How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 9: all the ways from standard to hidden

Xiaomi Redmi 9 remains one of the most popular budget phones even years after its release, thanks to its balanced specs and flexible MIUI firmware. But many users still face difficulties when trying to take a screenshot. Official documentation offers only 1-2 ways, whereas in reality there are at least five of them - including those that are not advertised by the manufacturer.

In this article, we will not only break down all the current screenshot techniques on Redmi 9 (including Redmi 9A, 9C, 9T models), but also explain why sometimes standard keyboard shortcuts don’t work. You will learn how to take long-page scroll screens, save them to the Mi Cloud cloud, and even automate the process with gestures and voice commands, and at the end answer frequent questions that are not covered in other guides.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones is to press physical buttons simultaneously. On Redmi 9, this is:

• 🔘 Power button (right) + volume-down button (left)
• 🔘 Hold both keys. 1-2 seconds until you hear the shutter sound and see the animation
• 🔘 Screenshot will be saved in the folder DCIM → Screenshots or Pictures → Screenshots

⚠️ Note: If you have a magnetic lock case installed (e.g., Xiaomi Smart Cover), the power button may be blocked – in this case, try pressing with great force or removing the case.

This method works even if:

• 📵 The touch screen is turned off (for example, after a fall)
• 🔄 The smartphone is frozen, but responds to buttons
• 🎯 No sound mode is enabled (screenshot will still be made, just without a sound signal)

2. Screenshot by gesture (three-finger slip)

A proprietary MIUI feature that eliminates the need to press buttons to activate it:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Special Features → Gestures
2. Select the screenshot with three fingers
3. Turn on the switch and read the motion hint

Now to create the screen:

1. Touch the screen with three fingers at the same time (usually index, middle and ring).
2. Swipe down the screen (as if you were “swiping” the content)
3. Release your fingers after vibration - screenshot ready

💡 If the gesture doesn’t work, check if it conflicts with other gestures (like Swipe for navigation). MIUI 12+). Turn off the extra options in Settings → System system → Gestures.

3. Quick settings panel (notification curtain)

A lesser known but convenient way is to use an icon in the notification curtain.

1. Open the notification curtain (swipe from top to bottom)
2. Find the screenshot icon (usually hidden under the “dot” or in the second row)
3. If there is no icon, click Edit (pencil icon) and add it to active elements.
4. Slip on the icon – the screenshot will be taken instantly

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ It works even if you don’t press physical buttons.
• 🔄 You can take a screenshot with one hand (comfortable for large screens)
• 📁 Screenshots are saved in the same folder as in other ways.

⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI (for example, MIUI 13 for Redmi 9) the screenshot icon may not be in the default curtain, in which case it will have to be added manually, as described in paragraph 3.

4. Voice assistant Google or Xiao AI

If you need to take a screenshot without touching the screen (for example, with busy hands or a faulty sensor), use the voice assistant. There are two options available on Redmi 9:

Method 1: Google Assistant

1. Activate the assistant with your voice (OK, Google) or hold the Home button
2. Tell the command: Take a screenshot or screenshot
3. Confirm the action (if required)

Method 2: Xiao AI (Chinese Assistant)

On MIUI global firmware, this method may not work, but on Chinese versions:

1. Hold the Home button or say (Xiao AI Tongxue)
2. Say (jiétú - "screenshot" in Chinese)

📌 Key Conclusion: Voice method is convenient for taking screenshots on the go, but requires an internet connection (to process commands) and may not work in Do Not Disturb mode.

5. Script with scrolling (long pages)

MIUI allows you to take pictures of the whole screen, even if it does not fit on the display (for example, long chats in Telegram or web pages).

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods
2. Immediately after the appearance of the thumbnail at the bottom of the screen, tap it on it.
3. In the editor that opens, select the Scroll option (an icon with two arrows down)
4. Wait until the system "scrolls" the page and makes a full picture.

Limitations of the method:

⚠️ Note: If the Scrolling option is inactive (grey) after clicking on the screenshot thumbnail, this means that the current application does not support the function. Try taking a picture in another application (for example, in the browser instead of the messenger).

6. Alternative methods (ADB, third-party applications)

If standard methods don’t work (for example, due to software failures), you can use advanced tools.

Method 1: Through ADB (for power users)

It allows you to take a screenshot even on a locked phone if debugging is enabled via USB:

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png

The file will be saved to the root folder of the device to be extracted:

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

Method 2: Third-party applications

Examples of proven utilities for screenshots:

• 📱 Screenshot Easy – Supports Delay and Edit
• 🎯 Super Screenshot – Captures screen recording)
• 🔍 Screen Master – has a built-in editor with blur and arrows

Important: Apps from third-party sources (not from Google Play) may contain malicious code. Before installing, check the reviews and reputation of the developer on forums like 4PDA or XDA Developers.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even on a working Redmi 9, there are sometimes problems with screenshots.

⚠️ Warning: If the screen flashes after clicking the buttons, but the screenshot is not saved - check Settings → Warehouse → Memory of the device: If there is a space shortage (less than 100 MB), the system automatically deletes new files, including screenshots.

If none of the methods worked, reset the screen settings:

1. Go to Settings → System → Additional → Resetting settings
2. Select Reset Screen Settings (not to be confused with a full reset!)
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions