How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: all ways + error solving

Xiaomi Redmi 9A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its MIUI firmware hides a few non-obvious ways to create screenshots. If you are used to the standard button combination or looking for alternative methods (for example, for games or broken physical keys), this article will reveal all the secrets. We tested each method on the Redmi 9A with the latest versions of MIUI - from 12.5 to 14 - and revealed nuances that are not written even in the official documentation.

It's important to understand that the Redmi 9A doesn't have a proximity sensor (unlike Xiaomi's flagships), so some generic methods won't work here, but there are unique firmware features that many users don't even know about, like taking long screenshots of the pages they're scrolling or saving snapshots straight to the cloud. Next, a detailed guide with visual clues and solutions to typical problems.

1. Standard method: power buttons + volume

It's the most reliable and versatile method that works on all versions of MIUI.

1. Open the screen you want to capture (app, web page, settings).
2. At the same time, press the power button (right) and the volume reduction button (left).
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the shutter sound and see the screenshot animation.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 9A touch buttons navigation can interfere – if you have a gesture mode, it is better to temporarily go to the classic buttons in Settings → Display. → Navigation panel. Otherwise, the fingers will touch the screen, and the screenshot will be obtained with unnecessary pressing.

Where to look for the finished shot? All screenshots are automatically saved in the folder:

Gallery → Albums → Screenshots

Make sure your fingers don’t cover important screen elements.

Check the charge level (below 5% of screenshots may not be saved)

Turn off Do Not Disturb if you can't hear the shutter sound

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2.The Three-Finger gesture is a secret MIUI function

Few people know, but MIUI has a feature for creating screenshots with three fingers across the screen, which is ideal for games or applications where the power/volume buttons are occupied by a gamepad.

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Gestures.
2. Find the option “Screenshot with three fingers”** and activate the switch.
3. Test: swipe down the screen with three fingers at the same time (no pauses!).

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 9A version MIUI 12.0.8 and below, this gesture may conflict with the Smart Assistant function. If screenshots don't work, turn off the "Swipe Down for the Notification Bar" option in the gesture settings».

Advantages of the method:

• 🎮 It works in games (for example, in the PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact where buttons are occupied by management.
• 👆 No physical pressing – convenient if the keys are worn out.
• 🔄 You can configure the swipe direction (up/down) in additional settings.

3. Screenshot via notification panel

If the physical buttons on your Redmi 9A are broken or you are simply looking for an alternative, use the built-in button in the notification curtain:

1. Turn the notification bar swipe from top to bottom.
2. Find the screenshot icon (usually hidden under the Edit button).
3. Drag it to the active area for quick access.
4. Now just click on this icon to take a picture of the current screen.

💡 Useful tip: If the screenshot button * is missing after the update MIUI, Reset the notification panel settings:

Settings → Notifications → Additional → Reset settings

4.Voice command for screenshot

If you have Google Assistant on or Xiaomi AI Assistant on, you can take voice screenshots, which is convenient when your hands are busy or your screen is dirty.

1. Activate the voice assistant with the phrase “OK, Google”** or by holding the home button (if you have one).
2. Say, “Take a screenshot” or “Photograph the screen.”
3. Confirm the action (if required).

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 9A s MIUI 13+ Voice commands may not work if Google's security settings are disabled:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Google → Permissions → Microphone (include)

Limitations of the method:

• 🔇 It does not work in the "Do not disturb" mode»**.
• 🌐 Requires an internet connection to process the command.
• 🔒 Can be blocked in banking applications due to security policies.

💡

If the voice assistant doesn't recognize the command, try saying it in English: "Take a screenshot." On Redmi 9A with global firmware, this often works better.

5. Long screenshot (scrollable pages)

The unique MIUI feature allows you to capture entire web pages, chats in messengers or long lists — things that don't fit on a single screen.

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the thumbnail of the picture appears at the bottom of the screen, click on it.
3. In the editor that opens, tap the “Scroll” button** (the icon with two arrows down).
4. Wait until the system automatically scrolls the page and combines the frames.

💡 Tips for the Perfect Results:

• 📱 Before the screenshot, scroll to the very beginning – so the algorithm will capture all the content.
• ⚡ Turn off animations in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Animation (off) to avoid artifacts.
• 📎 For Telegram or WhatsApp, it is better to use the reading mode (⋮ → Show in web browsing) to capture the entire chat without cropping.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 9A With 2GB of RAM, long screenshots can hang when processing pages longer than 5 screens, in which case break the grip into pieces or use third-party apps like LongShot.

6. Problem Solving: Screenshots Are Not Saved or Are Not Working

If screenshots are not created or disappear, check out these points:

🔧 Advanced Diagnostics: If none of the methods work, check the integrity of system files:

Settings → About Phone → System Update → ⋮ → Check for updates (even if they are not needed, this will trigger the diagnosis)

Last chance – reset your settings for apps only (does not affect personal data):

Settings → System → Resetting settings → Resetting application settings

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi 9A