How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Mi 5: all the ways (including hidden)

The Xiaomi Mi 5, released in 2016, is still popular with users due to its balanced performance and support for current versions of MIUI. However, many owners face a problem: standard methods for creating screenshots (for example, using power and volume buttons) sometimes do not work due to wear of mechanical keys or firmware features. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to take a screenshot on the Mi 5 – from classic to little-known, including gestures, voice commands and third-party utilities.

The Mi 5 is a feature that supports screenshots even on custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), but the algorithm may be different. We've taken this into account in the instructions, and you'll learn how to edit screenshots immediately after you've created, where they're saved, and why sometimes the images are black (and how to fix them).

1. Classic method: power buttons + volume

This is the most versatile method, running on any version of MIUI (8 to 14) and most custom firmware.

1. Open the screen you want to capture (for example, a dialog in the messenger or a page in the browser).
2. Press the power button (right) and the volume button (left) for 1-2 seconds at the same time.
3. Wait for the characteristic shutter sound (if the sound is on) and visual animation – the screen will be “photographed”.

⚠️ Warning: On the Mi 5 with worn buttons, this may not work the first time:

• 🔄 Try pressing buttons with a small delay (first power, after 0.5 seconds - volume).
• 🧹 Clean the dust buttons with an alcohol napkin – often the cause is contamination of the mechanism.
• 🔧 Enable the Settings option in the settings → Additionally. → Power button → Screenshot (not available on all firmware).

The screenshot will be saved in the DCIM/Screenshots or Pictures/Screenshots folder (depending on the MIUI version). To quickly find it, open the gallery and select the Screenshots album.

2. Three-finger gesture (hidden MIUI function)

Few people know, but the Mi 5 has a built-in screenshot feature with three fingers wired across the screen, which is disabled by default, but it turns on in 30 seconds:

1. Go to Settings → Advanced settings → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
2. Activate the switch "Scan screenshot with three fingers".
3. Choose the direction of the gesture: down (recommended) or up.

Now to take a screenshot:

1. Place three fingers (such as index, middle and ring fingers) on the screen.
2. Then, move them down (or up if you choose to go there).
3. The screen will blink, the screenshot is ready!

💡 Useful tip: The gesture works even in games and apps with button locking (for example, in the game). PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact. This is the only way to take a screenshot in such cases without root rights.

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If the gesture doesn’t work, try calibrating the sensor: go to Settings → Screen → Calibration of the sensor and follow the instructions.

3. Screenshot via notification panel (MIUI 9 and later)

MIUI 9-14 firmware now allows you to create screenshots through a quick notification panel, which is convenient if the mechanical buttons do not work:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the screenshot icon (usually a scissor or screen thumbnail) and if it's not there, click Edit (pencil in the upper right corner) and add it to the active tiles.
3. Slap the icon, the screen will be captured.

⚠️ Note: On some custom firmware (e.g. Havoc-OS), this method may not work due to the lack of branded Xiaomi services.

The advantage of the method is that you can take a screenshot with one hand without pressing a button, and the option “Scrollable Screenshot” (if supported by the application) is available here to capture long pages (for example, chats on Telegram or Instagram feeds).

4. Voice command (Google Assistant)

If you have Google Assistant enabled, you can take a voice screenshot, which is useful when your hands are busy or your buttons are broken.

• 🎤 Say, “Okay Google, take a screenshot").
• 🤖 Or: "Alice, take a screenshot" (works only in Russian localization).

🔹 Important nuances:

• Voice commands only work when connected to the Internet (cloud processing is required).
• Some Mi 5 firmware may require the Assistant to pre-allow screen access in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Screen recording.
• In games or banking applications, voice screenshots may be blocked for security reasons.

📌 If the voice command does not work, check if the Assistant is enabled in the settings: Settings → Google → Assistant settings → Voice assistant.

5. Third-party screenshot applications

If the built-in methods don't work (for example, because of broken buttons or custom firmware), use third-party utilities. We tested 5 apps on Mi 5 - the best options in the table:

🔧 How to set up:

1. Install the application from the table.
2. Start it and give permission to record from the screen (required!).
3. Choose the capture method: floating button, shaking phone or timer.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Screenshot Touch) may conflict with MIUI Optimizations. If the phone starts to brake after installation, turn off optimization in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Shut down. MIUI Optimizations).

6. Screenshot via ADB (for advanced users)

If the phone is not responsive to touch (for example, due to a broken screen), but connects to a PC, you can take a screenshot via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

1. Install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Enable USB Debugging on Mi 5: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times), then Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute in the command line:

adb devices


adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png




adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

The screen.png file will appear in the folder where the command was launched, and this method works even on a locked screen (if debugging was enabled earlier).

🔹 Limitations:

• It doesn't work in Safe Mode.
• It requires a pre-setting of the debugging.
• On some firmware, the path to the screenshot may be different (e.g. /storage/emulated/0/screen.png).

Frequent problems and solutions

Even on a serviceable Mi 5, there are sometimes errors in taking screenshots. Let's consider typical cases and how to fix them:

🖥️ Black screenshot.

If the screenshot is completely black, the reason is usually one of three:

• 🔒 DRM-Protection: Some apps (e.g. Netflix, Bank clients) block screenshots. No solution is a security restriction.
• 🔄 Rendering error: Reboot your phone or update your firmware.
• 🛠️ Damaged cache: Clear system cache: Settings → Annexes → All applications → Press three dots. → Reset application settings.

📱 Screenshots are not saved

If the photos are created but do not appear in the gallery:

• 📁 Check the folder. DCIM/Screenshots File Manager (for example, Mi File Explorer).
• 🔧 Make sure your phone has enough memory (minimum 100MB of free space).
• 🔄 Rewire it. SD-map (if used): Settings → Memory. → Press on. SD-map → Extract → Connect again.

🔇 No shutter sound.

If the screenshot does not sound characteristic:

• 🔊 Check if the system notifications are off: Settings → Sound. → Systemic sounds.
• 🎵 Make sure your phone is not in silent mode.
• 🔧 Reset the sound settings: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset the sound settings.

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If none of these methods work, check if the com.android.systemui process is disabled in the autorun settings. Without it, no screenshots will be created.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions