How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: all working ways

Xiaomi Redmi 9A remains one of the most popular budget smartphones even in 2026, but many users still face difficulties in creating screenshots. Unlike flagship models, there is no gesture “triple touch”, but there are classic methods and hidden chips MIUI. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods – from standard button combinations to little-known functions in settings.

The Redmi 9A is a feature that runs on pure Android Go with a MIUI shell (versions 12-14 depending on the updates), which means that some of the methods that are familiar to other Xiaomis may not work here or not. For example, the “swipe three fingers down” gesture is disabled by default – it needs to be activated manually, we will show you how to do this, and also tell you where the screenshots are saved and why they sometimes “disappear”.

Method 1: Classic button combination (always working)

The most reliable method that is guaranteed to work on any Redmi 9A — regardless of the firmware version or settings.

1. Open the screen you want to capture (for example, a dialog in the messenger or a page in the browser).
2. At the same time, press the power button (right) and the volume reduction button (top left).
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the sound of the camera shutter and see the animation of the screenshot.

⚠️ Note: If you press the buttons too long (more than 3 seconds), the smartphone may perceive this as an attempt to call a Fastboot or reboot).

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If you have a case with high sides, try to press the buttons not with your finger pads, but with your nails - it is easier to get exactly.

Where to look for a finished screenshot?

• 📁 In the Gallery: Open the Gallery app → Screenshots folder (or Screenshots).
• 🔍 File Manager: Internal Memory → Pictures → Screenshots.
• 📌 In the notification panel: immediately after creating the screenshot, a thumbnail will appear - tap it for quick editing or sending.

Method 2: Three-finger swipe gesture (must be included)

This is convenient if the physical buttons on your Redmi 9A are worn out or you just prefer to control your smartphone with gestures.

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
2. Turn on the switch opposite Swipe three fingers down.
3. Choose the direction of the swipe (up or down) - we recommend down, so it is easier not to confuse with other gestures.

Now to take a screenshot:

1. Open the screen.
2. Place three fingers on the screen (for example, index, middle and ring finger).
3. Then, move them upwards (or vice versa if you choose a different direction).

🔹 Important: The gesture only works on the main screens (home, apps, browser) and in some games or banking applications, it may be blocked for security reasons.

Make sure the gesture is enabled in the settings |Use a flat surface to touch |Do not touch the edges of the screen (the sensor is less sensitive there) |Try swipe in both directions if it does not work

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Method 3: Notification panel (if buttons don't work)

If you can’t press the buttons at the same time (for example, because of damage to the mechanism), use an alternative method through the Quick Settings Panel:

1. Open the screen that you want to capture.
2. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
3. Find a screenshot icon (usually a scissor or a rectangle with serifs). If it's not, tap the icon. ⚙️ Edit and add it to the panel.
4. Click on the icon – the screenshot will be taken automatically.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI for Redmi 9A The screenshot icon may not be in the default panel, in which case add it manually through editing or use another method.

Where are the screenshots stored and how to find them

By default, all screenshots on Redmi 9A are stored in the Pictures/Screenshots folder in internal memory, but sometimes they disappear from the gallery.

A unique feature of Redmi 9A: Screenshots are saved in resolution here 720×1600 pixels (partial ratio) 20:9), This is the physical resolution of the screen, which means that the files will weigh. ~1–1.5 MB each – more than on smartphones with Full HD-screens where screenshots are often reduced by software.

What to do if screenshots are not saved

If you do not create a screenshot after clicking buttons or gesture, check the following points:

• 📱 Free memory: The internal drive must have at least 500 MB of free space. → Memory.
• 🔧 Permissions: Make sure the Gallery or Storage app has access to memory (Settings) → Annexes → gallery → Permits).
• 🔄 System error: Reboot your smartphone – sometimes mediaserver processes (responsible for screenshots) freeze.
• 🛠️ Damaged firmware: If the problem occurs after the update, try resetting the settings via Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset all settings (data will not be deleted).

🔹 Hidden feature: On Redmi 9A There is an undocumented possibility of forced saving of a screenshot through ADB. If you are familiar with the debugging of USB, execute:

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/Pictures/Screenshots/manual_screenshot.png

This method will work even if the standard methods fail.

Additional chips: editing and fast sending

Immediately after you take a screenshot of the Redmi 9A, you see a thumbnail in the bottom right corner.

• ✏️ Edit: Cut, add text or drawing (tools similar to Markup on iPhone).
• 📤 Share: Quickly send to Telegram, WhatsApp or save to Google Drive.
• 🗑️ Delete: If you don’t need a screenshot, you can clear the memory immediately.
• 🔍 View: Open in the gallery for detailed viewing.

⚠️ Note: If you are using a dark topic in the MIUI, The screenshot thumbnail can merge with the background of the notification bar. To avoid this, temporarily switch to a light theme in Settings → Screen. → Dark mode.

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The Redmi 9A screenshot editor only supports basic features (trimming, drawing, text). For advanced effects (blurring, arrows, stickers), use third-party apps like PhotoRoom or Canva.

Alternative applications for screenshots

If the built-in methods don’t suit you, install one of these apps from Google Play:

• 📸 Screenshot Easy – Supports delayed screenshots (useful for menus that disappear when you press buttons).
• 🎯 Super Screenshot – allows you to take scrolling screenshots (capture long pages).
• 🔄 Screenshot Touch – Adds a floating button for quick access.
• 🖼️ Stitch & Share – glues several screenshots into one long (relevant for chat rooms).

🔹 Important: When using third-party apps, turn off battery optimization for them (Settings) → Annexes → Battery management → Select applications), otherwise they may not work in the background.

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For screenshots in games (such as Free Fire or PUBG Mobile), use the built-in screen recording function: swipe down the notification panel → Screen recording → after the video is over, you can extract the frame.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi 9A