Xiaomi Redmi 9 remains one of the most popular budget smartphones even years after its release — and it is not surprising: reliable hardware, up-to-date software and flexible MIUI firmware make it a versatile gadget. But many users still face a basic problem: how to take a screenshot of the screen when standard combinations do not work or the phone is “glutting.” This article will not just list the methods, but will analyze them with the MIUI version, hardware features of Redmi 9 and typical errors.
We tested all the techniques on Redmi 9 with MIUI 12.5-14 (including global and Chinese builds) and found nuances that are not covered in the official instructions, such as why sometimes a screenshot is taken with a delay, how to bypass gesture lock in games, or why screen photos are kept in low resolution. If you are looking not only for “how to press buttons”, but also want to optimize the process, read on.
1. Classic method: power buttons + volume
The most reliable and versatile method, running on any version of MIUI and even in case of system failures. On Redmi 9, the combination looks like this:
- Open the screen you want to capture (for example, a dialog in the messenger or a page in the browser).
- At the same time, press the power button (right) and the volume reduction button (top left).
- Hold for 1-2 seconds until you hear the shutter sound or see an animation of the screenshot.
⚠️ Attention: Redmi 9s MIUI 13+ This can be triggered by random press protection, which means that if you press buttons longer than 3 seconds, the phone interprets this as calling the off menu.
☑️ Checking before screenshot
Where to look for the screenshot taken? By default, the files are saved in the folder:
Internal memory → DCIM → Screenshots2. The three-finger gesture is faster than the buttons
A MIUI signature chip that saves time but requires pre-setting. On Redmi 9, the gesture works like this:
- Swipe three fingers across the screen from top to bottom (as if swiping the screen).
- Screenshot will be taken instantly, without delay for animation.
If the gesture does not work, check the settings:
- Go to Settings → Additional → Special. features → Gestures.
- Activate the screenshot option with three fingers.
- If necessary, adjust the sensitivity of the gesture (in some firmware available).
⚠️ Attention: In games (e.g, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact gesture can conflict with game controls. To avoid this, add the game to exceptions through Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start.
3.Voice command - when hands are busy
Few people know, but Redmi 9 supports voice-activated screenshots via Google Assistant or Yandex’s Alice, which is handy if you’re cooking with a prescription, for example, or holding your phone with one hand.
Method 1: Google Assistant
- Activate the assistant with your voice (OK, Google) or hold the Home button.
- Say, “Take a screenshot” or “Photograph the screen.”
Method 2: Alice (only for Russian firmware)
- Hold the Home button or say “Hi Alice.”
- Say “Screenshot” or “Photograph the screen.”
⚠️ Attention: Voice screenshots do not work in Do Not Disturb or when the Internet is disabled (command processing on servers is required) Google/Also, some applications (e.g. banking) block this feature for security reasons.
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If the voice assistant doesn't recognize the command, try to pronounce it more clearly or reformulate it. For example, instead of "screenshot," say "take a screenshot."
4.The Quick Settings Panel is an Alternative for Lazy
MIUI 12.5+ has the option to add a screenshot button to the notification curtain, which is convenient if you need to take a series of pictures in a row (for example, for instructions).
How to set up:
- Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
- Click on the icon. ⚙️ (Edit).
- Find a screenshot in the list and drag it to the active area.
Now, just pull the curtain down and tap the new icon, and the screenshot is done without delay, and the advantage of this method is that it works even if the power button is broken or the screen reacts to late touch.
| Method | Speed. | It works without the internet. | Suitable for games. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power buttons + volumes | ⭐⭐⭐ | Yes. | Yes. |
| Three-finger gesture | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Yes. | No (Conflict with the administrations) |
| Voice command | ⭐⭐ | No. | Yes (but slowly) |
| Quick settings panel | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Yes. | Yes. |
5 Script with scrolling - for long pages
If you want to capture the entire chat, long web page or list in the app, a standard screenshot will crop some of the content. MIUI has a hidden feature of a scrolling screenshot (aka "long screenshot").
How to do this:
- Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
- Immediately after the miniature appears in the lower right corner, tap it.
- In the editor that opens, select Scroll (an icon with two arrows down).
- Wait until the system automatically scrolls the screen and connects the frames.
⚠️ Note: Not all apps are working, such as Instagram or TikTok, because of restrictions. API. A long screenshot can also crop dynamic content (such as animations or videos).
How to get around the limitations of a long screenshot?
6 Problems and Solutions: Why Screenshots Are Not Saved
Even a good Redmi 9 can crash, and here are the typical errors and ways to fix them:
- 🔄 Screenshot taken but not saved: Check if your phone's memory is full. MIUI Automatically deletes screenshots if less than 500MB is free. Clear the cache via Settings → Warehouse.
- 🎮 In games, the screenshot is black: This is cheating protection. Use game mode (swipe on the left edge of the screen) or third-party apps like this. AZ Screen Recorder.
- 🔇 No shutter sound: Enable system sounds in Settings → Sound. → System sounds. If the problem persists, reset the sound settings to the factory.
- 📱 Screen not responding to gestures: Restart your phone or chill the sensor with ##6484## (touch screen test).
If none of these methods work, check if the screenshots at the system level are disabled:
- Go to Settings → Permissions → Preferred permissions.
- Find the Screenshots item and make sure it is activated.
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Redmi 9 with MIUI 14 has a Safe Screenshot Mode option that blocks shooting in banking and payment applications. Disables in Settings → Privacy → Safe Mode.