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

Xiaomi Mi 9 is the flagship of 2019, which still remains relevant thanks to the powerful hardware and support for the latest versions of MIUI. But even experienced users sometimes get confused how to take a screenshot on this smartphone: standard button combinations do not always work due to customized firmware, and gesture controls in different versions of MIUI work differently.

In this article, we will explore all possible ways to create screenshots on the Mi 9, from classic to hidden features, and explain why sometimes the screen is not saved in the gallery. MIUI 12+: Automatic screenshots when scrolling long pages (Scrolling Screenshot feature), which many users accidentally disable.

If you are using the Mi 9 SE or Mi 9T, the manual is suitable for these models, as they are built on the same Snapdragon 855/730 platform and run similar versions of MIUI. And owners of devices with global firmware will come in handy tips for customizing gestures, which are often different from the Chinese version.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most reliable method that works on all versions of MIUI is 10 to 14, which works even if the gesture controls are disabled or the touch screen is glitchy.

• 🔘 Power button (right) + volume-reduce button (left).
• 🕒 Hold 1-2 seconds until the screenshot animation (white flash) and shutter sound appear.
• 📁 The finished image is saved in the folder DCIM → Screenshots or Pictures → Screenshots.

⚠️ Note: If you have a magnetic lock case installed (such as the original Xiaomi Smart Cover), the power button may be blocked:

1. Remove the cover or bend it away from the top edge.
2. Try pressing the combination with a small delay: first the volume button, then the power.

On the Mi 9 with MIUI 12.5+, a quick action panel appears at the bottom of the screen after taking a screenshot.

• 🖋️ Edit a screenshot (stripping, drawing, adding text).
• 📤 Share directly in messengers or the cloud.
• 🗑️ Delete if done accidentally.

2. Gesture method: three-finger conduction

The three-toed screenshot feature appeared in MIUI 10 and works on all subsequent versions, which is convenient when it is difficult to reach the buttons with one hand (for example, on the large screen Mi 9 with a diagonal of 6.39).

How to turn on:

1. Open Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
2. Find the screenshot point with a three-finger gesture and activate the switch.
3. Test: Swipe down the screen with three fingers at the same time (not necessarily vertically, a small angle is allowed).

🔹 Frequent errors:

• 👆 The gesture does not work if the fingers are too far apart (maximum distance is 2-3 cm).
• 🚫 Does not work in some games and applications with gesture blocking (for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).
• ⚡ Nana MIUI 14 gesture may conflict with Part Screen function, in which case, turn it off in Settings → Special facilities.

Is the three-toed gesture enabled in the settings? |Fingers are close together? |No conflicts with other gestures? |The screen is not blocked by the app-->

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI The gesture stopped working, reset the gesture settings:

1. Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings.
2. Select Reset gesture settings (does not affect application data).

3. Screenshot via notification panel

A lesser known, but no less effective, way is to use a button in the notification curtain, which is especially useful if the physical buttons of the smartphone are worn out or you prefer not to remember the combinations.

Instructions:

1. Deploy the notification panel (swipe from top to bottom from the top edge of the screen).
2. Find a Screenshot icon (usually a scissor or a zipper rectangle) if it's not there, click on Edit (pencil) and add it to the active buttons.
3. Slip the icon - the screenshot will be taken in 1-2 seconds.

🔹 Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ It works with one hand.
• 🔄 You can take a screenshot of any screen, including lock (unless configured). PIN/password).
• 📱 No need to remember button combinations.

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS) may not have a screenshot button in the curtain.

4. Voice assistant Google or Xiao AI

If you need to take a screenshot without touching the screen (e.g., hands are busy or the sensor is not working), use voice commands. There are two options available on the Mi 9:

🔹 How to set up Xiao AI screenshot:

1. Open the Xiao AI app (Micphone icon).
2. Go to Settings → Voice commands → Add a command.
3. Create a phrase (e.g., “Screenshot”) and link it to the action Take a screenshot.

⚠️ Note: Voice screenshots may not work in restricted applications (banking programs, some games). ADB-method.

5. Advanced features: Scrolling screenshot

One of the most useful features of MIUI is the ability to take a screenshot of an entire web page or a long chat (for example, on Telegram or WhatsApp), a feature called Scrolling Screenshot and is available on the Mi 9 with MIUI 11+.

How to use:

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the editing panel appears, click on the Scroll button (the icon with two arrows down).
3. Wait for the system to automatically scroll through the screen and connect the pieces into a single image.
4. Press Ready to save the result.

🔹 Limitations:

• 🌐 It doesn’t work in some browsers (e.g. Firefox Focus).
• 📱 Maximum screenshot length – up to 10 screens (depending on the application).
• ⚡ Can slow down on weak sites with dynamic loading (for example, Instagram or TikTok).

💡

If Scrolling Screenshot is gone after the MIUI update, try clearing the Screenshots app cache (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Screenshots → Clear the cache).

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14 Scrolling screenshot function sometimes conflicts with dark theme. If the screen is kept black, temporarily switch to light theme in Settings → Display. → Dark subject.

6. Problem Solving: Screenshot is not saved

Sometimes screenshots on the Mi 9 are not saved in the gallery or there is an error "Can not take a screenshot." Let's consider the main reasons and ways to fix them:

🔹 Additional advice:

• 🔄 If screenshots are missing from the gallery, check the.thumbnails folder in the root directory - sometimes thumbnails are saved separately.
• 🛠️ Use DiskDigger or Recuva to recover deleted screenshots (root rights required).
• 📥 If screenshots are saved in low resolution, turn off the option to Compress Screenshots in Settings → Additionally. → Optimization.

7. Alternative applications for screenshots

If standard methods don’t work or you need advanced features (like screen recording), install one of these apps:

• 📸 Screenshot Touch – adds a floating button for a quick screenshot, works on top of any applications.
• 🎥 AZ Screen Recorder – in addition to screenshots, can record video from the screen without root.
• 🖼️ Super Screenshot – Supports scrolling screenshots even in the MIUI 10.
• 🔧 Button Mapper – allows you to assign a screenshot to double press the power or volume button.

⚠️ Note: Screenshot applications may conflict with MIUI Optimization is an integrated service that blocks background activity:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the installed app for screenshots.
3. Enable Auto Start for it and No Battery Restrictions.

🔹 Comparison of applications:

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi Mi 9