How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi 4: all ways with explanations

Xiaomi Redmi 4 series smartphones (including 4A, 4X and 4 Pro modifications) are still popular among users due to the balanced characteristics and support for current versions of MIUI. However, the interface of these devices has its own peculiarities - especially when it comes to creating screenshots. Standard keyboards work differently here than on new models, and some functions are hidden in the settings.

In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to take a screenshot on Xiaomi 4 – from classic hotkeys to little-known gestures and commands via ADB. We will also analyze typical problems (for example, why screenshots are not saved in the gallery) and give recommendations for optimizing the process. If you use custom firmware or encountered an error “failed to take a screenshot”, here you will find solutions.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most reliable method that works on all versions of MIUI is to press physical buttons simultaneously. On Xiaomi Redmi 4, this is:

• 🔘 Power button (right) + Volume reduction button (left)
• 🕒 Hold both buttons for at least 1 second, but no longer than 3 seconds – otherwise, turn off the screen or reboot will work.
• 📱 After a successful screenshot, the screen will blink, and at the top a notification will appear “Screenshot saved»

If the combination does not work:

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi 4 firmware may have "Accumulative Press Protection" enabled. To turn it off, go to Settings → Additionally. → Special facilities → Protection against accidental pressing and deactivate the option.

Where to look for a ready-made screenshot? By default, files are saved in a folder Pictures/Screenshots or DCIM/Screenshots. If there is no folder, check the Download section or use the file manager. MI File Explorer with a keyword search Screenshot_.

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If screenshots are saved in low resolution, check the camera settings: some MIUI firmwares take screenshots with a resolution of 720p instead of 1080p. You can fix this through the engineering menu (code #4636##).

2. Screenshot by gesture (only for MIUI 8 and newer)

Starting with MIUI 8, Xiaomi Redmi 4 introduced a feature to create screenshots with a three-toed gesture, which is convenient if the physical buttons are damaged or you prefer to control without pressing.

How to turn on:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures
2. Activate the switch "Scanning screen with three-toed gesture"
3. Practice: Spend your fingers from top to bottom on the screen (the gesture should be smooth, without pauses)

If the gesture doesn't work,

• 🧹 Make sure there are no greasy spots on the screen – the sensor may not recognize touch.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone: Sometimes the sign service will “hang” after prolonged use
• 📱 Check if the gesture conflicts with other functions (such as Smart Assistant or One-Hand Mode»)

3. Screenshot via notification panel

MIUI 9-12 has a screenshot button in the notification curtain, which is useful if you need to take a quick shot without memorizing the combinations.

Instructions:

1. Open the notification bar with two fingers (to see all icons)
2. Find the Screenshot icon (usually located next to the Flashlight and Flight Mode)
3. Slip on it - the screenshot will be taken instantly

If no button:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Notification panel → Order of badges
• 🔍 Find the screenshot and drag it to the active area.
• 📌 Lock the position by clicking on the pin icon next to the button

4. Scrolling screenshot (long screenshot)

The Scrolling Screenshot feature allows you to capture an entire web page, chat or list into one image. On Xiaomi 4, it only works in standard applications (MIUI Browser, Messages, Contacts) and requires a MIUI 10 or later.

How to do this:

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods
2. Immediately after the appearance of the thumbnail in the lower right corner, tap it on it.
3. In the editor that opens, select the “Scroll” option (an icon with two down arrows)
4. Wait for the automatic screen scrolling and click "Done"

Limitations:

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Long screenshots are saved in.png format and can weigh up to 10 MB. Before sending them through instant messengers, it is recommended to compress them using applications like Photo Compress or Lit Photo.

5. Alternative methods: ADB and third-party applications

If standard methods do not work (for example, due to damaged buttons or custom firmware), you can take a screenshot through ADB or specialized utilities.

Method 1: Through ADB (for advanced users)

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.png

How it works:

1. Connect Xiaomi 4 to your PC via USB (enable USB Debugging in the developer settings)
2. Open the command line and enter the command above
3. The screenshot will be saved in the root folder of the device under the name screenshot.png

Method 2: Apps from Google Play

Recommended utilities for Xiaomi 4:

• 📱 Screenshot Touch – Adds a floating button for screenshots
• 🖼️ Super Screenshot – Supports scrolling in any application
• 🔧 Screen Master – allows you to edit pictures immediately after creation

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, turn off battery optimization for them (Settings) → Battery → Battery optimization, otherwise utilities may not work in the background.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC| Enable debugging on USB| Connect your phone with the original cable | Check the connection with the adb device-->

Solving screenshot problems on Xiaomi 4

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

Problem 1: Pictures are not saved in the gallery

• 📂 Check the folder. DCIM/Screenshots through file manager – sometimes the gallery does not update the media library
• 🔄 Restart your phone or clear the Gallery app cache (Settings) → Annexes → gallery → Clear the cache)
• 📌 Install an alternative gallery (e.g. Google Photos or Simple Gallery)

Problem 2: “Can’t take a screenshot” error

• 🛠️ Update. MIUI up to the latest version (in old builds there are bugs with recording rights)
• 🧹 Clean up the Screenshots folder – if there are too many files, the system can block new ones
• 🔧 Reset the Screenshots app settings (Settings) → Annexes → Screenshots → Drop it)

Problem 3: Screenshots are made with a black screen

This is a common mistake when using DRM-protected applications (e.g. Netflix, Banking apps or Google Pay).

1. Take a screenshot from another device (e.g., take a picture of the screen with another phone)
2. Use screen recording followed by frame extraction (Xiaomi 4 has a built-in recording function: Settings → Additional → Screen recording)

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi 4