Redmi smartphones have long proven to be reliable devices with excellent value for money. Redmi 9 is no exception, offering users a wide range of functionality for everyday tasks. One of the basic but critical functions that owners use every day is to create a screenshot. However, for newcomers from other brands, or those who are just familiar with the shell of MIUI, often asks about the right algorithm of actions.
Creating a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 9 can be required in a variety of situations, from saving correspondence or a payment receipt to fixing an error in the application. The developers have provided several options for implementing this task so that each user can choose the most convenient scenario for themselves. You can use physical buttons, gestures, voice control or special widgets. Understanding all the nuances will allow you to work with the device as efficiently as possible.
It's important to note that MIUI software is constantly updated, and some features may change their location or name. However, the basics of how it works remain the same throughout many firmware versions. We'll look at both the standard and hidden features of the system that often go unnoticed. Get ready to become a real interface expert for your gadget.
The classic method using buttons
The fastest and most time-tested way to capture an image on a display is a combination of mechanical keys. This method works even when the touch screen temporarily does not respond or locks. You need to press the on and off button at the same time. It is important to keep synchrony: a delay of even a fraction of a second can lead to the fact that instead of taking a screenshot, you simply turn down the volume or turn on the off menu.
Redmi 9 will instantly respond to the right tap with the characteristic shutter sound and vibration. In the upper right corner, you will see a thumbnail of the image you have taken, which you can immediately edit or send. If you click on this thumbnail, you will see a built-in editor that allows you to cut the edges or make the necessary notes. This is especially useful when you need to hide sensitive data before sending a screenshot to the interlocutor.
⚠️ Warning: Do not hold the buttons too long. Prolonged simultaneous pressing of the power and volume key on some firmware versions MIUI It can trigger an emergency call menu. SOS or forced reboot of the device if this function is activated in the settings.
For those who are physically uncomfortable reaching for buttons with one hand, there is an alternative: You can adjust the order of buttons or use software solutions, but the classic bundle remains the most reliable. It does not require adjustment and works out of the box immediately after you buy a smartphone. Remember the location of the keys to act reflexively at the right time.
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The button combination is a universal method that works in 99% of cases, including the moments of freezing of the touch layer.
Managing Screenshots Through Gestures
MIUI is famous for its clever gestures that make interface interactions much faster. One of the most popular and elegant ways to capture a screenshot on Redmi 9 is by putting three fingers across the display, which is spectacular and one-movement, which is especially valuable when using a smartphone with one hand, and to activate this feature, you need to go into the settings and find the appropriate switch.
The path to activation is as follows: go to Settings → Additional Features → Screenshot with three fingers. Make sure the switch is on. Then just swipe three fingers from top to bottom on any part of the screen. The smartphone recognizes the gesture and takes a snapshot. If the gesture doesn't work the first time, try changing the speed or the density of your fingers pressing against the matrix.
- 🖐️ The three-finger gesture works on a locked screen if the screenshot on a locked screen is enabled».
- 🎨 In the gesture settings, you can select the action after the photo: edit, send or just save.
- ⚙️ Touchscreen sensitivity can be calibrated in the engineering menu if gestures are performed incorrectly.
Using gestures relieves physical buttons of unnecessary load, prolonging their life. Mechanical volume switches can wear out over time, especially when used in games. By moving frequent actions to the software level, you keep the hardware of your Xiaomi. This is especially true for the Redmi 9 model, which is often used as a main working tool.
Use of notification curtains and widgets
If you have mechanical buttons busy or gestures that you find uncomfortable, you can always use the control center. In Redmi 9, the notification curtain provides quick access to many system functions, including creating screenshots. You just unlock your phone, swipe the control panel from top to bottom, and find the Screenshot icon, which looks like a scissor or a rectangle.
This is ideal in situations where the screen needs to be saved at a particular moment, but the hands are busy or the device is in a position that is uncomfortable to press buttons, such as when the phone is lying on the table or fixed in the holder. Pressing the virtual button in the interface ensures that the image does not lubricate due to the shaking of the body when you press physical keys.
You can also put a shortcut or tool widget on your desktop, which also has a quick snap button, so you can take a screenshot without opening the curtain every time. It takes a couple of seconds to set up the widget, but saves time in the long run. Just add the right item to the home screen through the widget menu.
