How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: all ways + error solving

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni), released in 2017, is still popular with users due to its reliability and low price. However, many owners face difficulties when trying to take a screenshot — especially if you have previously used devices from other brands. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to take screenshots on Redmi 4X, including hidden MIUI features, and also solve typical problems, such as when the screenshot is not saved or buttons do not work.

It is important to consider that methods may vary depending on the firmware version. Redmi 4X originally shipped with MIUI 8 based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, but many users have upgraded to MIUI 12/14 (Android 7.1 or 9).We will specify the features for each version, you will also learn how to configure saving screenshots to the Xiaomi cloud automatically and where to find deleted screenshots.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most versatile method that works on all versions of MIUI is to press physical buttons simultaneously. On Redmi 4X, use:

Power button + Volume Down button

How it works:

1. Open the screen you want to capture (for example, a dialog in the messenger or a page in the browser).
2. Press the Power and Volume Down for 1-2 seconds until you hear the camera shutter sound and see the animation of the screenshot.
3. The image will automatically be saved to the gallery in the Screenshots folder.

⚠️ Note: If the buttons are pressed too long (more than 3 seconds), the smartphone can reboot to Fastboot mode or turn off.

On the Redmi 4X with MIUI 12+, after you take a screenshot, you'll see a thumbnail in the lower right corner.

• 🖌️ Edit the picture (cut, add text).
• 📤 Share immediately in messengers.
• 🗑️ Delete if the screenshot is unsuccessful.

Screenshot by gesture (only for MIUI 9 and later)

If your Redmi 4X is upgraded to MIUI 9-14, you can use gesture control – swiping three fingers across the screen – which is convenient when physical buttons are difficult to access (for example, when using a case).

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot.
2. Activate the Screenshot option with a gesture.
3. Choose the direction of the gesture: from top to bottom or from bottom to top (we recommend from above so that it does not conflict with navigation).

How to take a screenshot: swipe three fingers across the screen in the selected direction, and the movement must be smooth but fast, otherwise the system will ignore it.

💡

If the gesture doesn't work, try to swipe your fingers closer to the center of the screen, and the edges are sometimes not recognized because of the display's bending.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 8 (Android 6.0) No gesture screenshots - just button control. Update firmware through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

3. Screenshot via notification panel (MIUI 10–14)

The new MIUI versions have a quick button for screenshots in the notification curtain, which is convenient if you don't want to remember keyboard shortcuts.

How to add a button:

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

How to use: Open the screen → swipe the curtain → click on the Screenshot icon. The picture will be saved automatically.

On the Redmi 4X with MIUI 12+, there is also a Long Scrolling option in the curtain, which allows you to capture the entire chat or web page:

1. Take a regular screenshot in any way.
2. When the thumbnail appears, click Scrolling (the icon with the arrows down).
3. Wait until the system automatically scrolls the page and connects the pictures.

4. Screenshot by voice (Google Assistant)

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

How to set up:

1. Make sure in Settings → Apps → All apps Google has permission to access the microphone.
2. Activate the voice assistant: say OK, Google, or press the Home button (if it's physical).
3. Say the command: Take a screenshot.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4X s MIUI 8/9 Google Assistant may not support this command. Update Google services to Play Market.

Alternatively, use Alice from Yandex:

• 🎤 Install the Yandex app with Alice.
• 🗣️ Say, Alice, take a screenshot.
• ✅ Confirm permission to access the screen.

5. Screenshot applications (if standard methods do not work)

If none of the above methods work (for example, due to breakage of buttons or firmware errors), you can use third-party utilities. 4X fit:

⚠️ Attention: When you first run an app, you'll ask permission to overlay the other windows, and you won't get screenshots without that:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Permissions → Special Access → Overlay.
2. Find the screenshot app and turn on the switch.

6.Solving Screenshot Problems on Redmi 4X

If screenshots are not saved, buttons are not working or errors appear, check the following points:

• 🔋 Battery charge below 15%: system can block file saving.Plug in charge.
• 📁 Screenshots folder damaged: go to Gallery → Albums. → Screenshots, delete unnecessary files and reboot your phone.
• 🔄 Conflict with running applications: Close all programs through Recent Applications → Close it all down.
• 🛠️ Firmware error: reset settings through Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and reset (data not lost).

If a screenshot is taken but not saved:

1. Check the memory space: Settings → Memory. Free up at least 500 MB.
2. Open File Manager and go to /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots. If you don't have a folder, create it manually.
3. Install another photo viewing app (like Google Photos).

💡

On Redmi 4X with MIUI 8, screenshots are saved as.png without compression by default. To save space, convert them to.jpg through any editor app.

7.Where to find and how to manage screenshots

By default, all screenshots on Redmi 4X are saved to:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

How to open it:

• 📂 Through the Gallery: Open the Appendix → Albums. → Screenshots.
• 🔍 File Manager: Go to Internal Memory → Pictures → Screenshots.
• ☁️ In Xiaomi Cloud: If sync is enabled, screenshots are duplicated in the cloud (check Settings). → Xiaomi account → Cloud).

How to delete or transfer screenshots:

• 🗑️ Delete: In the gallery, select files → Click Remove (or swipe left/right in viewing mode).
• 📤 Transfer to PC: connect the phone to USB, Select File Transfer Mode and copy Screenshots folder.
• 🔄 Auto Clean: In Google Photos, set up automatic removal of screenshots older than 30 days (Settings) → Memory management).

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi 4X