How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Mi 5: all ways + error solving

The Xiaomi Mi 5, released in 2016, is still popular with users thanks to its powerful hardware and support for current versions of MIUI. But many owners face difficulties in creating screenshots — especially if the smartphone has not been updated for a long time or runs on custom firmware. In this article, we will analyze all the available ways to take a screenshot on the Mi 5, including hidden features and avoiding typical errors.

It's important to understand that the methods depend on the version of MIUI and the state of the phone, for example, on stock firmware with MIUI 12 gestures are available, and on old builds (MIUI 8-9) only physical buttons, we tested each method on real devices and collected current data as of 2026.

1. Classic method: power buttons + volume

The most versatile method, working on any version of MIUI and even custom firmware like LineageOS, is suitable for Xiaomi Mi 5 in any state - whether it is an unlocked bootloader or a phone with root rights.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open on the screen what you want to capture (for example, a dialogue in the messenger or a page in the browser).
• 🔘 At the same time, press the power button (right) and the volume reduction button (left).
• 🎯 Hold them down. 1-2 seconds until you hear the sound of the camera shutter and see the animation save.
• 📁 The finished screenshot will appear in the gallery in the Screenshots folder or Screenshots.

An important caveat: on the Mi 5 with worn buttons, only one tap can work. If the screenshot doesn't work, try:

• 🔧 Clean the dust buttons (use isopropyl alcohol and cotton swab).
• 🔄 Press the volume button a little earlier than the power button (for 0.5 seconds).
• 🔋 Reboot the phone – sometimes system lags block the keyboard shortcut.

⚠️ Warning: If the screen flashes after clicking the buttons, but the screenshot is not saved, check the permissions for the Gallery app in Settings → Annexes → Permits: Lack of access to storage is a common cause of the problem.

2. Three-finger gesture (works on MIUI 9 and later)

Xiaomi's signature feature, which makes it easy to create screenshots, activates in settings and allows you to take a screenshot in one motion - swipe three fingers across the display from top to bottom.

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
2. Activate the screenshot switch with three fingers.
3. (Optional) Enable the Long Screenshot option to capture the scrollable pages.

How to use:

• 🖐️ Touch the screen with three fingers at the same time (usually index, middle and ring).
• 👉 Swipe down the display in a smooth motion (sharp swipes may not work).
• 🎨 After the beep, the screenshot will be saved, and an editing panel will appear at the bottom of the screen.

On the Xiaomi Mi 5 with MIUI 8, the three-finger gesture is missing, which is a hardware limitation of the older shell version. If your phone runs on MIUI 8.5 or lower, use alternative methods from this article.

3. Screenshot via notification panel (MIUI 10+)

A lesser-known but convenient way is to use a quick bar, which is useful if physical buttons are broken or finger gestures are uncomfortable.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn the notification bar swipe from top to bottom.
2. Find the Screenshot icon (usually located on the second page of the Quick Settings).
3. Slap it on, and the current screen will be captured.
4. If there is no icon, click Edit (pencil icon) and add it manually.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Faster than a button combination (especially if the buttons are worn out).
• 🔄 It works even with a locked screen (if the option is enabled in the security settings).
• 📱 No need to remember gestures or combinations.

⚠️ Attention: Mi 5 with Android 6.0 (MIUI (8) the screenshot icon may not be present in the notification panel, in which case update the firmware at least to MIUI 9 or use third-party applications.

4. Long screenshot (capture of scrolling page)

If you want to save the entire chat, the long web page, or the list from the app, a standard screenshot is not good. MIUI Scrolling Screenshot (also known as Scrolling Screenshot).

How to do this:

1. First, create a regular screenshot in any of the ways described above.
2. Immediately after saving the bottom of the screen, a thumbnail with buttons will appear. Press Scrolling (the icon with two arrows) ⤓).
3. Wait until the system automatically scrolls through the page and connects the parts into a single file.
4. Click Ready to save the result (can weigh up to 10MB!).

Limitations:

• 🚫 Does not work in some applications (for example, VKontakte, TikTok) due to the protection of content.
• 📏 Maximum length – about 5 screens (depending on the application).
• 🔄 On Mi 5s MIUI 8 function may not be available – update to MIUI 10+.

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If a long screenshot is cut, try to scroll the page manually to the end before saving.The system captures only the loaded screen elements.

5.Challenges with screenshots on Xiaomi Mi 5 and their solution

Even on a proper Mi. 5 There may be errors in the way you take screenshots.-5 problems and ways of eliminating them:

If none of the methods worked, try third-party apps from Google Play:

• 📸 Screenshot Touch – Emulates gestures even on older versions MIUI.
• 🖼️ Screen Master – Supports Scrolling Screenshots and Editing.
• 🔧 ADB Screenshot – for advanced users (requires debugging by USB).

6 Where screenshots are stored and how to transfer them

By default, all screenshots on Xiaomi Mi 5 are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

or (in Russian language firmware):

/storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Screenshots/

How to manage files:

• 📂 To open the folder, use the built-in file manager (Mi File Explorer) or connect your phone to your PC. USB.
• 🔍 For quick access, click on the screenshot thumbnail immediately after it is created - the Gallery will open with editing option.
• ☁️ To automatically upload screenshots to the cloud, enable sync with Mi Cloud or Google Photos.

How to transfer screenshots to your computer:

1. Connect the Mi 5 to the PC via USB-Cable (original or certified).
2. On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the connection notification.
3. On your computer, open the folder This computer → [Your phone name] → Pictures → Screenshots.
4. Copy the files you want (usually in.png or.jpg format).

⚠️ Note: If the Screenshots folder is empty when you connect to your PC, but the files are visible on the phone, check the settings for displaying hidden files in the Windows file manager (View) → Hidden elements. Sometimes MIUI Creates duplicate folders with a different name (e.g. Screenshot without the letter "s" at the end).

7. Alternative methods for advanced users

If standard methods don’t work (for example, because of broken buttons or custom firmware), you can use advanced tools:

Method 1: ADB-team (no root)

Requires USB debugging enabled and a computer with ADB installed.

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png

After the command is executed, the screenshot will be saved in the root folder of the phone under the name screen.png.

Method 2: Termux (for PC-free users)

• Install Termux from F-Droid (not from Google Play!).
• Enter commands: pkg install android-tool screencap -p /sdcard/screen.jpg
• Screenshot will appear in the gallery.

Method 3: Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If the Mi 5 is stuck on the logo or does not respond to clicks, but the screen works:

1. Press Power + Volume Up to Enter Recovery.
2. Select Advanced → Screenshot (if any).
3. The screenshot will be saved to internal memory (available after the reboot).

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ADB and Termux are the only ways to take a screenshot of a Xiaomi Mi 5 with a broken screen (if the touchscreen doesn’t respond, but the image is visible).

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi Mi 5