How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: the complete guide

Owners of the legendary Xiaomi Redmi 4X often face the need to capture the contents of the display, whether it is correspondence in the messenger, an application error or just an interesting moment in the game. Despite the fact that the model came out a few years ago, the MIUI shell provides users with a powerful and flexible toolkit for working with screen images. Understanding all available methods will save you time and not be distracted from the main process of using a smartphone.

Creating a screenshot on Redmi 4X is not just a fixation of the image, but the first step to further processing it. The system automatically suggests editing the image, overlaying text or highlighting important details immediately after creation. In this article, we will discuss all the existing methods, from classic buttons to advanced gestures, which can be hidden in the settings.

The focus is on how Xiaomi's Android operating system handles graphics, and the screenshot is saved in a special section of the gallery that can be accessed in a variety of ways, and it's important to know these nuances to quickly find the right files among hundreds of other photos.

Classical method using physical buttons

The most common and reliable way to create a screenshot that works on the vast majority of Android devices, including the Redmi 4X. This method requires no configuration and is available immediately after the phone is turned on, making it indispensable in emergency situations.

To do this, you need to press two physical keys on the body of your smartphone at the same time, usually the on button and the volume down button. It is important to keep the press synchronized: the interval between presses should be minimal, almost instantaneous.

⚠️ Warning: If you hold the buttons for too long, instead of taking a screenshot, the device switch off menu or Recovery mode can be activated.

After successfully executing the command, you will hear the characteristic click of the camera shutter (if the sound is on), and the screen will blink for a split second. At the top of the display, a notification will appear that the image is saved, and its thumbnail, which you can click on for quick editing.

• 📱 Find the power button on the right side of the body.
• 🔉 Locate the Volume Down button (lower right side).
• 👆 Press both buttons at the same time and release them immediately.
• 📸 Check the top status line for a camera icon.

This is a basic technique, but it has its own features on different versions of firmware. In some cases, if you press the buttons not at the same time, but with a slight delay, the system may perceive this as a separate action and not take a screenshot.

Use of control panel (Curtains)

The second most popular method, which is particularly convenient when physical buttons are inconvenient or damaged, is the MIUI shell, which allows you to take a screenshot shortcut directly into the Quick Settings Panel, which is available from top to bottom.

To activate this feature, you need to unlock your smartphone and swipe from the top of the screen down, and you'll see a notification menu, and when you swipe or click on a special editing icon again, you'll have a full set of switches, and you'll find an item called Screenshot or Screenshot.

If you don't find one in the front row of icons, it's probably hidden in the optional menu. Click on the edit button (usually looking like a pencil or three dots), find a Screenshot in the list of available widgets, and drag it to the active zone. Now the function will always be on hand.

💡

Make the screenshot shortcut the first on the list of frequently used ones to find it by touch without looking at the screen.

The use of a software button has its advantages, for example, it reduces wear on physical mechanical switches that may become stuck over time, and the software method eliminates the risk of accidental changes in volume during the capture.

• 🔽 Swipe from top to bottom to open the curtains.
• 🔍 Find the icon "Scissors" or "Screenshot".
• 🖱️ Click on the icon once.
• ✅ Wait for the audible confirmation.

It is worth noting that on some custom themes, the screenshot may look unusual. If you have changed the theme and can not find the usual icon, try temporarily returning the standard MIUI theme to find the right control.

Customization and use of gestures (Three fingers)

One of the most convenient features in Xiaomi’s ekosystem is the ability to create screenshots using gestures, which requires pre-activation in settings, but once enabled becomes the fastest way to capture an image.

The idea is to use three fingers on the screen from top to bottom, which is perceived by the system as a command to capture the current contents of the display, and even works on a locked screen (depending on the security settings) and in most applications.

To enable this option, go to the settings menu. You'll need to find the section that handles the extra features of the system. The path may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic remains the same: look for items related to buttons or gestures.

Activating the Three Fingers gesture allows you to access advanced features, such as some firmware versions that allow you to adjust the capture area or action while holding three fingers long, making a simple screenshot a powerful content tool.

• ⚙️ Open the settings of your device.
• 🖐️ Go to the Additional or Advanced Settings section.
• 👆 Select the buttons and gestures.
• 📐 Find the screenshot option with three fingers and activate the switch.

Once turned on, try to swipe your three fingers in the center of the screen, if done correctly, the screen will blink and you will hear the shutter sound. If there is no reaction, check if the sensor is blocked by a low-quality protective glass or a case with high sides.

Voice control via Google Assistant

Modern smartphones, including the Redmi 4X, have powerful voice controls. Using Google Assistant allows you to take screenshots without using your hands, which can be useful in certain use cases.

This method requires that the phone has a Google voice assistant activated and configured, which is usually on by default, but may require updating or adjusting the recognition language, activation occurs by saying “Ok Google” or pressing the home button for a long time (if it is touch-sensitive and supports this feature).

Once you activate the assistant, just say "Take a screenshot" or "Screenshot of the screen." The system recognizes the voice request and performs an action, which is especially convenient when the phone is attached to the holder or in a difficult-to-reach position.

⚠️ Note: Voice control may not work in some secure applications (bank clients, incognito browser mode) for security and data privacy reasons.

The accuracy of the recognition depends on the diction and noise level in the room. If the phone does not respond the first time, try to formulate the command clearly and loudly. Also make sure that the Google Assistant settings allow you to perform actions without confirmation.

Editing and managing screenshots in MIUI

Once you've created an image, MIUI offers you a built-in editor, which is not just a viewer, but a full-fledged tool that allows you to crop the extra, draw arrows or add text directly on top of the image.

At the bottom of the notification that appears, or in the gallery, edit buttons are available. You can choose the pencil tool for hand-drawing, text for adding comments, or cropping to change the proportions of the frame. All changes are saved either as a copy or on top of the original of your choice.

The Android file system on Xiaomi is structured logically, all screenshots are placed in a separate folder, which makes it easier to find them./DCIM/Screenshots or MIUI/Gallery/cloud/screenShots, depending on the OS version.

Removing unwanted images can also be done en masse, by highlighting a few files with a long tap and pressing the delete button, which will help free up space in the device's memory, which is critical for models with a small amount of internal storage, like the Redmi 4X.

It is important to note that the PNG format provides high image quality but takes up more space than JPG. If you take hundreds of screenshots daily, it makes sense to periodically clean the folder or use cloud services for archiving.

Solution: Why screenshots are not saved

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the usual key combinations do not work, this can be caused by a software failure, a lack of RAM or the limitations of a particular application, first of all it is worth checking the free space on the device.

If the phone's memory is full, the system will not physically be able to save the new file. Cleaning the cache or removing unnecessary applications often solves the problem instantly, and it's also worth rebooting the device to reset temporary interface errors.

In some cases, the problem is a design conflict: Third-party themes downloaded from the MIUI store can change system fonts or icons, leading to system functions not working properly, and switching to a standard theme helps diagnose this cause.

• 💾 Check the vacant space in the vault.
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
• 🎨 Change the subject to the standard.
• 🔒 Check the access rights for system applications.

If none of these methods worked, you may need to reset to factory settings, but it is recommended to back up important data before doing so. In rare cases, the fault may be hardware, such as damage to the button plume.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

💡

Mastering all the methods of creating screenshots on Redmi 4X makes the smartphone a more effective tool for work and communication, allowing you to instantly capture and transfer information.