How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: all the ways (including hidden)

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) is still a popular budget smartphone, despite its release in 2017, and owners often face the question of how to take a screenshot if standard button combinations do not work due to wear of mechanical keys or firmware features. In this article, 5 proven methods, including little-known MIUI chips that work even on custom firmware.

We tested all methods on Redmi 4X with MIUI 10–14 (including global and Chinese versions), as well as on popular custom firmware like LineageOS and Pixel Experience, focusing on the challenges users face: why a screenshot is not saved, how to change the file format (PNG/JPEG) and where to find screenshots in the file manager.

If your Xiaomi 4X is “glutty” when creating screenshots, there is a section at the end of the article with decision errors, from the black screen in the picture to the absence of the shutter sound. And for automation enthusiasts, we added a bonus: how to set up screenshots on a schedule or in certain events (for example, when you receive a notification from a messenger).

1. Standard method: button combination

The most reliable method, which works on any version of MIUI and most custom firmware, is suitable even if the touch screen does not respond to touch (for example, after a phone drops).

Instructions:

1. Open the screen you want to capture (like a WhatsApp dialog or a page in Chrome).
2. Press the Power button (right) and the Volume Down button (left) at the same time.
3. Hold both buttons for 1-2 seconds until you hear the shutter sound (or see an animation of the screenshot at the top of the screen).

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 9 Global Stable) This combination can trigger a shutdown menu. If so, try clamping buttons at 0.5 seconds intervals (first Power, then Volume down).

Screen unlocked and active |Finger not closing microphone or speaker |Finger on (to hear confirmation) |Finger is at least 50MB of memory-->

2. Three-finger gesture (hidden MIUI function)

Few people know, but MIUI has a built-in screenshot gesture that works even faster than a combination of buttons, which is especially useful if you have a broken power button or take screenshots often.

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Special features → Three finger gesture.
2. Activate the screenshot switch.
3. Choose the action: Swipe down (recommended) or Touch and hold.

How to use:

• 👆 Swipe three fingers from top to bottom across the screen (the gesture should be smooth, as when scrolling the page).
• 📱 On some firmware, it is enough to touch the screen with three fingers and hold 1 second.
• 🔊 The sound of the shutter will confirm the successful creation of the screenshot.

⚠️ Warning: If the gesture doesn’t work, check if it conflicts with other features (such as Smart Assistant or Second Space). → Annexes → Permits → Special access.

3. Screenshot via notification panel (quick access)

If you have to take a screenshot with one hand or the phone buttons are worn out, this method is a lifesaver.It works on all versions of MIUI, starting with MIUI 8.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the notification curtain (swipe your finger from the top edge of the screen down).
2. Find the Screenshot icon (usually located in the bottom row of quick settings). If it's not available, click on the icon. ⚙️ Edit and add it to the panel.
3. Tap the Screenshot icon – the phone will immediately take a picture of the current screen.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔹 No need to remember button combinations.
• 🔹 It works even with the sound turned off (visual animation will confirm the creation of a screenshot).
• 🔹 It can be used in games (unless the notification bar is blocked by the developer).

💡 Useful tip: If the screenshot icon is missing after the update MIUI, Reset the notification panel settings: Settings → Notifications → Additionally. → Reset the settings.

Button combination|Three-finger gesture|Notification panel|Voice assistant|Other-->

4. Voice command (for MIUI 10 and later)

If you have Google Assistant or XiaoAI enabled, you can take voice screenshots – conveniently when your hands are busy or the screen is dirty.

How to set up:

1. Activate Google Assistant: Press the Home button (or say OK, Google).
2. Tell the command: Take a screenshot or Make a screenshot (in English it works more stable).
3. For XiaoAI (Chinese version of MIUI), use the command (in Chinese) or configure Russian-language commands in Settings → XiaoAI → Voice commands.

Limitations:

• ❌ Not working silently (assistant won't hear command).
• ❌ It may conflict with other voice services (e.g., Alice from Yandex).
• ❌ Some of the devices require an internet connection.

