How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 9: all ways with explanations

Xiaomi Redmi 9 remains one of the most popular budget smartphones even years after its release — thanks to balanced performance, reliable build and flexible firmware MIUI. But many users still face difficulties in creating screenshots: the combination of buttons does not work, the gesture is not recognized, the screen is not fixed in games, this article covers all the questions from basic methods to little-known life hacks for Redmi 9, Redmi 9A, Redmi 9C and Redmi 9T.

We'll look at not only the standard ways (Power + Volume Down buttons), but also the alternatives: three-finger gestures, voice commands through Google Assistant, and specialized applications for advanced users. Separately, we'll focus on the nuances of why a screenshot might not be saved, how to change the file format (PNG/JPEG) and where to find saved screenshots. If you've ever lost important screens or couldn't take a picture in the game, this guide is for you.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most reliable and versatile method is the use of physical buttons, which works on all versions of Redmi 9 (including 9A/9C/9T) regardless of the version of MIUI or Android.

1. Open the screen you want to lock (application, web page, settings).
2. At the same time, press the Power button (right) and the Volume Down button (left).
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the sound of the camera shutter and see the animation of the screenshot.

⚠️ Note: If you press the buttons for too long (more than 3 seconds), the smartphone may interpret this as an attempt to turn off or reboot.The optimal retention time is exactly until visual confirmation appears (screen blink or screenshot icon in the upper right corner).

Where do you look for the screenshot you saved? By default, the files are placed in the folder:

Internal Memory → Pictures → Screenshots

Or through the gallery: open the Gallery app → Screenshots album.

The screen flashed briefly.

There was a shutter sound.

In the top notification panel displayed the screenshot icon

The file appeared in the Screenshots folder-->

2. Three-finger gesture - quick way without buttons

Screenshot by gesture is available in MIUI by default, but is often disabled to activate it:

1. Go to Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
2. Find the screenshot item with a gesture and turn on the switch.
3. Choose the option of Swipe three fingers down (recommended) or Touch three fingers.

Now, you can just swipe three fingers from top to bottom on the screen at the same time, and this is a particularly convenient method.

• 🎮 In games where the power/volume buttons are occupied by the gamepad.
• 📱 With broken physical buttons.
• ⚡ To quickly create a series of screenshots (e.g. chat correspondence).

⚠️ Note: If the gesture does not work, check it out:

• Screen cleanliness – greasy spots or protective glass may interfere with recognition.
• Sensor sensitivity in Settings → Display → Touch gestures.
• No conflicts with other gestures (e.g. Nova Launcher launchers).

Power and volume buttons

Three-finger gesture

Voice assistant

Apps from Play Market

I don't know how to take screenshots.-->

3. Voice commands via Google Assistant

If you have Google Assistant enabled, you can take voice screenshots, which is useful when your hands are busy or your buttons are not available.

1. Activate the assistant with a voice ("OK, Google" or "Hello, Alice").
2. Say, for Google Assistant, "Take a screenshot" or "Take a screenshot." For Alice, "Take a screenshot."

⚠️ Note: The voice method has limitations:

• 🚫 Does not work in games with the microphone turned off (for example, PUBG Mobile).
• 🔇 Requires Internet connection to recognize speech.
• 📵 May conflict with privacy settings (if screen access for assistant is disabled).

To check permissions for Google Assistant:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Google.
2. Select Permissions and make sure that Microphone and Display are enabled on top of other windows.

💡

If the voice assistant does not recognize the command, try to pronounce it more clearly or switch the language in the assistant settings to English (the command "Take a screenshot" works more stable).

4. Screenshot via notification panel (for MIUI 12 and later)

In MIUI 12+ firmware, a quick screenshot button appeared in the notification bar to add:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ (Edit).
3. Find a screenshot in the list and drag it to the active area.

Now to create a screenshot is enough:

1. Open the screen.
2. Swipe the notification panel down.
3. Stick on the Screenshot icon.

Advantages of this method:

• ⚡ Instant access – no need to remember combinations.
• 🎯 Accuracy – eliminates random button presses.
• 🔄 It works even if one of the physical buttons is broken.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 9A s MIUI 11 of this feature may not be. Update the firmware through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

5. Advanced Methods: ADB and Third Party Applications

If standard methods do not work (for example, due to broken buttons or custom firmware), you can use:

Method 1: ADB-team (for developers)

A computer with installed equipment is required ADB (Android Debug Bridge. Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Redmi 9: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (shap 7 times)
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute in the terminal: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png

Method 2: Apps from Play Market

Recommended utilities for screenshots:

⚠️ Note: When using third-party applications:

• 🛡️ Check Permits – Some utilities request notification or geolocation access for no reason.
• 📥 Avoid programs with a rating below 4.0 – they may contain advertising software.
• 🔄 After installation, restart the phone to avoid conflicts with the MIUI.

6. Problem Solving: Screenshot is not saved or working

If screenshots are not created or disappear, check:

Problem 1: No sound or notification of screenshot

• 🔇 Check if the system sound is turned off in Settings → Sound.
• 📵 Make sure that in the settings → Notifications not disabled alerts from Screenshot Service.
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the screenshot service “hangs".

Problem 2: Screenshots are not saved in the gallery

• 📁 Check the folder. Pictures/Screenshots File Manager (for example, Mi File Manager).
• 🗑️ It's possible that files are automatically deleted due to memory shortage.
• 🔧 Reset the Gallery app settings in Settings → Annexes.

Problem 3: The three-finger gesture doesn't work

• 👆 Make sure the function is included in the settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
• 🧹 Clear the system cache: Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 📱 Check the sensitivity of the sensor – calibration may be required.

A unique nuance for Redmi 9: if after the MIUI update the screenshot sound disappeared, you can return it only through resetting media settings in Settings → Sound → Additional → Reset sounds by default.

7. Additional chips: long screenshots and editing

Redmi 9 supports long (scroll) screenshots for web pages, chats or documents.

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the described methods.
2. Immediately after the appearance of the screen thumbnail in the lower right corner, tap it.
3. Select the Scrolling option (or Long Screenshot).
4. Wait for the screen to automatically scroll and save the extended shot.

To edit screenshots:

• 🎨 Use the built-in editor in the Gallery (trimming, blurring, text).
• 🖌️ Install Snapseed or PhotoRoom for professional processing.
• 📤 To quickly share a screenshot, after creating a tap on the notification and select Share.

⚠️ Note: Long screenshots do not work:

• 🚫 In some games (such as Genshin Impact).
• 🔒 On screens with confidential information (bank applications).
• 📱 With an active mode of energy saving.

💡

To create a scrolling screenshot on Telegram or WhatsApp, first take a regular screen, then tap on the thumbnail and select "Scroll" to capture the entire chat.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi 9