How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: all ways with photos and videos

Why you need screenshots on Redmi 9A

Screenshots on Xiaomi Redmi 9A are not just a screen saver, but a versatile tool for work, learning and communication. With them you can quickly share important information from instant messengers, save payment confirmation, fix an error in the application or even create a meme from funny dialogue, especially for the budget smartphone Redmi 9A, which is often used as the main device for everyday tasks.

Unlike the flagship models, the Redmi 9A does not have a physical Bixby button or additional sensors, which makes it easier to create screenshots. However, even here there are nuances: for example, not everyone knows that this phone runs a hidden scrolling mode for long pages. In this article, we will analyze all the available methods, from classic to little-known, and also explain how to edit and share screenshots directly from the MIUI gallery.

Method 1: Classical button combination

The most reliable and versatile method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi 9A. It does not require additional settings or gestures - only two physical buttons.

  1. Open the screen you want to save (such as a WhatsApp chat or a page in your browser).
  2. At the same time, press the power button (right) and the volume reduction button (left).
  3. Hold them for at least 1 second until you hear the camera shutter sound and see the save animation.

⚠️ Warning: If you press the buttons too long (more than 3 seconds), a forced reboot or Google Assistant call will work. 9A This is especially true because of sensitive sensors.

The screen is unlocked and active|No active calls or recordings|Memory not filled (minimum 50 MB free)|Don't disturb mode is off"-->

Once you've successfully created a screenshot, you'll see a thumbnail in the top right corner, and click on it to open the editing tools right away, like cropping, drawing, adding text, or blurring out personal data, which is convenient if you need to quickly hide your phone number or address before you send it.

Method 2: Three-finger gesture (hidden MIUI function)

The MIUI branded shell offers a unique way to create screenshots without buttons, using a three-finger gesture, which is especially useful if you have a broken power button or you often take screenshots with one hand to activate the function:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Special features β†’ 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 (no matter what hand).

πŸ”Ή Advantages of the method:

  • πŸ‘† It works even with physical buttons turned off.
  • 🎯 Accuracy higher than when pressing buttons (no risk of accidental reboot).
  • πŸ”„ You can adjust the direction of the gesture (up or down) in the settings.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 9A version MIUI 12.5 and below, this gesture may conflict with the Quick Balance function (swipe down to call the notification bar). If a screenshot is not created, check if this option is enabled in Settings. β†’ Screen. β†’ Quick setups.

What to do if the gesture does not work?
1. Reset the phone, sometimes the touch driver will freeze. 2. Check if left-handed mode is on in the gesture settings. 3. Update MIUI to the latest version: in old builds, three-finger recognition bugs. 4. If the screen is protected by low-sensitivity film, try to make a gesture closer to the center of the display.

Method 3: Google Assistant Voice Assistant

If you have Google Assistant enabled, you can take screenshots with your voice, which is convenient when your hands are busy or you are driving (if permitted by local law).

  1. Activate the assistant with a voice command, OK, Google, or by holding the Home button (if you have one on your firmware).
  2. Say, Take a screenshot or take a picture of the screen.
  3. Confirm the action if the assistant requests permission.

πŸ”Ή Limitations of method:

  • πŸ—£οΈ Requires Internet connection to recognize voice.
  • πŸ“΅ Does not work in the plane or with the microphone turned off.
  • πŸ”’ You need to pre-configure access to Google Assistant in Settings β†’ Annexes β†’ All applications β†’ Google.

On the Redmi 9A with MIUI Global firmware, this method may not work due to manufacturer limitations, so try the alternative: Take a screenshot in the Google Lens app (available after the Google service update).

Classic buttons|Three-finger gesture|Voice assistant|Other-->

Method 4: Scrolling Screenshot (Long Pages)

One of the most useful functions MIUI β€” It's the ability to take a screenshot of the entire page, not just the visible part of the screen, and it's essential to save long chats, web pages, or lists in Excel. 9A:

  1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
  2. Immediately after the miniature appears, click on it.
  3. In the bottom of the toolbar, you'll see a scroll button (a two-arrow icon) and press it.
  4. Wait until the system automatically scrolls down the page and connects all the parts into one file.

⚠️ Note: Not all apps work, such as Instagram or TikTok, because of restrictions. API. But it works great in:

  • 🌐 Browser (Chrome, Mi Browser).
  • πŸ“„ Google Docs and WPS Office.
  • πŸ’¬ Messengers (Telegram, Viber – but not in secret chats).

The finished scrolling screenshot is saved in.png format and can reach several megabytes. To reduce the size, use the built-in compression in the gallery: Edit β†’ Compress.

πŸ’‘

If the scroll is "hung" on half the page, do not close the screenshot thumbnail! wait for completion or click "Cancel" and try again from another place on the screen.

Method 5: Screenshot via notification panel (fast access)

Few people know, but in MIUI, you can add a screenshot button directly to the Quick Settings panel, which is convenient if you take screenshots often and don't want to remember button combinations.

