Xiaomi Redmi 9A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but even experienced users sometimes have questions about basic features. Taking screenshots (screenshots) is a seemingly elementary operation, but depending on the version of MIUI or interface settings, the process may differ. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to take a screenshot on the Redmi 9A, including rare nuances that are not mentioned in the standard instructions.
The Redmi 9A features no physical Menu button and a simplified layout of controls, which affects the key combinations available, and some firmware also has default gestures disabled for screenshots, and we'll show you how to turn them back on, and what to do if a screenshot is not saved or a "Can't Take a Screenshot" error appears.
Method 1: Standard button combination
The most reliable and versatile method is the use of hardware buttons, which works on all versions of MIUI (including MIUI 12/13/14) and does not depend on the gesture settings.
To take a screenshot:
- Open on the screen what you want to shoot (application, web page, chat, etc.).
- Press the power button (right) and the volume button (left) at the same time.
- Hold them for 1–1.5 seconds until you hear the camera shutter sound and see the save animation.
⚠️ Warning: Do not hold the buttons longer than 2 seconds - this can lead to accidental call of the switch-off menu or reboot of the device.If the screenshot did not work the first time, try pressing the buttons a little faster or slower.
Where do you look for the saved image? All screenshots are automatically placed in the folder:
/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/Or through the gallery: open the Photos app → Screenshots album.
Buttons not locked
The screen is not darkened (no power saving mode)
Free memory (minimum 50 MB)
Do Not Disturb (can block shutter sound)-->
Method 2: Three-finger gesture (requires settings)
Redmi 9A offers an alternative way to create screenshots with a gesture, by swiping three fingers across the screen from top to bottom, but by default, this feature is disabled in most firmware.
To activate it:
- Go to Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
- Turn on the switch opposite the screenshot item with three fingers.
- Try the gesture: touch the screen with three fingers (for example, index, middle and ring) and swipe down.
⚠️ Attention: The gesture may conflict with other features, such as closing applications in multitasking mode. If the screenshot fails, check if the swipe down to close gesture is enabled in the settings (in Settings). → Screen. → Navigation buttons).
Advantages of this method:
- 👆 Faster than a button combination (especially if one of the buttons is damaged).
- 🎯 Works horizontally (e.g. in games or videos).
- 🔇 You can turn off the shutter sound in the gesture settings.
Standard buttons
Three-finger gesture
Voice assistant
Other-->
Method 3: Voice command via Google Assistant
If the hardware buttons don't work (for example, after a phone drops), you can take a screenshot using a voice assistant, which requires an Internet connection and a Google Assistant activated.
Instructions:
- Activate the assistant by saying OK, Google, or by pressing the Home button (if you have one on your screen).
- Tell the command: Take a screenshot or a screenshot.
- Confirm the action if necessary.
⚠️ Note: In some regions (e.g. Russia), voice commands for screenshots may be restricted due to Google policy.If the assistant answers "This feature is not available", try it:
- 🌐 Switch to English in the Assistant settings.
- 🔄 Update the Google App to the latest version.
- 📱 Install an alternative assistant (e.g., Alice from Yandex) if it supports this feature.
The voice method is convenient for creating screenshots “on the go”, but has disadvantages:
| Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ It does not require physical pressing of buttons. | ❌ It only works when connected to the internet. |
| ✅ Can be used with gloves or with a damaged screen | ❌ Possible delays due to team processing |
| ✅ Suitable for people with disabilities | ❌ It does not work in some applications (for example, in banking) |
What to do if the screenshot is not saved?
Sometimes a screenshot is taken (animation appears) but not displayed in the gallery.
1. Not enough memory. Check the space available in Settings → Memory. If less than 100 MB, delete the unnecessary files or transfer them to the memory card.
2. Access rights error. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Gallery and check if storage rights are allowed.
3. Optimizer conflict. MIUI has a Cleanup function that can delete unwanted files, including screenshots.
Settings → Battery and Performance → Cleanup → Auto Cleanup (disable)4. Screenshots is corrupted. Try manually creating a new folder with that name in the Pictures section through any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager).
How to recover deleted screenshots?
Alternative methods: ADB and third-party applications
If standard methods do not work (for example, due to a break in buttons or a firmware failure), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or specialized utilities.
The ADB method:
- Install Platform Tools on your PC.
- Turn on USB Debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
- Connect Redmi 9A to your computer and execute the command:
adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.pngThe image will be saved as screen.png in the root folder of memory.
Third-party annexes:
- 📱 Screenshot Easy – Supports Delayed Shooting and Editing.
- 🎨 Super Screenshot – allows you to take scrolling screenshots (long pages).
- 🔧 Screen Master – works without root, but requires permission to display over other windows.
⚠️ Attention: When in use ADB Disable the antivirus on your phone — it can block screenshots as “suspicious activity.” Also avoid apps with suspicious permissions (for example, access to the Internet). SMS or call).
💡
If you often need screenshots of web pages, use the PC mode in Google Chrome. It allows you to save the entire page in a format. PDF print-menu (⋮ → Seal. → Save how PDF).
Screenshots in games and secure applications
Some applications (banking, messengers with secret chats, games with cheat protection) block the ability to create screenshots. If the screen flashes when you try to take a picture, but the file is not saved, the reasons may be as follows:
1. Application-level ban: For example, WhatsApp does not allow screenshots in chats with “disappearing messages” turned on, and SberBank Online blocks screenshots with map data.
2.Shit protection in games: Popular games like PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact can prohibit screenshots during matches.
- 🎮 Use the built-in screen recording function (Settings) → Screen. → Screen recording, then extract the footage from the video.
- 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC and take a screenshot through a mirroring program (like Scrcpy).
3. MIUI Restrictions: China Firmware (MIUI China) can be enabled with Privacy Mode → Special Permits → Screenshot Ban. Check this section.
💡
If a screenshot is blocked at the application level, the only legal way to do this is to use a second camera (another phone) or specialized screen mirroring software, bypassing locks through firmware modifications violates the terms of use of many services (such as banking).
Editing and sharing screenshots
After you take a screenshot of Redmi 9A, you get a quick action bar at the bottom of the screen, and it allows you to:
- ✏️ Edit – crop, add text or a picture.
- 📤 Share – send to the messenger or cloud.
- 🗑️ Delete – if the photo is not needed.
- 🔍 View - Open in the gallery.
If the panel does not appear, check the settings:
Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot ToolbarFor advanced editing (blurring, mosaic, adding arrows) use:
- 🖌️ Built-in editor in Google Photos (automatically offers improvements).
- 🎨 PicsArt or Snapseed for professional processing.
- 📝 Markup Hero – convenient for annotations (for example, circle an important part of the screen).
⚠️ Note: When you send screenshots via instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), they are automatically compressed. To maintain the original quality, use cloud services (Google Drive, Yandex Disk) or send a file in the archive (.zip).