How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Mi9: all ways + problem solving

Xiaomi Mi9 is still one of the most popular flagships of the brand due to the powerful hardware and flexible firmware MIUI. But even experienced users sometimes face difficulties in creating screenshots – especially if we are talking about non-standard scenarios: games with superimposed elements, secure applications or outdated versions of the software. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to take a screenshot on the Mi9, including little-known MIUI 12/14 chips, as well as solve typical errors like “black screen” or the lack of sound.

It's important to understand that the methods differ depending on the firmware version. For example, MIUI 10 (which came out of the box on the Mi9) did not have gesture control, and MIUI 14 introduced Xiao AI voice assistant with screenshot support. We tested each method on a real device and added a compatibility table for different versions of Android (from 9 to 12), and you will also learn how to get around the restrictions in banking applications and why sometimes screenshots are saved in.png format, and sometimes in.jpg.

1. Classical method: button combination

The most versatile method that works on any version of MIUI is to press physical buttons simultaneously. On the Xiaomi Mi9, it's a combination of Volume Down + Power. The algorithm is simple:

1. Open the screen you want to capture (for example, a dialogue in Telegram or a map in Google Maps).
2. Press the Volume Down button (left side of the body) and the Power button (right side) at the same time.
3. Hold them for 1–1.5 seconds until you hear the characteristic shutter sound (if the sound is turned off, watch the screen animation).

⚠️ Attention: Mi9 With worn buttons, only one tap can work (for example, turning off the screen instead of a screenshot:

• 🔧 Press a little harder - the buttons on Mi9 They are soft and sometimes more effort is required.
• 🕒 Hold for longer (up to 2 seconds) if it works too fast.
• 🔄 Change the order of pressing: first press the Volume down, then - Nutrition.

The screenshot is saved in the DCIM/Screenshots or Pictures/Screenshots folder (depending on the MIUI version). To quickly find it, pull down the notification bar - there will be a thumbnail with the "Share" and "Delete" buttons.

2 Three-finger gesture (only for MIUI 11 and newer)

With the release of MIUI 11, Xiaomi has added a handy gesture way to create screenshots – swiping three fingers across the screen from top to bottom – a technique that is especially useful if you have a broken power button or frequently take screenshots in games (where physical buttons can interfere with gameplay).

To activate the function:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Gestures.
2. Select the screenshot from three fingers and switch on the switch.
3. (Optional) Set the gesture length – short or long swipe.

📌 Nuances of gesture work Mi9:

• 🎮 In high-end games FPS (for example, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty gesture may not work due to performance optimization Solution: temporarily lower frame rate in game settings.
• 🖼️ If there's a video or animation on the screen, the screenshot can get blurred. Try to pause before swiping.
• 🔒 In some banking applications (for example, SberBank Online) the gesture is blocked for security reasons.

⚠️ Attention: Mi9 s MIUI With 10 or older firmware, this doesn't work. To update, go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.

3. Voice command via Xiao AI (MIUI 12 and later)

If you have MIUI 12 or later, you can take voice screenshots with Xiao AI, which is convenient when hands are busy or buttons are not available.

1. Activate Xiao AI by saying “Hi, Siao Ai” or holding the Home button (if physical).
2. Say to one of the commands: "Take a screenshot", "Photograph the screen" "Save the screen"

Confirm the action if the assistant requests permission.

🔊 Important: Voice commands only work when connected to the Internet (cloud-based speech processing required). Also make sure that in Xiao settings AI accessed:

• 📱 Screen settings (Settings) → Annexes → Xiao AI → Permits → Overlay of other applications).
• 🎤 Microphone (ibid. in permits).
• 📁 Storage (to save screenshots).

⚠️ Attention: Mi9 with custom firmware (for example LineageOS) Xiao AI It can be deleted or it can be incorrect, and in this case, use alternative voice assistants like Google Assistant»).

💡

If the voice assistant doesn't recognize the command, try speaking more slowly and highlighting the word "screenshot" more clearly, and check if the "Do Not Disturb" mode is on, which can block voice commands.

4. Screenshot via notification panel (quick access)

MIUI has a built-in screenshot button in the notification bar, but it's disabled by default.

1. Pull the notification bar down twice (to open the full list).
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ (Edit) in upper right corner.
3. Find a screenshot (scissors icon) and drag it to the active area.

Now it is enough to create a screenshot:

1. Open the screen.
2. Pull the notification panel down.
3. Click on the Screenshot icon.

📊 Comparison of methods by speed:

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI The screenshot button in the notification bar may disappear after you reboot. To secure it permanently, go to Settings. → Notification panel → Quick settings and fix the icon at the top of the list.

5. Alternative methods: ADB and third-party applications

If standard methods do not work (for example, due to breakage of buttons or firmware limitations), you can use advanced tools:

Method 1: Computer + ADB

This will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on Mi9 (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Screenshot command:

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png

The file will be saved to the root folder of the device under the name screen.png. To download it on the PC:

adb pull /sdcard/screen.png C:\Users\YourName\Downloads

Method 2: Third-party applications

Popular utilities for screenshots:

• 📸 Screenshot Easy – Supports Delayed Shooting and Editing.
• 🎨 Super Screenshot – allows you to take screenshots of scrollable pages (for example, chats on WhatsApp).
• 🖼️ Screen Master – has a built-in editor with blurring and adding text.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party applications:

• Some banking applications (such as Tinkoff or VTB) block screenshots through third-party utilities for security reasons.
• On the Mi9 with MIUI 10 and below, you may need to manually grant access rights through Settings → Permissions → Special Access → Screen recording.

6. Solving screenshot issues on Mi9

Even on a serviceable Xiaomi Mi9, you can have errors when creating screenshots.

Problem 1: Screenshot is not saved (black screen or error)

Possible causes and solutions:

• 📱 Lack of memory: Free up space (minimum) 100 MB) in a folder DCIM/Screenshots.
• 🔧 Firmware failure: Restart your phone or reset the Gallery app settings (Settings) → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the data).
• 🛡️ Application limitations: Some games (like Genshin Impact) block screenshots. AI or ADB.

Problem 2: No sound when taking a screenshot

This is most often related to:

• 🔇 System sound turned off: Check if the phone is in Vibration or No Sound mode».
• 🎵 Individual sound settings: Go to Settings → Sounds and vibrations → System sounds and turn on "Screenshot Sound».
• 📱 Breaking speaker: If the notification sounds also do not work, contact the service.

Problem 3: Screenshots are kept in low quality

By default, MIUI saves screenshots in the screen resolution of the Mi9 (2340×1080), but sometimes the quality deteriorates due to:

• 📏 System compression: Open Settings → Additionally. → Battery Optimization and Disable Optimization for Gallery App.
• 🖼️ File format: In new versions MIUI Screenshots are saved to.jpg (compressed). To save to.png, use ADB-Command: Adb shell screencap -p | sed 's/\r$//' > screen.png

💡

If screenshots on the Mi9 are saved with artifacts (bands, blur), try turning off the Adaptive Brightness feature in the display settings, which sometimes conflicts with the screen rendering when creating the image.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi Mi9