fastboot. Instructions are available on the 4PDA forum in your model’s theme.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi 9