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

Creating a screenshot on a smartphone is one of the basic but critical functions for any user. Owners of the popular Redmi 4X often look for quick ways to capture an important dialogue, save a route map or share a funny moment from the game. Despite the apparent simplicity, there are many nuances in the MIUI shell that not everyone knows about. Understanding all the available methods allows you to save time and not look for cramped buttons in a stressful situation.

Xiaomi Redmi 4X, which is running a proprietary firmware, offers several ways to do this. You can use a classic combination of physical keys, special finger gestures or software menus. Each method has its advantages depending on what your hands are doing at a particular time. We will look at each one in detail so you can choose the most convenient option for everyday use.

Special attention should be paid to software settings, as they often cause a lack of response to your actions. Sometimes the function can be simply disabled in the system or blocked by a running application. In this article, we will discuss not only standard algorithms, but also possible errors that users face when trying to save a screen image.

Classical Method Through Physical Buttons

The most common and reliable way that works on almost all Android smartphones is to use a control keyboard combination. On the Redmi 4X, this method is standard and does not require any pre-tuning. You need to press the volume button and the power button at the same time.

If you do everything right, the device will emit a characteristic shutter sound and the screen will blink. At the top of the display, a notification will appear that the picture has been successfully saved. This method is universal, but requires a certain skill, especially if you hold the phone with one hand. Some users have difficulty pressing simultaneously, which leads to a locking of the screen or a change in volume instead of creating a screenshot.

To successfully perform the procedure, follow this algorithm:

• 📱 Open the app or screen that you want to capture.
• 🔘 Find the power button on the right side and the volume swing on the left (or right, depending on the region.
• ⚡ Press both buttons simultaneously and briefly.
• 🔊 Wait for the sound signal and visual confirmation.

It's worth noting that the delay between taps doesn't have to be that big. If you turn the volume down first and then the power down, the phone can just change the sound level. Synchrony plays a key role here. Also, don't hold the buttons too long, because it can trigger the device's switch off menu or the voice assistant to start.

⚠️ Attention: If you press the buttons, the screen goes out or the switch-off menu appears, you hold the power key for too long.

Using three-finger gestures

MIUI is famous for its advanced functionality, and one of the most convenient additions is to create screenshots using gestures, which is especially relevant when the phone is lying on the table or when it is inconvenient to reach the buttons with one hand. To activate this feature, you must first enable the corresponding option in the system settings.

Once you activate the function, you just swipe three fingers down the screen, and the system instantly recognizes the gesture and creates a snapshot, and you can do this any time the interface is not locked, and the gesture works smoothly and requires no physical effort, which reduces the risk of damage to the volume buttons over time.

To set up, perform the following actions:

• 🔍 Open the menu Settings of your smartphone.
• 👐 Go to the section Additional and select the Screenshot item.
• ✅ Activate the switch opposite the option Three fingers.
• 📉 Swipe three fingers across the screen to check the function.

If the gesture doesn't work the first time, try changing the speed or angle of your fingers. Sometimes the system may not recognize the touch if the screen is poor in quality or if the fingers are too dry.

Creating a picture through the menu of curtains and buttons

Not everyone knows, but Redmi 4X can take a screenshot without using physical buttons and gestures. The notification curtain (quick access panel) often has a corresponding shortcut. However, by default it can be hidden. To activate it, you need to edit the list of fast switches.

Swipe down to open the curtain, and find an icon with scissors or a screenshot icon. If it's not there, click on the edit button (usually a pencil or a gear) and drag the desired element to the active panel. After that, it takes just one touch to create a screenshot, which is ideal if the buttons on the phone body are faulty or fall.

There's also a software button in the multitasking menu, and when you switch between open applications (the Menu button or the swipe from the bottom with a delay), an icon (scissors) can appear in the preview corner of the application, and clicking on it saves the current state of the program, which is convenient for creating screenshots of running games or videos without leaving the application.

Advantages of using software methods:

• 🛡️ No mechanical impact on the buttons, which prolongs their service life.
• 👆 The ability to take a picture when the phone is on the surface.
• 🎯 Accurate hitting at the right moment without the risk of smearing the frame with trembling hands.

⚠️ Note: In some applications, such as bank clients or incognito browser mode, screenshots may be blocked by security policies.

Setup of the timer and capture area

Xiaomi's functionality allows you to not only take pictures, but also control the process of creating them. In the screenshot settings menu (Settings → Additional → Screenshot), you can find a timer option. This is a useful feature if you need to capture a pop-up menu, a context window or a process that disappears when you touch the screen.

You can set a delay of 3 or 5 seconds. Once you start the timer, you have time to open the menu or go to the desired application. When the time goes out, the system automatically takes a picture. This eliminates the need to hold the phone and try to press the buttons at the right time.

And then, after you take the picture, you have a thumbnail in the corner, and if you click on it, you'll see an editor where you can:

• ✂️ Cut off the extra edges of the image.
• ✏️ Make notes, highlight text or add arrows.
• 📤 Send the file to the messenger or save it to the cloud.

Using a timer is especially important for creating learning materials or screenshots of errors that only appear when certain actions are taken. The flexibility of MIUI settings allows you to adapt the process to the specific needs of the user, making working with a smartphone more comfortable.

Where are the screenshots stored and how to find them

Once an image has been successfully created, users often wonder where it has been saved, with Redmi 4X having a separate directory for that, and you can find files through the standard Gallery app or through the file manager.

In the Gallery app, screenshots are usually in a separate album called Screenshots or Screenshots. This album is automatically generated and new images are added to the top of the list. If you use a file manager, the path to the folder will be as follows: Internal memory → DCIM → Screenshots or MIUI → gallery → cloud.

Main data storage locations:

If you can't find a file, check the gallery's sorting settings. Sometimes new images are hidden if you're sorted by the date the folder changed, not the date the file was created, and make sure that the device has enough free memory, because if it's not available, the screenshot may not be saved.

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To quickly find a fresh screenshot in the gallery, use the date search function or just open the album – new files are always in the top left corner of the thumbnail grid.

Solution and troubleshooting

Despite the ease of operation, Redmi 4X users may encounter situations where no screenshot is created, which may be caused by a software failure, resource shortage, or application conflict. If neither method works, try restarting the device first, which clears RAM and resets temporary system errors.

A common problem is overcrowded memory. If the phone has less than 100MB of free space, the system can block the creation of new files, and it is also worth checking the permissions for the Gallery app or the system screenshot service. Sometimes after updating the firmware settings are confused, and gesture functions require re-activation.

Checklist for diagnosing problems:

• 🔋 Check the vacant space in the vault.
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
• 🔌 Make sure that the debugging mode is not connected by USB (rarely conflict).
• 🚫 Check if the application is running with copy protection (DRM).

In some cases, the problem lies in the corruption of system files. If the reboot does not help, you can try resetting the interface settings or perform a factory reset (pre-backup of the data). However, for the Redmi 4X this is rarely necessary, since the model is stable.

⚠️ Note: If screenshots stop suddenly after installing an app, check the list of recently installed programs. Some "optimizers" or "antiviruses" may block access to the screen for security reasons.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Knowing all the methods of creating screenshots on Xiaomi Redmi 4X allows you to work effectively with information, regardless of the state of the physical buttons or running applications.