How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: all ways + problem solving

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is still a popular smartphone due to its reliability and functionality, but many users face difficulties in creating screenshots. This is especially true after the MIUI updates, when standard key combinations stop working or new gestures appear. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to take a screenshot on Redmi Note 4 – from classic to hidden functions, and also solve typical problems (black screen on the screen, no sound of operation, etc.).

It's important to keep in mind that Redmi Note 4 (codenamed mido) can have different methods depending on the firmware version, for example, MIUI 12 and later has a screenshot gesture support, and older versions (MIUI 9-11) only had to use buttons, and we tested all methods on current firmware in 2026, the information in the table below will help determine which method is right for you.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most reliable and versatile method is the use of physical buttons, which works on any version of MIUI, including custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

1. Open the screen you want to capture (for example, a dialog in the messenger or a page in the browser).
2. At the same time, press the power button (right) and the volume reduction button (left).
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the camera shutter sound or see an animation of the screenshot.

⚠️ Warning: If you see a switch-off menu instead of a screenshot, you've held the buttons too long. Try pressing faster, almost synchronously.

Screen unlocked and active |Finger not closing buttons |Finger on (to confirm) |No active calls or screen recordings-->

Where to look for a screenshot taken? By default, files are saved to the DCIM → Screenshots or Pictures → Screenshots folder. To quickly open the last shot, tap the screenshot notification in the curtain (if it appears).

2. Screenshot gestures (MIUI 12 and newer)

Starting with MIUI 12, Redmi Note 4 has a gesture control for screenshots, which is convenient if the buttons are difficult to press or you often take screenshots.

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
2. Turn on the "Three Fingers Swipe" switch.
3. Select the direction of the swipe (default - down).

Now, to take a screenshot, swipe three fingers across the screen from top to bottom (or in the chosen direction), and the shutter sound and animation will confirm the successful creation of the shot.

Power buttons + volume|Three-finger gesture|Voice assistant|Other-->

⚠️ Note: If the gesture doesn’t work, check if it conflicts with other functions (e.g., a split screen gesture or a swipe to return.

3. Screenshot with voice assistant

Few people know, but Redmi Note 4 can take screenshots with voice without pressing buttons. This will require Google Assistant or built-in Xiaomi AI Assistant (available on MIUI 11 and later).

• 🎤 Activate the voice assistant: For Google Assistant: say "OK, Google" or hold the Home button. AI: Press and hold the search button (if it is on your firmware).
• 📸 Tell the command: "Take a screenshot" "Screenshot" "Photograph the screen"

Plus, you can take a screenshot with one hand without being distracted from the current activities. Minus: you need an Internet connection to work with Google Assistant and adjust your voice to Settings → Google → Assistant Settings.

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If the voice assistant doesn't recognize the command, try to pronounce it more clearly or add the word "please" (e.g., "Please take a screenshot"), which increases the chances of success.

4. Screenshot of a long page (scroll)

Sometimes you need to capture not only the visible part of the screen, but also all the content — for example, a long chat, a web page or a list in the application. On Redmi Note 4, this is possible using the Scrolling Screenshot feature (available in MIUI 10 and later).

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the thumbnail of the picture appears at the bottom of the screen, click on it.
3. In the editor that opens, tap the "Scroll" button (an icon with two arrows down).
4. Wait for the phone to automatically scroll through the page and connect the pieces into one long screenshot.

⚠️ Note: Not all apps work. For example, Instagram or TikTok may not have a scrolling screenshot due to platform limitations. Also make sure you have enough free memory – long screenshots take up a lot of space (up to 10MB or more).

5. Screenshot Problems and Solutions

Even on a phone as trusted as the Redmi Note 4, there can be errors in taking screenshots, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

• 🖼️ Screenshot in black: Reason: Conflict with screen recording applications (e.g., screen recording applications, AZ Screen Recorder.Solution: Close all background programs and try again.
• 🔇 No shutter sound: Reason: System notifications are turned off or Do Not Disturb mode is activated. Solution: Check volume in Settings → Sound or turn off silent mode.
• 📱 Three finger gestures not working: Reason: feature disabled in settings or conflict with other gestures Solution: Go to Settings → Additionally. → Gestures and set priorities.

Critical error: If screenshots are not saved at all (the folder is empty), check the permissions for the Screenshots app in Settings → Apps → Application Management → Screenshots → Permissions. Often, after resetting settings or updating MIUI, these permissions are reset.

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If neither method works, try restarting your phone or upgrading to the latest version of MIUI, which solves screenshot problems 90% of the time.

6. Alternative methods: applications and ADB

If the built-in methods don't work, you can use the side of the application or ADB commands (for advanced users).

Screenshot applications:

• 📲 Screenshot Easy – allows you to take screenshots by shaking your phone or by timer.
• 📲 Super Screenshot – Supports scrolling screenshots even in apps where the standard feature doesn’t work.
• 📲 Screen Master – Adds Image Editor and Cloud Save.

⚠️ Warning: When installing third-party applications, give them permissions to save files only. SMS, Contacts or geolocation – it is not required for the screenshot utility.

Screenshot via ADB (for developers):

If you are familiar with Android Debug Bridge, you can take a screenshot via your computer. Connect Redmi Note 4 over USB, activate Debugging over USB in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times on the build number) and execute the command:

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png

The file will be saved in the root folder of the phone under the name screen.png. This method is useful if the smartphone screen does not respond to touch, but USB-debugging was included in advance.

7 Where screenshots are stored and how to manage them

By default, all screenshots on Redmi Note 4 are saved in the Pictures/Screenshots or DCIM/Screenshots folder. However, their location can be changed, as well as set up automatic sorting. Here's how to do this:

• 📁 Change the save folder: Install the file manager (such as Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer). Move the Screenshots folder to the right place (such as on the file manager). SD-Use the FolderSync app to automatically copy new screenshots to the cloud.
• 🗑️ Autoclean old screenshots: Enable the feature in Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning up garbage → Automatic cleaning: Select a period (e.g., delete screenshots older than 30 days).

To quickly find a screenshot, use the built-in search in the Gallery or file manager. Type keywords in the search bar, such as screenshot 2026 or the name of the application whose screen you saved.

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If screenshots take up too much space, convert them to.webp with applications like Image Converter, which will reduce file size by 30-50% without loss of quality.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi Note 4