How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 5: all working methods + secret MIUI chips

Xiaomi Redmi 5 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017-2018, but even today its owners are faced with the question: how to quickly take a screenshot of the screen? The methods depend on the version of the MIUI (9 to 12.5), the installed shell and even the physical condition of the buttons. In this article, a full guide with proven methods, including rare tricks for unusual situations (for example, if the power button does not work).

We're going to look at not only the classic keyboard combinations, but also the alternatives, from gestures to voice commands, and also explain why screens sometimes don't save (and how to fix it), where they go from the gallery, and how to automatically send them to the cloud, and if you're looking for the fastest way possible, or if you're faced with a "Can't take a screenshot" error, here's a solution.

1. Classic method: buttons "Nutrition + Volume down"

It’s a versatile method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi 5 (the Redmi 5A, Redmi 5 Plus models also support).

1. Open the screen you want to capture (for example, a dialog in the messenger or a page in the browser).
2. At the same time, press the power button (right) and the volume reduction button (left).
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the sound of the camera shutter and see the animation of the screenshot.

⚠️ Warning: If the buttons are pressed too long (more than 3 seconds), the smartphone may start to reboot or open the shutdown menu. On Redmi 5 with worn buttons, you sometimes need to press a little harder - but without fanaticism, so as not to damage the mechanism.

Where to look for a ready-made screen? By default, it is saved in the Gallery → Screenshots folder (or DCIM → Screenshots in the file manager). If there is no folder, check the save settings (more on this below).

Buttons pressed simultaneously, without delay | Shutter animation appeared |Sunfire sound (if not disabled) |Screenshot displayed in the notification-->

Alternative method: quick menu (notification panel)

If the buttons on Redmi 5 don't work well or you just prefer taps, use the Quick Settings Panel. This works on MIUI 10 and later:

1. Swipe your finger down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification curtain.
2. Find the screenshot icon** (usually hidden under the “More” or “Edit” button).
3. Slip on it – the smartphone will immediately take a screenshot.

🔹 How to add a screenshot button to the curtain if it is not there?

• 📱 Open the notification panel in full (swipe down twice).
• 🔧 Slip on the Edit icon (pencil in the lower right corner).
• 🔍 Find it in the screenshot list and drag it to the active area.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 5s MIUI 9 this method may not work — older versions of firmware didn't have a screenshot button in the curtain. Update the system or use other methods.

"Nutrition + Volume Down" buttons | Quick menu (notification panel) | Gestures (Three-finger swipe) | Voice assistant | Another option-->

3. Gestures: Three-finger swipe (fastest way)

The screenshot gesture feature is available on Redmi 5 with MIUI 11 and later, and allows you to take a screenshot in one motion, swipe three fingers across the screen from top to bottom.

1. Open Settings → Additional → Special features → Gestures for a screenshot.
2. Activate the Three-Finger Swipe Switch.
3. (Optional) Enable the option “Preview screenshot”** – it will show the thumbnail immediately after creation.

🔹 nuance:

• 👆 The gesture works only on the home screen and in apps, but not in games with swipe locking (for example, in the case of the game, PUBG Mobile).

💡 Secret chip: If after swipe to hold your finger on the thumbnail of the screenshot, the editor will open - you can immediately crop or mark the picture.

💡

On Redmi 5 with a broken sensor, gestures may not work, in which case use physical buttons or connect the mouse over OTG and do screens through ADB (instruction below).

4. Voice assistant: "OK, Google, take a screenshot."

If you have Google Assistant or Alice on, you can take screenshots with your voice, which is convenient when your hands are busy or your buttons are broken.

1. Activate the assistant with your voice (OK, Google) or hold the Home button.
2. Tell the command, “Take a screenshot” or “Take a picture of the screen.”
3. Confirm the action (if required).

🔹 Limitations:

• 🗣️ It works only when you connect to the Internet (check the command on Google servers).
• 🔒 In some applications (banks, messengers with protection) voice commands are blocked.
• 📱 On Redmi 5s. MIUI 9-10 You may need to manually configure permissions for Google Assistant.

📌 For Yandex Alice: The team sounds like “Alice, take a screenshot”**, but only works in the Yandex app or on the home screen.

5. Screenshot via ADB (for advanced users)

If the Redmi 5 screen doesn't respond to touch and the buttons are broken, you can take a screenshot through the command line using the ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a PC and enabled debugging over USB.

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Turn on the developer mode on your smartphone: Settings → About phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).
2. Activate debugging over USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect Redmi 5 to your PC via USB and confirm your trust in your computer.
4. Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) and type in: adb devices (should display your device's serial number).
5. Run the command for screenshot: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png
6. Download the file on PC: adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

⚠️ Attention: If ADB It gives a device unauthorized error, check that there is a window on the smartphone screen requesting trust in the PC (I need to confirm). On Redmi 5 with a broken screen, this method will not work - you will need to unlock the bootloader and firmware through Fastboot.

6.Where screenshots go and how to change the save folder

By default, screenshots on Redmi 5 are saved to Gallery → Screenshots, but sometimes they disappear. Common reasons and solutions:

• 📁 Folder Hidden: In the file manager, enable the display of hidden files (Settings) → Show hidden files).
• 🗑️ Removed Automatically: Check the Recycle Bin in the Gallery or Cleaning Settings in Settings → Warehouse.
• ☁️ Cloud Sync: If Mi Cloud is enabled, screens can only be saved in the cloud (check Settings). → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery).

🔧 How to Change the Conservation Folder?

In the standard settings of Redmi 5 this option is not, but you can use third-party applications (for example, Screenshot Easy) or ADB-team:

adb shell settings put global screenshot_save_path /storage/emulated/0/Download/Screenshots

⚠️ Note: If you use dual apps (cloning messengers), screenshots from them can be saved to a separate folder. CloneApp_Screenshots.

💡

On Redmi 5 with MIUI 12+, screenshots are automatically optimized (compressed). To maintain original quality, disable the option in Settings → Additional → Image Optimization.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi 5