How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 5: all ways with explanations

Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in 2017, is still a popular budget smartphone due to the reliability and support of MIUI. However, many users face difficulties when trying to take a screenshot — especially if you have previously used devices from other brands. In this article, we will discuss all available methods for creating screenshots on Redmi 5, including standard keyboards, MIUI gestures and alternative solutions.

It's important to consider that the functionality may vary depending on the firmware version. For example, in the early builds of MIUI 9, the three-finger swipe gesture was disabled by default, and in MIUI 10 it was activated. We'll look at options for all versions of the software, and also tell you what to do if screenshots are not saved in the gallery or disappear after a reboot.

1. Standard method: button combination

The most versatile method that works on all versions of MIUI is to press physical buttons simultaneously. On Redmi 5, this is:

⚠️ Note: If you have a magnetic lock case installed (for example, for a wallet), the power button may be blocked.

• 🔘 Press the power button (right) + Volume down button (left) for 1-2 seconds.
• 📱 The screen will blink, there will be an animation of saving (in MIUI 12+ — camera-shutter).
• 🖼️ The finished screenshot can be found in the gallery in the Screenshots folder or through a notification.

If the combination does not work:

• 🔧 Check if one of the buttons stuck (especially after the phone drops).
• ⚙️ Make sure that in the settings → Additionally. → Buttons not disabled hardware keys.
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes system processes MIUI block the creation of screens.

2.The three-finger swipe gesture in MIUI

A feature of Xiaomi that makes it easy to create screenshots without buttons, to activate it on Redmi 5:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Buttons → Screenshot.
2. Enable the option of "Swipe with three fingers".
3. Select the direction of the swipe (default - down).

Now to create the screen:

1. Touch the screen with three fingers at the same time (for example, index, middle and ring).
2. Swipe down the display (as if you were shaking off the water).
3. Wait for the screen to flash and the beep.

This method is convenient for screenshots in games or applications where power/volume buttons are busy, but it does not work on locked screens and in some banking applications (due to MIUI security limitations).

3. Screenshot via notification panel

A lesser known but useful way is to use a quick panel.

• 📲 Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification bar.
• 🔍 Find the screenshot icon (scissors or a rectangle with lightning) if it's not there:
• 📸 Click on the icon - the screen will blink, and the screen will remain.

The advantage of the method is that it works even if one of the physical buttons is faulty. The disadvantage is that it requires two actions (open the panel + press the icon), which is longer than the key combination.

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If the screenshot icon disappears after the reboot, reset the notification panel settings in Settings → Notifications → Additional → Reset the control panel.

4. Google Voice Assistant or XiaoAI

For those who prefer to control the phone with voice, this method is suitable. Redmi 5 supports two options:

Please note:

• 🎤 Voice commands do not work in power saving mode or if the microphone is busy (for example, during a call).
• 🔒 On some versions MIUI Screenshots via voice assistant are not saved to the gallery – they need to be manually exported from the assistant’s history.

5. Third-party screenshot applications

If the standard methods don't work, you can use apps from Google Play. Popular options for Redmi 5:

• 📱 Screenshot Easy – Supports delayed screens (useful for menus that disappear when you press buttons).
• 🎨 Screenshot Touch – allows you to draw on the screen immediately after creation.
• 🖥️ Super Screenshot – saves screenshots to the cloud automatically.

Warnings when using third-party applications:

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Screenshot Ultimate) request permission to display over other windows, which may conflict with banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) and lead to blocking their work.

To install such an application:

1. Download it from Google Play (avoid APK from unverified sources!).
2. Run and provide the necessary permissions in Settings → Applications → Special Access.
3. Set up hotkeys or widgets for quick access.

Check out reviews (especially 1-2 stars)

Check the date of the last update (is it relevant for MIUI 14?)

Make sure the app doesn’t have access to SMS/calls

Test on an unnecessary account (if in doubt)-->

6. Screenshot Problems on Redmi 5 and Their Solutions

Even after the screen is successfully created, Redmi 5 users face typical problems.

Screenshots are not saved in the gallery

Causes and solutions:

• 🗃️ Screenshots folder damaged → Rename it through the file manager in Screenshots_old, And the system will create a new one.
• 📁 Lack of space on the device → Clear the cache in Settings → Warehouse.
• 🔧 Retention is disabled in MIUI → Check the Settings. → Additionally. → Screenshots → Keep it in the gallery.

Screenshots blurred or cropped

It's because of:

• 🖼️ Resolution discrepancies – if the screen is scaled to Settings → Screen. → Display size.
• 🎮 Game mode - disable it in Settings → Special facilities → Turbo-playing mode.
• 🔄 Rendering errors MIUI — restart the phone.

Swipe gesture doesn't work.

The problem is typical for custom firmware or after resetting.

• ⚙️ Reset your gesture settings in Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset your gesture settings.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (gesture could be added in newer builds).
• 🛠️ If you use TWRP, Check if the system file has been deleted. /system/usr/keylayout/fts.kl.

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If screenshots are not created in any way, check the integrity of system files through Settings → About phone → System Check. In 10% of cases, the problem is solved only by flashing.

7. Alternative methods for advanced users

If the standard methods are not suitable, you can use technical solutions:

Screenshot via ADB (for developers)

You will need a computer with installed ADB-Drivers and Included Debugging USB - On the phone:

adb devices


adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png




adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

This method is useful if you want to make a screen without notifications (for example, for documentation).

Screenshot via Recovery (TWRP)

If the phone is not turned on, but you have access to TWRP:

1. Load to recovery (power button + volume increase).
2. Select Advanced → Screenshot.
3. The screen will be saved to the memory card in the TWRP folder.

⚠️ Note: In the official Recovery from Xiaomi screenshot function is not – only in custom versions (TWRP, OrangeFox).

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi 5