Screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: all ways (including hidden)

Why is it impossible to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 4X?

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni), released in 2017, is still popular with users due to the reliability and support of custom firmware. However, many owners face a problem: standard key combinations for a screenshot do not work, and the Internet comes across outdated instructions for other versions of MIUI. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to take screenshots from classic to little-known, including solutions for cases when the phone “gluts” or buttons do not respond.

The Redmi 4X has a feature that doesn’t have a physical Menu button, which confuses newcomers, and depending on the firmware version (MIUI 8-12), the settings menu may be different, and we’ve taken all the nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that will work even on informal builds like LineageOS or Pixel Experience.

Method 1: Classic button combination (works 95% of the time)

The most reliable method is to press two physical buttons simultaneously. On the Redmi 4X, this is:

Power button + Volume Down button

How to do it right:

1. Open the screen you want to capture (such as a WhatsApp dialog or a page in your browser).
2. Hold the Power button (right) and press Volume Down (left) at the same time.
3. Hold both buttons for at least 1 second until you hear the shutter sound or see the screenshot animation.

⚠️ Warning: If you have an ear case on your buttons, remove it – it often blocks full pressing. Also check if the Volume Down button is stuck (relevant for phones after falling).

Make sure the screen is not locked.

Remove the case (if any)

Check the volume button response

Turn off Do Not Disturb (it can block the sound of the screenshot)-->

Method 2: Three-finger gesture (hidden MIUI function)

MIUI 9-12 firmware has a hidden feature that allows you to swipe screenshots across the screen, which is disabled by default, but is easy to activate:

Steps to include:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Special features → gestures of buttons.
2. Find the screenshot item with three fingers and turn on the slider.
3. Return to the main screen and swipe down three fingers at the same time.

🔹 Advantages of the method:

• 👉 It works even with faulty power or volume buttons.
• 👉 Faster than keyboard combinations (especially in games).
• 👉 You can adjust the direction of the swipe (left/right/down).

⚠️ Note: On some custom firmware, this gesture conflicts with other features (for example, quick access to notification panels). If the screenshot does not work, check the gesture settings in the System section. → Gestures.

Method 3: Quick settings panel (for MIUI 10 and later)

The newer versions of the MIUI have a screenshot button right in the notification curtain, which is the most convenient way to take a series of pictures in a row.

Instructions:

1. Open the screen you want (for example, chat in Telegram).
2. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
3. Find the Screenshot icon (usually it looks like a scissor or a rectangle with lightning).
4. Slip it on it - the picture will be saved automatically.

🔹 Tip: If there is no button, add it manually:

• 📌 Open the curtain and tap the icon. ⚙️ (Edit).
• 📌 Find a screenshot in the list and drag it to the active area.
• 📌 Save the changes.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 8 (e.g. Redmi) 4X global-fixed V8.5.6.0) This button may not be there. In this case, use Method 1 or 2.

Keyboard combination | Three-finger gesture | Notification Panel | App side | I don't know how to do-->

Method 4: Screenshot applications (if standard methods don't work)

If none of the above methods worked, the reason may be:

• 🔧 Damaged firmware (for example, after a failed rooting).
• 🔧 Hardware malfunction of buttons.
• 🔧 Limitations of corporate policy (on work phones).

In these cases, a third-party app will help. We tested 5 popular utilities and selected the best ones:

🔹 How to use it:

1. Install the application from the table.
2. Open it and provide permissions to Overlay over other windows (in the security settings).
3. Follow the instructions in the app – usually just click on the floating icon or shake the phone.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (like Screenshot Ultimate) require root rights. 4X They can be obtained through Magisk or TWRP, But this voids the warranty and can lead to a device blinking in case of an error.

adb shell appops set [package_name] android:project_media allowed

Where [package_name] — Application packet name (e.g. com.ice.cold.screenshot).-->

Method 5: Screenshot via ADB (for advanced users)

If the phone doesn’t respond to taps but connects to a computer, you can take a screenshot via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which can also be used for remote help to relatives or diagnosis of a “hung” device.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on the phone Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in the About phone settings).
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and start the command line (cmd in Windows).
4. Enter the commands in turn: adb devices (you should have your device name) adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png adb pull /sdcard/screen.png
5. The screenshot will be saved in the ADB folder under the name screen.png.

🔹 Alternative (if the first one does not work):

adb exec-out screencap -p > screen.png

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI Screencap commands can be blocked for security reasons, in which case only a rooted phone or a third-party app will help.

💡

ADB-The only way to take a screenshot of Redmi 4X with a broken screen (if the touchscreen does not work, but the display displays the picture).

Where are the screenshots on Xiaomi Redmi 4X stored?

By default, all screenshots are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

🔹 How to find out:

1. Open the Files app (or any file manager, such as Solid Explorer).
2. Go to the Images section → Screenshots.
3. The pictures are sorted by date - the last ones will be at the top.

🔹 Challenges and solutions:

• 📂 Is the folder empty? Check the permissions for the Media Store app in the settings.
• 🔍 Can't find it? Use a search in the file manager on request Screenshot_ (default).
• ☁️ Want to automatically upload to the cloud? Set up sync with Google Photos or Mi Cloud.

⚠️ Note: If you use a microSD, screenshots can be saved along the way. /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Pictures/Screenshots/, where XXXX-XXXX — ID of your card.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi 4X