How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: all the ways (including hidden)

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) is still popular with users due to its reliability and low price. However, many owners have difficulty trying to take a screenshot — especially if you have previously used devices from other brands. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to take screenshots on the Redmi 4X, including standard button combinations, MIUI gestures, and alternative methods for cases when regular functions do not work.

It is important to understand that the procedure may differ depending on the firmware version: on the global level. MIUI (for example, MIUI 12.5) and Chinese (e.g, MIUI 11) some gestures and settings may be hidden or moved, and we have taken these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that will work regardless of the regional version of the software. Also at the end of the article, you will find a unique solution for cases where screenshots are not saved in the gallery – a problem that many Redmi users face. 4X post-update.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most reliable and versatile method is the use of hardware buttons, which works on any version of MIUI, including the earliest builds for the Redmi 4X, and does not require additional settings.

To take a screenshot:

1. Open on the screen what you want to capture (for example, correspondence in WhatsApp or a page in the browser).
2. Hold and hold for 1-2 seconds at the same time: 🔘 Power button (right) 🔽 Volume down button (left)

You will hear the characteristic sound of the camera shutter, and the screen will blink for a split second - this is a signal of successful creation of the screenshot.

If the combination doesn’t work the first time, try:

• 🔹 Press the buttons at the same time (not consistently).
• 🔹 Hold them for a little longer (up to 3 seconds).
• 🔹 Check if the buttons are locked (for example, due to cover or dirt).

⚠️ Note: On some custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS), this combination may trigger a reboot menu, in which case use alternative methods from the following sections.

Three-finger gesture (hidden MIUI function)

MIUI firmware since version 8 has a hidden ability to take screenshots with a three-finger gesture, a method that is convenient when one hand pressing buttons is uncomfortable (for example, on the big screen or on public transport).

To activate the function:

1. Go to Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
2. Find the screenshot with three fingers and switch on the switch.
3. Set the sensitivity of the gesture (recommended average).

Now to create a screenshot:

• 👆 Swipe your three fingers across the screen from top to bottom (as if you swipe down).
• 🎯 The gesture should be smooth, but it is certain that too slow or intermittent movement may not work.

If the option is not in the settings, then your version of MIUI does not support it, in which case update the firmware or use other methods.

Make sure the screen is clean (mud interferes with gesture recognition)

Turn off the protective film if it interferes with the sensor

Check if the function is enabled in the gesture settings

Restart your phone if the gesture doesn’t work.-->

3. Quick settings panel (for MIUI 10 and later)

Modern versions of MIUI (starting with MIUI 10) have a special button for screenshots in the notification panel, a method that is suitable for those who often take screenshots and want to save time.

Instructions:

1. Deploy the notification panel (swipe from top to bottom).
2. Find the screenshot icon (usually a scissors or a screen thumbnail) If it's not available, click on Edit (pencil in the upper right corner) and add the button to the active button.
3. Slip the icon - the screenshot will be taken instantly.

Advantages of this method:

• 🚀 Instant creation (no need to remember combinations).
• 🔧 You can edit the screenshot immediately after creation (stripping, drawing, adding text).
• 📤 It is convenient to share a picture directly from the panel (Send and Delete buttons appear immediately).

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI for Redmi 4X The screenshot button in the Quick Settings panel may not be available even after editing, due to the limitations of the hardware. ADB-command for forced addition (instructions in the section on alternative methods).

4.The Google Assistant Voice Assistant

If you have trouble using buttons or gestures, you can take a screenshot using the voice assistant, which is suitable for users who have Google Assistant activated (it is enabled by default on global versions of MIUI).

Step-by-step:

1. Activate the assistant with the voice command OK, Google, or hold the Home button (if physical).
2. Say, Take a screenshot or Take a screenshot.
3. Confirm the action (if required).

Limitations of the method:

• 🗣️ It only works when you connect to the Internet (assistant needs Google servers).
• 🔇 Does not work in Do Not Disturb or if the microphone is turned off.
• 📵 On the Chinese versions. MIUI Google Assistant can be disabled by default (you need to install manually via Google Assistant). APK).

💡

If the voice assistant doesn’t recognize the command, try to pronounce it more clearly or paraphrase it, such as “Photograph the screen” or “Save the current screen.”

5. Alternative methods (if nothing works)

If standard methods fail (for example, due to firmware failure or hardware problems), you can use external tools. Let's consider two reliable options.

Method 1: Screenshot Touch Appendix

This free app from Google Play lets you take screenshots with one touch on the icon in the notification bar.Suitable for Redmi 4X on any version of Android (including 6.0 Marshmallow, which runs Redmi 4X).

How to set up:

1. Download Screenshot Touch from Play Market.
2. Launch the application and grant permission to Overlay over other windows (in the security settings).
3. Enable the icon display in the notification panel.

Method 2: ADB-Team (for advanced users)

If you have access to ADB (for example, via a computer), you can take a screenshot with the command:

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png

Once the command is executed, the screenshot will be saved in the root folder of internal memory under the name screen.png. This method is useful if the smartphone screen does not respond to touch.

6. Where can I find the screenshots taken?

By default, all screenshots on Redmi 4X are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

To find them quickly:

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Go to the Screenshots album (usually displayed separately from the main photos).
3. Or use any file manager (such as Mi File Manager) and follow the path above.

If the folder is empty, but you are sure that the screenshots were taken:

• 🔍 Check the cart in the gallery (sometimes the pictures are automatically taken there).
• 📁 Search for files with the extension.png or.jpg.
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes indexing files is lost.

7. Solving common problems

Even on a proven device like the Redmi 4X, screenshots can crash, and we'll look at typical situations and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The button combination is not working

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔋 Battery discharged (below 5%) - some features are turned off to save energy.
• 🛠️ Power button is damaged - try using a gesture or notification bar. If the button is physically faulty, repair is required.
• 🤖 Firmware failure – perform resetting of settings through Settings → Additionally. → Resetting settings (does not affect user data).

Problem 2: Screenshots are made black

This is a common mistake when trying to take a picture:

• 🎮 In games with screenshot protection (for example, PUBG Mobile or banking applications).
• 📺 In some video players (such as Netflix or Netflix) DRM-video-protected).

Solution: Use an external camera (take a picture of the screen with another phone) or special screen recording apps (like AZ Screen Recorder).

Problem 3: You can’t take a screenshot in a particular app

Some apps (e.g. Sberbank Online or TikTok) block screenshots for security reasons, and bypass this restriction:

• 📱 With the help of guest mode (if the application does not block screenshots in it).
• 🖥️ Through the projection of the screen on the PC (for example, scrcpy).

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.

2.Look for the Gallery and click Clear cache and Clear data.

3. Reboot the phone.

This helps in 80% of cases when the images disappear after the creation.-->

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi 4X