How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 4A: all ways with explanations

Xiaomi Redmi 4A is one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, which is still actively used. Despite modest specifications, the device supports all basic functions, including creating screenshots. However, many users have difficulties: the combination of buttons does not work, the picture is saved in the wrong place, the image is cropped.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can take a screenshot of Redmi 4A, from standard to alternative, and how to fix common errors. We’ll focus on the nuances of the MIUI version: some of the features on old firmware may work differently than on new ones. If you didn’t know that this phone can take screenshots with a single gesture or through the Quick Settings panel, read on.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most reliable and versatile method is the use of hardware buttons, which works on all versions of MIUI and does not depend on gesture settings or additional applications. On Redmi 4A, you need to simultaneously press:

• 🔘 Power button (right) + volume-reduce button (left)
• 🕒 Hold them for 1-2 seconds until the animation or shutter sound appears
• 📁 Screenshot is automatically saved in the folder DCIM → Screenshots

If the combination does not work, check:

• ⚡ Battery Charge: At Less Than 5%, Some Functions Are Shut Down.
• 🔧 Button cleanliness: Dust or moisture can block pressing.
• 📱 Version MIUI: firmware MIUI 8 may require holding the buttons longer.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4A With non-original firmware (like LineageOS), the button combination may be different. + loudening.

The buttons are not stuck and clean|Screen unlocked|Charge level above 5%|No active calls or notifications-->

Screenshot by gesture (only for MIUI 9 and later)

Starting with MIUI 9, Redmi 4A introduced a three-toed gesture screenshot feature, which is handy if the hardware buttons fail or you need to quickly capture the screen with one hand.

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot by gesture.
2. Turn on the switch "Swipe with three fingers".
3. Try swiping your finger (usually from top to bottom) across the screen, and a screenshot should appear.

If the gesture doesn't work,

• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the feature resets after updates.
• 📵 Make sure there are no blocking elements on the screen (such as a keyboard or pop-up window).
• 👆 Check the direction of the swipe: in some versions MIUI You need to keep your fingers up.

3. Quick Ball - floating circle for screenshots

Quick Ball is a virtual button from Xiaomi that allows you to quickly access key features, including screenshots. On Redmi 4A, it can be configured as follows:

1. Open Settings → Additional settings → Quick Ball
2. Turn on the Quick Ball slider.
3. Click on Settings and select Screenshot from the Quick Actions list.
4. Now, when you click on the floating circle, a menu will appear - tap on the Scissors icon.

The advantages of Quick Ball:

• ⚡ It works even with faulty physical buttons.
• 🎯 You can move a circle around the screen to a convenient place.
• 🔧 Supports up to 5 quick actions (e.g., returning to the home screen or locking the screen).

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI Quick Ball is gone, check if the feature is disabled in Settings → Special facilities → Quick Ball. Some firmware puts it in this section.

Button combination|Three-finger gesture|Quick Ball|Apps from Play Market|Another way.-->

4. Screenshot via notification panel (MIUI 10 and later)

MIUI 10 and above now allows you to take screenshots directly from the notification panel, which is convenient if you need to quickly save the screen without memorizing combinations.

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the screenshot icon (usually an icon with scissors or a rectangle).
3. Slip it on it – the phone will take a picture of the current screen.

If the icon is missing:

• 🔧 Click on “Edit” (pencil in the upper right corner of the panel) and add the screenshot button to the active ones.
• 📱 On the Redmi. 4A s MIUI 8/9 This function is not there – use other methods.

5. Alternative methods: applications and ADB

If standard methods don't work (for example, because of broken buttons or custom firmware), you can use third-party tools.

Method 1: Screenshot Easy Approach

This is a free app from the Play Market that allows you to take screenshots:

• 🖱️ Timer (useful for games or videos).
• 🔄 Scrolling through long pages (such as chat rooms or websites).
• 📲 Through the widget on the main screen.

Once installed, give the app the rights to Overlay over other windows and Availability in phone settings.

Method 2: ADB command (for advanced users)

If you have a computer, you can take a screenshot through Android Debug Bridge (ADB):

1. Connect Redmi 4A to your PC via USB and enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (shap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
2. Open the command line on your PC and type in: Adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
3. Follow the command: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png Screenshot will be saved in the root folder of the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Requires Xiaomi drivers and Platform Tools to be installed. On unofficial firmware, the team may fail due to security restrictions.

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If the screenshot is not saved, check the free space on the phone. MIUI requires a minimum of 50 MB on the system partition to take screenshots.

6.Where to look for screenshots taken and how to manage them

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

/storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Screenshots/

To find them quickly:

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Go to the album Screenshots (or Screenshots).
3. To sort, tap by icon «⋮» → «Sorting and select “By date».

If the screenshots are not displayed:

• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the gallery doesn’t update the media base.
• 📂 Check the folder manually through the “Conductor” (the Files app»).
• 🗑️ Make sure screenshots aren't accidentally deleted (check the "Basket" in the gallery).

On Redmi 4A with MIUI 8, screenshots can be saved to /Pictures/Screenshots/ instead of DCIM, which is normal and does not require fixes.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even on a simple device like the Redmi 4A, you can get some errors when you take screenshots.

If none of these methods work, try:

• 🔄 Reset the settings to factory (pre-return backup!).
• 📱 Update MIUI Up to the latest version (through Settings) → Updating the system).
• 🛠️ Contact the service center – the problem may be in the hardware (for example, a faulty button plume).

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On Redmi 4A with custom firmware (like Pixel Experience), standard screenshots might not work, and in this case, use apps like Screenshot Touch or ADB.

Frequently asked questions