How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi 9T (Redmi K20): all ways with explanations

Xiaomi 9T (also known as Redmi K20 in some regions) is one of the brand’s most popular smartphones, but even its owners sometimes face questions about basic functionality. Taking screenshots is a seemingly simple task, but in MIUI it has several nuances, from standard key combinations to hidden gestures and voice commands. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, including those that are not written in the official instructions.

The Xiaomi 9T features a retractable front camera that affects the location of physical buttons, which means that the usual key combinations may work differently than on other models, and depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13 or 14), the available methods may differ, and we tested all options on firmware from 2020 to 2026 to give accurate recommendations.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most reliable and versatile method is to use physical buttons. On Xiaomi 9T, you need to:

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 Down button (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 longer than 3 seconds, the smartphone can interpret this as an attempt to turn off or reboot.The optimal retention time is exactly before visual confirmation appears (screen blinking).

Where to look for the screenshot taken? By default, the files are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

- The shutter animation appeared (white square with shadow)

- In the top notification panel hangs the screenshot icon

- A new file has appeared in the gallery with the tag "Screenshot Date"

- File size ~1-3 MB (depending on screen resolution)-->

Screenshot by gesture (only for MIUI 12 and later)

MIUI 12/13/14 has a three-toed gesture screenshot feature that is convenient when physical buttons are hard to reach (e.g., with a cover or with one hand) to activate:

1. Go to Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
2. Find the screenshot with three fingers and switch on the switch.
3. Test: Swipe down the screen with three fingers at the same time.

🔹 nuance:

• 👆 The gesture works only on the home screen and in applications – it does not work on the lock screen.
• 🎯 The accuracy of recognition depends on the speed of movement: too slow or fast conduct may not work.
• 🔄 If the gesture conflicts with other features (such as Swipe for Return), turn off one of them.

💡 Council: B MIUI 14 added the ability to adjust the direction of the gesture (left to right, right to left or top to bottom.

Button combination|Three-finger gesture|Voice assistant|Other-->

3. Voice command via Google Assistant

If you have Google Assistant on, you can take voice screenshots, which is useful when your hands are busy or your buttons are not working.

1. Activate voice assistant: For Google: say "OK, Google" or press the Home button (if configured). For Alice, say "Alice" or click on the microphone icon in the Yandex search box.

• Google: “Take a screenshot” or “Take a screenshot.”
• Alice: "Screenshot" or "Photograph the screen."

⚠️ Note: Voice commands may not work if:

• 🔇 Access to the microphone for the assistant is disabled (check in Settings) → Annexes → Permits).
• 🌐 No internet connection (Alice requires a network to handle the command).
• 📱 Do not disturb or save charge mode is enabled.

📌 Important: Voice method saves screenshot with a delay of 1-2 seconds, so dynamic content (for example, video) may not get into the frame.

Screenshot using the notification panel (MIUI 13/14)

In recent versions of MIUI, a screenshot button has been added to the Quick Settings panel, which is convenient if you don't want to memorize keyboard combinations.

1. Swipe your finger down to open the notification panel.
2. Swipe again to open the full panel (with all the switches).
3. Find the Screenshot icon (usually looks like a scissor or rectangle with an arrow).
4. Touch it – the smartphone will immediately take a screenshot.

🔧 If there is no button:

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → Notification panel.
• 📌 Find Edit icons and add Screenshot to active ones.
• 🔄 Drag the icon to the top of the list for quick access.

📊 Comparison of methods:

5. Advanced Methods: ADB and Third Party Applications

If standard methods do not work (for example, due to breakage of buttons or custom firmware), alternative tools can be used:

Method 1: Through ADB (for power users)

A computer with installed equipment is required ADB-Drivers and Included Debugging USB - On the phone:

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png


adb pull /sdcard/screen.png C:\Screenshots\

🔹 Advantage: works even on a locked screen (if debugging is enabled).

Method 2: Third-party applications

• 📱 Screenshot Easy – Supports Delayed Shooting and Editing.
• 🖼️ Screen Master – allows you to take scrolling screenshots (long pages).
• 🎨 Screenshot Touch – Adds a button over all windows.

⚠️ Note: Applications from third-party sources (not from Google Play) may contain malicious code. Before installing, check for reviews and permissions that the program requests (for example, access to Notices or other content). SMS should be alert).

💡

If screenshots are kept in low quality, check settings in Settings → Screen → Screen resolution. At HD+ (720p), the images will be blurry – switch to FHD+ (1080p).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Screenshots on Xiaomi 9T are not saved in the gallery if the feature "Show Hidden Files" in the file manager is disabled.

1. Open Files (standard MIUI application).
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings → Show hidden files.
3. Reboot the phone.

🔧 Other typical errors and fixes:

• 🔕 No shutter sound: check if the system sound is turned off in Settings → Sound. → Systemic sounds.
• 📱 Gesture doesn't work: update MIUI until the latest version or reset your gesture settings in Settings → Additional functions → Gestures → Drop it.
• 🔄 Screenshot black: This happens when you try to photograph protected content (e.g. banking apps or Netflix.
• 🛠️ Buttons do not respond: clear the system cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Clear the cache.

💬 Community advice: If screenshots are saved in.png format and take up a lot of space, use the Image Converter app to convert to.jpg without loss of quality.

💡

Xiaomi. 9T You cannot take a screenshot of the lock screen with PIN-A code or pattern lock is a security limitation. MIUI. Use another phone or camera to take a screenshot.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions