How to Take a Screenshot on Xiaomi 9: The Complete Guide

Taking screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the basic functions that users need every day: whether it’s saving correspondence, fixing an error in the application or simply remembering an interesting moment in the game, a screenshot allows you to instantly capture what is displayed on the display. In the Mi 9 model, engineers have provided several options for implementing this task, so that each owner can choose the most convenient method of interaction with the interface.

Modern Android operating systems offer a lot of customization options, and the MIUI shell is no exception. You can use a classic combination of physical buttons, draw your finger across the screen, or even just ask your phone to do it. Understanding all the ways available will allow you to manage multimedia content more efficiently and solve everyday tasks faster without unnecessary movements.

In this article, we will take a closer look at each method, explain how to find saved images, and what to do if standard features stop working. Whether you’re a beginner in the Android world or a power user, here you’ll find up-to-date information about working with your device’s clipboard and gallery.

Classical method using physical buttons

The most common and quickest way most smartphone owners use is to use a mechanical keyboard combination. On the side of your Xiaomi Mi 9 are power and volume control buttons. To create a screenshot, you need to press the on and down button at the same time.

It's important to keep your fingers short: if you hold your fingers longer than one second, the system can perceive this as a command to call the off menu or voice assistant, depending on the settings. A light touch is enough to give you a characteristic snap of the camera shutter, and at the top of the display there is a thumbnail of the shot taken.

This method works even when the touchscreen is temporarily unresponsive to touch, making it a reliable backup option: Physical buttons are always on hand, ensuring you can take a screenshot in any situation, whether it's playing or watching a video.

💡

If you have a thick protective film or a case with high sides, press the buttons more confidently to ensure that the mechanism works.

After the successful execution of the command, the system automatically saves the file to the device memory. You can immediately go to edit the resulting image by cutting the extra edges or adding text comments using the built-in editor that opens by tap on the notification.

Screenshots via the Quick Settings menu

The second popular screenshot option is available through the control panel, which is especially useful if you hold the phone with one hand or if the buttons on the body are not comfortable for simultaneous pressing.

In the icon list that opens, look for an item called "Screenshot" or a picture of scissors. In some versions of MIUI, this icon can be hidden in the second window, so you need to swipe left. One click on the icon will instantly capture the current image on the display.

• 📸 Click on the scissors icon in the notification curtain for an instant snapshot.
• ⚙️ You can change the order of the buttons in the menu by dragging them into editing mode.
• 👆 The method is ideal for use with one hand without the risk of touching other elements.

Using software buttons in the curtain eliminates mechanical wear of physical keys, which can be important for devices with high mileage. In addition, this method is often used when recording video from the screen when you want to make a note without interrupting the recording.

If you don't find the icon you want, check the control panel settings. Sometimes users accidentally delete or hide the widget, and you can put it back in Quick Settings editing mode, where all available elements are presented as a grid.

Using three-finger gestures

One of the most convenient features of the MIUI shell is the ability to take screenshots with a gesture, which allows you to take a picture in one smooth movement, which greatly speeds up the process and looks spectacular. However, by default, this feature can be disabled, so it must be activated in the settings.

To turn on, go to Settings → Additional settings → Screenshots. You need to find Gestures or Three-Finger Shot and switch the switch to the active position. After that, swiping three fingers from top to bottom of the screen will create a snapshot.

Using a gesture requires a certain skill, because you need to touch the screen with three fingers at the same time. If the system does not respond the first time, try to increase the touch area or change the speed of movement. In some cases, precalibration of the touch screen helps.

⚠️ Note: A three-finger gesture may conflict with the functions of some drawing or reading apps, where three-fingers are used for other commands. If you notice strange behavior in specific programs, temporarily disable the gesture.

This method is particularly popular among gamers and users who often share content on social media, and allows for screenshots in games where physical buttons can be blocked or uncomfortable to use in landscape mode.

Voice control via Google Assistant

In the age of artificial intelligence, smartphone control is becoming more voice-activated. If your hands are busy or you are far from the device, you can use a voice assistant. The Xiaomi Mi 9 preinstalled Google Assistant, which is great for system commands.

To take a screenshot with your voice, say the phrase "Ok Google" or press the power button for a long time (if the function is activated in the settings) to activate the listening. Then clearly say the command: "Take a screenshot" or "Take a screenshot." The system recognizes the command and executes the action.

Voice control is especially useful for people with disabilities or in situations where the phone is connected to an external display or projector.It is also a great way to demonstrate the capabilities of the smartphone to friends or colleagues without physical contact with the device.

Make sure you have a stable internet connection, as voice command processing often takes place on the company's servers.In flight mode or when a poor signal is received, the assistant may not recognize the request correctly.

Long screenshot and extended functions

A standard screenshot captures only what is visible on the screen at the moment, but MIUI has a Long Screenshot (or Scrolling Screenshot) feature that allows you to capture the entire page, such as a long text message in a messenger or an article in a browser.

Immediately after you create a normal screenshot (in any of the ways described above), a thumbnail will appear at the top of the screen. Click on it to open the edit mode, and select an icon with three horizontal lines or a "Scroll" button. The phone will automatically start scrolling down the page, gluing the image.

This feature is essential for saving checks, tickets, long contact lists or instructions. You don't have to take dozens of individual pictures and paste them manually in Photoshop, the system will do it automatically in seconds.

Not all apps support scrolling, but some programs have static or secure content that prevents the system from defining the boundaries of the scrollable area, and in such cases, you will have to be content with a standard screen size.

Where to look and how to edit screenshots

Once you've taken a picture, it's important to know where to find it. By default, all screenshots are saved in the Screenshots system folder. Open the Gallery app and find an album with the appropriate name. It will store all your screenshots, sorted by date of creation.

The Android file system also allows you to find these files through a Explorer. The path usually looks like this: Internal memory → MIUI → gallery_cloud → screenshots or simply Pictures → Screenshots, depending on the firmware version and cloud synchronization settings.

• 🖼️ In the gallery, you can immediately crop the image, removing unnecessary interface elements.
• ✏️ Use the built-in marker to highlight important details in the screenshot.
• 📤 Share files directly from the gallery via messengers or social networks.

Xiaomi’s image editor is quite functional, so you can add text, stickers, blur sensitive information (such as passwords or card numbers), and apply filters to prepare the image for publication without installing third-party apps.

⚠️ Warning: Before sending a screenshot to third parties, always check it for personal information. Often, the frame contains notifications, contact names or geolocation, which is better to hide.

If you take too many screenshots, it is recommended to periodically clean this folder, as the images take up space in the device's memory. Use the Cleanup tool in the Security app to quickly delete old or unnecessary screenshots.

Solving and setting parameters

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where screenshots are not created or saved, most often the problem lies in the overcrowded memory of the device. If there is no free space on the phone, the system simply cannot write a new file. Check the available space in the storage settings.

Another reason may be restrictions on access rights for certain applications: Some banking programs or streaming services (Netflix, Movie Search) block screenshots from being created in order to protect copyright and data security, in which case you will see a black screen instead of an image.

💡

If screenshots are not saved, first check the free space in memory and permissions for the Gallery application.

Also worth checking is the image format settings. In some versions of MIUI, you can choose the save format (JPEG or PNG). PNG format provides better lossless quality, but takes up more space, whereas JPEG is more optimal for storing large numbers of files.

In conclusion, the Xiaomi Mi 9 provides flexible tools for working with the image on the screen. By combining various methods, you will be able to make the most of the capabilities of your smartphone.