Screenshots on Redmi smartphones remain a basic but not always obvious feature for new users. Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 4, which runs on the basis of MIUI 7, 8 or 9 shells depending on the year of release, often face the need to save an image of the current interface. This can be important correspondence, recipe, an error in the application or just a funny moment from the game. Understanding all available methods will save you time and instantly capture the necessary information.
Unlike some other manufacturers, Xiaomi has implemented many ways to accomplish this task, far beyond the standard keyboard combination: some methods require customization, others work out of the box, and others are hidden features of the system. In this article, we will discuss each of them in detail so that you can choose the most convenient use case for your gadget.
It's worth noting that the software is constantly updated, and the algorithms for screenshots may vary slightly depending on the firmware version. However, the basic principles remain unchanged over the years. We'll look at both the classic methods and advanced features available on the Qualcomm Snapdragon architecture that is installed in Redmi 4.
The fastest and most reliable way to work on any Android device, including the Xiaomi Redmi 4, is to use physical control keys. You need to press the volume down and power button at the same time, and on the side of your smartphone, these elements are arranged so that they are easily reached with the thumb of one hand.
It is important to keep the right timing: pressing should be short-lived, lasting about one second. If you hold the buttons too long, the phone may perceive this as a command to reboot or turn off the screen. Once you successfully perform the action, you will hear the characteristic sound of the camera shutter, and a notification will appear in the status bar about saving the image.
This is a universal technique that works even when the touch screen temporarily stops responding to touch, but the system continues to function. The buttons of the physical interfaces Volume Down and Power are the highest priority in the interrupt system, which is why it is recommended to use this method as a basic method for everyday tasks.
⚠️ Warning: If you press the power button and the volume button, nothing happens or the emergency menu opens, but the screenshot will not be taken.
Once you create a picture, you'll see a thumbnail in the top corner of the screen, and tapping will open it up with an editor where you can immediately crop or draw a picture, and if you ignore the notification, it will disappear in a few seconds, and the file will automatically be saved to the gallery.
Use of control panel and gestures
MIUI is famous for its functional interface, which allows you to take screenshots without using physical buttons. There is a special widget in the notification curtain. Unlock the screen and swipe from top to bottom to open the control center. Find an icon with a picture of scissors or a caption "Screenshot".
However, on Redmi 4, this widget can be hidden by default. To activate it, go to the notification settings and find the editing section of the quick access buttons. Drag the screenshot icon to the active bar. Now, it takes just one tap to create a screenshot.
An even more advanced method is to use three fingers, and this feature requires you to pre-activate in the settings menu, so you have to go to the "More" section, then select "Buttons and gestures" and find "Three finger screenshot," and then you turn on the swipe with three fingers from top to bottom of the screen, and you instantly create a snapshot.
📊 What way to create a screenshot is more convenient for you?
Volume and power buttons
Widget in the curtain
Three-finger gesture
Voice commands
The three-finger gesture is especially handy when you're busy with one hand and you're holding your phone with the other, and it saves lives if the volume button on your Redmi 4 has already started to go down or is not working properly.
For those who prefer menu control, there is another hidden path: in some versions of MIUI, you can call a special menu by holding down the Menu button (square at the bottom of the screen) for a couple of seconds if the corresponding option is enabled in the button settings, which makes the process of creating screenshots as flexible as possible.
Voice control and Mi assistant
Modern smartphones, including the Xiaomi Redmi 4, feature powerful voice control systems. You can just say "OK, Google" or activate the Mi Voice assistant (if it's supported in your region and firmware version) and say "Take a screenshot" or "Photograph the screen."
This is ideal in situations where your hands are busy or dirty, and you can't touch the screen. The voice assistant recognizes the command and executes the action instantly, but it requires an active Internet connection to work, because voice processing often takes place on servers.
To use this feature, make sure that the Google Assistant or Mi Assistant settings include support for Russian-speaking commands. It is also worth checking the permissions: the application must have access to screen control. Without this right, the Android security system will block the execution of the command.
Why can’t the voice assistant work?
