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: how to quickly take a screenshot of the screen if the standard key combinations do not work or are forgotten? In this article, we will analyze all the available methods – from classic to little-known, including nuances for different versions of the MIUI firmware (from 8 to 14).
The Redmi Note 4X (codenamed mido) is that it lacks the physical Menu button that older Android devices used to screenshot, and instead, Xiaomi has implemented several alternative methods, some of which may not work on custom firmware or after resetting, which we'll talk about.
If you're looking for a way to save not only a static image, but also record video from a screen, go to the special section at the end of this article, and first of all, the most reliable method that works on 99% of devices.
1. Standard method: button combination
It’s a versatile method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi Note 4X. The algorithm is simple:
- 🔘 At the same time, press the power button (right) and the volume reduction button (left).
- 📸 Hold them for 1-1.5 seconds – no longer, otherwise the smartphone may reboot or cause the shutdown menu.
- 🎨 You will hear the sound of the camera shutter, and the screen will blink for a split second – this is a signal that the screenshot was taken.
Where to look for the finished image? All screenshots are automatically saved in the folder:
/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/Or through the gallery: open the Gallery app → Screenshots album.
⚠️ Note: If you have a magnetic lock case (such as a book), it can block buttons.
This method works even if:
- 🔄 Disabled gestures in the settings MIUI.
- 📱 The screen is locked (but you need to know the password to unlock the gallery).
- 🔋 Battery charge less than 15% (unlike some alternative methods).
☑️ Checking before screenshot
2. Three finger gesture (fastest way)
Xiaomi has added a unique feature to MIUI - creating a screenshot with three fingers wired across the screen. This method is 2 times faster than the combination of buttons, but requires pre-tuning.
How to turn on:
- Go to Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
- Find the screenshot with three fingers and activate the switch.
- (Optional) Enable the option to Preview the screenshot for editing immediately after creation.
How to use:
- 🖐️ Simultaneously swipe three fingers (any) on the screen from top to bottom.
- 🎯 The gesture must be smooth, without jerking - otherwise the system will recognize it as an accidental touch.
- 🔍 If the screenshot is not created, try to swipe your fingers from the bottom up (on some versions). MIUI direction).
Advantages of the method:
| Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|
| It works in any application, even in games. | It can be triggered by accident when scrolling pages |
| No need to remember button combinations | Does not work with gloves or wet fingers |
| You can take a screenshot with one hand (on large screens) | Some of the updates are disabled after the update. |
⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI gesture stopped working, reset gesture settings: Settings → Additional functions → Gestures → Reset.
3. Screenshot via notification panel (for MIUI 10 and later)
MIUI 10-14 has a screenshot button right in the notification curtain, which is convenient if the physical buttons are broken or you prefer not to remember the combinations.
Instructions:
- Pull the notification curtain down with two fingers (to open the full panel).
- Find the Screenshot icon (usually a scissors icon or framed camera icon).
- Slip on it – the smartphone will immediately take a screenshot.
If no button:
- 🔧 Go to Settings. → Notification panel → Change the order.
- 🔍 Find a screenshot in the list and drag it to the top (active icons).
- 📌 Set the changes with the Ready button.
This method is particularly useful if:
- 🎮 You play a game where the power/volume buttons are busy with gameplay.
- 🔋 The battery is dead and you are afraid to accidentally turn off the phone with a combination of buttons.
- 👆 One of the physical buttons is faulty (for example, the volume button is stuck).
4. Screenshot by voice (Google Assistant)
Few people know, but Redmi Note 4X can take screenshots with your voice without touching the screen, and you need Google Assistant (default) and a stable Internet connection.
How to set up:
- Activate the voice assistant: Settings → Google → Assistant settings → Voice assistant.
- Enable the Hey Google option to activate without clicking buttons.
- Say the phrase, “OK Google, take a screenshot” or “Take a screenshot.”
Limitations of the method:
- 🌐 Requires an Internet connection (the team is processed on Google servers).
- 🔇 Does not work in Do Not Disturb or if the microphone is turned off.
- 📵 It may not work in some applications (e.g. banking due to security restrictions).
Alternatively, use Alice from Yandex (if installed).
- Open the Yandex app with Alice.
- Say, "Alice, take a screenshot."
- Confirm permission to access the screen (once required).
💡
If the voice assistant doesn’t recognize the command, try to pronounce it more clearly or reformulate it: instead of “screenshot”, say “screenshot” or “screen photo”.
5. Screenshot via ADB (for advanced users)
If all of the above methods do not work (for example, due to a broken screen or custom firmware), you can take a screenshot through ADB – an Android debugging tool.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 📦 Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB Tools.
Step-by-step:
- Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Tap it 7 times until the notification “You’ve become a developer!” appears.
- Activate USB Debugging: Return to Settings → Additional Features → Developer Settings. Find USB Debugging and turn it on.
adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.pngadb pull /sdcard/screenshot.pngThis method is useful if:
- 🔧 You test apps and you need to take screenshots automatically.
- 💻 The phone's screen is broken, but the sensor is working.
- 🔒 You have custom firmware without standard features MIUI.
⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB Do not connect your phone to other people's computers or follow unknown commands from the Internet, which can lead to data leakage or locking the device.
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
6. How to record video from the screen (alternative to screenshots)
If you need to save a dynamic process (such as an in-game bug or instruction), use the built-in screen recording. On the Redmi Note 4X, it works starting with MIUI 10.
How to turn on:
- Open the notification panel with two fingers.
- Find the screen recording icon (a circle icon with a dot inside).
- Slap it on it - the countdown will begin 3 seconds, after which the recording will begin.
- To stop, click on the icon again or pull the curtain and select Stop.
Where the video is stored:
/storage/emulated/0/Movies/ScreenRecords/Record settings:
- 🎤 Turn on / off recording sound from the microphone in the icon settings.
- 📊 Select permission: 720p (saves space) or 1080p (quality).
- 🔄 Limit it. FPS (frames per second) to save battery.
Limitations:
- 🚫 It does not work in some banking applications and DRM-Protected Services (Netflix, Disney)+).
- 🔋 Strongly drains the battery during long recording.
- 📱 Videos are not recorded if the screen is blocked.
💡
Screen recording through the notification curtain is the only official way to use the Redmi Note 4X. Apps from Google Play (like AZ Screen Recorder) may not work due to MIUI limitations.