⚠️ Attention: The screenshot icon in the curtain may not be available by default. To add it, click on the pencil icon or the tripod in the upper right corner of the notification curtain and drag the Screenshot to the active area.
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Add a Screenshot widget to your desktop if you need to take a lot of pictures throughout the day – it’s faster than looking for an icon in a curtain.
Voice control and Mi AI assistant
Modern smartphones, including Redmi 9, have advanced voice control systems. You can ask your phone to take a screenshot without touching the screen at all. This uses Google Assistant or built-in Xiiao AI (depending on the firmware version and region). Just say the phrase "OK, Google, take a screenshot" or activate the assistant with a button and voice a command.
This may seem superfluous in normal circumstances, but it is a lifeline in critical situations: for example, when the screen is dirty, wet hands do not allow the use of a touchscreen, or the phone is in a difficult place. Voice control opens up new possibilities for people with disabilities, making the smartphone more accessible.
To activate the feature, make sure the voice assistant is configured and has access to system functions. In Google's settings, find the Voice Match section and check permissions. Sometimes additional activation is required in the Voice Control section in the settings of Redmi itself. The right setup will allow you to control the device almost entirely with your voice.
- 🗣️ Voice commands work even when the screen is off (Ok Google mode»).
- 🌐 Commands can be given in any language supported by the assistant.
- 🔒 Some actions may require unlocking the device by voice or face.
Why can voice control not work?
Long screenshot and extended functions
One of the most useful features in Xiaomi’s arsenal is the ability to create a “long screenshot” or scroll. It is an indispensable tool for saving long correspondence in messengers, web pages or contact lists. After you have taken a regular screenshot with any of the methods described above, a thumbnail will appear in the upper corner.
The screen will automatically scroll down to capture a new area, and you can stop the process at any time by touching the screen, automatically glue all the pieces together into one long, high-quality image, eliminating the need to manually stitch together pictures in Photoshop or other editors.
The built-in MIUI editor also allows you to add comments, stickers and blur text. You can highlight an important area with a marker or, conversely, hide personal data by blurring. These tools are in the basic set and do not require installing third-party software. The editor's functionality is constantly expanding with the firmware update.
| Method | Speed. | Convenience | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttons | Tall. | Average. | No. |
| 3 finger gesture | Tall. | High. | Setting up |
| Curtain. | Medium | High. | No. |
| Voice. | Low. | Specific | Internet/Microphone |
Using long screenshots saves space in the gallery, as one picture replaces a series of ten regular ones, and it also makes it easier to transfer information: it is easier for an interlocutor to scroll through one long tape than to flip through many individual files.
☑️ Checking the screenshot settings
Where are the screenshots stored and how to find them
Once you've created a screenshot, it's automatically stored in the device's internal memory. Standard file path: Internal memory → DCIM → Screenshots. The MIUI Gallery has a separate album for them, making it easier to sort them out. You can also find them through the Explorer app by sorting files by type or date of creation.
Files are saved in PNG format, which ensures high quality of the image without loss. This is important if the screenshot contains small text or graphics. The file size can vary depending on the resolution of the screen and the number of details in the image. When the memory is overflowing, the system may suggest clearing old pictures.
⚠️ Note: When clearing the WhatsApp cache through your Android settings, screenshots saved in the app folder can be deleted. Always check that important images are transferred to a shared album or cloud.
You can use Mi Cloud or Google Photos to automatically sync your screenshots to your computer or cloud. Set up autoload so your photos are always safe even when you lose your phone. This is especially true for documents and important work correspondence. Regular backup is the key to peace of mind in the digital age.
The solution: why not take a screenshot
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where screenshots are not created, most often due to security restrictions in specific applications, such as banking applications, incognito mode in the browser or DRM-protected video players block the creation of screenshots, in which case you will see a black image or an error message.
Another reason may be a lack of free memory: If Redmi 9's internal storage is overcrowded, the system will not be able to save a new file, check the space and delete unnecessary applications or videos if necessary, and it is also worth rebooting the device if there is a system failure of the SystemUI process.
- 🛡️ In banking apps, screenshots are banned by Android security policies.
- 💾 Memory Lack – a common reason for system failure to save a file.
- 🔄 Reboot solves 90% of software errors associated with the interface.
If the problem is systemic and affects all applications, system files may be damaged, in which case it will help to reset settings or flash the device. However, before resorting to radical measures, try to update the system to the latest available version through the update menu.