How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: all ways + expert advice

Xiaomi Redmi 4X is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017, which is still used by millions of users. Despite modest by modern standards, the device copes with basic tasks, including taking screenshots. However, many owners still do not know how to take screenshots on this model, especially if the buttons do not work or the screen is “glutting”.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to capture screenshots on Redmi 4X, from standard keyboard shortcuts to hidden MIUI features and third-party apps, and learn what to do when the screenshot is black, how to find saved images, and how to automate the process with gestures, and the instructions will work for all firmware versions (including MIUI 8-12), even if your phone hasn’t been updated for a long time.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most reliable and versatile method is the use of physical buttons, which works on any version of MIUI and does not require any additional settings.

1. Open on the screen what you want to capture (for example, correspondence in WhatsApp 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.

⚠️ Warning: If you press the buttons too long (more than 2 seconds), the smartphone may start to reboot or open the shutdown menu. 4X This is especially true because of the sensitive mechanical buttons.

Where to look for a screenshot? By default, files are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

Or through the gallery: open the Gallery app → Screenshots album.

The buttons do not stick and press clearly.|The screen is not locked with a password|Free memory (minimum 50 MB)|Power saving mode is disabled (may block storage)-->

Screenshot by gesture (only for MIUI 9 and later)

If your Redmi 4X is running MIUI 9 or later, you can take screenshots without buttons using a gesture, called Quick Screenshot, and it's enabled in the settings:

1. Go to Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
2. Activate the option “Screenshot with three fingers”.
3. Return to the screen you want to save and swipe three fingers from top to bottom across the display.

🔹 Advantages of the method:

• 👆 Physical buttons do not wear out.
• 🎯 It works with one hand (if you hold your fingers with one hand).
• ⚡ Faster than pressing the button combination.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4X s MIUI 8 this function is not - update the firmware or use other methods. also gesture may conflict with some games (for example, in the game). PUBG Mobile or Free Fire, where three-finger swipes are used to control the device.

💡

If the gesture doesn't work, check if left-handed mode is on in the gesture settings. It can change the swipe direction.

3. Screenshot via notification panel (MIUI 10+)

In MIUI 10 and later, you can take screenshots through the notification panel, which is convenient if the buttons are jamming or you often take screenshots.

1. Deploy the notification panel (swipe from top to bottom).
2. Find the screenshot icon (scissors) and tap it.
3. If there is no icon, click "Edit" (pencil in the upper right corner) and add it to the panel.

🔹 What to do if there is no badge?

• 📱 Update the firmware to MIUI 10 or newer.
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the panel is reset.
• 🛠️ Reset the notification panel settings in Settings → Notifications → Additionally. → Drop it.

This method doesn’t work in full-screen applications (such as games or videos) where the notification bar is hidden, and it may not be available if you have custom firmware installed (such as LineageOS).

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4. Screenshot with Google's voice assistant

If you have a Google Assistant (or other voice assistant) installed on Redmi 4X, you can take voice screenshots, which is useful when your hands are busy or the buttons are not working.

1. Activate Google Assistant with the OK Google command or press the Home button (if it is configured).
2. Say, “Take a screenshot” or “Take a screenshot.”
3. Confirm the action (if required).

🔹 Requirements for work:

• 📶 Internet connection (to process voice commands).
• 🎤 Enabled microphone and voice permission for Google.
• 📱 Google App Installed (usually preinstalled).

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI Google Assistant can be disabled by default. To activate it, go to Settings → Annexes → All applications → Google → Permits and enable access to the microphone.

5. Screenshot via ADB (for advanced users)

If all of the above methods fail (for example, because of a button break or a firmware failure), you can take a screenshot through your computer using the ADB tool (Android Debug Bridge), which requires minimal technical skills, but is guaranteed to work even on a “killed” phone.

🔹 What's the matter:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📦 Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB.

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Turn on the developer mode on the phone (go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on the build number).
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate “Debugging by USB”.
3. Connect the phone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Open the command line (or Terminal) and type:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed)

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png

(Creates a screenshot and saves it to your phone)

adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

(copies file to computer)

🔹 Challenges and solutions:

This is not a good technique for beginners, but it's the only one that works when your screen or buttons break, and if you're not sure about your abilities, you should contact a service center.

💡

ADB-Screenshot is the only way to save the screen if the phone doesn't respond to touch or buttons are physically broken.

Part of the screenshot annex

If standard methods don’t work (e.g. editing screenshots immediately after creation), you can use specialized applications. We tested a few and selected the best ones for the Redmi 4X:

🔹 Top.-3 applications:

• 📸 Screenshot Easy – Simple interface, gesture support, editor.
• 🎨 Super Screenshot – Screenshots of scrollable pages (e.g. chat rooms).
• 🔧 Screen Master – Automatic screenshots by timer.

⚠️ Note: When installing third-party applications:

• Check permissions – the app should not request access to SMS or contacts.
• Use official sources (Google Play or Mi App Store).
• Turn off auto-start so that the app doesn't hang in the background.

🔹 How to install:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. When you first start, grant permission to “Overlap on Other Windows” (manually in the settings).
3. Follow the instructions in the app (usually you need to click on a floating button or shake the phone).

💡 Tip: If you don't save screenshots after you install the app, check if the energy saving mode is on for that app. It can block background processes.

7 Problem Solving: Black screenshot, no sound, no saving

Sometimes screenshots on Redmi 4X don't work the first time, and let's look at the most common problems and their solutions:

🔹 Problem 1: The screenshot is black.

• 🎮 Reason: Game Turbo or No Safe Zone mode is enabled in the game settings.
• 🔧 Solution: Turn off these options in Settings → Special facilities → Game mode.

🔹 Problem 2: No shutter sound

• 🔈 Reason: System sound is turned off or Do Not Disturb mode is activated».
• 🔊 Solution: Check the volume in Settings → Sound. → Media volume.

🔹 Problem 3: Screenshots are not saved

• 📁 Reason 1: The phone is out of space.
• 🗑️ Solution: Clear the cache or transfer files to the memory card.
• 🚫 Reason 2: App or firmware blocks saving.
• 🔄 Solution: Reboot your phone or take a screenshot in another way.

🔹 Problem 4: The buttons are not working

• 🛠️ Cause: Physical breakdown or contamination of buttons.
• 🧹 Solution: Clean the buttons with alcohol carefully or use a gesture/ADB.

If none of these things worked, it might be the firmware problem. Try resetting to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset) or reflashing your phone through the Mi Flash Tool.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi 4X