How to take a screenshot of Xiaomi Redmi 4X: all working ways in 2026

Xiaomi Redmi 4X is still a popular budget smartphone, but many users are faced with the problem of how to take a screenshot if the standard button combinations do not work or the device is buggy. In this article, 5 proven ways to take screenshots, including hidden MIUI functions, as well as solving typical errors (black screenshot, no notification, no file is saved).

Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) features support for different MIUI versions (8 to 14), where the interface and options may differ, and we’ve taken this into account and put together universal methods that work on any firmware, including custom ones (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), and you’ll learn how to change the save format (PNG/JPEG) and the folder for screenshots.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most reliable method that works even on semi-broken devices: The Redmi 4X uses physical buttons, so it works even if the touch screen is partially unresponsive.

Instructions:

1. Open the screen you want to capture (like a WhatsApp dialog or a page in Chrome).
2. Hold it together: 🔘 Power button (right) 🔽 Volume down button (left)

Hold for 1-2 seconds until you hear the shutter sound (or an animation of the screenshot appears).

⚠️ Note: If you have a magnetic lock case installed (e.g. Xiaomi Smart Cover), it can block the power button.

Make sure the buttons don't stick |Remove the case if it interferes |Check whether the "Do Not Disturb" mode is on (it turns off the shutter sound) |The screen must be unlocked

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On the Redmi 4X with MIUI 12+, when holding buttons longer than 3 seconds, emergency call mode is activated - don't be afraid, just release the keys and try again.

2. Screenshot by gesture (three fingers)

The screenshot gesture feature is available in MIUI 9 and later, and is handy if the physical buttons are worn out or you prefer to control your smartphone with one hand.

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
2. Activate the switch opposite "Three-finger screenshot".
3. (Optional) In the gesture settings, you can select the swipe direction: down or up.

How to take a screenshot:

1. Open the screen.
2. Swipe three fingers simultaneously across the screen from top to bottom (or bottom to top, depending on the settings).
3. Wait for a sound signal or vibration.

💡 Useful tip: If the gesture doesn’t work, check if it conflicts with other functions (for example, Double Touch to Wake Up.

With buttons | Three finger gesture | Through the notification panel |Voice assistant |In another way-->

3. Screenshot via notification panel

It's a good technique for MIUI 10 and later, and the advantage is that you don't have to memorize button combinations or gestures. You just need to touch one.

Step-by-step:

1. Deploy the notification panel (swipe from top to bottom).
2. Find the Screenshot tile (if not, click on the pencil icon to edit the tiles).
3. Slip on the tile - the smartphone will immediately take a screenshot.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI (8) Screenshot tile may not be available, in which case use other methods or update the system.

If the screenshot is not saved after clicking on the tile, check the system permissions in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three dots (menu) → Permissions for system applications.

4. Screenshot with voice assistant

Few people know, but Xiaomi Redmi 4X supports the creation of screenshots voice command through the built-in assistant Xiao AI (available on Chinese firmware) or Google Assistant.

Method 1: Google Assistant

1. Activate the voice assistant by saying, “OK, Google” or by pressing the home button (if configured).
2. Say “take a screenshot” or “make a screenshot” (in English it works more stable).

Method 2: Xiao AI (for Chinese firmware)

1. Press the home button to call an assistant.
2. Say in Chinese: "" (jiétú — "screenshot").

5. Screenshot via ADB (for advanced users)

If the smartphone doesn't respond to touches or buttons but connects to a PC, you can take a screenshot via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

Instructions:

1. Install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on USB debugging on Redmi 4X: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode. Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on “Debugging on USB”.

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed).

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.png

adb pull /sdcard/screenshot.png

💡 Useful tip: If screencap doesn’t work, try an alternative method using adb shell input keyevent 120 (emulation of screenshot button clicks).

💡

ADB-The only way to take a screenshot is if the Redmi screen is used. 4X It does not respond fully, but the device is determined by the computer.

Where screenshots are saved and how to find them

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

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

But the location can vary depending on the firmware.

If the screenshots are not displayed in the gallery:

1. Check the folder through a conductor (e.g., Mi File Explorer).
2. Update your media library: go to Settings → Apps → Gallery → Storage → Clear the data (this is secure, files will not be deleted).
3. Make sure the file is not hidden (the name does not start with a dot).

If nothing works, connect your phone to your PC and use programs like Vysor or Scrcpy to control your computer.