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

Screenshots are one of the basic but critical functions of any modern smartphone, and the budget Xiaomi Redmi 4 is no exception. Users often face the need to capture correspondence, save a recipe, fix an error in the application or just share an interesting moment from the game. Although the MIUI interface may seem overloaded for a beginner, the mechanism for creating images here is implemented as convenient and multifaceted as possible.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available methods that allow you to implement the Android operating system in conjunction with the manufacturer’s corporate shell. You will learn not only about standard button combinations, but also about hidden functions, such as creating long screenshots and voice control. Understanding these nuances will significantly improve the effectiveness of your interaction with the device.

Many Redmi 4 owners don’t even realize that their phone has much more than just fixing a current image, and we’ll look at settings that automate the process, change the format of file storage, and even edit the image immediately after it’s created.

Standard Method Through Physical Buttons

The fastest and most time-tested way to get a screenshot on any Android device is to use a physical keyboard. The Redmi 4, like most Xiaomi smartphones of the period, uses the classic combination: you need to press the Power button and Volume Down button at the same time.

It's important to keep the sequence and duration of the pressing right, you press the buttons simultaneously and hold them for about one second, and if you let them go too early, the system might perceive this as a random touch, and if you hold them too long, the phone might go into vibration or off mode, which is not our goal.

Once you've done the action, you'll hear the characteristic shutter sound of the camera (unless the sound is turned off), and a split second notification will appear at the top of the screen that the image has been created. The file is automatically saved to the gallery, which works even when the touch screen is temporarily unresponsive or locked in certain applications.

  • πŸ“± Press and hold the Power. + Loudness down at the same time.
  • πŸ”Š Focus on the sound signal or vibration for confirmation.
  • πŸ–ΌοΈ Check the notification in the curtain for quick access to the file.

⚠️ Warning: Don't push the buttons too hard. The mechanical keys on Redmi 4 have a clear stroke, and excessive force can damage the internal contacts or the button mechanism itself.

πŸ“Š What kind of screenshots do you use most often?
Physical buttons (Power + Vol-)
Three fingers
Voice commands
Quick access menu

Using a swipe with three fingers

The MIUI shell is famous for its unique gestures that make navigation much easier. One of the most useful features is to take a screenshot by swiping three fingers across the screen from top to bottom, which is intuitive and allows you to take pictures with one hand when the phone is lying on the table, or just when the buttons are uncomfortable to press.

However, by default, this feature can be disabled to prevent random screenshots from being taken while you're actively using the interface. To activate, you need to go to the system settings. Find the section for additional functions where the desired switch is hidden. Once activated, the gesture becomes active in all applications.

The system recognizes three fingers, which minimizes the risk of false positives. If you use a protective glass with a poor oleophobic coating or wear gloves, the sensitivity of the sensor may require sharper and faster movement. In some cases, it may require screen calibration.

β˜‘οΈ Tweaking the gesture with three fingers

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The advantage of this method is that it is silent and fast. You don't have to look for physical buttons, which is especially true if the smartphone body is in a bulky protective case that makes it difficult to access the side faces.

Creating long screenshots (scrolling)

One of the most popular features for social media users and instant messengers is the ability to take a long screenshot. A standard screenshot captures only the visible area, but WhatsApp correspondence or news feeds in the browser often take up much more space. Xiaomi Redmi 4 can automatically "stitch" several images into one long canvas.

The process starts with taking a normal screenshot in any convenient way, and immediately after that, in the upper right corner of the picture, a special button will appear with the scroll icon or arrow down, and you click on it, you start scrolling mode, and the phone will automatically scroll down the content, capturing new areas of the screen.

You can stop the process at any time by tapping the screen or pressing the stop button, which allows you to control where your long screenshot ends, and is especially useful when saving navigation routes, long articles or transaction history in banking applications.

ParameterDescriptionLimitations
Maximum lengthDepends on screen resolution.Usually up to 5-10 screens
Support for applicationsWorks in browsers and social networksDoesn't work in some games
File formatJPG or PNGLarge file size
ManagementAutomatic scrollingYou can stop it manually.
Why is the long screenshot being cut off?
Sometimes the system forcibly stops scrolling if it detects a sharp change in content or a protected item. Also, the limit can be associated with the amount of free RAM, since processing a long image requires the resources of the processor.> Voice control and Assistant Modern technology allows you to control the smartphone without using hands, and Redmi 4 supports work with the voice assistant Google Assistant. This can be extremely useful in situations where your hands are busy or contaminated, for example, during cooking or repair. Enough to say a certain command for the system to fulfill the request. To activate the function, you need to turn on voice search and Google's function. The system recognizes the command, emits an audible signal and saves an image of the current contents of the screen, and it should be noted that the recognition quality depends on the quality of the microphone recording and the noise level in the room. If the phone is far away from you or if the vibration only mode is on, the voice assistant may not be activated. πŸŽ™οΈ Make sure the microphone is not covered with a cover or hand. πŸ—£οΈ Say the command clearly and loudly enough. βš™οΈ Check out the language settings in the Google app. Voice control opens up new possibilities for people with disabilities, making Xiaomi's interface more accessible and adaptable to different operating conditions. However, in noisy public places, this method may be less effective due to speech recognition problems. After you've learned how to take pictures, it's important to understand what happens next. MIUI has a handy preview panel that appears immediately after you create a screenshot. It allows you to quickly edit an image, add text, pictures or immediately send a file to the messenger, bypassing the gallery. If you don't have time to click on the thumbnail in a few seconds, it will disappear, but the file will still be saved. You can find it in the "Gallery" application in the "Screenshot" album, the file format is available through the file editing tool, but the system is available automatically with the help of the file editing tool. It is important to clean the screenshot folder periodically, as these can take up a significant amount of internal memory, which is often limited on Redmi 4. ⚠️ Note: Screenshots of banking applications and some secure services may be blocked by security, in which case you will see a black screen instead of an image - this is a normal data protection reaction. Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users sometimes encounter difficulties, such as screenshots that may not be created in certain games or applications with protected content (DRM). There are also cases where buttons stick or the sensor doesn't respond to gestures, and in these situations, it helps to restart the device. If standard methods don't work, the interface service may have failed. Restarting your phone in safe mode will help determine if a third-party application is in conflict with system functions, often by memory cleaners or ad blockers, and in rare cases, you need to update your firmware to the latest available version. Xiaomi developers regularly release patches that fix bugs in the system. You can check for updates in the About Phone section in the settings. Why does the screenshot turn black in some applications? This is privacy protection. Bank applications, incognito browser modes and some streaming services block the ability to copy the screen image to prevent data theft or piracy. Where are the screenshots taken stored? By default, all files are stored in internal memory along the way DCIM/Screenshots or in a folder Pictures/Screenshots. They're also available through the standard Gallery app. Can you change the format to RAW? Standard system tools MIUI Redmi 4 saves screenshots in format RAW It's impossible. It's converting the image into JPG or PNG to save space. RAW Third-party software with superuser rights is required. πŸ’‘Timely cleaning of the folder with screenshots frees up space and speeds up the gallery, preventing lag when browsing photos. In conclusion, it is worth noting that Xiaomi Redmi 4 provides flexible tools for working with the image on the screen. By combining different methods – from classic buttons to voice commands – you can make the most of your device in any life situation.