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

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is still one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, despite the release of new models, its owners often face the need to take a screenshot of the screen — whether it is saving an important message, confirming payment or fixing an error in the application. However, not everyone knows that this model works on 4 different ways to take screenshots, and standard key combinations may not work due to the features of the MIUI firmware.

In this article, we will not only discuss basic methods (button combination and three-finger gesture), but also alternative options for cases when the phone does not respond to standard commands, such as when the system freezes or the touch screen is disabled, you will also learn how to configure the saving of screenshots in the Mi Cloud and why sometimes the pictures are black.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most reliable and versatile method, which works on all versions of MIUI (8 to 14) is the simultaneous pressing of physical buttons.

• 🔘 Power button (right) + volume-down button (left).
• 📱 Hold both keys 1-2 seconds until you hear the camera shutter sound and see the save animation.
• 📁 Screenshot is automatically saved in the folder DCIM/Screenshots or Pictures/Screenshots.

This method works even if the touch screen is not responding or is turned off.

⚠️ Note: If you press the buttons too long (more than 3 seconds), the smartphone can reboot into Fastboot mode. To avoid this, release the keys immediately after the beep.

Block the autoturn of the screen

Make sure the buttons are not stuck

Turn off the cover if it interferes with the pressing

Check the space in memory (minimum 50 MB)

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2. Three finger gesture (only for MIUI 9 and newer)

Starting with MIUI 9, Redmi Note 4 introduced a gesture-based screenshot feature to activate it:

1. Go to Settings → Additional functions → button gestures.
2. Enable the option "Three finger screenshot".
3. Swipe your finger (any) across the screen from top to bottom, slightly touching the display.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Faster than a button combination (no need to look for keys).
• 🎯 Works in games and applications where power/volume buttons are busy.
• 🔄 You can adjust the direction of the gesture (left to right or vice versa).

If the gesture doesn't work:

• 🧹 Clean the screen of grease and dust – the sensor may not recognize touch.
• 🔧 Restart your phone (sometimes your gesture settings get lost).
• 📱 Check if the function conflicts with other gestures (e.g., Double tap to wake up").

3. Voice command via Google Assistant

If the physical buttons are broken or you prefer voice control, you can take a screenshot using Google Assistant.

1. Activate the voice assistant by saying “OK, Google” or holding the Home button (if physical).
2. Tell the command to "take a screenshot" or "screenshot".
3. Confirm the action (if required).

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Does not work in office applications (such as Word or Excel) due to security policies.
• 🔇 Requires Internet connection to recognize voice.
• 📵 It may not work if the microphone or permissions for Google are disabled.

💡

If Google Assistant doesn't recognize a command, try saying it in English, "Take a screenshot." Sometimes it works better.

4. Screenshot via the notification menu (for MIUI 10–14)

In new versions of MIUI (starting with the 10th), a quick button to create a screenshot appeared in the notification bar.

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the screenshot icon (scissors or camera with screen) If it's not available, click Edit and add the button manually.
3. Slap the icon - the picture will be taken instantly.

This method is convenient when:

• 🎮 You play and do not want to interrupt the process by pressing buttons.
• 📱 One of the physical keys is faulty.
• 🔧 You need to take a series of screenshots in a row (button is always at hand).

⚠️ Note: On Redmi Note 4 with custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS), this button may not be available. In this case, use the apps from Google Play (see next section).

5. Screenshot applications: when standard methods don't work

If none of these methods worked (for example, because of a button break or a firmware failure), third-party utilities will come to the rescue. We tested 3 reliable applications that are compatible with Redmi Note 4:

How to install and configure:

1. Download the application from the table.
2. When you first start, grant permissions to "Overlay over other windows" and "Access to notifications."
3. Follow the instructions in the app (usually click on the floating button or pull the notification bar).

6 Problem Solving: Black screen, no sound, save errors

Sometimes screenshots on Redmi Note 4 are black, not saved or are accompanied by errors.

🖥️ Black screenshot.

If the screenshot is completely black, the problem is:

• 🔄 DRM-Solution: Turn off protection in the app settings or use another method (e.g., taking photos of the second screen).
• 📱 Graphics driver failure. Solution: Reboot your phone or update your firmware.
• 🔧 Incompatibility with the shell MIUI. Solution: Install an alternative launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher).

🔔 No shutter sound.

If the screenshot does not sound characteristic:

• Check if the system sound is turned off in Settings → Sound.
• Make sure the "Do Not Disturb" mode is off.
• Reset system sounds through Settings → Themes → Sounds.

📂 Screenshots are not saved

If the photos don't appear in the gallery:

• Check the DCIM/Screenshots folder through the file manager (sometimes the gallery doesn’t update automatically).
• Clear the cache of the Gallery application in Settings → Applications.
• Make sure that the phone has enough memory (at least 100 MB of free space).

💡

If screenshots don't save after the MIUI update, reset the Gallery app settings to factory settings. This often solves the problem without losing data.

7.Where to find the screenshots taken and how to manage them

By default, all screenshots on Redmi Note 4 are saved to the Pictures/Screenshots or DCIM/Screenshots folder.

1. Open the standard Gallery app.
2. Go to the album Screenshots (usually created automatically).
3. Or use a file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager) and follow the path /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots.

What can be done with screenshots:

• 🖌️ Edit: crop, add text or drawings with the built-in editor (opens immediately after the screenshot is created).
• 📤 Share: send to messengers, cloud or mail via the button "Share".
• ☁️ Sync: Enable autoboot to Mi Cloud via Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery.
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary: Press your finger on the screenshot in the gallery and select "Delete".

If the Screenshots folder is not automatically created, make it manually:

1. Open Mi File Manager.
2. Go to the Inner Memory → Pictures.
3. Click "Create a folder" and call it Screenshots.

8. Alternative methods: ADB and second screen shooting

In rare cases (such as a screen break or system failure), standard ways to take screenshots are not available.

🖥️ The second screen is shot through HDMI

If you have MHL-adapter USB-C to HDMI For Redmi Note 4, connect your phone to a monitor or TV and take a picture of the screen with your camera.

💻 Teams. ADB (for advanced users)

With Android Debug Bridge, you can take a screenshot through your computer:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Connect Redmi Note 4 to USB and enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
3. In the command line (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) enter:

adb devices


adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png




adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

The screenshot will be saved on your computer under the name screen.png.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Do not enter unknown commands - this can lead to a reset or loss of data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4