How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: all working methods

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 remains one of the most popular budget smartphones even years after its release, thanks to its robust hardware and support for custom firmware. But many users still face the basic challenge of taking a screenshot if standard key combinations fail or the device runs on unofficial firmware. In this article, we will examine all the current ways to take screenshots, including hidden MIUI features, and also explain where screenshots are saved and how to quickly find them.

It is important to understand that the methods may differ depending on the version of MIUI (8, 9, 10 or more new) and the type of firmware (global, Chinese, custom). We tested each method on original and informal firmware to ensure that it works. If you have custom build installed (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), some features may not be available — we will mention this too.

Before you get to the instructions, check if you have system gestures or buttons disabled. For example, if Volume Down + Power is not working, it may be the fault of a broken button module or a conflict with the key-locking app, in which case an alternative method through Quick Ball or the notification menu will help.

1. Standard method: "Loudness down + Power" buttons

It's a versatile method that works on any version of MIUI and most custom firmware.

1. Open the screen you want to capture (for example, a dialog in the messenger or a page in the browser).
2. At the same time, press the volume reduction button (on the left end) and the power button (on the right end).
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the sound of the camera shutter and see the animation of the save.

If the screenshot didn't come up:

• 🔧 Check if the buttons are physically locked (dust, damage).
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes the system processes of “hang” interfere with the operation of the combination.
• ⚙️ In the settings For developers, turn off the option Debugging by USB (Sometimes it conflicts with the processing of hardware buttons).

The screen is unlocked and active|The buttons are not physically locked.|No active screen recording.|Debugging is offline. USB (if)-->

On the Redmi Note 4 with custom firmware (like Havoc-OS), the combination may be different: instead of Volume Down + Power, Volume Up + Power sometimes works. If neither combination works, move on to the next method.

2. Screenshot via the notification menu (no buttons)

If the hardware buttons are faulty or you prefer to control your smartphone with one hand, use the built-in MIUI function:

1. Turn the notification bar (swipe down from the top edge of the screen).
2. Find a Screenshot tiles (the icon is a scissor or a rectangle with lightning) If there is no tiles, click Edit and add it manually.
3. Slip on the tile - the smartphone will immediately take a screenshot.

This method works even on locked screens (unless the security settings have disabled the option of Screenshots on the locked screen).

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 8 Screenshot tiles may not be available in the standard set, in which case add it via Settings → Notification panel → Add tiles.

The advantage of the method is that there is no risk of accidentally turning off the smartphone (as when holding the power button), and it is also easier to take screenshots in games where hardware buttons can interfere with gameplay.

3. Three-finger swipe gesture (only for MIUI 9 and newer)

Xiaomi has added a hidden feature to MIUI 9 to create screenshots by gesture, a swipe of three fingers across the screen, which is disabled by default, but is easy to activate:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Screenshot button (or Settings → Screen → Gestures in new versions).
2. Turn on the swipe option with three fingers.
3. Select the swipe direction (usually down, but you can configure left/right).

Now to take a screenshot:

1. Place three fingers on the screen (for example, index, middle and ring finger).
2. Then, move them down (or in the direction you choose).
3. The picture will be saved automatically.

This method is particularly convenient for:

• 🎮 Players don’t have to take their hands off the screen.
• 📱 Users with faulty buttons.
• 👆 People who often take screenshots with one hand.

Important: On the Redmi Note 4 with MIUI 8, this gesture is not available — it only appeared in MIUI 9 and later. If you have old firmware, update it or use alternative methods.

4. Quick Ball - Floating Virtual Joystick

Quick Ball is a unique feature of MIUI that adds a floating circle with fast actions, including screenshots, to the screen to enable it:

1. Open the Settings. → Additionally. → Quick Ball.
2. Activate the switch at the top of the screen.
3. In the Quick Actions section, add the Screenshot option (scissors icon).
4. Set up the transparency and position of the circle on the screen.

Now to take a picture:

1. Slip on the Quick Ball (floating circle).
2. Select the Screenshot icon.
3. Finished - picture saved!

Quick Ball is useful in cases of:

• 🔧 If the hardware buttons do not work.
• 🎯 You need to quickly take screenshots in applications where gestures conflict (for example, in graphic editors).
• 👁️ You often use other Quick Ball features (back, home, recent apps).

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If Quick Ball interferes with games, temporarily turn it off via the notification bar or set up automatic hiding in full-screen apps.

5 Where are the screenshots saved and how to find them

By default, all screenshots on Redmi Note 4 are saved to the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

or (in some firmware):

/storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Screenshots/

To open the folder quickly:

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Go to the Albums section.
3. Find the Screenshots folder (or Screenshots in the Russified version).

If the screenshots are not displayed:

If you use SD-map as the main storage, screenshots can be saved along the way:

/storage/XXXX-XXXX/Pictures/Screenshots/

(where XXXX-XXXX is your memory card ID).

6.Editing and sharing screenshots

And right after you take the screenshot, you get a thumbnail at the bottom of the screen, and you can do this.

• ✏️ Edit – crop, add text or drawings (opens the built-in editor) MIUI).
• 📤 Share - send a picture to the messenger or social network.
• 🗑️ Delete – remove unnecessary screenshots immediately.
• 🔍 View – Open a full-size image.

For extended editing:

1. Open the screenshot at the Gallery.
2. Slip on the icon Edit (pencil).
3. Use the tools: 🎨 The hand is hand-painting. 📝 Text - addition of inscriptions. 🖼️ Stickers - emojis and graphic elements. 🔳 Pruning - resizing.

Ready.

If the built-in editor isn’t enough, install third-party apps:

• 📱 Snapseed (Google) – Professional processing.
• 🎨 PicsArt - collages and effects.
• ✏️ Sketches - for handwritten notes.

7 Problems and Solutions: Why You Can't Take a Screenshot

If none of the methods work, the reasons may be as follows:

Special case: If you are trying to take a screenshot in a banking application (Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc.) or a streaming service (Netflix, Disney).+), The screen may remain black. DRM-Digital Rights Management, which blocks screenshots to protect sensitive data, can only be circumvented by using an external camera (e.g., taking a picture of the screen with another smartphone).

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 4 with unofficial firmware (e.g. Resurrection Remix) may not support hardware buttons for screenshots. In this case, use apps from Google Play, such as Screenshot Easy or Super Screenshot.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi Note 4

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On the Redmi Note 4 with custom firmware (not MIUI), standard methods may not work, in which case install the Screenshot Ultimate app from Google Play, which supports alternative ways to take screenshots, including a timer and shaking the device.