How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X: all ways + hidden chips

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X is still one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, despite the release of new models, its owners often face the question of how to quickly take a screenshot — especially if the usual methods do not work due to the features of the firmware MIUI. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways, including standard combinations of buttons, gestures, voice commands and even third-party utilities.

It's important to consider that on Redmi Note 4X (codenamed mido), the way you take a screenshot may depend on the version of MIUI (8, 9, 10 or 11) and the shell you install. For example, older versions don't have a Three-toed Swipe feature, but there are alternatives. We've tested each method on a real device, so the instructions are up to date and work.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most reliable and versatile method that works on any version MIUI — It's the simultaneous pressing of physical buttons. 4X need:

1. Open the screen that you want to capture.
2. Press the Power button (right) + Volume down button (left) for 1-2 seconds.
3. Wait for the characteristic shutter sound (if the sound is on) and visual animation.

The image will be saved in the gallery in the Screenshots folder (or Screenshots in Russian firmware).

• 🔋 Check if the battery is discharged – at a charge level below 5%, the system can block screenshots.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone: sometimes a button crash occurs due to the background of apps.
• 🛠️ Update the firmware: in MIUI 8.5 and below were bugs with simultaneous press recognition.

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

2. Three-toed swipe gesture (available with MIUI 9 and later)

Starting with MIUI 9, Redmi Note 4X introduced a feature to swipe three fingers across the screen, which is convenient when physical buttons are difficult to access (for example, when playing or using a device with one hand).

1. Go to Settings → Additional functions → button gestures.
2. Find the Screenshot swipe down and turn it on.
3. Select the direction of the swipe (by default - from top to bottom).

Now to create a screenshot:

1. Place three fingers on the screen (for example, index, middle and ring finger).
2. Smoothly hold them down, without tearing them from the display.
3. Release your fingers after the screenshot animation appears.

If the gesture doesn't work:

• 🧹 Clean the screen of grease and dust – the sensor may not recognize touch.
• 📱 Check if left-handed mode is enabled in gesture settings.
• 🔧 Reboot your phone: Sometimes the touch driver gets knocked down.

Make sure the function is enabled in settings |Use three fingers at once |Swipe should be smooth (not sharp)|Check sensor sensitivity in Settings → Display → Touch and gestures

-->

3. Screenshot via notification panel (quick access)

In MIUI 10/11, Redmi Note 4X has the ability to add a screenshot button to the Quick Access Bar, which is convenient if you often take screenshots.

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Slap the icon. ⚙️ Edit (pencil).
3. Find a screenshot in the list and drag it to the active area.
4. Press Ready.

Now it is enough to create a screenshot:

1. Open the screen.
2. Swipe the notification panel down.
3. Stick on the Screenshot icon.

Advantages of this method:

• ⚡ Instant access – no need to remember combinations.
• 🎯 Accuracy: eliminates random button presses.
• 🔄 It works even if one of the physical buttons is broken.

⚠️ Note: In some custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), the screenshot button may not be present in the notification bar.

4. Voice command via Google Assistant

If you're having trouble with physical buttons or gestures, you can take a voice screenshot.

1. Activate Google Assistant (the latest version of Google App must be installed).
2. Say, “OK Google, take a screenshot” or “Take a screenshot.”
3. Confirm permission to access the screen (when you first use it).

Advantages of the voice method:

• 🗣️ Convenient if your hands are busy (for example, during cooking or training).
• 🌐 Works on any screen, including games and videos.
• 🔒 No need for root rights or additional settings.

Limitations:

• 🚫 It does not work in offline mode (you need the Internet to recognize voice).
• 🔇 It can be triggered by accident if music with a voice is playing in the background.
• 📵 On some Xiaomi firmware, Google Assistant is disabled by default (you need to manually enable in the settings of the Google application).

💡

If Google Assistant doesn’t recognize a command, try to pronounce it more clearly or switch to English (Settings → Google → Account Services → Search, Assistant & Voice → Voice → Voice Match).

Side of the screenshot annex

If the standard methods do not suit, you can use third-party utilities. They offer advanced features: editing screenshots, recording screen, delayed shot, etc. The best applications for the Redmi Note 4X:

How to install and use (Screenshot Easy):

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and grant permission to Overlay over other windows (in the security settings).
3. Choose the way to create a screenshot: floating button, shaking phone or timer.
4. Take a picture and edit it if necessary.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Screenshot Ultimate) require root permissions to run on the Redmi Note. 4X. Without them, they may not take screenshots in games or secure applications (bank clients, instant messengers).

6. Screenshot via ADB (for advanced users)

If you need to take a screenshot software (for example, for automation or testing), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which works even if the screen is locked or the sensor is not responding.

1. Install ADB on PC (you can download from the official Android website).
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode), then Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging over USB.
3. Connect the Redmi Note 4X PC-only USB-cable.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) and type: Adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
5. Run the command for screenshot: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.png
6. Download the file on PC: adb pull /sdcard/screenshot.png

Advantages of the method:

• 🖥️ Works without physical access to the phone (PC control).
• 🔧 Suitable for automation (you can write a script for a series of screenshots).
• 🔒 Bypass application restrictions (e.g., in bank clients).

Disadvantages:

• 🛠️ Requires customization ADB and PC connection.
• 📶 Doesn't work. USB-cable (or Wi-Fi) ADB, which needs to be set up separately).

💡

ADB-Screenshots are saved in format PNG without compression, which is useful for further processing (for example, search text through the OCR).

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi Note 4X