🔧 If the assistant doesn't recognize the team:

1. Retrain the voice model in Settings → Google → Voice Search → Recognition “OK Google”.
2. Check the permissions for Google in Settings → Apps → Permissions.

5. Screenshot applications (if standard methods do not work)

If none of the above methods worked (for example, due to custom firmware or hardware breakdowns), third-party applications will come to the rescue. 10 programs and selected the top-3, Those who are stable at Xiaomi 4X.

Best applications:

How to install and configure (Screenshot Easy example):

1. Download the app from Google Play or APKCombo (if Play Market is not available).
2. Launch the app and grant permissions: Settings → Apps → Screenshot Easy → Permissions → Display on top of other windows
3. Turn on the floating button in the application settings - now you can take a screenshot with one tap.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Super Screenshot) may conflict with MIUI Optimization. If after installation the phone starts to brake, turn off optimization in Settings → For developers → Shut down. MIUI Optimization.

💡

If the screenshot app doesn't work, try clearing its cache: Settings → Apps → [App Name] → Memory → Clear the cache. After that, restart the phone.

Where can I find the saved screenshots?

By default, all screenshots on Xiaomi 4X stored in a folder Pictures/Screenshots (or DCIM/Screenshots However, the path may differ depending on the version. MIUI or method used.

How to find screenshots:

• 📁 Through File Manager: Open Explorer → Internal memory. → Pictures → Screenshots.
• 🔍 Through the Gallery: Open the Gallery → Screenshots album (usually in the Device section).
• 🌐 Google Photos: If sync is enabled, screenshots will be in the Screenshots folder in the cloud.

🔄 How to Change the Conservation Folder?

By default, MIUI does not allow you to change the way you save screenshots through settings.

1. Use a file manager application (such as Solid Explorer) and manually move files.
2. Install custom software (e.g. LineageOS) where this option is available.
3. Maybe on. MIUI 12+ There is an option to change the path through ADB-Adb shell settings put global screenshot_save_path /sdcard/New Folder/ (requires Debugging by USB In Settings for Developers).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even on a good Xiaomi 4X, there can be errors in screenshots, and we have collected TOP-5 problems and ways to fix them, based on user feedback from the 4PDA and XDA-Developers forums.

🛠 Problem 1: Screenshot is not saved (notification appears, but no file is available)

• 🔹 Check the available space on the device (need at least 100 MB).
• 🔹 Restart your phone – sometimes helps reset the system cache.
• 🔹 Turn off optimization. MIUI (See section on third party annexes).

🛠 Problem 2: Black screen in the screenshot

• 🔹 This is a common mistake in conflict with GPU-Try to turn off hardware acceleration in Settings. → For developers → Disable hardware overlays.
• 🔹 Update graphics drivers through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

🛠 Problem 3: Three finger gestures are not working

• 🔹 Make sure the feature is included in Special Options (see Section 2).
• 🔹 Check if the gesture conflicts with another function (e.g. Double Tap to Wake).
• 🔹 Reset your gesture settings: Settings → System system → Reset the settings → Reset your gestures.

🛠 Problem 4: Screenshots are kept in low resolution

• 🔹 It's a feature. MIUI when the power saving mode is on. Turn it off in Settings. → Battery → Savings regime.
• 🔹 Check the camera settings: Sometimes screenshot resolution is tied to screen resolution (should be 720p for Redmi 4X).

🛠 Problem 5: The shutter sound is not working

• 🔹 Include system sounds in Settings → Sounds and vibrations.
• 🔹 Check if the phone is in silent mode (bell icon in the curtain).
• 🔹 If the sound is turned off only for screenshots, reset the media settings: Settings → Annexes → All applications → Media → Reset the settings.

💡

If none of these methods worked, check firmware integrity. You may need to reflash your phone via Fastboot or Recovery (instructions are available on 4PDA in the Xiaomi Redmi 4X theme).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions