Screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: all ways (including hidden)

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) is still one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand released in 2017. Despite modest by modern standards, the characteristics (Snapdragon 435 processor, 2-3 GB of RAM), the device is still used by thousands of users — and many have the question: how to take a screenshot of the screen if standard methods do not work or forgotten?

In this article, we will not only list how to take screenshots, but also analyze common errors (for example, why a screenshot is not saved in the gallery), alternative applications for older versions of MIUI, as well as a unique method through ADB for devices with damaged buttons. If your Redmi 4X runs on MIUI 8-12, here you will find the latest solution.

Note: the manual is suitable for all Redmi 4X versions (16/32/64 GB of memory), including the Indian version (Redmi 4) and global firmware. For models with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), some methods may not work – we will mention this too.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most reliable and versatile method is to use hardware buttons. On the Xiaomi Redmi 4X, it uses power and volume reduction keys. Here's how to do it correctly:

• 📱 Open the screen you want to capture (such as a WhatsApp dialog or a page in your browser).
• 🔘 Press and hold the power button (right) and the volume button (left) for 1-2 seconds at the same time.
• 🎨 You will hear the characteristic shutter sound (if the sound is on) and see the animation of saving the screenshot at the top of the screen.
• 📂 The image is automatically saved in the folder DCIM/Screenshots or Pictures/Screenshots.

⚠️ Note: If you have a shell installed MIUI 9 or older, after you take a screenshot, a thumbnail with the "Share" and "Delete" buttons will appear in the lower right corner. Click on the thumbnail to edit the picture immediately (short, add text or a picture).

💡

If the power button is broken, use the gesture method (Section 3) or plug in USB-keyboard OTG — PrtSc (Print Screen) will also work!

A common mistake is that users try to press buttons too quickly or with a split second difference, which leads to the smartphone perceiving the press as a command to turn off or adjust the volume, Solution: press the buttons simultaneously, with a slight effort, as if you were taking a photo with an old camera.

2. Screenshot via notification panel (three-finger gesture)

MIUI has a hidden feature for creating a screenshot using a three-finger gesture, which is not on by default, so you need to activate it first:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
2. Turn on the switch "Swipe with three fingers".
3. Choose the direction of the swipe: down (recommended) or up.

Now to take a screenshot:

1. Open the screen.
2. Swipe three fingers across the screen from top to bottom (or bottom to top if you choose a different direction).
3. Wait for the beep and the save notification.

🔍 Why the gesture doesn’t work?

• 🚫 The function is disabled in the settings (check the Settings path). → Gestures).
• 🧤 On the screen, dirt or protective glass interferes with touch recognition.
• 👆 Finger accidentally touches navigation panel (on Redmi) 4X she's sensitive).

3. Alternative method: Quick settings panel

If the hardware buttons don't work (for example, after a smartphone crash), you can take a screenshot through the notification panel. This method works on all versions of MIUI for Redmi 4X:

1. Deploy the notification panel by swiping your finger from top to bottom from the top edge of the screen.
2. Find the Screenshot icon (usually a scissor or a rectangle with lightning) if it's not there, click Edit (the pencil in the top right corner) and add it to the panel.
3. Slip the icon - the smartphone will take a screenshot.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 8 Global) The screenshot icon may not be available, in which case add it manually:

1. Open the Settings. → Notification panel.
2. Select "Tile settings."
3. Find the “Screenshot” in the list and drag it to the active area.

4. Screenshot with Google Assistant (for MIUI 10+)

If your Redmi 4X has MIUI 10 or newer installed, you can take a voice screenshot through Google Assistant, which is useful if both hands are busy or the buttons are faulty:

1. Activate Google Assistant by saying “OK Google” or holding the Home button (if physical).
2. Tell the command to “take a screenshot” or “Photography the screen.”
3. Confirm the action if necessary.

🔹 Limitations of method:

• 🗣️ It only works when you connect to the Internet (you need access to Google servers).
• 🇷🇺 Voice commands may not be recognized if non-English or Russian is selected in the language settings.
• 🔇 In the mode of Do not disturb the assistant does not respond to the voice.

💡 Tip: If voice input doesn't work, check the Assistant settings: Settings → Annexes → All applications → Google → Permits → Microphone.

5. Apps for screenshots: top-3 Xiaomi Redmi 4X

If standard methods don't work (for example, because of broken buttons or outdated firmware), you can use third-party applications, we tested them on Redmi 4X with MIUI 9-11 and selected the most reliable ones:

⚠️ Note: When installing screenshot applications MIUI It can block them from working by showing a notification, "The app is trying to access the screen:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Applications with special features.
2. Turn on the switch in front of the desired application.
3. Reboot your smartphone.

💡

Screenshot apps are useful if standard methods don't work, but they can reduce Redmi 4X performance due to background processes. Use them only when necessary.

6. Screenshot via ADB (for advanced users)

If your Redmi 4X has broken buttons or sensors and your gestures don’t work, you can take a screenshot via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a technique that requires a computer and minimal command line knowledge.

📌 What's the matter:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB (You can download from the official website).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

🔧 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Connect Redmi 4X to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows) and type:

adb devices

(Your device name should appear as a confirmation of your connection.)

1. Enter the command to create a screenshot:

adb exec-out screencap -p > screenshot.png

The image will be saved in the folder where the command was launched (usually C:\Users\Your name).

⚠️ Warning: If the team is not working, try an alternative:

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.png


adb pull /sdcard/screenshot.png

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after the screenshot is successfully created, Redmi 4X users are faced with common errors.

🔴 Problem 1: Screenshot is not saved in the gallery.

• 📁 Check the folder. DCIM/Screenshots File Manager (for example, Mi File Explorer).
• 🗑️ Maybe the folder is damaged – move the screenshots to another place and restart your smartphone.
• 🛠️ Update the Gallery app through Play Market.

🔴 Problem 2: Buttons do not respond to pressing.

• 🧹 Clean the mud buttons with an alcohol napkin.
• 🔄 Restart the device in Safe Mode (hold the power button) → «Reboot in Safe Mode»).
• 🔧 If the power button is broken, use the method with ADB or plug in USB-keyboard.

🔴 Problem 3: The screenshot is black.

• 🖥️ This happens when you try to photograph protected content (such as a Netflix video or a banking app).
• 📵 Solution: Use another smartphone to take pictures of the screen or turn on the demo mode in the developer settings (Settings) → For developers → Disable content protection).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions