Screenshot of Xiaomi Mi 9: all ways + problem solving

Why screenshots on Xiaomi Mi 9 are not as easy as it seems

Xiaomi Mi 9 is still one of the most popular flagships of the brand, but its screenshot management system can baffle even experienced users. It’s all about the combination of hardware features and the proprietary shell MIUI, which is regularly updated. If new Xiaomi models just swipe across the screen, then everything depends on the version of the firmware and gesture settings.

Many Mi 9 owners are faced with the fact that the standard combination of buttons Volume down + Power does not always work — especially if the phone in the case or buttons are worn out. and alternative methods (for example, through the notification panel) can suddenly disappear after an update. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, including the hidden chips of MIUI 14, and explain why sometimes screenshots are saved to the wrong folder.

If you have custom firmware installed (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), some methods may not work, in which case you can immediately go to the section on alternative applications.

Method 1: Classic button combination (works 99% of the time)

This is a basic method that is laid down at the Android level and should work regardless of the version of MIUI. However, on the Xiaomi Mi 9 there are nuances:

• 🔘 Press the Power Button (right) and Volume Down (left) at the same time).
• ⏱️ Hold them 1–1.5 seconds – if you clamp for longer, turn off / reboot will work.
• 📸 You will hear the shutter sound (if not turned off) and see the save animation in the upper right corner.

If the screenshot didn't work out:

⚠️ Attention: The Mi 9 with worn buttons often only works with one press. Try not to press at the same time, but with a microscopic delay (power first, after 0.1 seconds - volume).

Method 2: Three-toed swipe gesture (fastest, but requires customization)

This method appeared in MIUI 10 and has since become a favorite among Xiaomi users, but by default it is disabled on many firmware, including the Mi 9 with factory settings.

How to turn on:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Screenshot button (or Settings → Screen → Screenshots in new versions).
2. Activate the swipe switch with three fingers.
3. Choose the direction of the swipe: down (recommended) or up.

How to use:

• 👆 Swipe three fingers across the screen from top to bottom (or bottom to top if you have set it differently).
• 🎯 The gesture should be straight-lined – diagonal swipes do not work.
• 🔄 If you do not succeed, try to change the speed of movement (on some firmware only a fast swipe works).

💡

If the gesture conflicts with other functions (such as unlocking a fingerprint), turn it off in the settings and use alternative methods.

MIUI 14 has a Long Screenshot option to activate:

1. Take a regular screenshot of any method.
2. Immediately after the miniature appears in the upper right corner, tap on it.
3. Select Scroll (Icon with arrows down).

Method 3: Quick settings panel (if the buttons are broken)

This is a backup method for cases where hardware buttons don't work or a gesture fails to work, minus requiring two actions instead of one.

Instructions:

1. Open the notification panel (swipe from top to bottom).
2. Find the screenshot icon (usually in the front row) if it's not there:

Slip on the icon - the screenshot will be taken in 1-2 seconds.

On some firmware, the panel may look different:

⚠️ Attention: On Mi 9s MIUI 11 or lower, the panel can hang when you take a screenshot. If the screen turns black for a second, that's okay, just wait.

Method 4: Voice assistant (for those who like to control their voice)

If you have Google Assistant enabled or Xiao AI enabled, you can take voice screenshots, which is convenient when hands are busy or buttons are not available.

For Google Assistant:

1. Say, OK, Google, take a screenshot.
2. Confirm the action (if required).

For Xiao AI (Chinese firmware or global with installed assistant):

1. Activate the assistant with a long hold of the Home button (if configured).
2. In Chinese or English, say, Take a screenshot.

💡

Voice screenshots are saved to the same folder as normal ones, but may have a different format (e.g.,.png instead of.jpg).

Method 5: Alternative applications (if nothing works)

If standard methods fail to work (for example, after a failed update or reset), third-party utilities will come to the rescue.

How to set up Screenshot Easy (Step-by-step):

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Tap on. ⚙️ Settings → Capture method.
3. Select Availability Service and follow the instructions on the screen.
4. Return to the app and activate the Floating Button.

On the Xiaomi Mi 9 with MIUI 14, apps require additional “Master over Other Windows” permission.

Problem Solving: Screenshots are not saved, black screen, errors

Even if you did everything right, you can get a failure.-5 problems and solutions:

1. Screenshots are saved in black

Reason: conflict with the Dark Theme or Energy Saving.

• 🌓 Turn off the dark theme in Settings → Screen. → Dark subject.
• 🔋 Enable High Performance Mode in Battery Settings.

2 Files do not appear in the gallery

The default folder with screenshots is /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/.

• 📁 Check the folder through Explorer (for example, Mi File Manager).
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the media scanner doesn’t update the database.
• 🛠️ If the folder is empty, check the save settings in Settings → Warehouse → Default folders.

3.The three-toed swipe does not work after the update

This is a common MIUI error.

1. Reset gesture settings: Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset gesture settings.
2. Reboot the phone.
3. Turn on the swipe again (see Method 2).

4. Screenshots are taken with a delay

The blame lies on the window animation:

• 🐢 Open the Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode).
• Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• Set the window animation scale and the animation scale to go off.

5. Apps block screenshots (banks, games)

Some programs (e.g. Sberbank Online or PUBG Mobile) prohibit screenshots for security reasons.

• 📱 Use the second user account (configure in Settings) → Users).
• 🎮 The game will be suitable for recording the screen with the subsequent frame (in MIUI It has a built-in recorder).

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi Mi 9