Modern smartphones have long been universal tools for work, entertainment and communication, and the Xiaomi Redmi 9A is no exception. Owners of this device often face the need to save the current image from the screen: whether it is an important dialogue in the messenger, a route map or the result in their favorite game. However, despite the simplicity of the task, newcomers to the MIUI ecosystem may have difficulty finding the right combination of actions, since the interfaces of different manufacturers differ significantly from each other.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available screenshot techniques on Xiaomi Redmi 9A, including standard button combinations, handy gestures and voice commands. You will learn where to look for ready-made images and how to quickly edit them immediately after creation without installing third-party applications. In addition, we will touch on the issue of optimizing the system so that the process of capturing the image is instant and without delay.
We'll focus on customizing the special features of the MIUI shell that allow you to take screenshots with one hand or tap the body. Understanding these nuances will make using your smartphone much more comfortable and efficient in everyday scenarios. Let's look at the main ways in detail.
Classical method using physical buttons
The most common and reliable method that works on most Android smartphones, including the Redmi 9A, involves simultaneously pressing two physical keys. This method is guaranteed to work even when the touch screen temporarily does not respond to complex gestures or when you are in an application that blocks swipes.
It's important to keep the right spacing and pressing force. You press the buttons simultaneously, with a little bit of delay in the pressed state for about one second. If you just touch them quickly, the phone may perceive this as a lock command or a change in volume, but it won't take a picture. If you successfully perform the action, you will hear the characteristic sound of the camera shutter (if the sound is on) and see a flash of the screen.
☑️ Checking readiness for screenshot
It is worth noting that in some gaming applications or banking services, the screenshot creation function can be software-locked for security reasons, in which case the system will either ignore the button press or save the black screen instead of the image, which is normal behavior of the Android operating system and the MIUI shell, designed to protect the user’s confidential data from leakage.
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If the screenshot does not work the first time, try pressing the volume button a little earlier than the power button, keeping the actions synchronized.
Using three finger gestures to capture quickly
The MIUI shell on the Xiaomi Redmi 9A offers a very convenient alternative method that is highly appreciated by experienced users for its speed: the Three Fingers feature, which allows you to take a screenshot with a simple swipe down three fingers, this method is especially relevant when one hand is busy and the other needs to quickly capture information, or when the physical buttons of the smartphone are worn out and poorly respond to presses.
By default, this feature can be disabled, so you need to manually activate it through the system settings. Go to the Settings menu → Additional features → Screenshots. Here you will find a switch that you need to put into active position. Once turned on, try swiping three fingers from top to bottom in the center of the screen - if done correctly, the device will create a picture.
⚠️ Attention: touchscreen sensitivity may depend on the protective film or glass. If the three-finger gesture does not work, try to increase the speed of the swipe or remove a thick protective coating to check.
The advantage of this method is that you can instantly go to editing. Immediately after you create a screenshot with a gesture, a thumbnail appears at the top of the screen, allowing you to quickly crop the image, draw arrows on it or send the file to the messenger without saving it to the gallery. This greatly speeds up the workflow and eliminates the need to flip through hundreds of photos in search of the desired frame.
Voice control and Google Assistant
AI technology allows you to control your smartphone almost without touching, and the Xiaomi Redmi 9A supports this feature through the built-in Google Assistant. It is ideal for situations where your hands are busy, dirty or just lazy to reach for the buttons. To take a screenshot with your voice, just say the phrase "OK, Google, take a screenshot" or "Take a screenshot".
For this feature to work properly, it is necessary that the device has been configured voice input and activated Google Assistant. It is also important that the assistant settings are allowed appropriate commands. In some regions or under certain language settings, the trigger phrase may differ, so it is worth experimenting with the wording if the standard command is not recognized by the system.
Using voice commands is especially useful for people with disabilities or in scenarios where the phone is lying on the table and you need to urgently capture the information displayed on the display. Voice input eliminates the need for physical contact with the device, which is sometimes critical.
What if the assistant doesn’t hear the command?
Quick settings panel and multitasking menu
Another built-in tool that not all Xiaomi owners know about is in the notification curtain. If you call the swipe control panel from top to bottom, you can find a screenshot button there. If it's not on the visible part of the screen, click on the edit icon (usually a pencil or three dots) and drag the screenshot icon into the active area. Pressing this button instantly creates a snapshot of the current content of the screen.
In addition, the MIUI shell can create screenshots through the menu of running applications. To do this, click the Menu button (square or swipe at the bottom with a delay, depending on the type of navigation) to open a list of working programs. The thumbnail of the desired application often displays additional control buttons, including a screenshot button, which allows you to take a screenshot of even the application that you do not see right now on the display.
This is especially useful when you want to take a screenshot of a dialog that is in the back of a list or a page that requires a long load, and you can start the process, switch to the task menu, and take a picture without waiting for the full rendering of the interface in the active window.
| Method | Reaction rate | Convenience with one hand | Dependence on software |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttons | Tall. | Average. | Low. |
| 3 finger gesture | Very high. | Difficult. | Medium |
| Voice. | Medium | Perfect. | Tall. |
| Notification curtain | Low. | Average. | Low. |
Long screenshot and extended functions
Often, a single screen is not enough to capture all correspondence or a long web page. In such cases, the Xiaomi Redmi 9A has a "Long Screenshot" (or scrolling) feature. After creating a normal shot in any of the ways described above, a thumbnail plaque will appear at the top of the screen, and it will have an icon resembling a scroll or arrow down.
By clicking on this icon, the system automatically starts to scroll down, taking a series of pictures and gluing them into one long picture. You can stop the process at any time by touching the screen, or wait for the end of the page. The resulting file will have a non-standard aspect ratio, but it is great for reading from a computer or printing.
⚠️ Attention: when you create long screenshots on lazy loading sites (when content loads as you scroll), you may experience breaks or white bars.
Also worth mentioning is the "Second Space" or "Guest" mode, if you use these modes to separate work and personal data, screenshot settings (such as whether a three-finger gesture is enabled) may not sync between profiles. Check the settings in each space you use separately so you don't face surprises.
Where to look and how to edit saved images
Once you've successfully created a screenshot, it automatically stores in the device's internal memory, and you can find it in several ways. The easiest way is to click on the thumbnail that appears immediately after the shot, which the built-in editor will open. If you missed that moment, open the Gallery app and go to the Screenshots album. Also, files are available through the file manager on the Internal Memory path → DCIM → Screenshots or MIUI → Gallery → cloud → Screenshots if synchronization is enabled.
The built-in MIUI editor offers a wide range of quick processing features. You can cut the edges, overlay text, add arrows, shapes, or blur sensitive data (such as card numbers or addresses). All tools are in the bottom bar when viewing the image. After editing, remember to click "Save" to make the changes apply to the file.
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Automatic saving to the Mi Cloud allows you not to worry about losing important screenshots when your phone breaks or resets.
For more advanced work, such as creating collages or complex retouching, you can use third-party apps from Google Play, but for 95% of the tasks of the built-in tools Xiaomi Redmi 9A is more than enough. Regular cleaning of the folder with screenshots will help free up space on the device, as this partition often grows to gigabytes of useless garbage.