Voice commands may not work if a heavy app is running in the background, consuming all the CPU resources, or if the microphone is busy with another process (for example, a voice recorder). Also, the command will not work if you are in a secure application, such as a banking client, where the security policy prohibits the creation of screenshots.> Voice is not only convenient, but also demonstrates the capabilities of artificial intelligence in your pocket. Over time, the assistants learn to recognize your voice better, which reduces the number of errors in executing commands. This is especially true for people with disabilities. Apps for creating screenshots, if you have a lot of third-party solutions. Apps like Screen Master or LongShot provide advanced functionality not available in Redmi 4 stock firmware. They allow you to take long screenshots, create collages and even record video from the screen. One of the main problems with third-party applications is the need to obtain special permissions. Once installed, you will have to manually enable access to "Above Other Windows" and "Special Features." Without this, the application will not be able to "see" what is happening on the screen and take a picture. The advantage of third-party software is automation. You can set up a screenshot to shake the phone or use the graphics from the device's schedule of the device to automatically delete the 32, which is able to delete the memory from the device. App Long screenshot Editor Screen Master Screen Record Yes Advanced No LongShot Yes Basic No TechSmith Capture No Minimum Yes MIUI Screenshots Yes (on the menu) Basic No Need to be careful when choosing an application: many free versions are oversaturated with ads that can overlap the content you want to screen. Always check ratings and reviews before installing to avoid infecting your Xiaomi with malicious code. Creating long screenshots Often one screen is not enough to save the entire screen with a scrolling feature in the top 4 of the article. Press this button, and the device will automatically scroll down, stitching the image into one long tape, and you can stop the process at any time by touching the screen, which is an integrated feature of the system that does not require additional software. The length of the final image is limited only by the screen resolution and RAM. If the application in which you take a screenshot does not support scrolling (for example, some browsers or secure applications), the button will be inactive or absent. ☑️ Checklist for long screenshotTake a regular screenshotTake a regular screenshotTake a regular screenshotTake a screenshotTake a screenshotTake a screenshotTap the “Scroll” button or arrow downTap the screen to stop recordingSave the result in the galleryDo: 0 / 5 The resulting file may have a non-standard aspect ratio. When sent to messengers (such as WhatsApp or Telegram), the image can be automatically compressed or cropped with a preview. PDF. Where to look and how to edit pictures All images created are automatically saved to the system folder, and you can find them through the Gallery app in the Screenshots album or through the file manager along the way. /internal_storage/DCIM/Screenshots. In older versions MIUI file could be called /MIUI/screen_shot. Built-in photo editor at Redmi 4 It allows you to do basic things like framing, rotating, typing and drawing. Open the picture, click Change, and select the tool you want, and it allows you to quickly hide sensitive data (passwords, card numbers) before you send it. You can use third-party applications for more serious processing, but for quick editing, the built-in tools are quite enough. 425/435 and operate quickly without causing heat to the device. ⚠️ Attention: When editing screenshots with sensitive information, always check the result before sending. The Cancel function in the editor only works until you save a copy. Be careful not to send an extra one. Clean the folder with screenshots regularly. They have the ability to accumulate and take up valuable space in the internal storage, which can slow down the entire system. Delete unnecessary images immediately after use. Decisions and errors Sometimes users are faced with the fact that the screenshot is not created. Most often, this is due to a lack of free memory, and if the storage is full, the system cannot write a new file. Check the free space in the settings and delete old files if necessary. Another common reason is protected content. Bank applications, browser incognito mode and some streaming services block the creation of screenshots at the system level. In this case, you will see a black screen instead of an image. This is not a mistake, but a security measure. If the buttons do not respond, there may be a temporary failure in the interface. Reboot of the device usually solves this problem. Also check whether the Do Not Disturb mode or special features for people with disabilities who can intercept the control of buttons. In rare cases, this is a security measure. If the device does not respond to the physical methods, they can be completely flawed. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Why does a screenshot turn black in some apps? This is content copy protection (DRM). This is how banking apps, Netflix, and incognito mode work. You can't get around this with standard means, this is an Android security requirement. How much space does a screenshot take up on Redmi 4? A regular screenshot takes up 100 to 300 KB depending on the complexity of the image. A long screenshot can weigh 1-2 MB. The default save format is PNG or JPG. Can you take a screenshot in a game? Yes, most of the gameplay, however, where the gameplay is blocked from the screenshots? It doesn't automatically copy to the clipboard unless you're using special editing features or third-party buffer apps. How do you take a screenshot if the screen is broken? If the touchscreen doesn't work, but the image is there, you can plug in. USB-mouse-wise OTG-If the screen is completely black, you can't software-based screenshot.