  1. Pull the top notification curtain down with two fingers to open the full panel.
  2. Click on the Edit icon (pencil in the lower right corner).
  3. Find a screenshot tiles (scissors icon) in the list and drag it to the active area.
  4. Save the changes.

Now, to take a screenshot, it is enough:

  1. Open the screen.
  2. Pull the notification curtain down.
  3. Press the Screenshot tile.

πŸ”Ή Pros of the method:

  • ⚑ Instant access – no need to remember combinations.
  • πŸ”§ It works even if the power/volume buttons are faulty.
  • πŸ“± You can use it with one hand.

Please note that some versions of MIUI for Redmi 9A may not have screenshots on the list, in which case update the firmware or use an alternative method from this article.

Where screenshots are stored and how to manage them

By default, all screenshots on Xiaomi Redmi 9A are saved in the DCIM β†’ Screenshots folder (or Pictures β†’ Screenshots in some firmware).

  • πŸ“ Standard Gallery appendix (Screenshot album).
  • πŸ” File Manager for Mi File Explorer.
  • πŸ–₯️ Connecting the phone to the PC in file transfer mode.

To make it easier to work with screenshots, use the built-in MIUI tools:

Action.How to executeNote
EditingOpen screenshot β†’ Edit β†’ cropping, text, drawing10 brush colors and 5 styles of text are available
Share it.Click Share β†’ Choose a messenger or social networkAutomatically compresses up to 2 MB of image for Telegram
DeleteSelect files β†’ Delete or swipe left in the galleryDeleted screenshots are stored in the basket for 30 days
Revise the formatGallery settings β†’ Saving β†’ Screenshot formatPNG (lossless) and JPEG (less weight) are available

⚠️ Note: If screenshots suddenly stop being saved, check out:

  1. Free space on the device (needs a minimum of 100 MB).
  2. Permissions for the Gallery application in Settings β†’ Appendices β†’ Permissions.
  3. Sync settings with Mi Cloud (sometimes conflicting with local saving).

πŸ’‘

On Redmi 9A, screenshots are automatically sorted by date, but you can create a separate album in the Gallery to avoid confusing them with regular photos. To do this, click Albums β†’ Create β†’ Select Screenshots.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even on a simple device like the Redmi 9A, users have difficulty taking screenshots, and here are some of the most common bugs and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: The buttons don’t respond to the press.

  • πŸ”‹ Check if the battery is discharged (below 5% charge can block functions).
  • πŸ”„ Restart your phone – sometimes the button sensors will freeze".
  • πŸ› οΈ If the power button is broken, use the three-finger gesture or notification panel.

Problem 2: Screenshots are created but not saved.

  • πŸ“ Check the folder. DCIM/Screenshots via file manager.
  • 🚫 Remove the Gallery app cache in Settings β†’ Annexes.
  • πŸ”§ Turn off battery optimization for Gallery in auto-start settings.

Problem 3: The three-finger gesture works once in a while.

  • πŸ‘† Try to make a gesture slower or faster – the sensor calibration is individual.
  • 🧹 Clean the screen of fat and dust – they interfere with the recognition of touches.
  • πŸ“± Update the firmware: in MIUI 13 improved gesture sensitivity.

If none of these methods work, check to see if the phone has superuser (root) rights installed. Some custom firmware blocks standard screenshot features due to changes in the kernel, in which case only flashing to the official version of MIUI will help.

Can I take a screenshot of the Redmi 9A?
No, it's impossible. Screenshots are software features that require the operating system to work, and the only way to keep the screen on a phone that's turned off is to connect it to a PC and use specialized software like ADB (technical skills required).
How to take a screenshot in the game if the buttons are busy?
Most Redmi 9A games have a three-finger gesture or voice assistant, and if the game blocks these features, try: Enable Game Mode in the settings and add a screenshot tile to the notification bar; use an external keyboard (if supported) with a Print Screen button; record the screen through Screen Recording, and then take a screenshot of the video.
Why do screenshots turn out dark?
This is because Dark Theme or Reading is turned on, to fix: Turn off dark theme in Settings β†’ Screen. Turn off the blue light filter or reduce its intensity. Increase the brightness of the screen before you create a screenshot. If the problem persists, check the color profile settings in Settings β†’ Screen β†’ Colors.
How to turn off the shutter sound when screenshot?
The shutter sound is a system alert and it cannot be turned off through standard settings: πŸ”‡ Put your phone in silent mode before screenshot. 🎡 Reduce the volume of the media to zero. πŸ› οΈ Install the patch through Magisk (root required) and some firmwares will lose sound after upgrading to the previous patch. MIUI 14.
Can I take a screenshot with Siri or Alice?
No, Siri (Apple) and Alice (Yandex) voice assistants don’t support screenshots on Xiaomi devices. Only Google Assistant, as described in this article’s Method 3, is suitable for this task. Alice can only help with finding ready-made screenshots in the gallery.