How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: all ways + problem solving

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (codenamed Mido) is still a popular budget smartphone, despite the release of new models. One of the basic features that may raise questions for a beginner is to create screenshots. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to take a screenshot on the Redmi Note 4, including standard MIUI methods and alternative solutions for non-standard situations.

The feature of this model is the lack of a physical Menu button (unlike older Xiaomi devices), which sometimes confuses users who are used to other schemes. In addition, Redmi Note 4 has hidden screenshot features that not everyone knows about, such as how to take a long screenshot of a page or save a picture straight to the cloud, we will consider all this with the latest versions of MIUI 12-14.

If you're having problems -- the screenshot doesn't save, the button combination doesn't work, or the sound of the shot is gone -- there's a section at the end of this article with the solution errors, and we've also prepared an FAQ with the answers to the frequent questions.

1. Standard method: power buttons + volume

It’s a versatile method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi Note 4.

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 power button (right) and the volume reduction button (top left).
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the sound of the camera shutter and see the animation of the screenshot.

The finished shot will appear in Gallery → Albums → Screenshots. If you have MIUI 12+ installed, after you create a screenshot, a quick action bar with options will appear at the bottom of the screen:

• 📝 Edit – crop, add text or a picture.
• 📤 Share - send to the messenger or social network.
• 🗑️ Delete – if the photo is not needed.
• 🔄 Long screenshot – scroll through the page and capture it completely (does not work in all applications).

If the button combination doesn’t work the first time, try:

• Press the buttons at the same time, not alternately.
• Keep them a little longer (up to 3 seconds).
• Check if the buttons are locked (for example, because of a cover or dirt).

💡

If you have firmware installed (castom firmware), the button combination may differ, for example, some LineageOS builds use Power + Volume Up for screenshots.

2. Screenshot by gesture (three fingers)

MIUI has a hidden feature for creating screenshots with a gesture, which is to swipe three fingers across the screen, which is disabled by default, but it's easy to activate:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
2. Turn on the swipe switch three fingers down.
3. Select the direction of the gesture (usually down, but you can adjust left/right).

Now to take a screenshot:

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

Advantages of this method:

• 👍 You don’t need to remember button combinations.
• 🎯 It is convenient if one of the physical buttons is broken.
• ⚡ Faster than pressing buttons (after training).

Is the switch activated in the settings?| Is the direction correctly chosen?| Are clean fingers (mud interferes with the operation)?| Is there any conflict with other gestures (for example, swipe to return)?

-->

If the gesture doesn't work,

• Check if it's off in the settings.
• Make sure you use three fingers, not two or four.
• Try to make a gesture elsewhere on the screen (not at the edges).

Power buttons + volume | Three finger gesture | Voice assistant | App side | Another way-->

3. Voice command via Google Assistant

If you're uncomfortable with buttons or gestures, you can take a voice screenshot.

1. Activate Google Assistant (the latest version of the Google app must be installed).
2. Say, OK Google, take a screenshot.
3. Confirm the request (if required).

You can also use Alice from Yandex (if installed):

1. Activate Alice with your voice or click on her icon.
2. Say, take a screenshot of the screen.

Limitations of this method:

• ❌ It doesn't work on all versions. MIUI (Redmi Note 4 may require manual permissions).
• ⚠️ Requires an Internet connection to process voice.
• 🔊 It won’t work if the microphone or voice assistant is turned off.

To enable screenshot support in Google Assistant:

1. Open the Google app.
2. Go to Settings → Voice Search → Voice Assistant → Device settings.
3. Find the Screenshots item and turn it on.

4. Long (scrollable) screenshot

On Redmi Note 4, the long screenshot feature only works in a limited number of applications: browser, messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), some social networks. It is not available in system settings or games. To take a scrolling picture:

1. First, create a regular screenshot (in any of the ways described above).
2. Immediately after the thumbnail of the picture appears at the bottom of the screen, click on the Scrolling button (or Long Screenshot).
3. Wait for the page to automatically scroll down, capturing the content.
4. Press Ready when you need to stop.

If the scroll button does not appear:

• 📱 Check if the app supports this feature (in games or Settings it is disabled).
• 🔄 Try to scroll the page manually to the end before creating a screenshot.
• 📲 Update the app where you’re trying to take a long shot.

Examples of applications where a long screenshot works stably:

5. Screenshot via notification panel (quick settings)

MIUI 12+ has the ability to add a screenshot button to the Quick Settings panel, which is convenient if you need to take screenshots often.

1. Open the notification bar (swipe down from the top edge of the screen).
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ Edit (pencil).
3. Find a screenshot tiles in the list and drag them to the active area.
4. Press Ready.

Now to take a screenshot:

1. Open the screen.
2. Swipe down, call the notification panel.
3. Click on the screenshot tiles.

Advantages of this method:

• 👆 You don’t need to remember button combinations.
• 🔧 It works even if one of the physical buttons is faulty.
• 📱 You can place the tiles in a convenient place (for example, in the first row).

⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 4 with MIUI 11 and below the screenshot may not be on the quick settings list, in which case update the firmware or use other methods.

Part of the screenshot annex

If standard methods don't work (for example, a long screenshot doesn't work), you can install third-party utilities. We tested several popular applications on Redmi Note 4:

How to set up Screen Master (for example):

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Run it and provide all the permissions you request (including Overlaying on top of other apps).
3. In the application settings, select the way to create a screenshot: 🔘 The button in the notification panel. 👆 Gesture (shake phone). ⏱ Timer (delay 3-10 seconds).

⚠️ Note: Screenshot applications may conflict with MIUI Optimizer (built-in system optimization). If after installing the utility screenshots are no longer saved, try to disable optimization in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Threefold → Special access → Battery optimization and add the app to exceptions.

7. Solve screenshot issues on Redmi Note 4

If screenshots are not saved, not taken or the shutter sound disappears, try the following solutions:

Problem 1: Screenshot is not saved in the gallery

• 📁 Check the folder. Pictures/Screenshots through the file manager (sometimes the images are not saved in the Gallery, but in the root directory).
• 🔄 Restart your phone - sometimes MIUI It doesn't update the media base.
• 🛠️ Clear the cache of the Gallery app in the settings.

Problem 2: The button combination is not working

• 🔋 Check if the battery is discharged (at the charge level) < 5% Some functions are turned off).
• 🔧 Make sure the buttons are not blocked by a cover or protective film.
• 📱 Reset button settings in Settings → System system → Buttons.

Problem 3: The sound of the screenshot is missing

• 🔊 Check if the system notifications sound is turned off in Settings → Sounds and vibrations.
• 🎵 Make sure that the mode is not activated Do not disturb.
• 🔄 Switch the sound profile to General.

Problem 4: The long screenshot is broken

• 📱 Update the app you’re trying to take a picture of.
• 🔄 Try to scroll the page manually before activating the function.
• 🛠️ Clear the browser or messenger cache.

💡

If none of these methods work, check if the system-level screenshot function is disabled. In rare cases, this happens after a setting reset or MIUI update. To return it, reset Settings → About Phone → Resets → Resets All settings (app data not affected).

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi Note 4