Xiaomi’s Redmi line of smartphones has long proven to be reliable devices with excellent functionality, but the MIUI shell interface can raise questions for beginners. One of the basic but critical features for any user is the ability to capture the current screen image. Owners of the Redmi 4 model (including the Prime and Pro versions) often look for the best way to lock the screen, since standard Android methods here can be supplemented with branded chips.
There are several proven ways to create a screenshot, and the choice of the specific method depends on your preferences and the current situation. Some are used to the classic keyboard combination, others are more convenient to use voice commands or controls in the notification curtain. Understanding all the options available will allow you to instantly save information at the right time, without being distracted from the main process of using the gadget.
In this article, we will take a closer look at each method available, discuss possible file retention issues, and provide recommendations for improving the clipboard, not only to take pictures, but also to manage them effectively using built-in editing tools.
Classical Method: A Combination of Physical Buttons
The fastest and most common way for most Android users is to use a physical button called Volume Down and Power. On Redmi 4, these keys are located on the right side of the body, making them easily accessible to the right thumb. To create a picture, you need to press both buttons simultaneously and hold them for a fraction of a second until the characteristic sound of the camera shutter.
It's important to note that the pressing should be simultaneous, not sequential. If you press one button first and then the second, the phone may perceive this as a command to change the volume or lock the screen, tactile recoil and visual flash of the screen will confirm the successful execution of the action.
⚠️ Warning: Don't keep buttons pinched too long.Long-term holding of button combinations on some firmware versions MIUI It can start a fast boot mode or forced reboot of the device, which will interrupt your current work.
This method is universal and works even in cases where the touch screen is temporarily unresponsive or blocked by a third-party application. However, when using the phone with one hand, reaching for both buttons can be inconvenient, especially on models with a large diagonal.
Use of notification curtain and control menu
The MIUI interface offers easy access to the screenshot function through the top curtain, and you swipe the notification bar from top to bottom, and then find the appropriate icon. If you don't have it in quick access, you should click the edit menu button (usually a pencil icon or three dots) and drag the Screenshot icon to the active panel.
This method is ideal in situations where the physical buttons of the smartphone are faulty or stuck, and it also allows you to take a screenshot without changing the position of your hands, which is especially true when watching videos or reading books while lying down.
☑️ Checking the screenshot settings
After clicking on the icon in the curtain, the system instantly creates an image and saves it to the Screenshots folder. At the bottom of the screen, a thumbnail will appear, tapping on which you can immediately go to editing or sending the file to the messenger.
The function of “Three fingers”: gestures and settings
One of the most convenient features of the MIUI shell is the ability to swipe three fingers down the screen. This feature is not activated by default on some versions of the firmware, so it must be enabled manually through settings. The path to the option is: Settings → Additional settings → Screenshot.
By activating the Swipe switch with three fingers, you can take pictures in one motion, which is especially useful when scrolling long pages in the browser or social networks, when you need to quickly fix the content without looking for a button on the case.
What to do if the gesture does not work?
It is worth considering that this gesture may conflict with actions in some games or graphics editors that use multi-touch, in which case the system may ignore the command or perform other actions, so in game mode it is better to turn off the function.
Voice control and Google Assistant
Modern smartphones, including Redmi 4, support voice commands. If you have Google Assistant set up or Chinese voice assistant Xiao AI activated (the functionality may be limited in global firmware), you can just say, "OK, Google, take a screenshot."
This seems redundant for everyday use, but it is a lifeline in critical situations, such as when the phone is in the car holder, connected to an external display, or when your hands are busy and dirty, and you need to capture an error or an important message urgently.
- 📱 Make sure the microphone is not closed and is working properly.
- 🗣️ Speak the command clearly and clearly, without unnecessary noise around.
- ⚙️ Check out the Google settings → Search → Voice control, whether access to the screen is allowed.
Voice input requires a stable Internet connection to handle a request by Google servers, so it won't work in flight mode, but it's a great example of how artificial intelligence makes it easier to interact with a device.
Long screenshot: Scrolling function
Redmi 4 features a useful feature of creating long screenshots that allow you to capture the entire page of the site or correspondence in the messenger as a whole. After creating a regular screenshot (any of the methods described above), a thumbnail appears at the bottom of the screen.
In this thumbnail, you have to click on the Scroll button (the icon with the arrows down) and the screen will automatically start to scroll down, capturing new areas of the image, and you can stop the process by re-clicking on the screen or when you reach the bottom of the page.
| Parameter | Description | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| File format | PNG (without loss of quality) | It can take up a lot of space. |
| Max. Length. | Up to 100% page | Depends on the amount of memory |
| Permission | Native (1080x1920) | Width fixed. |
| Editing | Available immediately after creation | Only built-in tools |
A long screenshot is an indispensable tool for storing instructions, recipes or correspondence that do not fit on a single screen. The file is saved as a single single single image, which is convenient for printing or sending to the archive.
💡
When you take a long screenshot, try not to touch the screen while you're scrolling automatically, or the process may be interrupted or the image will be distorted.
Editing and managing saved files
Once you have created a screenshot, MIUI offers basic editing tools, so you can crop the image, add text, draw arrows, or blur sensitive data (such as card numbers or passwords) with the Marker tool.
All saved images automatically enter the system application Gallery in the album Screenshots. Here files are sorted by date of creation. To free up space on the device, it is recommended to periodically check this folder and delete failed or already irrelevant pictures.
If you don’t have enough built-in editing functionality, you can open the file in any third-party editor installed from Google Play.The system allows you to set the default application to open a certain type of images.
⚠️ Note: When sending screenshots via messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber), image quality may be impaired due to compression. Always use the "Send as a file" or "Document" option to transmit original quality».
💡
Regularly cleaning the folder with screenshots helps to free up the internal memory of the smartphone, which directly affects the speed of the Redmi 4 system.