Xiaomi Redmi 4X is one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, released in 2017, but still actively used. Despite modest technical characteristics by modern standards, the device supports all basic functions, including creating screenshots. However, many users face difficulties: the combination of buttons does not work, the gesture is not recognized, then MIUI suddenly disappears the option from the menu.
In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to take a screenshot on Redmi. 4X — From standard to alternative, including solutions for cases where the smartphone is “glutting” or buttons are physically damaged, you will also learn how to edit and save screenshots, where they are stored in the device’s memory, and what to do if the screen does not respond to touch. We will separately dwell on the nuances of working with different versions of the shell. MIUI (8 to 12.5, as the interface and settings may differ significantly.
1. Standard method: button combination
The most versatile method, which works on any version of MIUI and requires no additional settings, is suitable even for devices with a damaged sensor (provided that the physical buttons are working).
To take a screenshot:
- Open on the screen what you want to capture (for example, correspondence in WhatsApp or a page in the browser).
- Simultaneously press and hold the power button (right) and the volume button (left) for 1-2 seconds.
- You will hear the characteristic sound of the camera shutter (if the sound is not turned off) and see the animation of saving the screenshot at the top of the screen.
⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4X with worn buttons, it may take several attempts - if the smartphone doesn't respond, try pressing with a lot of force or from a different angle.
☑️ Check before using buttons
2. Screenshot by gesture (three fingers)
A proprietary MIUI feature that allows you to take screenshots without using buttons, especially if the physical keys are worn out or you prefer to control your smartphone with one hand.
To activate this method:
- Go to Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
- Find the Screenshot option (or Three-finger Swipe in older versions of MIUI) and turn it on.
- Return to the screen you want to save and swipe top-down with three fingers at the same time.
If the gesture doesn't work:
- 🔹 Check if left-handed mode is enabled in gesture settings – it can change the direction of the swipe.
- 🔹 Make sure your fingers touch the screen at the same time (not consistently).
- 🔹 On some versions MIUI It is required to be strictly vertical, not diagonally.
💡
If the gesture conflicts with other functions (for example, unlocking by fingerprint), turn off unnecessary gestures in Settings → Lock screen → Additional.
3. Screenshot via notification panel (MIUI 9 and later)
In the shells of MIUI 9-12.5, it is possible to take screenshots through a fast panel, which is useful if the buttons or sensor are unstable.
Instructions:
- Deploy the notification panel (swipe from top to bottom).
If the badge is not:
- 🔹 Click Edit (pencil in the top right corner of the panel) and add Screenshot tile to the active one.
- 🔹 Old versions. MIUI This option may be called Screen Capture.
Where else is the screenshot button hiding?
4. Alternative methods: Voice assistant and ADB
If standard methods don’t work (for example, because of a damaged screen or buttons), you can use Google’s voice assistant or ADB commands.
Method 1: Voice command
- Activate Google Assistant (long-term home click or voice command “OK, Google”).
- Say “take a screenshot” or “screenshot”.
⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4X Chinese-made firmware (China) ROM) Google Assistant can be disabled, in which case use Mi Assistant (if installed) or reflash the device on Global. ROM.
Method 2: ADB (for advanced users)
If the smartphone is connected to the PC, you can take a screenshot through the command line:
adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.pngThe file will be saved in the root folder of internal memory. This method requires debugging over USB enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap to unlock the developer mode).
5 Where screenshots are stored and how to edit them
By default, all screenshots on Redmi 4X are saved in the folder:
/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/or (in older versions of MIUI):
/storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Screenshots/To quickly find the screenshots:
- 🔹 Open the gallery. → screenshot.
- 🔹 Use Explorer (built-in or Mi File Manager) and follow the specified path.
- 🔹 In Google Photos, screenshots automatically fall into the Screen category.
For editing:
- 🔹 In the gallery, tap a screenshot. → Edit (scissors) cropping, text addition and filters available.
- 🔹 Install third-party editors, such as Snapseed or PicsArt, for advanced features.
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Screenshots take up space in memory! Clean Screenshots folder regularly, especially if you have a Redmi 4X with 16GB of storage. Use cloud services (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) to back up.
Typical problems and their solutions
Even on a proven device like the Redmi 4X, screenshots can fail, and we'll look at the most common ones.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Buttons don't respond. | Wearing the mechanism or locking the cover | Try a gesture with three fingers or connect the keyboard over OTG |
| The gesture doesn't work. | Disabled function in settings | Check the settings → Additional Gestures → |
| Screenshot taken, but not saved | Lack of memory or failure in MIUI | Clean up the memory or restart the phone |
| Black screen on the screenshot | DRM protection (e.g. in banking applications) | Use the second phone to take pictures of the screen |
Redmi 4X with MIUI 8 firmware may not have a screenshot gesture option – upgrade to MIUI 9 at least through Settings → System Update.
If none of the methods work, check:
- 🔹 Is Guest Mode not enabled (limits functions).
- 🔹 Are there any viruses or conflicting applications (check through Security) → Scanning).
- 🔹 Is the file system damaged (try rebooting to Recovery and making wipe cache).
7. Third-party screenshot applications
If the built-in Redmi 4X features don't suit you, you can install specialized utilities that offer advanced features: recording video from the screen, real-time editing, cloud storage.
Top.-3 screenshot:
- 📱 Screenshot Easy – Supports screenshots on timer and scroll long pages.
- 📱 Super Screenshot – allows you to take pictures in the format PNG or JPEG customizable.
- 📱 Screen Master – includes a built-in editor and text recognition function (OCR).
⚠️ Note: When installing third-party applications, give them permission to Overlay over other windows and Storage. MIUI — Test them in Safe Mode (click the power button) → Safe regime).
To delete unnecessary screenshots automatically, use Files by Google or CCleaner – they are able to clean the Screenshots folder from old files.