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

Xiaomi Redmi 4 is still a popular budget smartphone, despite the release of new models. One of the basic functions that every user may need is to create screenshots. It would seem that it is difficult? But in practice, many people face problems: standard button combinations do not work, do not save pictures or they are obtained in black. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to take a screenshot on Redmi 4, including hidden MIUI functions, and solve typical errors.

The Redmi 4 (codenamed prada) comes in several versions: Redmi 4 Standard, Redmi 4 Prime and Redmi 4 Pro. All of them are based on MIUI, but may differ in firmware versions and available features. We will take these nuances into account and give universal instructions that will suit any version of the device.

If you’ve never taken a screenshot on Xiaomi before, don’t worry: it takes literally 2 seconds to process, and for power users, we’ve prepared advanced methods — like how to take a long screenshot of a scrolling page or where to find hidden screenshot settings.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most reliable and versatile method that works on any version of MIUI is 8 to 14, and is suitable even for devices with a faulty sensor or a broken screen (if the buttons are physically healthy).

Instructions:

1. Open on the screen what you want to capture (page in the browser, message in the messenger, settings, etc.).
2. Press the power button (right) and the volume button (left) at the same time.
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the camera shutter sound and see the save animation.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 4s MIUI 9 and below can trigger the off menu if you press the buttons too long. The optimal retention time is exactly 1 second.

Where to look for a finished screenshot?

• 📁 In the gallery: Screenshots folder (or Screenshots in Russian).
• 🔍 File Manager: Internal Memory → Pictures → Screenshots.
• 📌 In notifications: immediately after creation, a preview will appear with the "Share" button".

2. Three-finger gesture (hidden MIUI function)

Few people know, but MIUI has a built-in ability to take screenshots with a simple swipe across the screen, which is disabled by default, but is easy to activate.

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Special features → Three finger gestures.
2. Activate the screenshot switch.
3. Select the action: Swipe down or Swipe up (we recommend down - it is more convenient).

How to use:

• 👆 Swipe three fingers across the screen from top to bottom (or bottom to top, depending on your settings).
• 🎯 The gesture should be smooth but fast – as if you are shaking the water off the screen.
• 🔊 Successful screenshot will be confirmed by sound and vibration.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 4s MIUI 8 this gesture may conflict with the Smart Assistant function. If screenshots don't work, turn off the Settings settings. → System and device → Gestures → Smart assistant.

Check the MIUI version (should be 9 or higher)

Disable "Smart Assistant" in gesture settings

Make sure there are no greasy fingerprints on the screen

Trying a swipe at different speeds-->

3. Screenshot via notification panel

If you're uncomfortable remembering button combinations or making gestures, you can use the quick bar, which works on all versions of MIUI, but requires pre-tuning.

How to add a screenshot button to the curtain:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ ("Edit" or hold an empty space in the panel.
3. Find the Screenshot widget in the list and drag it to the active area.

How to take a screenshot:

• 📱 Open the screen.
• 🔽 Swipe down to open the curtain.
• 📸 Click on the Screenshot icon (usually looks like a scissors or rectangle with a camera).

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ No need to remember button combinations.
• ✅ It works with one hand.
• ✅ You can quickly share a screenshot directly from the notification.

💡

If the screenshot button has disappeared from the curtain after the MIUI update, reset the notification panel settings: Settings → Notification Panel → Reset settings.

4. Long screenshot (scrollable page)

A standard screenshot will only capture the part of the screen that is visible at the moment. But what if you want to save an entire web page, chat or list? For this purpose, MIUI has a Scrolling Screenshot (or Long Screenshot).

How to do this:

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the preview appears in the lower right corner of the screen, click on the Scrolling icon (two arrows down).
3. Wait for the system to automatically scroll through the page and connect the pieces into one long shot.
4. Press Ready to save the result.

Limitations:

• ❌ It doesn’t work in some apps (like YouTube or Netflix).
• ❌ Can incorrectly capture dynamic content (video, animations).
• ❌ Maximum length: about 5 screens.

Alternative applications for long screenshots:

5. Screenshot with voice assistant

If you have Google Assistant or Alice on, you can take a screenshot with a voice command, which is convenient when your hands are busy or the buttons are not working.

Instructions for Google Assistant:

1. Activate the assistant with your voice (OK, Google) or hold the Home button.
2. Say, "Take a screenshot" or "Photograph the screen."
3. Confirm the action if necessary.

Instructions for Alice:

1. Open Yandex with Alice’s widget or say, “Listen, Alice.”
2. Say, "Take a screenshot of the screen."
3. Wait for confirmation and shutter sound.

⚠️ Attention: Voice assistants require access to device control. If the command is not working, check the permission settings in Settings → Annexes → Special access → Device control.

6.Solving Screenshot Problems on Redmi 4

Sometimes screenshots on Redmi 4 don't work or are saved with errors, and let's look at the most common problems and their solutions.

Problem 1: Screenshot is not saved (no notification, no file in the gallery).

• 🔄 Solution: Reboot the device. Often, a simple reboot helps, especially if the screenshots are no longer saved after a long time.
• 📁 Solution: Check the folder Pictures/Screenshots Sometimes the gallery doesn't automatically update the content.
• 🛠️ Solution: Clear the cache and data of the Gallery applications in the settings.

Problem 2: The screenshot is black.

• 🎮 Reason: This is a common mistake when trying to take a picture in games or apps with screenshot protection (banking apps, Netflix, some messengers).
• 📱 Solution: Use an external camera (take a picture of the screen with another phone) or special applications like Screen Recorder (recording the screen with the next frame).

Problem 3: The button combinations don’t work.

• 🔧 Solution: Check if the buttons are physically clamped (try moving them or blowing them out of dust).
• 🔄 Solution: Update the firmware to the latest version MIUI. In older versions (below 9) there may be bugs with press processing.
• 🛠️ Solution: Reset button settings: Settings → System and device → Buttons.

Problem 4: Screenshots are kept in low resolution.

• ⚙️ Solution: In camera settings (Settings) → Camera. → Screenshot resolution: select the maximum quality.
• 📏 Solution: Check if traffic saving or battery is on – these can reduce image quality.

💡

If screenshots stopped working after the MIUI update, try rolling back to the previous firmware version or wait for a patch. Often, screenshot bugs are fixed in the next updates.

7. Alternative applications for screenshots

If standard methods don't work, you can use the app side, and they offer additional features: editing, cloud storage, text recognition (OCR), and even screen recording.

Top.-3 supplant 4:

1. Screenshot Easy 🔹 Can take screenshots on the timer, add watermarks, trim edges. 🔹 Supports gestures and widget for quick access. 🔹 Download

⚠️ Note: When installing third-party screenshot apps, they will request permission to Overlay on top of other windows and access storage!

How to choose the best application?

• 🎯 If you need a long screenshot, Super Screenshot.

Frequently asked questions