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

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliability and simplicity, but even with such proven devices, users sometimes face basic questions such as how to take a screenshot. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to take screenshots on Redmi 4X, including standard button combinations, gestures and third-party utilities.

The feature of the model is that there is no physical Menu button, which confuses some users, and depending on the firmware version (MIUI 8/9/10), the interface may differ, and we took into account all the nuances and prepared universal instructions that will work even on custom firmware like LineageOS.

If you've never taken a screenshot on Xiaomi before or encounter errors (e.g., the screen is not saved or a message appears "I couldn't take a picture"), here you will find solutions. And for those who like automation, we've added a section on creating screenshots by timer and through ADB.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most reliable method, which works on all versions of MIUI and most custom firmware, is suitable even if the touch screen does not respond to touch.

To take a screenshot:

1. Open the screen you want to capture (for example, a dialog in the messenger or a page in the browser).
2. Press the power button (right) and the volume button (left) at the same time.
3. Hold them for 1-1.5 seconds until you hear the camera shutter sound and see the save animation.

The finished screenshot will appear in the gallery in the Screenshots folder or Screenshots. If the combination did not work the first time, try:

• 🔄 Press buttons with a small delay (first power, after 0.3 seconds - volume down).
• 🧹 Clear the system cache in Settings → Annexes → All applications → Utilities. → Clear the cache.
• 🔧 Check if screenshots are disabled in the developer settings (see section 4).

⚠️ Note: On some firmware, prolonged button retention may cause the screen to reset or turn off. If this happens, try again, reducing the pressing time to 0.8 seconds.

The screen is unlocked and active

The power and volume buttons don't stick

There is enough space in the gallery (minimum 50 MB)

Power saving modes are turned off-->

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

MIUI 9 and above has a feature for creating screenshots with a gesture – swiping three fingers across the screen – which is convenient if the physical buttons are worn out or you prefer to control your smartphone with one hand.

To activate the function:

1. Go to Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
2. Find the screenshot and turn on the switch.
3. Choose the direction of the gesture (usually from top to bottom).

Now to create a screenshot:

1. Touch the screen with three fingers (for example, index, middle and ring).
2. Swipe down the screen in one quick move (as with a swipe to update the page).

If the gesture doesn't work:

• 🧼 Wipe the screen – dirt or moisture can interfere with touch recognition.
• 📱 Recalibrate the sensor to Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Sensor calibration.
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes gestures turn off after a long workout.

3. Screenshot via notification panel

A lesser known, but equally effective, way is to use a quick bar, which works on all versions of MIUI and doesn't require remembering button combinations.

Instructions:

1. Turn the notification bar swipe from top to bottom.
2. Find the screenshot icon (usually a scissor or a screen thumbnail) if it is not:

Click on the icon – the screenshot will be taken instantly.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Faster than a combination of buttons (no need to look for them by touch).
• 🎯 Accuracy – you won’t have to redo it because of accidentally tapping the screen.
• 🔄 It works even if one of the physical buttons is broken.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware, the screenshot icon may disappear after the update. To return it, reset the notification bar settings in Settings → Notifications → Additionally. → Resetting panel settings.

Keyboard combination | Three-finger gesture | Notification Panel | Apps |I don't know-->

4 Developer settings and alternative methods

If standard methods don’t work, the problem may lie in system functions that are disabled, such as a developer setting that blocks screenshots from some applications (e.g., banking or content-protected messengers).

How to check:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version.

Settings → Additional → For Developers

Ban screenshots

switched off

Other useful options on this menu:

• 📸 Showing touch - will help debug the gesture of three fingers.
• 🔍 Debugging by USB — It is necessary for screenshots through ADB (see section 6).
• ⚡ Do not turn off the screen – convenient for a series of screenshots.

If the screenshots are still not saved, check:

• 📁 Free space on the device (minimum - 100 MB).
• 🚫 Are there any restrictions on applications (for example, Netflix or SberBank Online block screenshots).
• 🔄 Phone reboots – sometimes system processes “hang” interfere with saving.

5. Screenshots through third-party apps

If system methods are not good (for example, you need to take a screenshot with a delay or edit it right away), use specialized utilities. We tested 5 popular applications on Redmi 4X - the best options in the table below.

Top.-3 screenshot:

• 📱 Screenshot Easy – Supports 10 Seconds Latency, Editor and Cloud Saving.
• 🎨 Screenshot Touch – allows you to draw on a screenshot before saving.
• 🔄 Super Screenshot – creates long screenshots for web pages.

How to install and configure (Screenshot Easy example):

1. Download the app from Google Play or APKMirror (if the Play Market is not working).
2. When you first start, provide storage permissions, display over other windows, and access to notifications.
3. In the application settings, select:

⚠️ Note: Some antiviruses (e.g. Avast) may block screenshot apps as “suspicious.” Add them to exceptions or use proven sources to download them. APK.

💡

If you want to take a screenshot in a game or application where system methods are blocked, use a screenshot on your PC via scrcpy or Vysor. These programs allow you to save pictures directly from your computer, bypassing restrictions.

6. Advanced methods: ADB and automatic creation

For experienced users who want to automate the process or take screenshots remotely (for example, for debugging), ADB commands are suitable.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools (download from the official Android website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the Redmi 4X.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or qualitative analogue).

Screenshot commands:

# Connecting the device


adb devices




Screenshot (save on PC)



adb exec-out screencap -p > screenshot.png




Screenshot with 5 seconds delay



adb shell input keyevent 80 && sleep 5 && adb exec-out screencap -p > delayed_screenshot.png

For automation, you can create a.bat file with a loop (for example, for screenshots every 30 seconds):

:loop


adb exec-out screencap -p > screens/%TIME%.png




timeout /t 30




goto loop

Where it comes in handy:

• 📊 Collection of statistics on application use.
• 🐞 Debugging the interface or bugs.
• 📹 Creating GIFs from a sequence of screenshots.

💡

ADB commands work even if the Redmi 4X screen is locked or the sensor is faulty, and this is the only way to take a screenshot on a fully dead display (assuming the device is determined by the PC).

7. Addressing specific problems

Sometimes screenshots on Redmi 4X don't work because of hardware or software, so let's look at the typical cases and their solutions.

Problem 1: Screenshots are made black

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔋 Power Saving: Turn off Ultra Battery Saver mode in Settings → Battery.
• 🖥️ Graphic settings: In games or heavy applications, lower the resolution or turn off GPU Turbo.
• 🔄 Rendering error: Restart your phone in safe mode (hold the power button) → «Reboot in Safe Mode and try to take a screenshot again.

Problem 2: Three fingers are not working.

Checklist for diagnosis:

Is the number of fingers checked (should be exactly 3)?

Is the gesture enabled in the settings?

Is there any physical damage to the sensor?

Reload the phone after the function is turned on?-->

Problem 3: Screenshots are not saved in the gallery

Possible fixes:

• 📁 Make sure the folder is DCIM/Screenshots It exists (create it manually through the file manager).
• 🔍 Check the permissions for the Gallery app in Settings → Annexes → Permits.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache and data of Media Storage (responsible for scanning files).

Frequently asked questions