Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Mi 9 are powerful multimedia devices that allow you not only to communicate, but also to create content, play games and work with documents. In the process of active use of the gadget, you often need to capture the current image on the display. Whether it is important correspondence, the result in your favorite game or an interesting article in the browser, the ability to quickly create a screenshot becomes a skill of the first necessity.
The MIUI operating system on board the device offers users many flexible interface tools. Unlike many competitors, there is no single way, but a whole arsenal of methods, each of which is convenient in its own situation: some users prefer classic mechanical buttons, others choose touch gestures, and others control the smartphone voice.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the options available for taking screenshots on the Mi 9. You will learn not only about standard methods, but also about hidden features such as automatic scrolling of long pages and editing immediately after creation. Understanding these nuances will allow you to work with the device as efficiently as possible and save time in everyday tasks.
Classical method using physical buttons
The most common and time-tested method that works on the vast majority of Android smartphones, including the Xiaomi Mi 9. It is ideal in situations where the screen reacts to latency touches or when you are in the game and do not want to risk accidentally pressing game buttons.
To do this, you have to press two buttons at the same time: Volume down and Power. The key here is synchrony. The pressing has to be short-term, but sure. If you hold your finger too long, the smartphone can perceive this as a command to call the switch-off menu or emergency reboot, which is completely unnecessary to create a screenshot.
Once you've successfully executed the command, you'll hear the characteristic snap of the camera shutter (if the sound isn't off), and the screen will blink for a split second. In the upper right corner, you'll see a thumbnail of the image that opens the editor when you press it, and this method works even when the touch layer is temporarily not responding to complex gestures.
⚠️ Warning: Do not press the buttons too hard and hold them for longer than one second. Prolonged clamping of the "Loudness down" combination» + «Powering" on Xiaomi Mi 9 activates the emergency call or turn off menu of the device, which can interrupt your current process.
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Train to take a screenshot in a safe menu to build muscle memory and not miss the buttons in stressful situations, such as during online play.
Using a three-finger gesture for quick access
Owners of Xiaomi Mi 9 often note the ease of one-handed control, and here comes the function of swiping three fingers on the screen. This method is much faster than the mechanical one, because it does not require changing the grip of the device. However, by default this option can be disabled, so it must be activated in the system settings.
To enable this feature, go to the Settings menu, then select the Additional section and find the Screenshot. Here you need to activate the Three Finger Switch. After that, just swipe three fingers from top to bottom down the center of the display any time you want to take a picture, the system will instantly respond with an audible signal and save the file.
This is especially true when the phone is on the table or holding with one hand, and it is physically inconvenient to reach the side buttons. In addition, gesture minimizes the risk of lubrication, since it does not require shaking the device or pressure on the body. For people who often take screenshots on social networks, this method becomes the main one.
- 📱 Open “Settings” and go to the “More” section».
- 🖐️ Select the "Screenshot" option and activate the "Three fingers" option».
- ⬇️ Swipe three fingers down the screen to create a picture.
- ✂️ Use the menu that appears for quick editing or sending.
Creating screenshots through the notification curtain menu
Another convenient option that doesn’t require memorizing combinations or performing complex gestures is to use a quick access panel, a technique that is often overlooked, but it’s extremely useful when physical buttons are inconvenient to use, such as if the smartphone is in a heavy protective case or the buttons are taut.
To use this method, you need to swipe from top to bottom to open the notification curtain, and then swipe it to the full screen to see all the quick access icons. Among them, you need to find the Screenshot icon (usually looks like scissors or a screen image). If the icon is not on the first screen, swipe to the right to see additional pages of the control panel.
Once you click on the icon, the system will take a snapshot of the current content of the display, a universal method that works consistently across all interfaces, including the settings menu, where other methods can behave unpredictably, and it is also convenient in that it visually confirms the action before it occurs.
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Control panel is the most reliable way if the phone buttons are locked or the screen does not respond to multi-touch gestures due to software failures.
Voice control via Google Assistant and Xiao AI
AI technology allows you to control the Xiaomi Mi 9 without touching, which is especially true when the user’s hands are busy or dirty. Voice assistants can command to take a screenshot on voice request, which looks spectacular and is extremely convenient in certain scenarios.
If you use a standard Google Assistant, just wake it up with the phrase “Ok Google” or button, and then say the command “Take a screenshot” (or “Make a screenshot” in English). The assistant will instantly perform the action. Owners of Chinese firmware versions can also use the built-in Xiao AI assistant if it is configured and understands Russian or the corresponding commands.
This method requires an active internet connection and a pre-configured microphone, and it may be less reliable in noisy rooms where the voice assistant may not recognize the command the first time, but it is a great fallback when other methods are not available.
- 🎙️ Activate the voice assistant with a button or the phrase “OK, Google».
- 🗣️ Say the command “Take a screenshot” clearly».
- 📸 Wait for the sound confirmation and the appearance of preview images.
- 🌐 Make sure the device is connected to the network for the assistant to work properly.
The function of long screenshot and scrolling
One of the most popular features in the MIUI shell is the ability to create “long” screenshots. It is an indispensable tool for saving correspondence in messengers, articles in the browser or social media feeds that do not fit on a single screen. Xiaomi Mi 9 automatically “stitches” several images into one long picture.
First, take a normal screenshot of any of the ways I described above, and immediately there'll be a thumbnail in the upper right corner, a down button, or a scroll icon, and click on it, and the screen will automatically scroll down to capture new content, and the process will stop when you touch the screen or reach the end of the page.
It is important to consider that the quality of the final image depends on the speed of scrolling and stability of the application. In some dynamic applications or games, the function may not work correctly, creating gaps in the image.
⚠️ Warning: When taking a long screenshot, try not to touch the area where important content is displayed, otherwise the system may interpret this as a stop scrolling command.
Where are the long screenshots kept?
Where to look and how to edit saved images
Once a screenshot is created, it is automatically stored in the device’s internal memory. The standard file path in the Android file system is usually /Internal Storage/DCIM/Screenshots or /Internal Storage/Pictures/Screenshots. In the Xiaomi gallery, a separate album has been created for them, which makes it easier to search.
Once you've created a screenshot, you'll see a preview notification in the top corner, and if you click on it, you'll see the built-in MIUI editor, which allows you to do basic things like framing, overlaying, drawing arrows, or blurring sensitive data (such as card numbers or passwords), a critical security feature.
You can use third-party apps for more advanced editing, but the Mi 9’s standard functionality covers 95% of the user’s needs, and it also allows you to quickly share a screenshot through any installed messengers directly from the preview interface without going to the gallery.
| Parameter | Description | Location. |
|---|---|---|
| File format | The image is saved in PNG format without loss of quality. | DCIM/Screenshots folder |
| Permission | It corresponds to the screen resolution of Mi 9 (1080x2340) | File properties |
| Editorial | Built-in MIUI tool for markup | Preview after the photo |
| Long screen. | Automatic scrolling and gluing | Preview button |