How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: all working methods + problem solving

Xiaomi Redmi 4X is one of the brand’s most popular budget smartphones, released in 2017, but still in active use. Despite its age, the device based on MIUI (even in current firmware) supports several ways to create screenshots. However, many users face problems: standard button combinations do not work, gestures are lost or screenshots are saved in unexpected folders.

In this article, we will look at all possible methods for taking screenshots on Redmi 4X, from classic to little-known, and also explain how to fix typical errors. We will focus on the nuances of working on different versions of MIUI (8 to 14), because the interface and location of settings may have changed. If you can not take a screenshot due to breakage of buttons or system glitches, here you will find alternative solutions.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most reliable and versatile method is the use of hardware keys. On the Xiaomi Redmi 4X, two buttons are used to do this:

• 🔘 Power button (Power) + The volume button (Volume Down).
• 🔘 Hold both keys at the same time. 1-2 seconds until you hear the shutter sound or see the animation screenshot.
• 🔘 On some firmware, the screen may blink - that's normal.

If the combination does not work:

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4X With non-original firmware (for example, LineageOS or custom builds), the standard combination can be reassigned. → Gestures → Screenshots.

Where to look for a finished screenshot?

• 📁 By default, files are saved in the Pictures folder. → Screenshots (or) DCIM → Screenshots in older versions MIUI).
• 🔍 Quick access: Open the Gallery → album".
• 📱 On some firmware after creating the screen, a thumbnail appears in the lower right corner - tap it for quick editing or removal.

Make sure the buttons are not locked.|Check the free space on the device (minimum 50 MB)|Turn off the power saving modes (they can block screenshots)|Update. MIUI Up to the latest version, if available)-->

2. Screenshot gestures: how to enable and use

Redmi 4X with MIUI 9 and later has a three-finger gesture screenshot feature, which is handy if the hardware buttons are not working or you often take screenshots.

How to activate:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Button gestures (or Settings → System and device → Gestures in new versions).
2. Find the "Three Fingers Screenshot" and switch on the switch.
3. Test: Swipe down the screen with three fingers at the same time.

If the gesture doesn't work,

• 🔄 Restart your smartphone – sometimes the feature resets after updates.
• 📱 Check if the gesture conflicts with other apps (like Google Assistant or third-party launchers).
• 🛠️ In rare cases, resetting gesture settings helps: Settings → All settings → Recovery and discharge → Resetting gesture settings.

3.Voice assistant: screenshot on command

Few people know, but on Xiaomi Redmi 4X you can take a screenshot with a voice command through the built-in Google Assistant or Alice (if you have the Yandex application installed).

Instructions for Google Assistant:

1. Activate the assistant by voice (OK, Google) or holding the Home button.
2. Say, "Take a screenshot" or "Screenshot."
3. Confirm the action if necessary.

For Alice:

• 🎤 Open the Yandex app or activate Alice with your voice.
• 🗣️ Say, "Alice, take a screenshot".
• ⚠️ The feature does not work on all versions of the application and requires screen access permissions.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Does not work in games and some screenshot-blocked apps (e.g. banking apps).
• 🔇 Requires an Internet connection to process voice commands.
• 📵 On some firmware may request additional permissions in Settings → Annexes → Special access → Screen recording.

Keyboard combination | Three-finger gesture | Voice assistant | App side | I don't know how to do-->

4. Screenshot via notification panel (quick access)

In MIUI 10 and later, you can add a screenshot button to the notification bar, which is convenient if you need to quickly take a picture without remembering the combinations.

How to set up:

1. Open the notification panel (swipe from top to bottom).
2. Slap the icon "⚙️ Settings" (or "Edit") in the upper right corner.
3. Find the screenshot in the list and drag it to the active area.
4. Save the changes.

Now to take a screenshot:

1. Deploy the notification panel.
2. Slip the Screenshot icon (usually looks like a scissor or a rectangle with lightning).
3. Confirm the action if necessary.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Faster than the button combination (especially if the buttons are worn out).
• 🎯 It works with one hand.
• 🔄 You can turn off if the function is not needed.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4X s MIUI 8 or older custom firmware may not be this feature, in which case use alternative methods or update the software.

5 Third-party applications: when standard methods do not work

If none of these methods work (for example, because of breakage of buttons or firmware glitches), you can use third-party utilities.

How to set up Screenshot Easy (for example):

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Permissions to Record from the screen (an automatic window will pop up).
3. Enable the "Floating button" option for quick access.
4. Now, tap the floating button to take a screenshot.

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (e.g, AZ Screen Recorder may be in conflict with MIUI Optimizations. If after installation the smartphone started to slow down, turn off optimization in Settings → For developers → Shut down. MIUI Optimizations.

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If the screenshot app doesn't work, try clearing its cache: Settings → Apps → [App Name] → Memory → Clear the cache.

6 Problem Solving: Why You Can't Take a Screenshot

If neither method works, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔋 Low battery power (less than 5%): Some firmware blocks screenshots to save energy.
• 📱 Button Breakage: If Power or Volume Down is not working, use gestures or third-party apps.
• 🔒 Application restrictions: banking programs (SberBank, Tinkoff) and some games (PUBG, Genshin Impact blocks screenshots.
• 🛠️ Firmware Glitches: After Updating MIUI You may be able to reset your gestures.
• 📁 Lack of memory: if the device is less than 100 MB of free space, screenshots may not be saved.

Critical information: Redmi 4X with firmware older than MIUI 9 may not support gestures and voice commands, in which case only a combination of buttons or third-party applications remain.

What to do if screenshots are not saved:

1. Check the Pictures/Screenshots folder through a Explorer (e.g. Mi File Explorer).
2. Restart the device – sometimes the screenshot buffer “hangs”.
3. Delete old screenshots if there are too many (more than 500 files can cause errors).
4. Update the Gallery and Mi File Explorer through the Play Market.

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If screenshots are taken but not displayed in the Gallery, try opening them through the file manager or connecting your phone to your PC. Sometimes the Gallery does not automatically update the library.

7. Alternative methods: ADB and computer

If your smartphone doesn't respond to touch or if your buttons are broken, you can take a screenshot from your computer via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

Instructions for Windows:

1. Download and install ADB Tools (for example, the official package from Google).
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to unlock Settings for developers), then Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging over USB.
3. Connect Redmi 4X to your PC over USB and select File Transfer mode.
4. Open Command Prompt (Win + R → cmd) and type: Adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
5. Run the command for screenshot: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png
6. Download the file to PC: adb pull /sdcard/screen.png C:\Users\[Your username]\Desktop

For Mac/Linux, the steps are similar, but you may need to install drivers.

Advantages of the method:

• 🖥️ It works even when the screen or buttons are faulty.
• 📂 You can save a screenshot directly to your computer.
• 🔧 Suitable for debugging and technical support.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI 12+, for ADB Additional permission may be required "USB-Debugging (security options)" in the developer settings. Without this, the adb device command will not show the device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi 4X