Xiaomi’s smartphones, including the popular Redmi 9, offer users a wide range of interface capabilities. One of the most popular features is the ability to save screen content, which is necessary to capture errors, save correspondence or transmit important information. The MIUI operating system has several ways to accomplish this task, each of which has its own characteristics.
Users often look for the fastest way to avoid distraction from the main process. The standard keyboard works consistently, but there are alternatives that may be more convenient in certain situations. For example, one-handed control or using voice commands makes life much easier in some scenarios. Understanding all the options available allows you to maximize the potential of your device.
In this article, we will discuss in detail every available method of creating screenshots, we will also discuss the issues of setting the parameters of quality and format of stored files, special attention will be paid to solving common problems when the function stops responding to commands, you will learn not only to take regular screenshots, but also to create long panoramic images of web pages.
Classical Method Through Physical Buttons
The most common and time-tested way to capture a screenshot of Redmi 9 involves using a physical combination of buttons, which works at the system level and is available even when the touchscreen is temporarily unresponsive to touch.
It's important to keep the right timing of the pressing. If you hold your fingers too long, you can activate the off menu or the voice assistant. A short but confident press of both buttons gives you instant results. The system immediately emits the characteristic sound of the camera shutter, and in the upper corner you will see a thumbnail of the image taken.
⚠️ Warning: Do not push the buttons with excessive force, so as not to damage the mechanical elements of the case of the smartphone Redmi 9.
Once you've successfully created a snapshot, you have a few seconds to do the extra things, you can immediately share the file through the messenger, or open it in the editor to take notes, and if you don't do anything, the thumbnail will disappear and the file will be saved in the gallery.
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To protect the screen from scratches with frequent use of buttons, it is recommended to use a protective film or glass that extinguishes the pressure on the display.
This is a universal technique that works in all applications, including games and video players, and it requires no setup and is ready to use as soon as the device is turned on, and for many users, this combination becomes the main one because of its reliability and predictability in any situation.
Use of notification panel and curtain
The second popular screenshot option on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is to use a software interface, and at the top of the screen is a quick settings panel, often referred to as a “curtain,” and among the many icons, there is a special “screenshot” button that allows you to take a picture with one touch.
To use this method, you swipe down from the top of the screen, and if the icon is not on the first page, swipe right to open the full list of tools available. Click on the icon and the system instantly saves the current image, which is ideal when the phone is on the table or held with one hand.
- 📱 Ease of using one hand without the need to reach for buttons.
- ⚙️ Ability to add a screenshot button to your favorites for quick access.
- 👁️ Visual confirmation of actions on the screen without sound (if the sound is turned off).
Users can customize the appearance of the notification panel as they see fit. You can change the order of the buttons or add a screenshot shortcut to the top row for maximum convenience. This is especially true for those who take screenshots regularly throughout the day.
However, there are limitations to this method: In some applications, such as full-screen games or video players, the curtain may not be called by a standard swipe, in which case you have to switch to other methods or pre-exit the application.
Setting and using gestures with three fingers
One of the most convenient features of the MIUI shell is the ability to create screenshots using gestures. On Redmi 9, you can configure three fingers across the screen to instantly save the image, which requires pre-activation in the system settings, since it can be disabled by default.
To enable the option, go to the Settings menu, then select the Additional section and find the Screenshots item. Here you need to activate the "Slider down three fingers" switch, and then a simple swipe gesture from top to bottom with three fingers will start the process of creating the image.
⚠️ Warning: The gesture may not work if a thick protective glass is pasted on the screen or if your fingers are too dry, which impairs conductivity.
Using gestures makes content work much faster, so you can quickly scroll through your news feed or documents to capture the right moments on the fly, and this is especially useful when collecting information from long articles or messaging messages.
The system only recognizes gestures when three fingers touch the screen at the same time, and if the touchpad is contaminated or wet, sensitivity may decrease, and in such situations, it is better to wipe the screen or use an alternative method.
☑️ Checking the operation of gestures
Voice control and Google Assistant
Modern smartphones, including the Redmi 9, have advanced voice control systems. You can take a screenshot just by saying a command. This is the most hands-free method that requires no physical contact with the device other than activating the microphone.
To use this feature, make sure you have Google Assistant or Xiaomi AI enabled. Say the phrase "OK Google, take a screenshot" or "Take a screenshot." The system recognizes the command and executes the action if the app you're in doesn't block this feature.
Voice control is especially important in situations where your hands are busy or dirty, such as in the kitchen while cooking or when working with technical mechanisms, and voice input eliminates the need to touch the display with dirty fingers.
The accuracy of the recognition depends on the quality of the diction and the absence of extraneous noise. In a noisy environment, the system may not understand the command the first time, and it is also important that the interface language and the voice input language coincide for proper operation.
The function of a long screenshot (scroll)
One of the most useful features for working with information is to create long screenshots. On the Xiaomi Redmi 9, this allows you to capture the entire web page or long correspondence as a whole, not just the visible part of the screen, which eliminates the need to take many ordinary pictures and glue them together later.
First, take a regular screenshot in any convenient way, and immediately after that, a thumbnail plaque will appear at the top of the screen, and it will have a button with a scroll icon or a down arrow called "Scroll." Click on it, and the device will automatically scroll down, saving the image.
You can stop scrolling at any time by touching the screen, and it will automatically crop the image at the bottom of the last visible element, which is perfect for saving articles, receipts, contact lists, or correspondence on WhatsApp and Telegram.
| Parameter | A typical screenshot. | Long screenshot. |
|---|---|---|
| File size | Small (up to 1MB) | Medium (2-5 MB) |
| Format | PNG / JPG | PNG (vertical) |
| Length | Fixed (screen resolution) | Dynamic (up to 30,000 pixels) |
| Use of the | Single frames | Pages, dialogues |
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A long screenshot is the best way to keep the context of a correspondence or article without losing the semantic connections between parts of the text.
Where screenshots are stored and how to manage them
Once an image is created, it automatically stores in the device's memory. Redmi 9 uses the Gallery app by default, and inside it, a separate folder or album called Screenshots is created, where all files are sorted by date of creation.
The path to files in a file system usually looks like Internal Memory → MIUI → Gallery → Cloud → Screenshots or just DCIM → Screenshots. Knowing this path, you can connect to your computer via USB and copy files for archiving or editing on a large screen.
File management allows you to delete bad pictures, rename them or send them directly. The gallery has a built-in editor that allows you to trim the edges, draw arrows, blur sensitive information or add text.
Regularly cleaning the folder with screenshots helps save space in the memory of the smartphone. Screenshots often weigh more than regular photos, especially if they are long images. It is recommended to audit once a month and delete the data that has become irrelevant.